My Cool Ass CB750 Cafe Racer
So, this post is a lil bit off topic here (way off) but felt like posting it anyways.
I picked up my first motorcycle recently and its really f***ing cool. It’s a 1980 Honda CB750 and its getting chopped and customized into a cafe racer.
I found the bike listed locally on craigslist.org and after doing some research online I came across this cb750 cafe racer website. After seeing those bikes and digging more into the cafe style of bikes I was sold on getting this Honda. Sent some emails to Carpy (Steve Carpenter) at cb750cafe.com and been buying some parts from him. Great guy who is really passionate about building cool cafe racers.
Funny him being a Brit and all while the original cafe style evolved in Britain primarily on British bikes like Nortan’s but he tends to stick with the older SOHC Honda’s. Fitting I guess because it was the cb750’s that brought the English bike industry to its knee’s in the late 60’s early 70’s. Norton went bankrupt. Ouch.
So without further adieu, here is the bike (these are updated photos since additional modifications to the bike in 2010 - older pics below);
- Original high rise handlebars replaced with low flat drag style bars (might try a set of low drop clubman style bars at some point)
- Stock carburetors/airbox replaced with 29mm Keihin CR Special and pod filters
- Rear fender chopped to half its length
- Big dumbo ear signal lights replaced with sleek little chrome ones
- Tail light smaller and sleeker too
- All badging and decals removed (if you don’t ask if it’s a Harley I wont tell you it’s a Honda
) - Frame, engine, gas tank, side covers, forks all painted flat black - clutch, alternator, & ignition rotor covers later stripped of peeling paint and sanded to give brushed aluminum look.
- Seat foam reshaped to remove the tail wings and then re-upholstered
- Rear view mirror replaced with a bar end mirror
- Exhaust manifolds wrapped with fiberglass heat tape
- New spark plug wires - red for a touch of color
So it’s a mean looking machine and sounds like a frikin Ferrari when all four of those inline cylinders are roaring. And she’ll do well over a ton (100 miles per hour). Not bad for a 30 year old motorcycle.
Next on the list of things to do will be suspension upgrades. A set of progressive springs for the front, and/or swapping out the front end for a dual disk brake version off an F model. As well a new set of shocks for the rear as those 30 year old sealed units probably have some pretty worn out oil in them.
Older Pics : pre-CR Special Carbs
Even Older - pre-bar end mirrors
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Recent Stuff
Was re-adjusting the jets on my carbs to richen the fuel/air mixture and borked the engine. opps!
With those new cone filters the engine sucks in more air. Also the exhaust pipes had the baffles cut out of the mufflers. Not only does that make it a tad louder but it also opens up the air flow. So we were running a tad lean and needed to richen things up to get the power to where it should be with enough fuel to match the increased air intake.
Seems I opened up the main jet way too much. It was screaming fast for about 10 minutes. Until the excess, unburnt fuel began too ooze down the cylinder walls and mixed with the oil.
After ten minutes of burning around she just konked out and died. Had to walk her back to the shop. When i checked the oil it was a lil runny and smelled more like gas than oil.
Full oil change, new spark plugs and back to tearing apart and re-jetting the carbs this week.
good job buddy want more ideas go to cyclexchange.net they have some of the the most innovative styles for cb 750’s ever im a cafe man myself 72 sohc good job, keep it cafe.
Uber sexy computer guy bike if I ever saw one.
that shit is the shit
What size of jets are ran in you bike i cant seem to find the size the dealer in my area is a moron
Stock size jets are 68 and 100, I believe. I’m still having issues with getting the jetting right. Wanted to buy jets from my local Honda dealer, asked to order a bunch of different sizes so i can tinker to get the right balance. But they cost about $10 each! ouch.
Instead, there is a local guy who has a small shop and just mainly works on older bikes. So will get him to do it right for me.
Nice bike! Where did you pick up the taillight? I’ve been looking for one of those.
