1978 Honda CB750F SS

[Renegade27]

Just picked this up last night.

Can't wait to start riding and working on it.

Need to pick up a few things for it like side covers and front suspension seals to start.

Looking for suggestions on new seats and muffler for the exhaust.  Would like to pick up a cafe style seat, and a shorter muffler to replace the damaged one on it.

If anyone had any good suggestions they have found a quality product at a decent price I am all ears.

I have been looking over the forum and have already downloaded a few manuals and checked out a few other members builds.  Tons of helpful information out there and I would appreciate anyone's suggestions.

Glad to join the forum.

[shinyribs]

Welcome in Renegade. To be honest,as clean as that bike is,I don't know if I'd touch that seat or not. And I mod everything! But I can understand the want for a cafe seat,too. I have yet to hear of anyone buying an off the shelf cafe seat for one of these bikes and being happy with it. I suppose the best thing to do would be get some measurements and see what aftermarket seat would be a close fit/suit your personal tastes.

Mighty nice looking bike you got there! Enjoy it this riding season and tear in to it this winter

[Hoko]

Heya there Renegade, Welcome to the 78 SS Club!  Beautiful bike, looks like the PO's really took care of it.

[sgtslag]

Since it is new-to-you, I'd suggest changing all fluids:  oil and filter, fork oil (Chevy ATF is fine, clocks in around 7-8 weight fork oil, only muuuuch less expensive than "fork oil"...), brake fluids (DOT 3 & 4 are interchangeable, but steer very clear of DOT 5, which is an entirely different animal -- they don't mix, nor play well together!).

Tools uses an old-fashioned, oil pump/squirting can, to force Brake Fluid up the line, through the bleeder valve...  It is actually better than SpeedBleeder valves -- and I really like SpeedBleeder one-way valves!  This allows the air bubbles to flow up, which is what they want to do, avoiding pushing them down the system, which they fight.  It is just too simple, and too easy, and too inexpensive!  I wish I'd known about it before I invested in SpeedBleeder valves...


Hook up the oil pump can (new, filled only with DOT 3/4 brake fluid) using an aquarium hose, open the valve, squeeze the brake handle, and start pumping fresh fluid up.  Note that you need to suck out the old fluid in the reservoir prior to pushing new, fresh fluid up into it.  Tools, if I missed anything, please correct me.  This is as good as sliced bread, for motorcycles -- too easy, too good!  (Can you tell I used to hate brakes?...)


Run SeaFoam through the gas, and the crankcase (prior to oil/filter change -- run it on a short trip, 5 minutes, to warm it up/circulate it through the engine/transmission, shifting through all five gears).  This will dissolve varnish, carbon, and sludge in general, throughout both systems, as well as absorbing any water present.

Check the age on the tires:  more than three years old means new skins -- regardless of tread, or how good they look!  The rubber hardens, over time.

Consider replacing the fork springs, and the rear shocks with Progressive brand units (412 model shocks?).  This will allow the bike to ride, and handle, like a modern bike (dual-rate springs) -- it is actually rather amazing the difference, and it will be much safer, as well as being so much more fun to ride -- oh, and did I mention it will be fantastically more comfortable, as well?
  Cheers!

[motogrady]

ding ding ding, we have a home run here.

last year single cam ssf

factory paint

[Hoko]

Hey Sarge, the progressive equipment looks interesting.  I copied this from the suggested equipment for a 78 CB750F.  Which of these things would be needed?
 
       
AMERICA’S PREMIER MANUFACTURER OF MOTORCYCLE SUSPENSION
                                                                       
        Your Cart
Item Description                                           Cost Ext.
03-1394C SPRGS, CHROME 75/120 (PR)      $92.95
11-1106 Fork Spring kit                      $92.95
12-1204B 12 Series                            $203.52
32-5508 Shock Tool (for PSI shocks)      $36.00
SWW-400 Safety Wire Kit - wire,winder,washers      $20.55
                                                          Total Cost: $445.97

Motorsport Aftermarket Group®

[lobster]

Great bike, I have the same bike in red. Check out Dimecitycycles.com they have a lot of cool cafe parts,
and Honda specific parts as well.

[renegade28]

Made a bunch of changes and finally took some photos.

Flipped the headlight brackets, dropped the gauges, drag bars, new seat, side covers, blinkers, mirrors, exhaust.  Also lowered the bike considerably with new rear coil overs.  

[sonshineranch]

Hi Renegade, I'm new to this forum myself.  I live in Northern California and my son just bought a '78 CB750F SS that the two of us will work on together.  I saw your post and wondered if you still have any of the parts you were listing for sale?  We are looking for a seat, front turn signals, and horn.  

As a side note, my first bike was a '73 CB500F and the CB750F SS was the dream bike to own (way back in the early 80's).  I've owned many bikes over the years (even Harley's) and the inline four is by far the best.  I hope you have great fun with your bike....this particular bike...the 78 CB750F SS is THE bike to have!  Best wishes to you.

[750K8]

No offense, but I think the 77-78 Super Sport in stock form is an absolutely stunning bike. I prefer the look of the bike when you got it (other than needing an exhaust). Please don't do anything permanent, and save all the stock parts.

[sgtslag]

Sorry, missed your questions until today...

Progressive sells the springs, and shocks, separately.  This allows you, the buyer, to match the type of springs you anticipate needing:  standard, or heavy duty (two-up, with luggage, only -- they are very heavy duty...  ordered the HD's, and they modestly compressed two-up, with luggage on board).  The Fork Springs are necessary, as they work in conjunction with the rear Shocks:  if you replace only one-half, the other's shortcomings will become painfully obvious.

The Shock Tool, I am not familiar with, and their web site is no help in explaining it, either.  For that, you will need to contact their tech. support for answers.  The tool for adjusting the spring pre-load is included with the shocks, normally (it's a simple piece of steel, nowhere near $36 in value!).  These are not air-assisted shocks, so it is not a low-pressure air pump.


The safety wire kit is likely for racing, but I'd recommend asking their tech. support about it, to be certain.  It should not be necessary for street riding.

Progressive sells the springs, and shocks, unassembled.  Upon receipt, you will need to use a spring compressor, to install the springs onto the shocks.  If you do not have the necessary tool, take them to a shop, and pay to have it done -- it is dangerous to do this without the proper tool!  It cost me around $28 to have mine put together, locally.  Putting the completed shocks on the bike, is simple, and easy.

Installing the new Fork Springs is a good excuse to flush out the fork oil, and replace it with fresh.  I use Dexron III ATF because it is equal to ~7.5 weight fork oil, inexpensive (around $6/quart), available everywhere, and it works quite well.  If you want higher quality, full synthetic fork oil, use Dexron VI ATF:  full synthetic, will last longer, is even more stable, and it is only slightly more expensive (around $8/quart)...  But it is still far less expensive than M/C fork oil (around $15/quart).  Cheers!

[Hoko]

sonshineranch wrote

   I hope you have great fun with your bike....this particular bike...the 78 CB750F SS is THE bike to have!  Best wishes to you.

Dude, I second that!  *--*

[Hoko]

Thx for that info Sarge!