My New (Old) Money Pit

[RustyJC]

Back in my younger, wilder days I bought a brand spanking new 1971 Honda CB750K1 (that's 1 revision later than the original 1969/70 Honda 750 Four - the K0). Long story short, I still own it but haven't ridden it since the front brakes quit in 1985 - I've had other bikes to keep me going. From 1985 until 1997 it sat in an unheated, dirt floor shed in Ohio until we moved back to Texas when it moved into a proper garage, and the environment took its toll.

I'd been thinking about getting it on the road again, but when some friends came over one Saturday night, bets were made that it would never see the road again.

The photo below is what I started with a few months ago.

Rusty

[dsbike]

And now?????

[Jack R]

Rusty

If thats the start picture where is the finished picture??

jack

[RustyJC]

Sorry - I had to stop and have dinner.

As of today, here's where it stands. I'm waiting on the fuel tank which is having the internals cleaned and sealed. It's supposed to be back this week.

Rusty

[Jack R]

Rusty

looking good. Once its running, you need to ride it to your friends homes to collect on the bet!!

jack

[TXiceman]

Looking good Rusty.

Ken

[Nick-B]

Hey Rusty - Sweet looking old Honda 750.! Once upon a time I owned its little brother, a 1973 350-4 cyl. I loved the sound of that little bike.

I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know but the common things that will keep it from running are a rusted & plugged fuel tank. Plugged up carbs and corroded electrical connections.

You'll definiitely need to address the brakes as well.

Don't forget to replace the old rotted out tires. They may have good tread, but like on an RV, age is critical!

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-B Hey Rusty - Sweet looking old Honda 750.! Once upon a time I owned its little brother, a 1973 350-4 cyl. I loved the sound of that little bike. I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know but the common things that will keep it from running are a rusted & plugged fuel tank. Plugged up carbs and corroded electrical connections. You'll definiitely need to address the brakes as well. Don't forget to replace the old rotted out tires. They may have good tread, but like on an RV, age is critical!

Fuel tank is missing in the last photos because it's being cleaned and sealed. I'm supposed to get it back this coming week.

Carbs remain to be seen. I ran them dry before putting the bike into storage, and they look spotless when I pop the float bowls. Absolutely nothing there. Of course, that doesn't mean that the seals and gaskets are going to hold or that I won't have a stuck float/needle and seat. We'll see when the fuel tank gets back.

I'm working my way through the electrical connections. Right now, everything is working - headlight, taillight, turn signals, horn, brake lights, neutral indicator light, oil pressure light and sender. We'll see about the ignition when the fuel tank gets back.

Front brake system is totally rebuilt - master cylinder and both calipers. I also installed new stainless braided brake lines from the master cylinder to the distribution block and from the distribution block to the calipers - see below. The system was bled today and is working great.

Riding it to the bike shop to replace the tires is Job 1 after getting it inspected and licensed. The Dunlop TT100s are pretty weather cracked. I'm sure they're hard as bricks as well - I won't be dragging the pegs around any corners for awhile.

Rusty

[Wanabee FTer]

Rusty, what kind of pipe is that?
Had a Honda CB500/4 with a Bassani 4 into 1 header back in the day. I just loved the way it sounded, just like an indy race car. But that was then, now they all sound like race cars!

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer Rusty, what kind of pipe is that?

It's a Jardine 4-into-1 that was originally installed in 1972. It's the same system as in photo #1. It was in such bad shape that I paid more to have it rechromed than I would have paid for a new header system, but you can't buy the Jardines any more and I'm trying to bring the bike back to its early 70s configuration.

Rusty

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Long story short, I still own it but haven't ridden it since the front brakes quit in 1985 - I've had other bikes to keep me going.

Here's my current scooter that keeps the 750 company in the garage.

Rusty

[W4RLR]

My dad had one of those back in the day, wish I could find one.

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rray32539 My dad had one of those back in the day, wish I could find one.

You might take a look in HERE. There's a whole community of owners.

Rusty

[Nick-B]

Its funny how this stuff all comes together at the same time.

I was fueling up my GoldWing this afternoon and a fellow at the next pump over mentioned he has a 1969 CB750 in good shape. He correctly surmised however, that it probably is not as comfortable as the 'Wing.