First attempt at a full restoration! 1980 Cb750k

[Ryan Sauers]

So i picked up this bike for 100$ with almost everything there, not saying its all useable but for the most part its all there. Seeing is how this is my first attempt at a restoration i was wondering if there are any steps i should take that are mandatory in a resto. Right now i have the bike down to the frame and i was planning on sandblasting it then powder coating it then go from there. I'm going for a cafe look. Single seat, low bars, no signals, hide as much wiring as possible maybe even try to hide the battery. I want this this to be mint when I'm finished. I'm thinking about putting around 1500-2000 into the bike in parts paint etc. Should i look into having the motor rebuilt? At least looked at? I'm not going to cut any corners on this. If only there were a step by step manual!

Going for a look similiar to this.

http://cafebikesforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/KGrHqVHJBEE8+gQM39BPRD9Jh60_3.jpg

[cityslicker]

is the motor running?
why rebuild it if you don't have to, though on the other hand, they say it's one of the simplest motors to rebuild, so maybe you should just to get your feet wet, then you'll know for sure you have a good power plant in there..
powder-coating the frame won't be cheap, unless you have a hookup or something.
As for the battery, you  can buy, or build cafe style seat cowls, that will house the battery. Since you have a DOHC you don't have a oil tank, so that whole section under the seat can be empty.
These guys on here know their shit, and are so nice about giving out info, you came to the right place.
good luck, enjoy!

[Ryan Sauers]

I was told the motor turns over and that it was running a couple years ago. I don't know how to check if it turns over because its electric start only. As far as rebuilding the motor i don't really have any experience in that field besides dicking around on little 2 stroke mopeds.

On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 7:14 PM, cityslicker [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

is the motor running?
why rebuild it if you don't have to, though on the other hand, they say it's one of the simplest motors to rebuild, so maybe you should just to get your feet wet, then you'll know for sure you have a good power plant in there..
powder-coating the frame won't be cheap, unless you have a hookup or something.
As for the battery, you  can buy, or build cafe style seat cowls, that will house the battery. Since you have a DOHC you don't have a oil tank, so that whole section under the seat can be empty.
These guys on here know their shit, and are so nice about giving out info, you came to the right place.
good luck, enjoy!

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[Hellbilly429]

Did you disconnect wires or something? Just wondering why you can't start it just cause it's electric start.

One way you can check to see if it will turn over is to take off the right side (towards the brake lever) engine cover (not the clutch cover) where the stator and rotor is, be careful not to yank hard on the wires. Grab the bolt on the end of the rotor and turn it clockwise (don't turn it backwards).

To check for compression without a gauge you can pull 1 spark plug out of the motor at a time and turn the crank by hand while holding your finger over the hole, if it pushes air out and pulls air in then you have at least some compression.

[shinyribs]

Welcome Ryan. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with here. You dont see many people cafe-ing DOHC's. This oughta be a good one to watch! See ya around

[lostson]

 Hey couldn't beat the price that is for sure, I recently found this place as well and have a 82 cb750c i'm turning into a cafe racer, or trying to anyway. As previously stated there is a ton of good information and people here, use the search function it is your friend.

[Ryan Sauers]

Well i mean i couldnt have checked if it would start anyways there were already wires disconnected, it ain't in the best shape haha. Thanks for that info though i will check it out and see if it turns over!

[Ryan Sauers]

Got her down to the bare frame, but i dont know how to get the whole assembly that holds onto the forks and locks in up top. Do i need a certain tool to loosen the top piece?

[shinyribs]

No. I just use Channel-locks. It shouldn't be very tight. If you over tighten it the bike will handle crazy.You're only looking for a little past snug. Be careful when you pull that apart. It is full of little ball bearings and when it comes loose they will go everywhere. Chances are you will replace them as most of them need it. Does it feel notchy or possibly click into position in the center? If so the steering bearings are bad.You can get tapered bearing replacement kits for it pretty cheap. Around $35 shipped on ebay.

[TOOLS1]

A spanner wrench is what is supposed to be used on the top nut. However like Shiny said, you can use Channel locks, or even a hammer, and punch. Don't worry about the little balls. Your bike will have tapered bearings in it. As, for the engine. You can hook up a battery to it, and crank it over. Just hook up the ground to the case, and touch the positive to the wire terminal on the starter. If, you get it cranking, you can check compression. If it has compression I would not rebuild it!!!! I don't know why everybody wants to rebuild an engine that is designed to go 100,000 + miles when it only has 10,000-20,000 miles on it.
TOOLS

[seestheday]

Over the winter I did a hand crank compression test with a gauge and it only got up to 40 psi (battery kicked it and I hadn't got around to buying a new one yet).  I think that is all that is expected with the hand crank.  Using the electric starter to turn it over I get 145psi.

[Half-Caf]

TOOLS1 wrote

I don't know why everybody wants to rebuild an engine that is designed to go 100,000 + miles when it only has 10,000-20,000 miles on it.
TOOLS

 hehehe...

[rrgunslinger]

I'm gonna run mine until the pistons rattle.

On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 7:19 PM, Half-Caf [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

TOOLS1 wrote

I don't know why everybody wants to rebuild an engine that is designed to go 100,000 + miles when it only has 10,000-20,000 miles on it.
TOOLS

 hehehe...

The best things in life are custom

1980 cb750f SS
Chicago, IL

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[Ghost-Flame]

Welcome Ryan, I'm doing the same thing. I got a 1980 cb750c for barter of services a few months ago and we are doing the same thing. You work fast it took me 3 weeks to get down to the bare backbone.  

There are 2 things that you won't ever regret.
1) inspect and correct every little detail of the fuel system from the gas cap to the fuel/air intake at the cylinder head.
2) Inspect every wire in the harness and sub harnesses and replace any connector or wire that looks iffy.

3) the rest is all a matter of works or don't work.

*I am replacing all the bearings my bike has 36,000 miles... there's probably nothing wrong with them right now. But, everything is apart and bearings are cheap.

I have debated re-building the engine and trans and have decided not to at this time. the engine runs, why waste $1000 to $2500?

Ryan if you don't know how to get the trees of that tells me one thing. You need a Clymer manual. get this one $27 http://www.themotorbookstore.com/cbdohfour19.html

[Piute]

   Keep going forward Ryan,Some of these guys even have the same bike ,that helps alot ,Run low on doe    just keep cleaning and learning you'll get there,bikes been wait fore you over 30yrs.
                                                               

[Ryan Sauers]

Funny you say that i just ordered a manual! Would this one suffice?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OWNERS-OPERATOR-MANUAL-HONDA-CB750-CB750K-DOHC-1980-C02-/360456943491

[shinyribs]

That is pretty much just the manual that came with the bike.No info in there as far as teardowns and such. The Factory Service Manual is for free on the home page of this site.Just download it and you'll have all the info you could ever want.

[Ryan Sauers]

Where on the home page can i find it??

On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 11:52 PM, shinyribs [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

That is pretty much just the manual that came with the bike.No info in there as far as teardowns and such. The Factory Service Manual is for free on the home page of this site.Just download it and you'll have all the info you could ever want.

Montvale,Virginia
 Piute said it best:  "wheres my 10mm?"
Hellbilly-"that is a great way to tell if you have come to your senses, when you start drilling random holes in things... "

LukeM-"Scooters rock, especially when they're in posse formation. "

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato

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[wadestew]

[wadestew]