So who needs a starter motorcycle?

[Timberwolf]

picked this up today... 1977 Honda "750 Four" complete with chameleon paint...

http://www.zzr600.net/images/random/77%20honda.jpg

[Dave89IROC]

cool

I want a bike, but I'm broke


wish i had picked up the old harley one of my old coworkers was selling, it was in pieces,
but all there, with a rebuilt motor, $500, just needed paint and reassem.:mad:

[Timberwolf]

found out a little more info. it's a 77 Honda Supersport "CB750F2"

60hp, 575lbs, back in '77 it ran 12.75 at 105mph off the showroom floor.

And Dave, when you come across a deal like that, you know you should call me, right? ;)

[ROADRAGE]

My brother may be interested, how much?

[Timberwolf]

$350 as it sits. needs two coil packs at $70 each. Comes with an extra back tire and a cover. EVERYTHING works great and there's little to no rust at all. Chrome is still shiny even

[LS1Formulation]

Damn... I'd like that, even though Ashley doesn't think I need a motorcycle. Hmmm...

[HoogiesNgrinderz]

i know a friend who would love to have this bike, i'll get back to you once I hear from him.

[Timberwolf]

Maybe I should contact this lady?

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/bar/225495306.html

[Dave89IROC]

Maybe I should contact this lady?

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/bar/225495306.html
go for it

[rod442]

still got this? a guy at work is looking.

[Timberwolf]

yep. bringing it home from the shop today where it's been stored since I made this post. we are moving shops so I will be loading it in the van for safe keeping later today.

[rod442]

ok, Ill let my friend know.

Thanks.

[ws6transam]

Still got the bike, Mike?

[Timberwolf]

yep, still got it. Got the PM from Rod about his friend, but didn't get a chance to call today. I am in the process of moving it to my dad's in the morning I think. We moved everything else out of the shop today.

[ws6transam]

Hey Mike,
Give me a call on the cell phone, I need SOMETHING to ride on this summer.
cell:
517388BURK

[ws6transam]

...closer!...

The problem appears to be a compound of several factors:

1) I dont think the points are working quite right for cylinders #1 & 4
2) The coils are fine, it was the resistor-type spark plug boots, one of them was blown open and wouldn't pass spark
3) Resistor type plugs were used with resistor-type boots. No-no! Regular non-resistor plugs are specified by the factory and fixed the spark for cylinders # 2 and 3.

Other problems include the petcock nipple that was busted off: I found a replacement petcock at Slicks for a few bucks and some dumpster diving. Also the new battery is shot: Unfortunately someone left the bike on accessory for a few months and the tail lamp discharged it beyond recovery. NBD, I'll get one tomorrow.

Now, let's see if I can figure out those points!

[Razmiblackz28]

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/sohcign.html

[Timberwolf]

Sorry Dan, I left the keys in the bike at the shop. Someone must have turned it on at some point :( AS far as the petcock, I should have noticed that when I set the tank on, but all I did was set it in place. If you want some money back let me know :)

[ws6transam]

Nope, I'll think of other ways to compensate, maybe you could run some more parts out to ZooFactoryCoatings in Kalamazoo for me some time? I've got an idea brewing in my head for some more ceramic coating projects, like some custom exhaust tips for the Trans Am, or maybe get this four into one motorcycle pipe cleaned up and coated.

BTW, I got a new battery and some new plug wires at NAPA this morning, neither of which were all that bad. 32 bucks for a battery, and 7mm solid core plug wire is only 44 cents per foot at NAPA. You gotta love that place.

Oh, and that was the last piece of the ignition puzzle, by the way. The ignition wires were broken and/or corroded inside and only made intermittant contact. Sometimes it woudl spark and sometimes not. In addition, the points were corroded on their faces, but with a little emory cloth, the resistance at the points faces went from five ohms to zero ohms, resulting in a nice, bright spark on all four of the new plugs; when the plug wires were cooperating, that is.

[ws6transam]

Okay, it now fires on all four cylinders, and a quick shot of ether into the cab throats will bring it to life. Unfortunately, gasoline only gets to two of the carbs, and then those two will spill over, indicating a needle/seat/float problem. The other carbs didn't get any fuel at all. Thus, it looks as if a rebuild of the carbies is next on the agenda...

Nice thing though, the bike doesnt appear to have much rust on it, and the dirt/grease is light, indicating that the machine was at least taken care of most of its life. The float bowls are not full of sludge, so it looks as if someone also took the time to drain the bowls when storing the machine.

