New 71 CB750 project!

[BlueGrassTornado]

Well, as luck would have it, I finally beat the professional bike flippers to a pretty nice deal on a two owner 1971 CB750! Here's the story I got from the son of the deceased owner. This bike was his Dads pride and joy for years! He bought it in 1977 and was the second owner, still has an original 71 Indiana title, only transferred one time. He rode the bike until about 1990 and had knee problems that stopped him from riding completely, but he never would let go of his baby! You can see he customized it, crazy laid back handlebar, fairing, those rear shocks seemed to be upgraded, and forward controls and footboards! It sat untouched until Tuesday morning, 08/27/04 when I took the day off of work to go grab it before somebody beat me to it! 6 hour round trip from Lexington, KY to Evansville, Indiana where it saw sunlight for the first time in 35 years! I have been an 80's muscle bike guy for years, mostly V65s and CB900/CB1100F, and also vintage Kawasakis. You just don't ever find them in this kind of condition! Anyways, I literally took it off the trailer, put a battery in it and she turned right over! I pulled a plug to see no spark, but it was getting dark and I didn't start the troubleshooting efforts any further, will do that today. Throttle cables even snapped back and tank inside was clean! I need to figure out what the original color was, I'm assuming it's a K1 according to the engine number, I will check the frame too. Not sure if I'm going to just do the mechanicals and leave the patina and ride it, or do a complete nut/bolt frame off restoration? Need to get it running first to see what I'm starting with. Will post updates as I go! Any tips or helpful advice would be appreciated!!!!!

 

[BlueGrassTornado]

Oh, quick update. It helps if you try to start the bike with the RUN switch on! I went out this morning after seeing it "OFF" in one of the above pictures, flipped it to ON and she fired right up! Video coming!

 

[brettp]

Nice find! Did you get a title with it?

 

[BlueGrassTornado]

Nice find! Did you get a title with it?

Absolutely, original Indiana title from 71, only signed and transferred from father to son.

 

[brettp]

Wow. Awesome!

 

[BlueGrassTornado]

Just found a PLETHORA of parts in West Virginia to help me finish restoring this one, see my other post about needing some help to go get it all!!!!

 

[PWBII]

I have '71' parts if it turns out you need any. But it don't look like you do. One thing I noticed, there's been some front end work done to it. The '71' should have accordion boots on the fork tubes. If the tubes are the right year, there won't be any chrome behind the headlight ears. There should be a chrome ring @ the bottom of the headlight ear for the top of the tube boot to fit in. Also the '71' should have bronze bushings in the forks, which are replaceable. On closer look, you can see where the chrome stops on the fork tube. Fork parts look right for the year, caliper, fender. Just need to replace the boots if you want to. Disconnect speedo cable, loosen 4 triple tree clamp bolts, remove caliper off fork leg & with bike on the center stand, tubes can be twisted & worked out of of the trees. Of course all this is easier if you take off the fender, fairing & headlight, but not required.

 

[BlueGrassTornado]

I have '71' parts if it turns out you need any. But it don't look like you do. One thing I noticed, there's been some front end work done to it. The '71' should have accordion boots on the fork tubes. If the tubes are the right year, there won't be any chrome behind the headlight ears. There should be a chrome ring @ the bottom of the headlight ear for the top of the tube boot to fit in. Also the '71' should have bronze bushings in the forks, which are replaceable. On closer look, you can see where the chrome stops on the fork tube. Fork parts look right for the year, caliper, fender. Just need to replace the boots if you want to. Disconnect speedo cable, loosen 4 triple tree clamp bolts, remove caliper off fork leg & with bike on the center stand, tubes can be twisted & worked out of of the trees. Of course all this is easier if you take off the fender, fairing & headlight, but not required.

Yea, the boots are completely gone off the front forks. Actually, I just got a K4 parts bike that has a very nice set of forks on it too, looks compatible to me.

 

[PWBII]

They will bolt on, but are the newer design. No bushings in the forks & I think they should be full chrome forks as well. No cooling fins on the caliper. Fender bracket is different. If you use it all your good to go.

 

[BlueGrassTornado]

They will bolt on, but are the newer design. No bushings in the forks & I think they should be full chrome forks as well. No cooling fins on the caliper. Fender bracket is different. If you use it all your good to go.

Yes, I noticed the chrome forks and that's actually not a bad look. I already put new "aftermarket" front caliper on it, just because the old one was so locked up I didn't want to fool with it. I am definitely saving everything that comes off of it, but I also just got ahold of a garage full of parts out in West Virginia and I'm 100% everything I need to get this one going is there, except for a Candy Gold body set. But I do have a lead on one!

 

[BlueGrassTornado]

I've spent a full year restoring this beauty and bringing her back to life! I tried to keep all the original parts that I could, but some just could not be saved. I know, I know. The purists hate the forward controls and floorboards, but it really makes for a comfortable riding position! I've got the parts to take it back to original if ever needed, but I enjoy riding it just like this, and if you're an older guy like me, I'm sure you will too! Aftermarket parts that I replaced include the side covers, rear shocks, seat, bars, front brake master and caliper, both controls and the grips. NOS parts include the RH mirror, air filter, ignition switch, fork gaiters and seals. It has a brand new front tire but the rear is older, still plenty of tread and no signs of dry rot, so I left it in place. I've had it up to about 80 mph down Man O' War Blvd with no shimmies or shakes, feels great! The Candy Gold paint came out really nice and the emblems on the tank, petcock, cap and chrome trim were aftermarket. It was completely flushed out and did NOT require a liner kit either, rust free original tank! The carbs were completely rebuilt and sycn'd, and are clean and functioning perfectly! This bike is very nice but not perfect, I'd rate it a solid 8 out of 10, but it's also 54 years old! Over half a century old and such a beautiful Candy Gold color! You'll be proud to ride this bike anywhere! The bike also has VERY nice pipes, although they are HM341's and according to the experts, it "should" have HM300's on it. IDK, the son says his dad took this bike to the dealership for service throughout the years, but never once remembered him doing anything to the pipes. Regardless, I have pictures of the numbers on the pipes, the build date on the frame neck and the motor number. Here are some pics, enjoy!

Video running:

 

[PWBII]

I found you can fix these old calipers pretty easy, use the hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to push the piston out, with the caliper hanging loose. Once everything is out it can be cleaned or replaced as needed. If piston is pitted replace it. Otherwise clean it well & rebuild the caliper. I like the cooling fins on the older model calipers & use it on my '76'. Bleed with the banjo bolt or steel brake line connection, if you have to re-assemble to do this. Assuming bleeder is stuck. One key note the groove the seal sits in will no doubt be full of a growth that may look like corrosion. I made a special cleaner for this out of a small screwdriver (bend the tip 90 degree - 3/4" from the tip). This with a 90 degree regular pic for the groove in the center of the slot, will clean the caliper body back to serviceable condition. A little fine emery or scotch-brite on the bore works too. This becomes a regular service on these old Hondas.