Seeley 519 CB750
- Thread starter surffly
- Start date
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
What good is a motorcycle without a good set of forks. I have decided to go with a really slammed look for this bike. Figure if I can lower it to the weeds that I will get it to handle like it is on rails, and it will look baller in the pictures!
Just kidding.
I spent a fair bit of time thinking about what front end to use. I knew I wanted something that was better then the stock CB750 35mm forks. But didn’t know what to do. I got a bunch of great suggestions from early R6 forks to Ceriani GPs.
My finial decision was a bit of a cop out. I went with a Gl1000 front end. It is larger then stock, already has twin rotors and is a known swap. Knowing that I am limited to the amount of fabrication work I can realistically get done I thought this would limit the variables. It is also nice that I can service the whole bike with OEM Honda parts and get spares easily.
Because people love pictures, even if they are lame.
I bought a complete swap. From the triple to the axles. Should make life easier on me and get me up and running faster then other front ends would have.
Do plan to talk to RaceTech about springs and cartridge inserts. Also would like to have the rotors drilled. Will be placing and order this week for all the needed rebuild parts for the forks and calipers.
One swap that really stuck in my head for a while was a set of 38mm Marzocchi forks that popped up one SOHC4.
I LOVE that the top clamp was made to look like a factory Honda. Love that they are uber rare and that this setup would be a straight bolt on for a CB750. I chickened out on it though. Part of me was just being cheap and didn’t want to spend the money (four times what a GL1000 swap is) and part of me didn’t think that I would be a good enough rider to use them. But that last excuse is BS. I am not really a good enough rider to know the difference between a stock frame and a Seeley. Probably will kick myself for not just biting the bullet and given the Seeley a front end that matched the rareness and performance of the frame.
Either way, the project marches forward.
Just kidding.
I spent a fair bit of time thinking about what front end to use. I knew I wanted something that was better then the stock CB750 35mm forks. But didn’t know what to do. I got a bunch of great suggestions from early R6 forks to Ceriani GPs.
My finial decision was a bit of a cop out. I went with a Gl1000 front end. It is larger then stock, already has twin rotors and is a known swap. Knowing that I am limited to the amount of fabrication work I can realistically get done I thought this would limit the variables. It is also nice that I can service the whole bike with OEM Honda parts and get spares easily.
Because people love pictures, even if they are lame.
I bought a complete swap. From the triple to the axles. Should make life easier on me and get me up and running faster then other front ends would have.
Do plan to talk to RaceTech about springs and cartridge inserts. Also would like to have the rotors drilled. Will be placing and order this week for all the needed rebuild parts for the forks and calipers.
One swap that really stuck in my head for a while was a set of 38mm Marzocchi forks that popped up one SOHC4.
I LOVE that the top clamp was made to look like a factory Honda. Love that they are uber rare and that this setup would be a straight bolt on for a CB750. I chickened out on it though. Part of me was just being cheap and didn’t want to spend the money (four times what a GL1000 swap is) and part of me didn’t think that I would be a good enough rider to use them. But that last excuse is BS. I am not really a good enough rider to know the difference between a stock frame and a Seeley. Probably will kick myself for not just biting the bullet and given the Seeley a front end that matched the rareness and performance of the frame.
Either way, the project marches forward.
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
Seeley 33 Brake Rebuild
Parts came in and I had a night in the garage so the front calipers got rebuilt. Really love these old Hondas because with one order everything needed comes in little bags labeled “Honda”. Makes life so easy.
Doing all the service and rebuilding this way really reinforced my decision to run the GL front end. Sure there are better options out there, but this is an improvement over stock AND gets the project rolling and one step closer to riding much faster/easier.
Calipers were taken all the way apart to make sure that nothing stupid like a stuck bleeder would derail the project. Then the following was replaced. Only thing not OEM Honda was the pistons.
-Pistons
-Piston Seal
-Piston Dust Boot
-Sliders removed and greased
-Dust boots on caliper sliders
Will still need to order pads and speed bleeders. Plan is to get some SlingShot braided lines when he gets stuff back in stock.
Have not decided on a master yet. Got any advice?
Parts all laid out, well sorta. More like a “here is the messy work bench I did the job on, but still figured I should take a picture”
All back together. I am missing one of the bracket to leg bolts if anyone has one….
Would like to get the rotors drilled, but that can wait for now.
Parts came in and I had a night in the garage so the front calipers got rebuilt. Really love these old Hondas because with one order everything needed comes in little bags labeled “Honda”. Makes life so easy.
