Ross’ 1975 CB750

[Galactica]

Gonna be a while till I can get back to the Honda.  My son, who lives in Vernon, broke his ankle on the weekend.  Surgery tomorrow.  He hasn’t anyone to help him out so I’m in Vernon for the duration.  So, he’s gimped and his cat is diabetic and needs food and insulin shots at prescribed times of the day. 

I was at a standstill with the Honda in any case.  Awaiting fork tubes, carb parts(needle and seats, carb holders and boots), help installing the front tire.  Then I can try and start it.  Then I’ll attack the rear half and electrics.

[Galactica]

I suppose there’s an upside to being sequestered here in Vernon.  When I get back to the Big Smoke, there will be several packages of parts for the CB750.  I’ll have a couple of days work to do for sure.  Sitting here in my son’s basement suite, I really miss my shop and motorcycles.  Oh ya, I miss my wife too.

[Steve G.]

  Vernon has an extremely good tap room. Killing time is easy there,,,,,I had to work at the Fix Auto there back in 2018, nothing else to do there:

https://www.martenbrewpub.com/

[Galactica]

I would need a designated driver.

[Steve G.]

Uber for the win. How far out of town does your son live?

[Galactica]

Not out of town, but probably one of the highest elevation homes in Vernon, at the top of 43ave.

[Steve G.]

Up on the ridge, yeah that’s a long walk up.

[Galactica]

Whoa!!  I know it’s never going to be pleasant when you start adding up costs.  Especially on old motorcycles.  I just totalled up what I’ve spent so far.  Dang online shopping, it’s just too easy. 

All in to date, I’m approaching $3800, including the three orders that should be waiting when I get home from Vernon.  That’s putting me on track for a complete cost of $6500-$7000 with new exhaust (Delkevic), paint & stripes, and a small contingency.  And all that assumes the motor stays in the bike. 

The things we do for love.

[Runningdog]

Oh, I know scary money to rejuvinate a bike.....a third of cost is shipping, and a big chunk replacing rubber parts.   Then sprockrets andf chain, a seat cover, and carb work, then tires......endless sieve.

[Twisted_Twin]

Never do the math.

[rz5mark]

Yes, shipping is STUPID these days. And yes, don't do the math.

[Galactica]

Ya, I know I won’t like it when I add up the cost.  And I haven’t in the past, except in a loose, in my head sort of way.  My finances now are much tighter than in the past and I’m quite a bit more concerned about my spending.  Plus I’m really curious with this bike to see where I end up in terms of value vs cost.

I was looking at kijiji last night, for CB750s just to see what’s out there.  Only the second time really that I’ve looked.  The first was when I was thinking about buying the one I have now.  There’s a few pretty good examples available, with stock exhaust, asking ~$6-7,000.  And not too far away, Calgary and one I think in Manitoba.  

In any case, I’ll have a pretty nice bike for under $7k.

I’ve been pretty good so far at avoiding some shipping costs.  Orders over $13 from some Canadian online sources have free shipping.  Dave Silver Spares is $20USD, but uses the postal service, so you get nailed by Canada Post for duties.  The US online sources charge a lot for shipping.  I think it’s a big additional source of revenue.  Sometimes you’ve no choice.  If that’s the only source for a certain part, then you have to bite the bullet and pay the shipping.  In future, for sure I’ll get my US sourced parts delivered to a US address.

Hopefully I’ll be able to come home in another week and I can get back to work on the bike.

[Galactica]

So, I got home from Vernon this afternoon.  Managed to putter in the garage for bit.  Got the new fork tubes fitted.  Tomorrow, using the nice tire levers I borrowed from Steve, I’ll get the front tire on.  Then fit the wheel (I’ll worry about balancing later), the fender, and front brake.

Mike, the hinge you made for me fits really well.  Thanks again.  I’ll give it a coat of paint tomorrow.

[Galactica]

So I got the front tire mounted no problem.  I installed the fender and wheel.  But when I went to assemble the brakes, I discovered that the supplier had sent the wrong lower brake hose.  I’m waiting to hear back from them.

[Galactica]

So I got the rear tire off.  I actually just cut it off.  As with the front wheels, there is lots of really deep hard rust inside and lots of scars o the rims.

The big thing I did today is order an exhaust.  A 4 into 1 stainless megaphone from Delkevic.  $548.41CDN delivered to Point Roberts.  It shipped out today.

So the darned thing better run.