Oilycafe's Sneaky Budget Build 750

[Oilycafe]

Noob alert...

Just so you know where I'm coming from...
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=68662.0

Well it found me.
Been looking hard for a bike for awhile. You know, the right combo of "Needs Work" and "Man, but the potential!"

I was looking on Searchtempest (craigslist) for summer tires for my wife's car. Couldn't find any. Started to back out of the site and thought I'd peak at my saved searches...

"For sale or trade" 25 miles away.



1974 Honda cb750
engine displacement (CC): 750
fuel: gas
paint color: orange
title status: clean
transmission: manual
74 cb750k
Tach reads 30k

I don’t have time or patience to play around with it, runs but needs work. Has a clean title. $500 firm or its going to end up at the scrap yard.

"What would you trade for it?"I ask.
"Depends"
20 emails later I get to see it.

He had a video on his phone with it running.
He took the carbs apart to "clean them" and then he couldn't get it running.

Traded this for it:






Guitar is a 1958 Danelectro - worth about 6-700 bucks.

Only paid 30 bucks for it at a used furniture store. Got 15 Guitars anyway.

No cash flow. More money for getting it going . Can't beat this!

So....
Wife gets all passive / aggressive:

"Well you know we're going to finish the basement this year."....
"You're not going to buy a bunch of 'shiny pieces' for that thing".
"Don't forget, the convertible needs a new top"...

Crickets....... ''''''' '''''''' '''''''
.... I can see where this is going.

Poof! Visions of Italian rearsets, and all things Cognito and Bullit and.....things with really old dimes encrusted on 'em.

So I'll come up with a plan B.
Got to go through things.

Gotta REALLY go through the carbs

Had a 82 DOHC back in the day so I think I can remember how to get the carbs close. I'll look it up. Then I'll have to up for a synchronizer. Like the one I gave away.

Forks look recently re-done.

Rear shocks.

Drain and examine the front brakes/ check the rears. I saw some better pads out there - Cycle X?

Tires of course. Has a few little wiring issues - Turn signals.

In order to save money, I could turn the mini apehangers around an drop them... be a cool look with my chin on the tank all the time, my hands would get a little hot from the headers on the sweepers....but maybe because of the cost of custom flame resistant lined motorcycle gloves, I could justify a $49.00 set of clubmans.

Seriously,
I think I'll get it ready for summer and shake it down.
30,000 on the tach : ;D I know they are good for 100,000 and this bike was well loved. Dated but well loved.
What abut the timing chain? and what else in the "Wear Parts" department?

My buddy's that have come down to marvel at it kinda like the patina that it has.It's growin on me too.

Now, how do I incorporate that sissy bar into a cafe seat?

Got new plans but that's another post.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

Just get it running and sell it mang... Make your wife happy and save a lot of grief.

 

[wahvtec]

I'm not married so I have trouble understanding the wrath you may be bringing upon yourself...however I do understand how awesome that bike can be. Great platform I really want to sell my DOHC nighthawk 700 to get an sohc 750 if it all works out in a few years. I wouldn't worry about wear items yet. Get the carbs and ignition tuned up and the bike running well. After that listen for any noises (chain tensioners etc), if they aren't present move on. You could always run a compression test then just to see where you're at (once it is warm of course). And since you said noob just in case you dont already know STAY AWAY FROM POD FILTERS

 

[DohcBikes]

I would part it out. By the way, let's see the other side. :-X

 

[Oilycafe]

Tune-
She understands, when I met her she was driving a z-28 and had 3 motorhead brothers.

She doesn't want me going overboard. Too familiar with "Project Creep and the "While You're at Its"
Stopped counting receipts on the Clone Vert at 55,000. She loves the car though. After all Carroll Shelby signed it 8)


She gets upset about about 750 bucks for a prop for the boat but 2000 bucks for a convertible top? No problem.

I've got to change my plan. Get creative. When I start showing up with "Not so Shiny" pieces from the salvage guys it will get better.

Hey, anybody can build a checkbook cafe racer. Like checkbook hot rods...
I can't create one out of a solid piece of billit like it seems some can, but hey, I'll probably surprise myself doing it.

wahvtec,

I've been thinking of a more elegant air box (oxymoron?) Or maybe something in between. I've seen some on 550's in my net travels.
A few 750 ones too.

 

[wahvtec]

http://www.steeldragonperformance.com/air_boxes_7.html

I wish i knew more about these airboxes. Im trying to research if they have better air turbulence properties..and if the might fit my 700. Seem pretty nice

 

[DohcBikes]

It's not an air box. It's a perforated steel filter housing. They can call it an airbox all they want.

 

[wahvtec]

Thats what it seemed like, i was curious whats inside. Im afraid youre right dohc.

 

[J-Rod10]

It's not an air box. It's a perforated steel filter housing. They can call it an airbox all they want.

They sell them solid as well.

 

[Oilycafe]

I would part it out. By the way, let's see the other side. :-X

Harsh man...
That's the pic from the ad. See the wrenches on the floor.
21 days after the ad was placed, I walked in the garage and they were still there. Actually all over - like walking on skittles.
Totally AHDD

Had to leave on biz so I never got any good pictures.

