Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
We noticed you are blocking ads. DO THE TON only works with community supporters. Most are active members of the site with small businesses. Please consider disabling your ad blocking tool and checking out the businesses that help keep our site up and free.
New to the community. I am in the process of rebuilding 1980 CB 750C DOHC. This is my first time taking the plunge. I never really had time with my old life in the Marine Corps. Now that I am out, I am starting out and don't want to sound like a complete idiot. I have been reading as much of the manual and forums and I am just wondering what the best approach is. IE finding parts, best how twos.. ect. I know this is a broad topic. Guess I am looking for a mentor of some sorts and this seems to be the place for that. Any newbie advice or guidance is much appreciated. THANKS!
got it, I have not cracked open the engine. the carbs are off, was running super rich, found that the choke was zip tied closed, and just wanted to get some experience with it. I will post some pics soon. Also, if I am posting in the wrong section, I am all about constructive criticism. Just want to be sure I am on par with forum etiquette. Thanks Gents
Very early advice...if you are in this from start to finish. Get a look at the bike as a whole, imagine your vision. Then think about what you need to get operating properly before you go about modifying. Try to think of the bike as a blend of systems. Give attention to the systems one at a time. Sure, systems may need tweaking once you begin to modify the bike to your tastes. But get everything in basic working order first. Take your time. Who knows, this may be just the first of several projects. Take the time to see this as a great learning experience. Research how each system works and how they work in concert. No need to tear apart something that is performing as it should...but get "intimate" with the bike, learn why it does what it does, and what you need to do to get the systems to do what they should. In the end, you will have a bike with a soul with which you can connect...which is the point of this whole thing. Far too many get lost in the billet and bling, and the haste of getting it running asap. Enjoy this...you lose your virginity only once.
@ brightrider - I almost teared up reading your poetic motorcycle post. Seriously, thanks for the motivation! I will take the advice to heart. You are right about the build virginity, learning something everyday. Awesome stuff
here are some pics thus far.... I think I will begin a separate thread on projects. Just dont know what category I should put it under
@ DohcBikes - you mentioned buying a K or F, are the frames he same as C? Could I look for a engine and carb swap. Apologies for ignorant q's. I am learning...
@ brightrider, thanks for the kudos. All good, I love my country and Corps. Now I am hoping to enjoy "normal" life after all that.
Put it back together so you can ride it. You can leave all the touring gear off if you like, but the best way to chart a course with it is to live with it. Don't worry about the cosmetics for a while, focus on the mechanics. It is a fairly rare person that can see exactly what they want in their head, and start building in a straight line toward that vision. For most people it is more of an evolutionary process that evolves over time and with experience, even with a single project. Get it driving and focus on using it and perfecting all the mechanical stuff. It is vastly easier and more satisfying cleaning the carbs and getting them working flawlessly on an otherwise complete and driving motorcycle than doing the same job and then trying to start the engine after 6 months of working on everything else. Learn how to do all the maintenance and servicing and just ride it - a lot! After 6 months of riding, you will have met lots of other motorcyclists, and given a much more critical look at a lot of bikes. And you will know a very great deal more about your bike and where you want to go with it. The more you work on the rough spots and the more you ride, the more time you will spend thinking about it and likely in 6 months your decisions will become very easy to make.
Gents, as always, you advice is greatly appreciated! I can see why tune a fish says it is to early in the game. I will say that the mechanics of the bike is my first approach, like what @brightrider was saying, become intimate with it and learn what each part does. I have been youtubing the carb vids on the internet. Interesting stuff, I guess I am just excited because it is the first time in my life I have a little bit of time for this. As for my little man, the kids a trip, he is my shadow. We hang out all day when I am not working. Thanks for reading and posting
I believe it was j-rod that suggested a different frame to start with. If I were you I would ask him why, he has experience with these as well.
Recieved your pm, I appreciate it and will shoot you a thought out reply tomorrow. More of a 'shoot-from-the-hip' type of guy here on the boards. Keeps em on their toes.
You can do just about anything with anything as a start. My first build was a cafe from a basket case CB550 shown in my profile pic. One of my more recent is this bobber from an 83 Nighthawk below. I did both entirely on my own in my garage with basic hand tools. Learning skills (like welding with a Harbor Freight wire-feed, chasing electrical shorts, fabrication, lapping valves, etc) by doing has been a great part of the adventure for me. There are lots of helpful folks in forums like this.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
