1980 CB750C Island Build

[Baz]

Yet another newbie to your site, and first time ever on a forum! This was the best shared info I could find during my web investigation on building my fist ever Café Racer. One can imagine living on an Island with limited CBs, available parts, techs and expertise this will be a challenge; but my love for the CBs as child and determination will hopefully complete this project in 8 months. I finally got these non running 750's for about KYD$ 600.00 or USD$714. Steal of a deal on this Island so I grab em without hesitation. As mentioned sourcing parts will be my biggest challenge since most if not all will have to me imported from Florida some 300 plus miles over ocean. So I am having difficulties posting pics of the bikes but next week is the disassembling, parts inventory and master plan

[TOOLS1]

What Island?
TOOLS

[Baz]

@Tools Cayman Islands
http://www.caymanislands.ky/

and my spot to be
http://www.rumpointclub.com/

[Baz]

So master plan all drawn up and budget of USD$3400.00 in place for the entire project.

This is the donor bike I will be using, not bad for a 30 yr old bike left in Caribbean elements. Mostly all parts on bike so time to strip and take inventory of what's needed.




While power washing the house, I pulled out the degreaser and wash the beast down. Actually my buddy Diego from Colombia on the machine washing down this bike..



While I would love a full our Café Style Racer financially, expertise and DIY wise I cannot go that route so for down I will do a two tier restoration and build.

Phase 1

Restore the bike to close to as possible stock condition mechanically while removing all excess weight and unwanted parts. The aim is to reuse as must as possible all existing parts with intension for future mods. I will have to retain the original tank and sacrifice that Dunstall tank I wanted, clean the Carbs instead of a rebuild,  retain air box instead of PODS. Strip the bike to the bones to ensure this thing last me another 30yrs and properly catalog parts, location and inventory.

Phase 2


8-12 months should have a full our Racer with new tank, Carb and bigger jets, long style headlights etc.

So my anal about staying within budget and having a plan so I created an excel budget sheet and research online parts stores to shop.

So I am basically down to the following sites:

www.dimecitycycles.com
www.internationalmotoparts.com
www.bikebandit.com
www.motorcycle-superstore.com
www.oldbikebarn.com

These are just my choice so far based on the fact that I need proper shipping to the Cayman Islands and I cannot risk the incorrect parts being shipped etc. I am willing to explore other vendors.

CB750_Budget_Sheet.xlsx

July Shopping List for August delivery

1) Front Fork Seal Kit
2) Front Valve Rim
3) Front & Rear Tires (110/90/19 & 130/90/16)
4) Petcock
4) Handle Bar Control switch
5) Fuses
6) Spark plugs
7) Clutch Kit
8) Chain
9) Handle Bar 7/8' Clubman




 

[Re-run]

We have a good list of parts sources listed here.

We generally don't recommend old bike barn from past issues they have had. They might be better now but not many want to take the chance.

I have done motorcycle-superstore and they have been good to me, not much for actual dohc parts, but good otherwise.

The others I have not used but they seem fine.

Another site is cyclexchange.net, they have some dohc stuff that is usually pretty good.

[Truck]

I've owned 2 old bikes that have needed parts and Ebay is always a good spot for new or old parts. You just have to make sure the seller has good feedback.

[Baz]

Thanks Re-Run & Truck for the suggestions folks will give ebay a shot also, wasnt to keen to spend tons of time checking out seller's review but sounds like a good route. My Colombian Buddy is heading home for a few weeks so gonna take the chance and pack my chrome items with him to get re-chromed over there, cheaper by far.

[Re-run]

You know, I want to feel sorry for your plight, but the words "Cayman Islands" just makes me say, "Serves you right! You island dwelling bastard!"  I think I would give almost all my worldly possessions to live in a shanty on the beach. Come get me you hurricanes! 

[Baz]

@ Re-Run HAHHAHA

Sending you a Pina colada from the beach man!! Enjoy mate



I only need my project completed so I can ride to the beach.....


Well I am back on the project this weekend and frame down to skeleton



I am super excited about getting this frame sand blasted and powder coat next month..Gonna work on cleaning up and polishing as much of the salvaged parts as possible, degrease the motor and save some money to have it tuned and polished in September.

[Baz]

Celebrating the small wins!!
A few weeks ago my buddy Diego agreed to take my chrome pieces with him to Colombia for a acid bath and refurbish. I was just a tot skeptical especial when he quoted me $300 USD. Well I must say today I am a happy man, just take a look. Save so much, no shipping, government duty etc, just my old rusty chrome parts back to life.




Old like new
Front Forks
Chain Guard
Headlight Assy
Shocks
Gauge Covers
Gas Tank cover
And 8 other Misc items

[TOOLS1]

That's a pretty good friend to have.
TOOLS

[Re-run]

Those are some shiny parts. You will have to get some spray wax or something on them to protect that shine from the salt air!

[Baz]

So a full weekend of work ahead on this 1980 750C. I am expecting some parts, (all seals etc, and some misc items) from Bike Bandit to Cayman via Miami sometime around Monday next week so in the mean time my beer is cold for a long day. The goal is to have a rolling frame by end of month.




Just wanted to share a time and energy saving method of getting rid of rust with the least amount of physical effort on small items. I diluted molasses in warm water and place all heavy rusted items to soak for about 1 week, then with scotch brite or/and a garden hose wash rust off. take a look at these before and after items.






Final thing on my agenda today is to strip the paint off the frame and prime to have the garage paint next week. Initially wanted to sand blast paint and rust away but at USD$275 I went the economical way with 1 quart of Aspho to convert the rust, aircraft paint stripper and wire brust, only cost me $60.00. The garage quoted me $120.00 to paint the frame,sorry powder coating (Powder coat cost $300.00 down here)

 

[Baz]

had a productive weekend stripping the frame but with great disappointment of the condition. well for a 30+ year old bike surrounded high salt air content and sea, it is expected. off to the welding stop and extra $ to the budget.

Anyone wants to  part with their stock 4 in 1? let me know so we can work out logistics.

Cheers

[TOOLS1]

Oh man that sucks. I have a DOHC frame that I was about to junk, if you want I could cut that section out of the frame, and send it to you. Just pay for shipping.
TOOLS

[TuneAfish]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Baz]

TuneAFish,

To the contrary I am totally new to the older bikes and appreciate all the ideas and suggestions, pitfalls, and recommendation I can get.

Here's my personal contact email and details below.

Tools1- I am also interested in you cutting the section off your frame, in the meantime I am checking on island  so give me until Thursday evening to confirm...

Cheers
Basil

Phone: [phone] (Cayman)
Phone: [phone] (USA)

  

On Aug 12, 2014 7:01 AM, "tuneAfish [via Honda CB750'S]" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Off to a good start on this Island carving CB I see... Man I see you are skilled and really need none of my input, "but" please step away from that frame, I think it would make a nice reef for the bait-fish by the first buoy haha... I am sure someone here or I can get that frame to Miami and stage it to be on the next ride to the Island, I used to fly over on Chalks out of Watson Island and they will take stuff if the count is low. You mention "race" bike a-lot and that frame is toast... hate to see you get injured over a few dollars.

Rotating mass is like the difference between a boulder or a pebble rolling down a hill.  

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