jimminy
CB750 Enthusiast
I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on some parts and get going on the mods. This post is going to be my big Q&A and I know this community collectively has all the answers. Mine is a '78 SOHC CB750K in decent shape overall, nothing special, but I love her dearly.
This is my first build so I'm using a lot of ideas from bikes I've seen done by pros and I'm going to try to emulate them as best I can and use their builds to ask questions and figure out how to get similar results. I need to pull the engine first to get it worked on, but I want to start ordering parts while that's happening and do whatever I can with the engine out.
At this point it's all planning and I'm looking for people's experience doing this stuff, the best place to find a part, whether or not the part I picked will work or not, whether it's just a bad idea, pitfalls, something I'm forgetting, etc.
Here are the major mods:
1. Pull the tank and repaint. Probably I'll repaint the plastic side covers at the same time.
2. Replace or rebuild the petcock, it leaks. Cheap enough to just buy new I think unless someone knows better. Good Supplier for that?
3. Remove all gauges and replace with new, maybe just a speedo with LEDs-> http://www.newmotorcycleparts.com/controls/gauges.html -the black face with LED indicators. 2240:60 ratio. Would love to spend less $$ on this thing though, seems pricey.
4. Replacing all turn indicators with mini bullets. Found these-> http://www.harrisonspecialties.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=HS&Category_Code=MiniB -Very cool
5. Might eventually do fork boots -> http://us.ebid.net/for-sale/fork-boot-gaitor-triumph-norton-motorcycle-23960318.htm -any reason not too? I just like the look, most days. Is there any trick to this or parts needed other than the boots themselves?
6. Paint engine with matte black engine paint while its out. Recommendations as to what brand?
7. New chain. Doesn't need to be performance, just good. Thinking silver or gold color.
8. Modify Fenders. I'm wondering if I should just chop and grind the stock ones and paint 'em. The chrome is in decent shape, but not perfect so probably not worth saving.
9. New tires. I really like the Firestone raised letter tires. Any reason not to go this way?
10. Tail loop modification and new seat. Where can I get a seat made or purchased like the one below or like the blue bike above? Best place to get the tail loop pipe? I see them for around $100, a lot for bent pipe.
11. Replace headlamp with more compact version. Maybe, not a priority.
12. Replace stock air filter with pods. This doesn't seam that important either and seems like it requires re-jetting carbs, but I don't know if this is difficult/expensive or not. Is it worth the trouble?
13. Paint wheels and spokes black. Probably, the chrome is a bit pitted.
14. Replace stock pipes and switch to a 4 to 1 setup. The photos show a pretty nice setup and I would like to do something like that, but not sure what to order exactly. I was told my stock pipes are in pretty good condition and someone might want them.
15. Replace taillight with something like this -> http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vinta...etro-satin-black-taillight-62-21512-sbpc.html
16. The blue Salek bike is obviously lowered. I see online others have just chopped the springs on the back and cut the forks on the front. Assuming I do this, is that all there is to it or is it going to require major adjustments elsewhere? Probably last on my list.
That's it. Easy, right?
This is my first build so I'm using a lot of ideas from bikes I've seen done by pros and I'm going to try to emulate them as best I can and use their builds to ask questions and figure out how to get similar results. I need to pull the engine first to get it worked on, but I want to start ordering parts while that's happening and do whatever I can with the engine out.
At this point it's all planning and I'm looking for people's experience doing this stuff, the best place to find a part, whether or not the part I picked will work or not, whether it's just a bad idea, pitfalls, something I'm forgetting, etc.
Here are the major mods:
1. Pull the tank and repaint. Probably I'll repaint the plastic side covers at the same time.
2. Replace or rebuild the petcock, it leaks. Cheap enough to just buy new I think unless someone knows better. Good Supplier for that?
3. Remove all gauges and replace with new, maybe just a speedo with LEDs-> http://www.newmotorcycleparts.com/controls/gauges.html -the black face with LED indicators. 2240:60 ratio. Would love to spend less $$ on this thing though, seems pricey.
4. Replacing all turn indicators with mini bullets. Found these-> http://www.harrisonspecialties.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=HS&Category_Code=MiniB -Very cool
5. Might eventually do fork boots -> http://us.ebid.net/for-sale/fork-boot-gaitor-triumph-norton-motorcycle-23960318.htm -any reason not too? I just like the look, most days. Is there any trick to this or parts needed other than the boots themselves?
6. Paint engine with matte black engine paint while its out. Recommendations as to what brand?
7. New chain. Doesn't need to be performance, just good. Thinking silver or gold color.
8. Modify Fenders. I'm wondering if I should just chop and grind the stock ones and paint 'em. The chrome is in decent shape, but not perfect so probably not worth saving.
9. New tires. I really like the Firestone raised letter tires. Any reason not to go this way?
10. Tail loop modification and new seat. Where can I get a seat made or purchased like the one below or like the blue bike above? Best place to get the tail loop pipe? I see them for around $100, a lot for bent pipe.
11. Replace headlamp with more compact version. Maybe, not a priority.
12. Replace stock air filter with pods. This doesn't seam that important either and seems like it requires re-jetting carbs, but I don't know if this is difficult/expensive or not. Is it worth the trouble?
13. Paint wheels and spokes black. Probably, the chrome is a bit pitted.
14. Replace stock pipes and switch to a 4 to 1 setup. The photos show a pretty nice setup and I would like to do something like that, but not sure what to order exactly. I was told my stock pipes are in pretty good condition and someone might want them.
15. Replace taillight with something like this -> http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vinta...etro-satin-black-taillight-62-21512-sbpc.html
16. The blue Salek bike is obviously lowered. I see online others have just chopped the springs on the back and cut the forks on the front. Assuming I do this, is that all there is to it or is it going to require major adjustments elsewhere? Probably last on my list.
That's it. Easy, right?