Brian, I got the light from Steve Carpenter at cb750cafe.com
Nice work man! I’m working on a CB1000C Cafe Racer. Check it out at:
http://www.freewebs.com/ratbones/
BTW, I’ve noted that it is tough to get the Honda DOHC’s to run correctly with the pod intakes. Most of the DOHC riders stick with the stock air box set-ups to avoid problems. I’m keeping the stock intake on my CB1000C. The stock intake works fine with the aftermarket 4 into 1 exhaust I am running on my bike. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
I’m 85% finished with my cafe…
Rat Bones
Oh boy, spring is coming. Time to get tuning the bike and ready to ride again. Woo hoo!
hey i have the same year and model bike. what size air filter pods did you use and where did you get them? thanks.
@ Fadi, The cone filters were one of the mods already done by previous owner. He found them on ebay.
I have a 1981 CB 750 C Honda that I’ve just started work on…..when I removed the left side “ignition pickup” plate, that houses the Automatic timing unit, oil poured out….Is this correct, or do I have a blown seal that’s allowing oil from the main crank area to enter into this area…..Also the 2 igniton transitors that sit by the battery have had their black guey resin melted out…are these now ruined or are they still workable….Thanks for any input..Toni
@toni, I’m not much of a bike mechanic myself so I have no idea about the oil coming out of the timing unit??? And as for the transistors, I would imagine they should be replaced.
hey there did you ever get your bike running properly? i have an 80 750 that im cafeing that has the pods and is also running really rough.like to know how you got on
Nice bike, Where did you find your signals at? All I find are chrome with clear lens.
I got the lights from Steve Carpenter at http://cb750cafe.com/ He has lots of cool shit.
And those lights are really high quality, especially for the price. Real metal and real chrome, not plastic like the crap you find on ebay.
toni - I’ve got CB750 C that I’ve put 36 K on since Summer ‘06 (long southern riding season). In the first month after 10 years setting up the “gook” cooked out of my rtransformers - I q-tipped some wheel bearing grease in and around the connectors and have driven 7 tires of the rear (good times!!). So… not really a recommendation but…
It’s been awhile but I’m wondering how you made out with this bike?
For anyone thinking of using Pods on a DOHC Increase your main jets to 105 or 107.5 for WOT
@toni If your getting a black tar then No your Ignitor is shot (Over heating) replace it
Best thing I ever did to my 79 was re build the top end and install a 810cc kit
Peace
Erle
As far as jetting goes, I just ordered this DynoJet kit http://www.dynojet.com/pdf/1127.pdf
On researching around, and chatting by email with another DOHC owner, 120 to 125 seems to be the main jet size to go with for pod filters.
The Dyno jet kit has 126’s. If you’re running an aftermarket high flow exhaust they recommend using the 130’s (comes with the kit). Also the new needle jet in that kit is adjustable, stock one is not.
I bought the kit here http://www.starcycle-usa.com/servlet/Detail?no=15286
Will update after It arrives and I get it installed.
Stever, look forward to reading what you post. I recently picked up my second CB 750 and runs like crap. Pod filters and real short high flow exhaust. It looks like that kit might just be what i need.
Here is a link to pics of my CB 750 rebuild. Get full story at CostalDucatiClub.org.
http://www.coastalducaticlub.org/forum/index.php?topic=2023.0
Nice bike you got there.
Aww man, I’m going down the same road with my soon to be cb750 I found on craigslist. The parts at Carpy’s website look sick and I cant wait to get my bike looking like a cafe racer.
Hi all, I just got a 1980 Honda CB750C DOHC and I want to turn it into a cafe racer but I dont know where to start or where to find the parts. So far all I’ve done is replaced the air filter, spark plugs, fuses, and bulbs. Can anyone help me out?
Hahaha, that’s so funny, it’s my same history, I buyed a 2005 intruder, then this broke up, so I changed for a cb 750 1981, that I didnt like it, but when I find the carpy’s site, I start to love my bike, now Im modyfing to a cafe racer sowly cause I don’t have enough money, but soon I’ll finish it, and show you the pics, by the way the light tail how much it cost you?
