1978 CB750F Cafe (Poor Man's build)

[xxthegonzxx]

Finished the foam seat. Also bought some weather striping and put it on the surrounded edge of the seat pan.

 

[xxthegonzxx]

Making the foam seat:

 

[xxthegonzxx]

Went with a brat style seat rather than a cafe style. Much easier to make with the foam I had.

 

[xxthegonzxx]

So I mounted the forks into the triple trees and put the front tire on, double checking the manual as I went along. I noticed that one side of the front axle sticks out about an inch. I'm thinking I assembled something wrong. Can someone please confirm?

 

[insectocean]

Looking good so far. I have a 1978 cb750k im currently working on. Don't have any idea on the axle though.

 

[crackerman]

I could be looking at it wrong but I think your wheel is backwards. Brake goes on the left side of the bike. If I were you I'd look up your bike on bike bandit and it will show your the parts breakdown for your front end. That way you can see if your missing something or it's backwards.

So I mounted the forks into the triple trees and put the front tire on, double checking the manual as I went along. I noticed that one side of the front axle sticks out about an inch. I'm thinking I assembled something wrong. Can someone please confirm?

 

[xxthegonzxx]

I could be looking at it wrong but I think your wheel is backwards. Brake goes on the left side of the bike. If I were you I'd look up your bike on bike bandit and it will show your the parts breakdown for your front end. That way you can see if your missing something or it's backwards.

I think you're right. I checked the schematic and it looks like it's backwards. Stupid rookie mistake haha. I'll check and update as I go


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[xxthegonzxx]

It turns out I had the front axle nut on backwards! It still sticks out a bit but I think it's a lot better than before. I don't know if it needs to be completely flush but it works. The forks seem to be right on the axle. I'm hoping this won't affect the ride. I also went on craigslist and picked up a Kerker exhaust. This thing is so light compared to the stock exhaust. It had some minor surface rust but I took a flap wheel to it and cleaned it up a bit.

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Nice work, doesnt look like you are as poor of man as your title led me to believe but hey call it what you want its come'n out sick. I got lazy when it came to sand blasting and did soda blast, you just don't get that fresh cast look with baking soda :/.

 

[xxthegonzxx]

Nice work, doesnt look like you are as poor of man as your title led me to believe but hey call it what you want its come'n out sick. I got lazy when it came to sand blasting and did soda blast, you just don't get that fresh cast look with baking soda :/.

Luckily I came across some extra funds that helped out. I was very pleased with the sandblast.

 

[iGreek]

Looking good so far man!

 

[behrboy]

Love the flat black fender.

 

[xxthegonzxx]

Love the flat black fender.

Thanks! This weekend was busy. The girlfriend and I went to Solvang, CA and got to check out the motorcycle museum. They have some awesome bikes there! Took some pictures. Also was able to find the time Sunday and ended up mounting the engine on the frame...Thank god I had my big red Harbor Freight engine mount to help me out. It made things SOOO much easier.

Sorry Guys,

I don't understand why my pictures keep getting flipped!

 

[xxthegonzxx]

More pictures from the museum in Solvang, CA:

 

[biker_reject]

Yeah, that engine's a bitch to move by yourself! I bet it weighs about 250 lbs.

 

[xxthegonzxx]

Yeah, that engine's a bitch to move by yourself! I bet it weighs about 250 lbs.

Damn nearly broke my back trying to get it off! This time around I bought some ratchet straps and a legit engine hoist and had a tight strap on the cylinders and another strap around the bottom that had a little more slack so the engine sat upright. I lifted it to the frame then had to lower the hoist then lift it again in little increments while at the same time messing around with loosening and tightening the ratchet straps until I got it in. Seriously took me about 30-45 minutes which before would take me a whole day and a hell of a lot of cursing! I can't wait to get everything else mounted on it so I can start it up.

 

[xxthegonzxx]

Got some more work done. Seat has been upholstered and engine has been mounted. Also, can you guys check my front axle and see if it's ok? I think the PO took an early 80s cb750 front wheel and setup dual discs with it. I've been hearing from other members from the SOHC4 site that the front axle for the late model CB's are longer/bigger. That combined with the '78 forks are why it might stick out a bit. Seems pretty solid to me, no issues with wheel jiggling side to side or whatnot. Check out the pics:

 

[vbtravisd]

Seat looks great man... have any more pics of it?

 

[xxthegonzxx]

Seat looks great man... have any more pics of it?

Here you go.

 

[johnu]

More pictures from the museum in Solvang, CA:

Been there twice this year! Got some great bikes in there, thought you would have had a pic of the best bike in the place the hand made Britten! I also really like the Matchless G45 plus the various racers with the hand made alloy tanks. Some good inspiration there for sure