Ross’ 1975 CB750

[Galactica]

So, I bought this 1975 CB750 last Monday.  Running when parked…15 years ago.  Rode hard and put away wet.  Lots of corrosion.  Oh well.  I paid but lots and lots of corrosion.  That’s the bad stuff.  

It’s complete and original.  23,000 miles.  Chrome is mostly pretty good and should buff up ok.  Tank is not bad inside, no dents.  Side covers are badly broken though.  Seat pan has/is turning to dust.  

[Galactica]

I’ve been working on it quite a bit.  Carbs disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled with no new parts, fingers crossed.  It came with a K&N air filter.  Tore down the front end.  OMG!  Worse than I’d hoped (only to be expected though).  The brake bleed screw welded itself to the caliper body.  Fork seals are shot.  Fork tubes are really really shot.  Steering head bearings are shot.  Handle bar switch blocks are seized.  Every nut bolt and screw requires a Herculean effort to remove.  One spark plug was dead.  One spark plug cap was dead.  Electrics mostly don’t work.

The good stuff is.  The valve clearances were good.  Pouts look good (didn’t check gap or timing, assuming they’re ok).  Compression is 145, 130, 160, 150.  Bby Kawasaki is giving me a pretty good deal on Shinko tires so I ordered some in the event.  I’ve put together a parts list of stuff it needs.  So far it adds up to $1600.  I bought a battery for $70 and various chemicals for $100.  I’ve got a rough price of $1500ish for paint.  

I’m gonna do a colour change to Planet Blue.  There’s a reason for it.  I’ve been looking for a ‘75 CB750 candidate for about 15 years.  I had a ‘75 Planet Blue CB750 when I met my wife in 1977.  So it’s gonna be blue.  

[Galactica]

What’s the best way to remove this bearing race?

[Runningdog]

Cut it with a cutting wheel on a grinder, reeeealy carefully, part way thru.

Take some good piccies of the switches and I'll see what I've got.   Driving to Chilliwack on Tuesday, maybe we can meet...I can bring the box of switches.

Might have some nice turn signals, too.

[Galactica]

How fortuitous.  Roy, Bob, and I are heading out to Chilliwack in the morning to deliver a motorcycle.  Should be out there around 10:30-11:00.  I’ll try taking pics of the switch blocks, but they’re hanging off the bike.  And they’re a bit of a pain in the ass as the wires run inside the bars.

[Galactica]

Switch blocks.

[hardrockminer]

Watching with interest.  I've seen a few CB750's lately and am considering buying one to restore.  The only Z1's out there nowadays are restored and not cheap.

[Galactica]

Hey Bill,

Nothin’s cheap.  You know very well how it goes.  So easy to sink a ton of $ into a motorcycle project.  Just have to go in eyes wide open.  This bike I have, I plan on keeping as a really nice rider.  Probably not anywhere near perfect.  I may not even take out the motor.  I may not even be able to get a collector plate.

The ‘75s are not all that much in demand, so not particularly valuable, except to me.  Off the top of my head, I see $7,000.  That may well be light.  For a bike that might fetch $5,000+.  But this bike will be with me for a while.  I reckon it’ll be good for when the Tracer900 becomes too much bike and I no longer feel the need to moto tour.

But man, I’m looking forward to getting this girl going.  Gotta come up with a moniker for her.

[Galactica]

Man, I really like working on these carbs.  So simple, easy. 

[Steve G.]

  ‘75 small tank Honda 4’s are great bikes, you’ve got a keeper. 

[rz5mark]

Nice project, great to see wrench's being turned.

[kilowop]

I have a box full of various "OLD" cables in good condition if you want good/old rather than buy new. Measure lengths., and show photos of the ends, and I might have some you need. Choke, Brakes lines, clutch, etc. A few of everything.  Yeah, I'm a Hoarder who hates to throw 'good' stuff out.

[Galactica]

I have a box full of various "OLD" cables in good condition if you want good/old rather than buy new. Measure lengths., and show photos of the ends, and I might have some you need. Choke, Brakes lines, clutch, etc. A few of everything.  Yeah, I'm a Hoarder who hates to throw 'good' stuff out.

Ya, ok. Thanks Ron.  I’ll try and do that today.  Was thinking I might place an order today but maybe I’ll wait until next week.  Best to chew on it a bit longer.

[Galactica]

So, I have the bike strapped onto the lift with the front end off.  I pushed it out into the lane and did a pressure wash.  I got soaked.  The bike looks much more appealing already.

Took the forks apart this morning.  OMG.  The thick, black, stinky stuff that was in there was so gross.  Eeww.

[Galactica]

Ron,

Need both throttle cables.

Push cable: housing is 0.92m, cable is 0.98m.  On the left in the picture
Pull cable: housing is 0.925m, cable is 1.010.  On the right in the picture