1977 CB750K cafe project

[Johnny5]

I just got this bike last week and have done a full tune up and got it running pretty good. Already has the 4-1 exhaust, got some clubman's on order, pods and jets should be in the mail today, have a '74 CB750 tank that will be probably replace the '77 style tank. All depending how I want to style the seat for the overall look of the bike. I cant wait to really dig in and get started. My next mission is getting the bike to respond well to the pods and go through the jetting. After that, it'll be time to tear it down for the winter. I'll post my progress as I go along.

Here's some pics and a video clip of the engine running.

[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-aYCicLgBxw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-aYCicLgBxw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

 

[Terry]

Damn, I'm not sure I'd do anything to it! Down here in Florida the price on any CB750 sohc is starting to go through the roof. You couldn't imagine what people are asking for any old piece of crap they pull out of the outhouse.

Terry Monday
J'Ville, Fl.

 

[rockcitycafe]

nice bike, forks look a little rough though, i've found a source for fork tubes for those bikes if you want to replace them

 

[NJWanker]

If anything just fix it up some like that seat ( looks like a rip on top ) and the forks . Recoat or ceramic the header pipe and get a new canister . Maybe some lower bars . Sometime the " Cafe Close To Stock Look " is a great sight to see .

 

[Johnny5]

Over the weekend, I got some progress done on the bike. I removed the stock airbox and installed pods. Rejetted and got her running great after 3 adjustments to the carbs.

My '74 CB750 tank was stripped to bare metal, then body-filled a couple small dents and primed. Will do some sanding tonight and primer it again.

I'll try and get some pictures posted tonight. The tank was incredibly nasty to begin with.

 

[Johnny5]

Here's my most recent pic the day after tuning the carbs after installing the pods. She's warming up on a cool 45 degree morning...

 

[Mossy21]

What to sell the 77 tank ? How much ? Thanks Mossy

 

[Johnny5]

Maybe. Im going to do some experimenting first with the older tank. If I dont like it, I may end up using the 77 tank.

 

[Johnny5]

Okay, this tank was all for practice and for learning how to prep for paint. I got the tank for the cost of shipping so I really didnt care if I screwed anything up.

Here's the tank after opening the box. Fortunately it's all just surface rust. The bottom of the tank is the stock blue. No holes to worry about. Came with the petcock and a decent cap.

Time for a electric bath to remove the rust. I just turned on the charger and you can see the rust just starting to release.

After an hour or so in the tub.

Tank is now almost rust free. The PO had started to fill dents and stuff.

I removed all the old filler and refilled the dents. I forgot to take pictures of those steps. Then I primed, wet sanded and sprayed with Duplicolor Black. It has some metal flake in it. And here it is after the first coat.

Tomorrow, Im going to wetsand and shoot again. Probably throw 3 more coats on and see how it looks. If it turns out well and looks decent in the sunlight, Im going to buy some Eastwood 2 part clear coat and give it a shot. Suppose to be gas resistant. We'll see.

 

[Tim]

Was the inside of the tank as rusty as the outside? Any before/after pics of the inside? I don't think many folks here have tried the electrolosys rust-removal route yet, and certainly I think this is the first photo-documented run at it.

 

[HerrDeacon]

That's a cool process. Looks like it does a good job.

 

[Johnny5]

The outside was far worse than the inside. I think the PO had started to refinish the tank and had it sanded down to metal, body-filled it, but then left it outside.

It took a couple of days to remove most of the rust this way. If you have a couple of days, I recommend it. It's easy to set up and you just check it once in a while. After day 1, I emptied the tub and put in fresh water and baking soda.

 

[Swagger]

positive to the tank, negative in the water?

 

[Johnny5]

positive to the tank, negative in the water?

Other way around. Negative on the tank, positive in the water. Google Ken French's electrolysis method. That's what I went by.

 

[Johnny5]

Okay, well not a whole lot of progress but I removed my practice finish and got the tank primed and am trying to decide to go with the older tank or the 77 tank. There's a part of me that loves the older styling, but then there's a part that thinks it'd be cool to do something a little different and go with the 77 tank. Decisions, decisions...

Either one I decide, this is gonna be a nice ride when Im finished. It's crazy how much different these two tanks change the look of the bike.

 

[brewtown16]

call me an asshole, but i like the 77 tank. it just fits. plus, when you have some GREAT orig paint it gives the bike a little more character.

 

[glaz]

I like both tanks. That '74 would look best on a CB bobber, methinks. Nice bike, btw. I could see a GS750 looming on the horizon for me.

 

[Johnny5]

Finally got the clubmans. Arrived in the mail and a 1/2 hour later...

These feel so dang good. I love the riding position. Im hoping it's nice out tomorrow so I can take it for a ride. It's currently raining, plus I have to let the grip glue do it's job for the left grip. The right grip was already done and waiting.

 

[Johnny5]

Got some work done over the past week or so. I deciding to go with the older tank. I just like that style better for what Im planning on building. I proceeded to add knee dents to the tank. Still need some more sanding, but it's almost done. Im going to crop the rear fender as it sits in the picture below. I recently pulled the pipes and forks (new fork tubes on the way) and will be working on refinishing those. Soon the engine will be coming out and heading to the basement.

It's cool seeing the bike take some shape.