questions about buying 1980 CB750C

[Xeption]

I was looking for a good solid bike that i can learn the ins and outs about a motorcycle.  A buddy of mine is willing to sell me his 1980 CB750C for almost nothing.  The only problem is that he started tearing it down to rebuild it.  He assures me that the motor turned and the bike was in excellent condition before he started.  Its current state is the motor is tore apart for rebuild.  I am mechanically inclined but have never worked on a motorcycle.  So my question is, is this bike difficult to rebuild or am i gonna need an engineering degree to get this thing to run.  I appreciate any advice.

[motogrady]

Get it.
A bit more complex than say a HD 883.
Carbs, charging circuit can be a bit of a deal sometimes

But it's air-cooled, no worry about water pumps and antifreeze,
astrong runner, handle good, a classic, or great base for a cafe.

Yeah, get it, more than a few good guys here to help you with it.

[Xeption]

Thank you for the advice.  I will definitely be on here alot while im rebuilding this beast.

[Piute]

       As Stated a 2 cyl.bike would be the best for any mechanical starter,
      Less cyl. less parts,even though some fire strangely,some at same time
     (1` at top-1 at another position).4 carbs will be the biggest headache
     but all is doable with the right help,Getting for next to nothing,


      Just concentrate on getting the engine running 1st,
   Keep your eye out for GREAT deals on what you have in mind,
   There out there for all parts needed(using the web).
                   BE SURE TO STUDY UP ON THE F.S.M.(from front page of forum.
                                                HAVE FUN

[motogrady]

[motogrady]

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cb_750_c_1980.php

[motogrady]

Good looking ride eh?

Just beware, it's a lot of bike.

It weighs, I dunno, 600 pounds.

If yer a newb rider, maybe something like a Yamaha 650 twin,
might be a better fit.

decisions, decisions

[Xeption]

I have riding experience both cruisers and crotch rockets. I learned on my dads 87 shadow.  rode a lot of crotch rockets.  Im not worried about it being to much bike.  I really like what can be done with this bike.  I really like the bottom picture and thats my goal with this bike.

[Piute]

        Well save all those parts you take off your bike is worth more being closer to stock,
      I was just referring to the mechanics (working on) of these 750's,I don't
     I have a mechanic(cousin) do all mine ,but I do most the Lil pain in the az stuff no prob.

                                           Mine chANGES EVERY 3 MONTHS OR SO

[Xeption]

Thank you all for the advice, I like the pictures they are giving me tons of ideas for what to do to mine (well soon to be mine).  The first thing i need to do is get it running.  He said he has all the parts, and the clymer manual.  Just needs new gaskets.  I was thinkin since i have it apart i should send the parts off to be polished and cleaned.  they dont NEED it but why not since i have it apart right?  

[shinyribs]

Welcome to the forum!

The DOHC bikes are a little bit more complicated than the SOHC,but not too much. If you are even slightly mechanically inclined you'll be just fine.

The carbs on that bike are probably the most complicated thing you'll run into but if you use the search feature ( or just ask ) there's alot of info on here about them.

The valve adjustment requires shims,but the DOHC guys on here seem to have no problems getting the right parts and sorting out the shims. Again,just ask if you can't find it in the search feature and someone will be able to help you out. There is some pretty knowledgeable DOHC guys around here.    Good luck and have fun!

[seestheday]

Shim are plentiful, if annoyingly expensive ($3-10 per shim just feels wrong).  The same shims were used on plenty of bikes from Honda and other manufacturers.

There are a few unobtanium parts, like stock side covers and oil pumps.  Overall I'm very happy though.

Two comments for the OP: make sure you have enough time to rebuild the bike - it is going to take a lot, don't underestimate the effort the way your friend did.

Second - don't run out and buy pod filters until you have really done your research - they are not a simple bolt on and notoriously difficult to tune.  Stick with the stock airbox until you get it running really well, then start messing with pods.

[robs750]

Xeption wrote

 A buddy of mine is willing to sell me his 1980 CB750C for almost nothing.
 He assures me that the motor turned and the bike was in excellent condition before he started.

This could add up to a lot by the time your done!Parts and machine work add up quick.

If the bike was in excellant cond.,why did he tear it down?

[Hoosier Daddy]

robs750 wrote

This could add up to a lot by the time your done!Parts and machine work add up quick.

If the bike was in excellant cond.,why did he tear it down?

My thoughts exactly... not bashing your friend, just not normally the case in the basket case motorcycle world. Usualy the trick is to find out WHY the previous owner tore it down.

[TOOLS1]

If I had a nickle for every time I have heard "I just bought a motorcycle, it has 10K +/- miles, and I want to re-build it." People seem to think because it is old, it needs re-built. I don't see them re-building their cars at 10K miles. Anyway I have seen several nice motorcycles lost because of these wanabe re-builders.
TOOLS

[Cabreco]

Define "next to nothing"

As a bike, it's a durable beast, rock solid & bullet proof.
If the price is right, at worst case it can be a parts bike for another bike with a good engine.

I bought mine for $850. like this:


I cleaned it up it looked like this:



I added a few things & it looked like this:


Then I finally finished to this the FINAL Design:




Like I said, they are fun bikes & durable!