Maybe tone down on the project by going more stock/simple
Got a line on a GL1000 roller. Straight - neglected in back yard. Got him down to 45 bucks.
Emulators and the right springs...
Have a front hub from an SS
Maybe add an SS rear swingarm and hunt down the parts over time.

Hey,
I'm good with Fiberglass. Been dong Hydroplanes since I was little. Not bad with upholstery. Mostly repairing boat seats, so I have access to a kick ass machine.

Kott's little Cafe "hump" could be replicated in 'Glass.

I like the small seat /short fender, but afraid it might seem a little "Bobberish". But within my capabilities, I'm sure.

Do a short seat made from my Grandfathers WWII Flight Jacket ( My uncles first motorcycle jacket, then mine. Sherling and the cuffs are gone, but we've taken care of it. That might be fitting.


Some Inspirational pics. -- before I part it out.

 

[Oilycafe]

It's not an air box. It's a perforated steel filter housing. They can call it an airbox all they want.

Wonder if it works better than pods though. They seem to on the 550s. There was a SOHC member making them I thought.

 

[Oilycafe]

J-Rod10,

Like your stuff man.

By the time I dug up some bent up rear sets at the salvage and started to make them work, I'd way be ahead with yours.
Quality stuff and nice website.

Danny

 

[J-Rod10]

Thank you, Danny.

Now, before everyone jumps your ass, get rid of those "inspiration" pics. You don't want anything like those.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

Yep... here comes that grief now

 

[Oilycafe]

I dunno,

I didn't build 'em. Don't get it. Apparently I'm asking for it - but what?

It's not to copy but more as a style concept.

Too Brat like?

Oh OH

Maybe I should emulate Carpy...

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

Maybe I should emulate Carpy...

Yes Please ;D

 

[Oilycafe]

????

 

[DohcBikes]

All I see so far is another nice cb750 about to get cut up to make another shitbox.

Transcend the amatuer madness (like you did with the mustang) and restore it. Otherwise part it out.

Seriously.

 

[hillsy]

You've got a title with it so bring it back to mostly original and sell it for profit.


Looks like you wont need much - handlebars, seat, side covers....and consumables.

 

[Oilycafe]

Hillsy,
It's not about the profit.
My budget is more about politics that pocketbook.
[size=10pt][size=12pt]
"All I see so far is another nice cb750 about to get cut up to make another shitbox.
Transcend the amateur madness (like you did with the mustang) and restore it. Otherwise part it out".[/size][/size]

IIRC they made like 60,000 in 74. Probably in answer to demand ( the gas crunch and popularity). Although iconic, I don't see that cutting it up would throw off the space-time continuum too much.
From my recent research, the 74 seems to be the "smog hog" of the line at a time when motor vehicle mfgrs were scrambling with both smog regulations and the move to crap gas.
From my experience in vintage cars, I don't see it as a candidate for restoration.

As far as parting it out. I get your drift.
Why make an abortion - better to kill it.

Good point on the Amateur Madness... That's why I'm here.

Seen guys tear into cars and butcher good examples while you could feel the collective sighs and resignation on the forum. :
I get that.
Amateur Madness is a good description of a combination of enthusiasm, excitement, initiative and lack of knowledge the nuances.(or lack of some other body of knowledge).
Seems, that along with a little criticism - harsh, soft- but always constructive, the first three will fuel more of the latter.

Built three businesses and sold em. Whenever an employee came into my office to criticize or complain about something, they knew that they had to offer 1 or 2 solutions to fix it....usually for the good. Parting it out, while a good idea, may not be the most constructive one.
I can deal with."Hey that sucks and your idea just ruined my evening"
It'd be cool if, " But have you thought of ...." were added.

I do have a pretty good grasp of the elements of style, symmetry and balance. ( see: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=68662.0 after the CX500 pic )
Designed and built my own house.(Need to finish the basement though ) and done numerous restomods on cars and boats.


I think something got lost as to where I was going with this.

I'd like to keep the lines of the bike as I think they are handsome.
I want to get it running and shake it down mechanically this summer, but not with mini-apes and a king /queen seat/sissy bar combo.

Sooo, Quickly again. Only I'll be a little more succinct.

In addition to the requisite mechanicals first. Carbs,elec, points, brakes etc,
I want to clean it up. I need a seat. I can punch out a 'Glass part of seat in a day. Upholstery,well... maybe a little longer. and mounting - all planned ahead of course lest this Madness taketh over.
Clubmans for now with new cable / lines.

The idea is that I don't go too far with it that I've passed a point of no return. So when it gets taken down to the frame next winter I can do the correct things to it that I've been gathering parts for while my "Amateur Madness" runs it's natural course.

I'm sticking with the stock front end for the summer. I like the GL 1000 because it retains the look.

Any suggestions comments ideas are appreciated.

And DOHCBIKES...
I LOVE YOU TOO :-*

Danny