Pd. sorry for my bad english-
Saludos desde Mexico.
Ricardo.
@Charlie, there are no set rules on what exactly consitutes a cafe racer. Google around, find pics of various cafe bikes and get a scence for the style and what you need to change. Ebay has some parts you might need. And Steve Carpenter’s site at cb750cafe.com is great. He’s got lots of pics of bikes converted to cafe’s and he has some awesome parts for sale.
@Ricardo. That tail light I got from Carpy’s website. It’s this one here. Current price is $69 USD.
I have a 1980 Cb400t. If I put on the air pods what would I need to jet my engine to?
@Chris, I have no idea what size jets you would need after adding the pod filters. Here on the Dynojet website they do have a kit for a cb400, but for a newer model http://www.dynojet.com/jetkits/motorcycle/honda.aspx
Some deeper research into your carbs vs. those of the 1989 version would tell you if they were maybe close enough to work for you.
There is a bit more to it than just changing the sizes of your jets. You may need to drill the holes in your slide a bit bigger, change the needle shape (comes with the kit) and adjust it’s height up or down.
Planning to do the same thing….but here is a thought. If you’re planning to do any low speed in town riding, you may want to consider rejecting any handlebars that interfere with the gas tank. Helps at gas stations etc. Just a thought.
Many of the street fighter guys have gone as far as using Motocross bars.
@Doug, do you mean so they don’t smack the tank and reduce turning radius? As mind do? With dents in tank to prove it. lol. Adds to the charm of the flat black rat bike kinda look
Yes, motorcross bars with their little bit of rise would do the trick there.
That’s exactly what I mean. I’m 60 so I need every edge I can get so that I don’t fall down (and not be able to get up). But you’ve got a nice bike there. I’ve cafe’d a 73 Norton Commando and a 84 BMW 1000. Neither loks as good as the Honda 4 in my opinion.
Interested in selling it?
Doug, this summer has been my first full riding season with the bike, so selling ain’t much of an option just yet, but if price was right…maybe.
But, I’m in Kamloops, BC. You’re in London, Ontario (if your IP location is correct). That’s a long ways to ship a bike.
Yo from Chicago,
nice seat where did you get it! and how much, please.
Tanks, johnny
love the bike man! i just got an 80 cb750k yesterday and re-gasketed the carbs and put em on tonight…I was wondering what did you do with the two hoses that went into the stock airbox when you put on ur pod filters? i really wanna get pods cause that connection from the airbox to the carbs is a friggin pain.
I have a cb 200T and want to put the open air filters like you have on it. There are two carbs and I will need an air filter cone for each one. Any ideas where I can get one.
Thanks,
Ray
@grayhost, that is the original seat, except I re-shaped the foam then had it re-upholstered.
@Aaron, the big tube coming up from oil resevoir is just left where it is and open. It exhausts excess gasses that got past the piston rings and with air box just puts them back through the combustion chamber. I should put a small air filter on it. The little hose that connects to the fuel line on the carbs must have been an overflow for fuel that gets into the box. I removed this tube and plugged the hole in the carbs.
@Ray Mullen, I tried Googling around but cannot find anything specific about cb200t pods. If you can determine the outer diameter of your air intakes then you can probably source a set of K&N’s that will fit.
Hey great looking bike, I am personally starting a cafe conversion on my 81 CB750F. Love the look of your bike, specially the custom seat, I just cant believe thats the orginal, very nice work.
hey look at my cafe racer on http://www.caferacermexico.blogspot.com please coment, and understand that I live on third world jeje don’t ask too much.
Saludos!!!
WOWOWOW by the way I need help, I have a big problem well, two one is my bad english so please if you can help me with my second problem try to be easy with words ok?
Well the real problem is when I modified the tank it’s start to oxidate a lot from inside this end in to my carbs and those get covered and the gas runs out of the carbs, so does anybody have a solution to STOP de oxid? thanx bros!
