Pre-bike purchase opinions needed

[DeathSlinger00]

hey guys, i'm brand new to the site but have been reading up on various forums to gather the information i need before i make my first bike purchase. but still, i have some questions before i pull the trigger.

so here it goes: i'm set on getting a cb750, but am torn between the original sohc's and the '91+ dohc nighthawks.
i want to build a cafe, but don't have very much experience in the motorcycle fabrication world. i work on cars for a living, so i know my way around a wrench. but i am looking for some input and if any pics to help guide me to the most practical build i can get myself into.
i appreciate the simpler, straighter frame the early cb's had for the easier modification of fitting the cafe seat, but i love the fact that the newer dohc motors are relatively maintenance free (aka, no regular 600/mile valve adjustment).

from what i've seen on this site, the community is very receptive and helpful. once i make my decision, and purchase the bike, progress pics will be the norm. any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!
-dan

 

[Mr_Dunev]

hey guys, i'm brand new to the site but have been reading up on various forums to gather the information i need before i make my first bike purchase. but still, i have some questions before i pull the trigger.

so here it goes: i'm set on getting a cb750, but am torn between the original sohc's and the '91+ dohc nighthawks.
i want to build a cafe, but don't have very much experience in the motorcycle fabrication world. i work on cars for a living, so i know my way around a wrench. but i am looking for some input and if any pics to help guide me to the most practical build i can get myself into.
i appreciate the simpler, straighter frame the early cb's had for the easier modification of fitting the cafe seat, but i love the fact that the newer dohc motors are relatively maintenance free (aka, no regular 600/mile valve adjustment).

from what i've seen on this site, the community is very receptive and helpful. once i make my decision, and purchase the bike, progress pics will be the norm. any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!
-dan

How long have you been lurking for? ;D

Is this your first ever motorcycle?

 

[DeathSlinger00]

i've been looking since there's still been snow on the ground. this will be my first bike ever.

 

[xb33bsa]

welcome and good on you for asking for advoce
the later 750 are great bikes better in every way to the earlier ones,(handlng,power, braking, ease of service etc) so you cannot go wrong
that said if you dont know how to ride the 750 is too much bike to learn on
i am not saying dont buy one but you also need to get a smaller bike like a good used dualsport 250 to learn on
also putting on clip-ons or those horrible upside down looking clubman handlebars,that all the cafe racer "builders" put on, is a huge mistake for a beginner or noob rider you don't have proper,safe control for street riding in and around traffic with them and you will likely never learn proper bike handling skills with them

 

[mg42gunner]

if you dont know how to ride the 750 is too much bike to learn on
i am not saying dont buy one but you also need to get a smaller bike like a good used dualsport 250 to learn on

I have to disagree I learned on a cb750 dohc and am still alive.

I would just recommend not doing any modification until you're comfortable on it. that way if you were to knock it over or skid it you won't get pissed about running all your hard work. You should be used to clutch and throttle control a little bit from mechanics don't be afraid to slip it out on starts, you can always replace a clutch and on the dohc 750 it's fairly easy your first time with a manual. Use your rear brake and don't smash on your front.

I think you'll be fine just don't go head first into the ton. Learn to ride, get comfortable on it for a summer then modify in the winter.

 

[xb33bsa]

I have to disagree I learned on a cb750 dohc and am still alive.

I would just recommend not doing any modification until you're comfortable on it. that way if you were to knock it over or skid it you won't get pissed about running all your hard work. You should be used to clutch and throttle control a little bit from mechanics don't be afraid to slip it out on starts, you can always replace a clutch and on the dohc 750 it's fairly easy your first time with a manual. Use your rear brake and don't smash on your front.

I think you'll be fine just don't go head first into the ton. Learn to ride, get comfortable on it for a summer then modify in the winter.

you can disagree,put your head in the sand so to speak, but you would be a better rider learning on a smaller bike that is easier to develop skills on
that you are "still alive" is a good testimonial ? you have got to be kidding me
i would put that up to dumb luck
dont smash the front brake ? :-[ dude you need to learn to ride :'(
the front brake is one of the VERY FIRST things a beginning rider needs to get comfortable with

 

[Bozz]

Tell us some more about your vision, your experience, etc.


There are a lot of good options, but the more we understand about your situation the better the advice can be.


Do you envision having a passenger? What kind of rider are you? what kinds of roads will you be riding? How often will you be riding? and so on.


If you only think you will ride a few times a year, then a modern Injected bike like a SV650 or some such might be a much better move than a 70's carbureted bike.


If you are a new rider, then the above advice to learn first and mod second is very wise.

 

[Maritime]

Yep, Take the MSF, start on a smaller beater bike, then move onto the larger bike, also ride for a while on the larger bike before you mod to know what you want. I personally like a standard riding postion with slightly lower bars, like euro or supersport bars, but that is me. MSF is worth every penny, sets you up with good habits from day one, also will get new riders cheaper insurance depending on state/province/country. If you are a pretty big person a 750 may not be too much to start on but I am 6' 200 lbs and spent a year on a CM400 to get comfortable and learn the ropes. I put 20K Km's on it in 3 months and then moved up to a GL1000 next season, If I started on the GL I would not be as good a rider as I am now. I also want to get another smaller cc bike, because the GL is fun at 80+mph but that is license losing speeds on a lot of roads I ride, it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast, then a fast bike slow. I could ride the CM400 at WOT leaned over scraping hard parts and only be a small fine over the limit.

