1981 CB750F2 build

Hello all,

Been lurking since the spring when i got my first bike - F650GS - which i instantly loved both in terms of styling a practicality (500 miles a day no aches, 70mpg, rides itself etc etc) However i wanted something more personal. Thus the idea of a cafe/custom bike.

I have just got a CB750 1981 that is not very well at all. I have kind of rushed into it for a few reasons - one was the burst of enthusiasm borne of IED's great thread and the likes of the Wrenchmonkees, CRD, Deus et al. Also bikes suitable for customising are creeping up in price and i didn't want to wait for the summer price hike.

So here it is -



It was basically sold for scrap (I paid nearly as much for the van rental and diesel!) The previous owner told me he started it once a year and ran it warm. I'm not so sure of this... However there are no obvious leaks, the frame has only minor rust spots, rubber bits on it have not gone hard and cracked, wheels and handlebars turn. The exhaust is new 4-1. The paint is pearlescent and remarkably similar the current mix used by Lexus, though perhaps a little less creamy than theirs.

Now from this checklist you can probably guess i don't know that much about bikes or buying them second hand either so this will be a learning experience. By the time i'm finished i intend to have learnt the rudiments of engine mechanics, bike electrics, a bit of welding and automotive painting. I like the built not bought motto. I'm in no hurry so the earliest i intend to do this is summer 2013 but summer 2014 wouldn't bother me at all.

I have lots of ideas and zero budget so will be doing as much as possible myself.

First up i shall be removing the fairing and cleaning up a bit. The seat and rear lights were heavy! Hopefully i'll be able to sell unused parts and recoup funds to progress the project.

Anyway thank you for reading so far,

S

Stripping down left this lot on the lounge floor -



All that weighs about 30 - 40kg! And it was all high up so hopefully it'll make the bike handle better when it eventually gets on the road.

The bike now looks like this...



...which is already much closer to what i had in mind.

Petcock's leaking through the face though -



...right where it says 'off' Hopefully got a new one coming off eBay. I looked at refurb kits but none seemed to be for this model and i wasn't sure about drilling out the pop rivets...

Tank is now empty so will be trying some acid cleaning when it's completely empty and aired dry inside.

Best,

S

Hmmn, two thoughts, lose the anchor chain round the fornt wheel, that will save you a few kgs ( ), and secondly, acid cleaning may well exacerbate any pinhole leaks you currently have, I'd go for a tank sealant kit, one which cleans the crap out then seals it aginst all the corrosive elements now bunged it our fuel such as ethenol etc.

BTW, welcome to the forum and keep up the good work!

Ha ha - chain's just a precaution lest anyone with superhuman strength be looking for 200kg of scrap

On tank - POR-15 kit, £45 eBay sound about right?

S

Try Frosts, they do a kit specifically for bike tanks so you're not buying excess product and it comes with a 'how-to'

http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-tanks-products/por15-motorcycle-fuel-tank-repair-kit.html

You might find this useful too:

http://www.frost.co.uk/how-do-i-repair-my-fuel-tank