Ricardo/versus
anybody have problems with there carb boots being cracked and hampering the performance letting to much air in.its a problem i had my bike a CB750F SuperSport and it being a 1982 some thing don’t age well especially rubber the boots formed some cracks which were hard to see.
@Versus, I have rust in my tank too. Be sure you have a good filter attached to your fuel line. The paper ones are the best. You might even put 2 on there to catch more of it. The bigger pieces can get stuck in the float valves keeping them open so the float bowls end up overflowing through your drain tubes.
@grayghost, my boots have tiny cracks in them too but so far no problems. A good way to test is to spray carburetor cleaning fluid around your boots while engine is running. If you have an air leak the engine will rev higher as the carb fluid gets sucked in and burns in the cylinders. Be careful not to spray into the air intake else you get a false positive.
Ok thanx but… I tryed that before but the problem is, when I modifyed the tank it’s gets lower so the gas line is at the same high of the carbs take or intake (don’t know the word) I mean were the line go in to the carbs so as you know the gas go down by gravity so the gas can’t full the filter… am I f***k up?
Versus.
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Help…..need stator rotor and cover for a 1982 Honda CB 750F SuperSport, back tire washed out, was a rainy day needless to say fell on my right side WHEW!!!
I made it okay no major wounds but my 750 oh well stator rotor and cover gone!. can use some input where i can get used parts, factory parts mucho $$$ i can use all the input and or advice as to where i could find these parts Thanks and remember wherever you go there you are!.
Hello All,
I too have had my 1980 CB 750K for about 16 years. I bought it from the original owner.
I run air pods on my carbs and for those interested, I’m running 65 and 125 jets.
Parts are hard to come by for these old classics, but I’ve been lucky with Dennis Kirk having almost anything I need. They have a website where you can order their “Metric” catalogue: http://www.denniskirk.com
Excellent shipping all over the world.
Versus: you can also try to “re-line” your fuel tank with a specific epoxy made for that (after you clean it out)
Stever.ca - great website, I’m glad I found.
Stay in touch everyone, and happy riding.
how much did the total conversion run you? i have been thinking about doing the same thing and just found the same 1980 Honda on craigslist in my town.
Hi there,
Glen I was referring to your post and anybody that is running pod filters on a CB 750. I recently picked up a 1982 cb 750 custom. I want to convert to pod filters largely due to the fact that I don’t like the whole airbox set up, it’s a pain and it takes up alot of space. I also want the airflow increase and style that the pods bring to the bike. I am curious on jet sizes and the type of exhaust being used. I would like to keep my stock exhaust if possible, or a cheap modification. Working on a budget… I am planning to get the bike in good running condition for this summer, and hopefully over the winter converting it to a cafe racer. I fell in love with the look after researching parts and general info on the bike and coming across a number of beautiful cafe’s.. Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks guys.
@keith, total conversion cost me (so far) about $700. But I still need/want more, like high output ignition coils ($200), and replace those cv carbs entirely with something that’s easier to tune to pod filters ($??? to $700). And eventually a 4 into 1 exhaust ($200 to $500).
If your looking for a HEI Coil modification to your ignition I HIGHLY recommend the famed “GM Coil Mod”. Simply use two GM d555 coils in place of your stock coils and it works like a dream. Oh, and I picked mine up from the local pull-a-part junkyard for 7 bucks each.
Dude i’m buying my buddy’s 1980 cb750k and I want my seat to look EXACTLY like that! What did you tell the upholstery guy to do?
@Jaren,
I reshaped the foam myself. With a razor utility knife I sliced the little turned up wings off. Then using one of those foam sanding blocks you get at hardware stores I sanded the foam down to the shape I wanted. You will find the foam has a sort of grain to it, rub one way and it comes off in chunks, rub another way and of sands off quite nicely.
Mostly I rounded off the back end of passenger seat and smoothed out around the wing/fin that was cut off from behind riders position.
I then handed it to upholsterer as is. We did not discuss specifics about where seams should go, they just did what they though was best there.