[ws6transam]

Ah, jets are clean, emulsion tubes are clear, gaskets are, well... old. The floats look sound, but the needles were definitely bad: The chrome plating has peeled off the needles and had jammed two of them in the shut position. The other two were stuck in the open position, hence the fuel spillage. The bowls are relatively clear of sludge, indicating that some of the previous owners used to drain the bowls during long-term storage. The motorcycle throttle cables are lubricated and free now, but the twist grip is cracked and sticking on the handlebars. There's one on EBAY f/s so I put a bid on it.

Full rebuild kits are $17 each, and just needles are $12 each. Hmm... which way should I go? which way should I go?

Man, CB750 parts are everywhere, I feel like I just bought the model T of motorcycles!

[HoogiesNgrinderz]

Keep us updated.

BTW I just got my YZ 250 running...all those hours of rebuilding and it came down to three bad spark plugs. The first fouled out, the next one was brand new...bike wouldn't start. Another new plug, still wouldn't fire. I rebuilt the carb, set the timing, rewired the entire bike...still wouldn't run. I drove my Jimmy for the past week after fixing it and saw that I had new plugs for my SeaDoos sitting in the console...I grabbed one and put it in the bike....damn thing fired up in four kicks. Oh well, 15 hours of dinking around never hurt :)

[AL SS590 M6]

Full rebuild kits are $17 each, and just needles are $12 each. Hmm... which way should I go? which way should I go?

Man, CB750 parts are everywhere, I feel like I just bought the model T of motorcycles!

Spend the extra $20 you'll never regret doing it right the first time.

[ws6transam]

The bike started tonight but it smoked up the garage. I'm hoping it isnt something like valves or piston rings, but instead is mixture.

It started up easily though, but with the occasional "POP!" from a misfire.

[AL SS590 M6]

The bike started tonight but it smoked up the garage. I'm hoping it isnt something like valves or piston rings, but instead is mixture.

It started up easily though, but with the occasional "POP!" from a misfire.

You won't know 'till you run it a while. It's sat for a long time. The rings could be set up in the pistons and not expanding like they should be.

[ws6transam]

Good point there, Al. I started it this morning and it's not blowing blue smoke, so I think it's either timing or mixture. I haven't timed it yet, or adjusted the idle mixture screws. Plus I just found out that there's some kind of low-speed jet in a Kehin carb, and I need to find, inspect, and clean if necessary. I'm sure that the cam chain tensioner needs adjustment, too.

However it rolls on its own now, and my kids were plastered to the window as they watched me do circles in the driveway this morning. Excitement is growing...

[ws6transam]

I've rode the bike in to work twice now-- It's still a bit crusty, I dont think I got the slow speed jets cleaned properly. Plus I need to do some work on the front brakes, and rebuild the forks. I also blew a fuse the other day that left me scratching my head on the side of the road, but luckily I happened to have a spare...

However, the engine is sound, and it starts quite easily.

[Davidt]

I would like to see pictures of this beast please.

[ws6transam]

http://ws6transam.org/Gallery/albums/84transam/cb750f.sized.jpg

[Davidt]

wow nice shape for the age!

[ws6transam]

wow nice shape for the age!

Yeah, it's been growing on me... I think I'm going to do a bit of restoration on this one over the winter. It's a survivor and seems to appreciate the ride time. The engine has run better each and every day I've driven it to work. Eventually I'm going to trade up to either a Yamaha FJ1200 or a VMAX.

[Davidt]

You do know that a vmax is death on wheels... :-)

[Timberwolf]

You do know that a vmax is death on wheels... :-)
nah, he's ridden my bike and survived... he should be able to handle a Vmax :)

[rod442]

yeah, the oldschool thought that a vmax is the badest thing on wheels is just that, oldschool.

ANY newish 600 supersport bike would hand one its ass. let alone a 160hp litrebike.

Dont get me wrong, I DO want one, but just for a gentle cruiser to compliment my R1. maybe someday.

[ws6transam]

yeah, the oldschool thought that a vmax is the badest thing on wheels is just that, oldschool.


I never said I was after the FASTEST bike: Take a look at the FJ. It's Old School, too. It's an air cooled, carburated, 600 pound sports touring bike. Certainly not designed to cut an apex, either. However it's big and comfortable, capable of a trip to the top of Pike's Peak and back, and is the quintessential muscle bike for long trips.