Doing all the service and rebuilding this way really reinforced my decision to run the GL front end. Sure there are better options out there, but this is an improvement over stock AND gets the project rolling and one step closer to riding much faster/easier.
Calipers were taken all the way apart to make sure that nothing stupid like a stuck bleeder would derail the project. Then the following was replaced. Only thing not OEM Honda was the pistons.
-Pistons
-Piston Seal
-Piston Dust Boot
-Sliders removed and greased
-Dust boots on caliper sliders
Will still need to order pads and speed bleeders. Plan is to get some SlingShot braided lines when he gets stuff back in stock.
Have not decided on a master yet. Got any advice?
Parts all laid out, well sorta. More like a “here is the messy work bench I did the job on, but still figured I should take a picture”
All back together. I am missing one of the bracket to leg bolts if anyone has one….
Would like to get the rotors drilled, but that can wait for now.
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
Not a huge update, but an update none the less.
Rebuild the GL forks.
Simple job and used all OEM seals. Found that the forks have Progressive springs in them right now. Plan still is to upgrade the internals, but that job will wait for now.
No real pictures of the messy fork seal job.
But here is a picture of rebuilt forks just sitting on the garage floor.
How exciting is this?
Just look at them!
All mounted up to the Lester wheel.
You can now shower me with posts about how killer the Seeley looks with the Lester wheels.
Just incase you didn’t know….I REALLY like the look of the Lester wheels.
Rebuild the GL forks.
Simple job and used all OEM seals. Found that the forks have Progressive springs in them right now. Plan still is to upgrade the internals, but that job will wait for now.
No real pictures of the messy fork seal job.
But here is a picture of rebuilt forks just sitting on the garage floor.
How exciting is this?
Just look at them!
All mounted up to the Lester wheel.
You can now shower me with posts about how killer the Seeley looks with the Lester wheels.
Just incase you didn’t know….I REALLY like the look of the Lester wheels.
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
Went with the Avons. I have run them before and liked them. Also the price was right. Ordered the 3.25x19 front and 4.00x18 rear. They look a bit narrow on the bike, but I have not fully inflated them yet.
Rear ready to be installed.
Front on the rim.
Rotors and everything mounted up.
Interesting that I had to run the CB750 front spacer and NOT the GL1000. I’m talking about the small simple round one that goes on the opposite side of the speedo drive. Everything else just bolted right up.
Slowing making progress.
Rear ready to be installed.
Front on the rim.
Rotors and everything mounted up.
Interesting that I had to run the CB750 front spacer and NOT the GL1000. I’m talking about the small simple round one that goes on the opposite side of the speedo drive. Everything else just bolted right up.
Slowing making progress.
Hey man, nice progress. What color/finish are you going to run on those Lesters' ? Looks cool coming together.
Love those wheels. 8)
Such a nice looking tank too.
Such a nice looking tank too.
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
So the left overs are going to be put to good use!
Plan is to sink the rolling frame in Lake George!
It will go on a SCUBA training area. Will join a single engine Piper, 19 foot boat and old Nissan.
Gives divers something fun to look at or play with, and the fish LOVE to have a place to hide.
Stripped anything of value off of it. Forks are rusty/bent. No title on the frame. So no loss.
So now back to the Seeley.
Found out that I had the wrong front axle with the forks. There was a mid year change in 1977, so maybe that was where the mix up was.
Bought the right one on ebay for $11.
Can see that there is a small spacing difference.
I am pleased to announce that the front end steering head bearing issue is now put to bed!
No crazy machining, no million dollar custom bearings.
So here is the roller in the cup that fits the frame.
Issue is that the ID was 1 inch. I need 26mm
Got a roller with ID of 26mm, but it sits very high in the cup....so no dice.
But magically the roller from the AllBalls kit fits perfectly in the cup! This also means that I could use those neat seals that come from AllBalls too.
So now the front end bolts up and moves perfectly. Very happy to cross that off the list.
Will admit that I used the taller spacing on the bottom bearing, and probably could have used the shorter one, or none at all. When the bike gets broken down to make it pretty I will address that.
For fun I mounted up a set of superbike bars that I had in the shop. Looks a lot better then the low apes that I was using to move the bike around.
I know those bars were a sticking point for some...lol
Plan still is to find some used 37mm clip ons, so if anyone has some please let me know.
Also just leave this here as a tease.
Plan is to sink the rolling frame in Lake George!
It will go on a SCUBA training area. Will join a single engine Piper, 19 foot boat and old Nissan.
Gives divers something fun to look at or play with, and the fish LOVE to have a place to hide.
Stripped anything of value off of it. Forks are rusty/bent. No title on the frame. So no loss.
