'80 CB750c First Build (Video attached! about a week left until finished!)

[jats]

New user to all of this, young guy to boot (23), Just started getting into the cafe style and look and instantly fell in love.
So of course the decision was clear, jump right into a bike and so what comes out the other end.
Went this weekend and purchased the base bike, a 1980 Honda cb750 custom. 13k miles on odometer, clean title. The tank was rusted out and wouldn't hold gas, and the battery wouldn't charge. It was last licensed in 09 and the guy swore it ran. Either way we talked him down and I ended up leaving with the bike for $400.

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

Sunday woke up bright an early, decided to get the bike running before teardown. Changed oil, fuel filter, had a handle mount gas tank to use for mockup, added a new battery, and without any luck, started right up. Ran like a champ. I moved it back into the garage and started a bit of a tear down, but left on the wheels/tires to still keep it mobile. went through front fork and trees, and basically took off all the crap.

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

Yesterday got the cherry picker setup and made a bar to help pull the engine, got it pulled out and put to the side. Took the frame and hung it from the ceiling so i can get clearance to remove the forks/wheels/tires etc..
Going to start removing anything off the frame we don't need, and maybe working with the frame to accomplish the straight line look I am wanting.
pics coming soon.
so far we are on day 4, I am burnt out, and this on top of 9-5 job and girlfriend I am ready for a break.
Big bike show this weekend in Springfield IL, i'm going to be on the lookout for headlight/bars/tanks/rear cones.
with the prices of tanks I am probably going to end up getting a generic steel tank with the basic shape I want, and then working the knee indents and anything else into it.

 

[tWistedWheelz]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

Well welcome to DTT!

I look forward to seeing what you come up with, good luck!

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

Thanks! I didn't really see many bike builds this large (750) when i glanced over the builds, but I wanted a larger bike (i'm a big guy) which had a large surplus of used parts and following. Either way this will be my go to place to discuss and vent, I just wanted to start a thread.

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

First weekend after getting the bike, finally have some time to get it finished being stripped down. degreased the engine and frame, took off forks and wheels, down to bare frame now. Progress is slowing down while I gather up the time/funds to either buy the coi tank combo from benji's cafe racer, or to make my own tank/seat/whatnot. Probably going to end up making it all, got an email last night stating due to orders it will be 5-7 weeks before they could finish a tank if i ordered right now. I don't want to wait 2 months. ill do it myself lol.
I've got a couple questions regarding parts,
I am looking for a few things, Spoked rims, rear control conversion, a decent base gas tank to modify into the cafe style, and does anyone have experience with digital tachs/speedos and led lighting?
If there's any websites or suggestions I would love any help I could get.

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

Thankfully with a light sanding and some buffing everything is coming back to life. Now if I can only find an extra 20 hours to get everything pretty.

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

gah, almost 4 months, 1 girlfriend, and a move later i've finally got the time/money to continue.
Received my tank from some fine gentleman on ebay that neglected to ship it with the cap. oh well, cap came in and of course the hole on the tank isn't level, so i have to fix the rocking. Also got in my seat from carpy's cafe racers out of cali. This week is getting tank/seat mounted, creating battery box in the rear, and getting the rear of the frame to fit a seat intended for a sohc honda.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/nEPzd.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/YwCJb.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

don't know if anyone cares, but it makes me feel good updating here. So much done last night, and tonight/tommorow are also going to be productive, we've got the frame almost done, the tank and seat have had brackets glassed on, and the frame welded. Battery box in the cone is made and welded in. took off some now unused tabs underneath the seat, and made rails that will hold the electronics underneath, and will have rubber supports for the seat above. Decided on how to make the seat as well, so we cut half a seatpan to sit in front of the cone, that way we can fold in the back, and the sides/front will go over the entire fiberglass pan.
Tonight will be finishing out the frame, and getting it ready for primer/paint tommorow.
tank/cone will go into paint anyday now as well, going to go for a light silver, with black and red outlining. based off of the "anatomy of a cafe racer" bike scheme.

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[thirsty 1]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

Keep it up dude! Looks good. yur gonna need this www.cb750c.com or http://www.deuceswilddohc.com/main.html

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

Getting close to complete, tank and seat/cone are being painted right now. Frame is finished, everything's coming along nicely.
This is what we're looking at right now
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/asqB4.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

picked up some clipons from vintagecb750 for I think around $60. Worked perfectly and feel really solid.
I ground/smoothed the stock triple tree due to no need for the bar clamps.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/CGZUK.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

The headlight we got from carpy works great, we're painting right now or else i would share a picture.
It has a speedometer molded into the back. We wired up turn signal led's, neutral light, etc.. to either side of the speedo all in the headlight. By the end we even had room to mount the fuses inside as well.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/XiFvJ.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

We mounted all the electronics upside under the seat area onto some brackets we fabbed up.
Still need to get some rubber covers for it all.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/iueKO.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

Finally a picture of the stock battery box welded into the back of the frame. I chopped the inner fender to work as well.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/YiO4j.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

Engines up in the air ready for paint, almost finished polishing covers. Hopefully everything goes together in the next few weeks. Need to ride this before winter.

 

[slategrey66]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

where's your tank from man?

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

There's a guy in florida that has an ebay store
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-racer-Gas-Tank-Norton-Yamaha-BSA-Triumph-Honda-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c59463581QQitemZ190476334465QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
It looks like his price fluctuates, he apparently makes them in batches. I managed to call and talk him down to about $315. Their universal fit, but I had to do some slight frame modification and make a rear bracket.
He also didn't include the gas cap mentioned. Either way, it was the closest to the style I wanted without having to spend too much.

 

[slategrey66]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

nice man, i got a similar project going on too, my thread is like a couple under yours now. i got my frame all apart, now im figuring out my tank and seat situation.

 

[slategrey66]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

also how'd you get it to hook on the rubber stops like the stock tank does?

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

it was snug over the rubber stops, and we had to bend the the flat bracket that goes across the frame (second picture) to line up with the bolts on either side of the tank. Good ol universal fit, aka you're going to have to make your own mounts.

 

[surffly]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

are the clip ons upside down or is it just the pic?

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build

It might just be the picture, their level in person.

 

[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c Build first bike build (tank/seat painted - we're in the homestretch!

well after too long I finally got my painting finished. I hope to get some time in the next week to get everything on the bike and the upholstery finished. After all this assembly all we have left are turn signals, some pipe wrap, a good cleaning, and off to get plates and insurance. I wasn't sure about the colors/scheme at first, but after looking at it finished I do really like it.
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[jats]

Re: '80 CB750c First Build (Pics Assembled! almost finished)

Okay, got the time this weekend to kinda mock up everything. Still have to finish the seat, last of the wiring, gas cap, exhaust, etc...
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<img src="http://i.imgur.com/lIs15.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />
^ father on the bike
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<img src="http://i.imgur.com/iUpd7.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

I don't know if i'll get it out the door this riding season or not, but oh well. We'll see how much I can get done.