The VMAX just looks cool, sounds cool, and is so, so much more bike for the money than any cruiser Harley.

Both bikes push over 100 to the wheels, which is enough for having some fun on the street.


What I like about these two machines is that I can buy a pristine condition specimen of eithe rmachine for between $3K and $4K; Both come from an era where there isn't a lot of maintenance required, and what is required can be generally be done at home with a 10, 12, 17, and 22 mm wrench, and a philips screwdriver.

[Timberwolf]

I think Rod's point was in reference to DavidT's comment that a vmax was death on wheels :)

[ws6transam]

Anyway, back to the CB750: Today I got the slow idle circuit unclogged. After placing the carbs back on the bike, I attempted to do a little tuning. It turns out that rather than 1 1/2 turns on the idle mixture screws, it took 3 1/2 to get it to smooth out. I stuffed a wide band O2 sensor up the exhaust pipe then isolated it to get a good reading & discovered that at idle it was sitting at over 18:1 AFR ! Sure enough, when I pulled the plugs, they were WHITE with white ash on the electrode! I guess that's why it has been sluggish and stumbling when I go down the road in top gear at 2500 RPM.

After turning out the screws to 3 1/2 turns, it settled in at between 13.5 and 15:1, and picked up a bunch of low-end torque. Driveability is 100% better. Plugs have a little color on them now. The engine runs good now, when it's up to temp. When cold, it's still hard to give it enough fuel: The choke circuit likes to open itself up too soon and it bogs. I may have to convert to some kind of bar mounted choke lever, because this one is now too slippery and it keeps dropping open. I'll look for an adjustment of some kind but I dont think there is one. The '77 Kehin PB's are just finicky and complicated is all.

[rod442]

I think Rod's point was in reference to DavidT's comment that a vmax was death on wheels :)

yup.

and in either case, was not to be taken too seriously. :)

[Davidt]

Ehhh Ive read from numerous magazines that vmax's have dipped into the high 10's completely stock. Ive also seen 1983-1985 Honda Sabre V65 doing 10.80's stock.

So if 20+ year old cruisers can do high 10's... How is it any new 600 would leave it in the dust? It wouldnt from stop light to stop light anyway.

[Davidt]

You've inspired me to buy an old Bike. Im shopping for a 1977-1982 Goldwing. I want the old stanard ones with no fairings. I think the flat 4 would be really cool.

[Razmiblackz28]

Ehhh Ive read from numerous magazines that vmax's have dipped into the high 10's completely stock. Ive also seen 1983-1985 Honda Sabre V65 doing 10.80's stock.

So if 20+ year old cruisers can do high 10's... How is it any new 600 would leave it in the dust? It wouldnt from stop light to stop light anyway.

No need to buy a 20 year old bike, they still make 'em new... :heyhey:
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/23/0/home.aspx

[rod442]

Ehhh Ive read from numerous magazines that vmax's have dipped into the high 10's completely stock. Ive also seen 1983-1985 Honda Sabre V65 doing 10.80's stock.

So if 20+ year old cruisers can do high 10's... How is it any new 600 would leave it in the dust? It wouldnt from stop light to stop light anyway.

those bikes can get into the 10's by being heavy and able to take a clutch dump. For a vmax, Motor cyclist online shows 116rwhp and 80tq. so it does make slightly better than 600 power and litrebike tq. BUT it weighs 631#'s.

so its accelleration numbers dont quite keep up.
Corrected 1/4-mile: 11.30 sec. @ 119.84 mph
0-60 mph: 3.55 sec.
Top-gear roll-on, 60-80 mph: 3.69 sec.

a new 600 can trap upper 120's to low 130's. and with a much better power to weight.

sportrider may 08 issue. CBR600rr ran 10.434 at 132.78, weighed 412#'s wet and made 107 rwhp / 46rwtq, top gear 60-80 is about the same 3.68) BUT its geared for like 180mph. cant find any concrete numbers but most sportbikes run 3.0 or less 0-60.

change the gearing, and strap a 600 and they have run in the 9's (otherwise stock).

again, I would love to have a musclebike for those times when I dont want to fold myself up like a pretzel, lol. but power to weight is key with any accelleration numbers, and the top tier bikes are leaving the older ones behind. Hell, a gsxr 750 is getting close to running what a previous gen R1 (like mine) does.