So now back to the Seeley.
Found out that I had the wrong front axle with the forks. There was a mid year change in 1977, so maybe that was where the mix up was.
Bought the right one on ebay for $11.
Can see that there is a small spacing difference.
I am pleased to announce that the front end steering head bearing issue is now put to bed!
No crazy machining, no million dollar custom bearings.
So here is the roller in the cup that fits the frame.
Issue is that the ID was 1 inch. I need 26mm
Got a roller with ID of 26mm, but it sits very high in the cup....so no dice.
But magically the roller from the AllBalls kit fits perfectly in the cup! This also means that I could use those neat seals that come from AllBalls too.
So now the front end bolts up and moves perfectly. Very happy to cross that off the list.
Will admit that I used the taller spacing on the bottom bearing, and probably could have used the shorter one, or none at all. When the bike gets broken down to make it pretty I will address that.
For fun I mounted up a set of superbike bars that I had in the shop. Looks a lot better then the low apes that I was using to move the bike around.
I know those bars were a sticking point for some...lol
Plan still is to find some used 37mm clip ons, so if anyone has some please let me know.
Also just leave this here as a tease.
Tune-A-Fish
BOTM LOSER Proudly Deplorable
surffly said:I am pleased to announce that the front end steering head bearing issue is now put to bed!
No crazy machining, no million dollar custom bearings.
Got a roller with ID of 26mm, but it sits very high in the cup....so no dice.
But magically the roller from the AllBalls kit fits perfectly in the cup! This also means that I could use those neat seals that come from AllBalls too.
Ahhh no. The second is just as "low" in the "race" as the first is high... looks like the cage will drag when you lash it all up... 18-20 ft lbs > back off and re torque to 7-9 ft lbs (or to feel) you should have ZERO drag.
+1. Was thinking the same thing. Generally bad practice to miss match bearing elements, but if the cage does not interfere and the tapers of the components match, seems like all should be fine considering the application. The loads are small and the speed nonexistent. Zero lash and low friction are all that really count. Should probably be a bit more discriminating about the lower bearing though as it takes most of the load. Very groovy mag drive!
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
Lower bearing is 100% stock OEM replacement so I am not worried at all about it.
Upper does look bad in that picture.
I noticed that while installing it, but the picture shows the cage in the most extreme situation.
When installed it I checked and don't see it hitting. I also get zero drag so I am calling it done.
I do agree that it does not appear to be as "nice" as the first bearing, but it is 100% functional.
Might just have the ID of the first bearing ground open to 26mm if my OCD kicks in.
Upper does look bad in that picture.
I noticed that while installing it, but the picture shows the cage in the most extreme situation.
When installed it I checked and don't see it hitting. I also get zero drag so I am calling it done.
I do agree that it does not appear to be as "nice" as the first bearing, but it is 100% functional.
Might just have the ID of the first bearing ground open to 26mm if my OCD kicks in.
If you decide that bearing doesn't work, I have a handful I got while trying to sort out different Kawasaki front ends for my 750. You're welcome to them to try out. Not looking for money, just don't want them to go to waste either. Also, if you find your clip ons and decide to sell those superbike bars... 
surffly
Over 1,000 Posts
For now the bearing issue is put to bed.
I have the 07100 bearing that is meant for the cup. I gave it to the machinist at work, he is going to see if he can open the ID up the .6mm I need.
Will revisit if/when the bike gets broken down to make look nice.
I do appreciate the offer.
Basically I need a bearing with an OD of 2 inches and an ID of 26mm.
So far I have had zero luck. One bearing sounded promising, but not perfect, and $80. While I am not apposed to buying an $80 bearings as that is a drop in the bucket when building a bike like this, I am apposed to tossing that money at the wall to maybe fix the problem.
The superbike bars were a $20 buy at MidO.
Figured they were better then the mini apes on the bike now.
Think I have some clip ons coming to me from across the pond.
I have the 07100 bearing that is meant for the cup. I gave it to the machinist at work, he is going to see if he can open the ID up the .6mm I need.
Will revisit if/when the bike gets broken down to make look nice.
I do appreciate the offer.
Basically I need a bearing with an OD of 2 inches and an ID of 26mm.
So far I have had zero luck. One bearing sounded promising, but not perfect, and $80. While I am not apposed to buying an $80 bearings as that is a drop in the bucket when building a bike like this, I am apposed to tossing that money at the wall to maybe fix the problem.
The superbike bars were a $20 buy at MidO.
Figured they were better then the mini apes on the bike now.
Think I have some clip ons coming to me from across the pond.