 

[mg42gunner]

you can disagree,put your head in the sand so to speak, but you would be a better rider learning on a smaller bike that is easier to develop skills on
that you are "still alive" is a good testimonial ? you have got to be kidding me
i would put that up to dumb luck
dont smash the front brake ? :-[ dude you need to learn to ride :'(
the front brake is one of the VERY FIRST things a beginning rider needs to get comfortable with

Get on your bike and smash on the front brake tell me how it goes. You never hard grip that thing if you're learning to ride it's a good way for him to end up on the ground. You learn to get comfortable with it by slowly pulling it in.

I felt more comfortable on the cb750 I learned to ride on the street with than the butaco model 68 I learned how to race dirt on. The heavier bike didn't get pushed around in cross winds on the high way or get rattled when semis would fly past. I have a cb360 I like to fly around on as well and being a lighter guy on a small bike I get pushed around in the harder and stronger winds.

 

[Rich Ard]

I'm with XMAS on this one - the 750 is a big bike, if only in stature. Learning on a smaller bike is a European habit more of us would do well to emulate.

If you can swing it, get something cheap to learn to ride with (sit on some first!) and then find a project to work on.

 

[DeathSlinger00]

this thread's picking up some momentum here. thanks for the input, guys!
i have SOME experience on a bike. i'm 6'0", and about 150lbs, so i learned how to ride on a friend's suzuki 250 (not sure which model specifically), and my knees were nearly touching the handlebars on turns.

i am in full agreement with the part about the 'learn first, mod later' belief. i'm pretty conservative when it comes to my driving/riding habits, so the highway will be very seldom used in my treks (especially in the beginnings). i'm going to take the motorcycle training course once i get my temps, and i imagine that course will be extremely edifying in itself. but i need a bike to get - for lack of a better word - comfortable with first.

as for passengers - i have no hopes and aspirations in carrying one along with me. too much of a risk in my mind. so, that will eliminate any potential for, well, anything.

 

[xb33bsa]

Get on your bike and smash on the front brake tell me how it goes. You never hard grip that thing if you're learning to ride it's a good way for him to end up on the ground. You learn to get comfortable with it by slowly pulling it in.

I felt more comfortable on the cb750 I learned to ride on the street with than the butaco model 68 I learned how to race dirt on. The heavier bike didn't get pushed around in cross winds on the high way or get rattled when semis would fly past. I have a cb360 I like to fly around on as well and being a lighter guy on a small bike I get pushed around in the harder and stronger winds.

I take it all back, bultaco ;D

 

[Rich Ard]

I take it all back, bultaco ;D

Let's ground the ignition through the taillight! More sangria for everyone!

 

[irk miller]

Maybe ask yourself what riding you will do most often, and what type of roads. I learned on a smaller bike, and my main ride is a CB360. No small bike is going get you a comfortable ride long distances or on the interstate highway. If you don't want a small bike, then I suggest going with a 500 - 650 range bike- perhaps a CX500.

An early GL650

will take you around the world, but also give you a low ride that's easy to handle. Both bikes are easily customizable and parts are readily available.
A CB500 is also a good early bike.

As far as dual sports, I'm partial to the XL's:

 

[LazloH]

learning sometimes means falling. Get a bike that you wont mind getting some marks on during this process.

Take the course. You get cheaper insurance in most states too.

 

[DeathSlinger00]

i am definitely planning on taking motorcycle ed. but not till i get something i can ride and get comfortable with. good point about the lower insurance rates. that was something that i had not taken into account.
the riding i have in mind is primarily cruising - city, country roads, and some highway (for when i do decide to commute to work with it).

these are all very helpful. thanks guys! i'll update the thread whenever things progress. ie. i make a purchase.

 

[DeathSlinger00]

update: a few weeks ago, i pulled the trigger and picked up a 1975 cb750. here are a few pics of it...

i've been riding a bit (whenever i have some time, that is). but i'm enjoying the hell out of it.

the project for it will begin this winter.

thanks for all the input guys! will update as things progress!

 

[xb33bsa]

great looking bike !!
i see a very quick easy mod that will improve the ride and handling a great deal
put the lower rear shock mounts back in the position they are designed fo, in others wirds remove the aftermaket lowering blocks
the way it is now and with the preload jacked up it must be a horribly stiff ride !!

 

[canyoncarver]

A very good friend of mine finished the MSF course two weeks ago. His first bike experience was a 250 two stroke ex-motocross race bike that some idiot years ago put him on. He proceded to hit the powerband and flip the bike on himself. Scared him off for years. So now he loved the MSF class and I'm helping him with an 86 Yamaha 600 as his first bike. (and it gets it out of my garage...)

Nice score on the 750!

 

[fury413rb]

good looking project and nice garage! I definitely recommend the MSF course as well as the experienced rider courses.