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!