KY Cafe for the ton

CafeMack

CafeMack

People tell me my volume is too loud.
Hey all, never owned a bike before, used to have an old Honda XR50 when I was a kid but that hardly counts, does it? Don't know too much about 'em usually more of a car guy, and rotary engines at that, but I sold my RX-7 and now wanna try out something with two wheels instead of four. I've been reading up on cafe racers, looking at different builds and styles and I want to build a CB750 cafe for "the ton." I don't even own one yet and though it'd be a good idea to get some pointers from some experienced guys before I jumped in, I learned the hard way with the RX-7 that you gotta pay to play and although it's fun when it runs it was a very expensive, irritating hassle when it didn't.
 
What kinda price range is reasonable for a decent condition, full, non-running CB750? I have a lead on a 1987 750 Nighthawk/Shadow (I haven't actually seen the bike yet just heard about it from a guy who knows the guys who owns it.) that supposedly had the engine rebuilt recently but needs the carbs rebuilt and thus is not running. The guy wants $700 for it just to break even. I'd prefer a vintage pre-79 SOHC but if I com across a killer deal for a DOHC I wouldn't pass it up.
 
Don't buy a bike that isn't running as your first bike - you want to be riding, not wrenching.


You have a shitload of learning to do out there just trying not to get killed on the road.


You need a bike that works perfectly so you can concentrate on learning how to ride on the streets.
 
Got it, a functional bike so I can learn how to ride. Check. How about a Ducati 696? I got a buddy who is possibly about to file bankruptcy and if the bank repo's it I can probably get a killer deal on it. It's not the direction I want to go at all but I figure worst case I buy it, learn how to ride then flip it.
 
Ducati 696 would be a fun bike to learn on. Fast enough to get you into trouble but should also be mild enough to learn on. I'd agree that you should be looking for a running bike first.
 
What's the difference between the SOHC and DOHC models? Besides the obvious, why do the SOHC seem to be more popular? Are they easier to tune/work on/upgrade? Sound or ride better or is it just an older is better thing?
 
CafeMack said:
What's the difference between the SOHC and DOHC models? Besides the obvious, why do the SOHC seem to be more popular? Are they easier to tune/work on/upgrade? Sound or ride better or is it just an older is better thing?
Click to expand...

In case you don't already know, single overhead cam engine vs dual overhead cam engine. Motors are very different. The SOHC CB750 is classic and lots of folks love them because they are (relatively) easy to work on , lots of parts available etc. They were Mr. Honda's first "superbike" from 1969 to 1978. There are some outstanding examples from members here. It seems like most (not all) SOHC CB750 guys do cafe styling or stock resto.

The design changed to the DOHC version for 79-81. It started with a CB750 but they introduced the CB900 and CB1100 right after. Not as many made, not as large as an aftermarket but still sought after bikes that are very cool when done right. In my eye the DOHC CB's are better for superbike style setups.
 
Ahhh, I see, so the pre-79's are more prolific and easier to work and find parts for. That's what I was wanting to buy originally but if the price on this Ducati is too good to pass up then I will have to go with that. It's not even close to what I want to build off of but it seems like it'll be good to learn on.

I've already got almost every detail for my CB750 cafe build down as far as the cosmetics go, I still need to learn more about the mechanics of how a motorcycle works before I start making decisions on that kinda stuff.
 
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