Ross’ 1975 CB750

[Galactica]

Meniscus is a cartilage in your knee.  That’s what google says.  Had to look in our hard copy of Websters Dictionary to see a definition.  

Four glasses of gasoline with a rack of carbs balance on top sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.  In any case, I’d have to make an assumption as to a correct level.  Don’t know if Kehein carbs would be the same as Mikunis. 

[Bucko]

Meniscus is a cartilage in your knee.  

Can confirm - had to have part of a troubling one removed from my knee (lagging result of a particularly unskilled dirt bike landing) many years ago.    

[Galactica]

Looks like I can borrow a clear tube unit next week.  Assuming the Mikuni drain plugs are the same as Keihin. 

Honda says, with the carbs upside down, the distance from the carb body cutout to the top of the float should be 26mm.  I’ve done that.  From what I can glean from the interweb, this should coincide with a bit below the bowl gasket using the clear tube method.  Just like my Kawasakis.  I’ll check it. 

I have a box of blue nitrile gloves.  They last about a minute before gasoline destroys them.  Is there a better option?   

[hardrockminer]

A meniscus is the curved liquid surface next to the container!

https://www.google.com/search?q=water+miniscus&oq=water+miniscus&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgKGIAEMgkIAhAAGAoYgAQyCQgDEAAYChiABDIJCAQQABgKGIAEMgkIBRAAGAoYgAQyCQgGEAAYChiABDIKCAcQABgKGBYYHjIKCAgQABgKGBYYHjIKCAkQABgKGBYYHtIBCTY4MzZqMGoxNagCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Galactica]

Ok.  So patience is not one of my virtues. 

I’d arranged to borrow clear tube tools from James at coffee on Wednesday.  Couldn’t wait that long.  We met for lunch today and I obtained two clear tube units.  Nice because you can do two at a time.  I checked the levels with the carbs in situ.  All were exactly the same level, about 1/4” below the carb body flange.  A bit lower than I’d have them on my old Kawasakis.  But I’ll leave them as is. 

When I drained the bowls, the gas was quite yellow/orange with a fair amount of water in the bottoms.  So I emptied the tank and replaced it with new clean gas.  Fired right up.  All I need now is some decent weather. 

I may go out to Greggs in Langley next week to get a price on braided brake lines. 

[Galactica]

CB750 specs say the tank holds 18 lt.  I put 18 lt in my jerry can at the gas station.  That amount fills the tank exact right up to overflowing with the bike sitting level. 

[Galactica]

So, I’m sitting in the garage feeling pleased with myself about carb levels and confirming the fuel tank capacity.  I like knowing that stuff.  Posting stuff on BCCMC threads.  Having a coffee.  

I start smelling a strong gasoline smell.  Damn, is the petcock leaking?  Is one of the carbs overflowing?  What the hell?

I go over to the bike.  No fuel on the lift.  No drips on the petcock.  But the top of the tank is all wet with gas.  Damn, I forgot the lessons I learned about a full gas tank above a hot engine.  

[Twisted_Twin]

Glad you're having fun with your new toy Ross. I'm enjoying the updates.

[kilowop]

OH YEAH.  A hot engine, and a full tank then take a break in the Cafe before heading out.  Guaranteed gas overflow.  It's happened to me a few times before I learned my lesson.

[Galactica]

I have used HEL brake lines on several bikes, including my Wee Strom, '79 GS750, and '77 CB750.   Work fine, fit well.  Most bike shops can get them.  In all cases, I ordered rubber-covered SS braided lines, look OEM.

Hey Howard,

How was the fit of the HEL braided lines?  I’ve read that the sets that come from 4into1 in the States don’t fit on the fender clip. 

[Runningdog]

I have used HEL brake lines on several bikes, including my Wee Strom, '79 GS750, and '77 CB750.   Work fine, fit well.  Most bike shops can get them.  In all cases, I ordered rubber-covered SS braided lines, look OEM.

Hey Howard,

How was the fit of the HEL braided lines?  I’ve read that the sets that come from 4into1 in the States don’t fit on the fender clip. 

It's been a couple of years, but I don't recall any problem like that.   I'm always prepared to modify as required to make aftermarket bits fit and work properly.

[Galactica]

I have used HEL brake lines on several bikes, including my Wee Strom, '79 GS750, and '77 CB750.   Work fine, fit well.  Most bike shops can get them.  In all cases, I ordered rubber-covered SS braided lines, look OEM.

Hey Howard,

How was the fit of the HEL braided lines?  I’ve read that the sets that come from 4into1 in the States don’t fit on the fender clip. 

It's been a couple of years, but I don't recall any problem like that.   I'm always prepared to modify as required to make aftermarket bits fit and work properly.

Ok.  Thanks Howard.

[Galactica]

Caught a break in the rain today.  Ran the CB up and down the lane 5or 6 times.  Starts and runs really well now.  Plugs look good.  I think the float levels are a bit low but I’ll leave them for now. 

I think having the timing and points gaps spot on likely helps.  But I really don’t understand why the gas that I drained out of the bowls was so skanky.  It really wasn’t all that old.  I’d cleaned, rinsed, and dried the tank really well.  Maybe not well enough. 

I’m really unhappy with the front brake.  Have to squeeze pretty much max to get it to stop.  I think my next step is to get braided lines and reinstall the stock caliper. 

[Galactica]

Used GPS to check speedo.  Seems quite accurate up to 20mph.  Didn’t want to go much faster in the lane.  Too many kidz, kats, and cars backing out.  Some of my Zed speedos were way out of wack.

[Galactica]

So I took my old brake lines out to Greggs to get a quote for black coated braided lines.  I want to support local, but the price is a bit high.  Their quote was $215.  I can get the HEL lines to my house for just under $150. 

Gonna try one thing at a time.  Cheapest, easiest, first.  I’d modified the brake pads to make them fit.  It was suggested at coffee one day (John) that that might be the issue.  I don’t think so, but maybe.  So I looked for another set of pads.  Everyone in Canada is out of stock for basic pads except Fortnine.  They have ceramic pads available with free shipping, so I ordered some.  Probably will take a couple of weeks to get here.  If they don’t help or if the improvement is minimal, then I’ll try braided lines with the original caliper (I know, that’s two things), then I’ll try a larger piston master cylinder.