For material they told me black vinyl comes in 3 sheen’s, glossy, semi-gloss and flat. I at first thought I would do flat but they told me the flat will end up polished where you sit and look glossy where your ass rubs but flat everywhere else, so semi-gloss is best. Don’t do leather unless you want black dye on the ass of your blue jeans.
Awesome man, you’re the best! I’ll have to show you some pictures once it’s done. Thanx a ton!
Hey man, how long are your handlebars from end to end?
Hey Stever, I am building a ‘79 DOHC cafe with pods. It’s been a painstaking project going on 2 years now. I’ve been anxious to get it to the jetting phase, but that is still down the road. Good to know there are those who are adventurous enough to tackle a DOHC. The SOHC riders and so-called cafe purists like to slam us for removing the ugly airboxes. But hey, we work with what we got, eh? Peace!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/El_NiNo_album/Cafe%20project/polished1.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/El_NiNo_album/Cafe%20project/subframerearsets.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/El_NiNo_album/Cafe%20project/rollingchassis3.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/El_NiNo_album/Cafe%20project/trailerqueen1.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/El_NiNo_album/Cafe%20project/trailerqueen3.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q56/El_NiNo_album/Cafe%20project/sprockethub.jpg
nice looking project there alex
I been fighting with jetting the carbs for 2 years now. Still don’t have the right combo. Best I could do is push that dead spot up to 7000 rpm range. Can’t get past that.
Saving up the cash to get a new set of carbs (cable activated slides, not vacuum) that will be compatible with the pods and finally allow me to get the full 10k rpms out of her.
@Jaren, my bars are about 27 1/2 inches wide, not accounting for the slight bend in the bar.
Thanks, Stever! Being a sport bike guy, I was trying to capture the look of a vintage GP race bike, but without the fairing: aka cafe racer. With the prices of Yami RD’s, Kaw H1-H2’s, and SOHC Hondas so high, I was forced to look to other models of the era. Hardly anyone wants to mess with the DOHC’s cause I guess others don’t think they have the right look. So, deals can be found. My donor has 10k on the clock and runs like a Swiss watch. It was just butt ugly, dirty, and neglected. I had to drive 600 miles (round trip) to get it though.
I have other projects going, but I’m hoping this CB to be the crown jewel of my collection and my debut into the cafe scene. Right now, I’m trying to find the time to get the linkages for the rear sets sorted and to finish up shaping the knee dents in the tank (another thing so-called purists hate with a passion).
I was told by a guy on one of my forums that he cut some half moon shaped discs from an aluminum pop can and fitted them onto the carb intake and then put the pods back on. There is still jetting required, but he claims it’s that simple. I’m not at that stage of completion to test his approach. He also claims to have no problems with performance at any speed.
sweeet bike i just one in great cond. 700 bucks. awesome im just having carb trouble i already kind of saw it coming its the only bad ive heard about the bike. it runs real rich, better than lean though. its a ton fun.
So I’m currently refurbishing the exact same year, a 1980 Honda CB 750 K, having a hell of a time finding complete signal kits for it, any recommendations? (I like the ones you have on there a lot
)
@Ken those are the best lights I’ve found. Far better that the plastic crap you find on ebay. Get them from Steve Carpenter at http://cb750cafe.com/ go to parts for sale section and scroll down.
$100 for set of 4.
Got my rear brake light from him too.
Cool bike Stever, Not easey to bring life back into on of those bikes.
I just found this website and I couldn’t be happier. My own 1980 CB 750 K resurrection has been interesting to say the least. The pod filter problem has been dificult, and trying to get a consistent answer about the jet sizes needed is impossible. Your bike is an excelent example of the type of ride I would like to create. Lots of luck with all your efforts and I hope to be riding soon.
@Ray Bligh, the real answer to the pod filter problem is ditching the cv carbs and getting a set of mechanical carbs instead.
Who makes these mechanical carbs and how do I get them?
Hey Stever, I love the bike. Couple questions for you. In your pictures here, is that the original mirror? I have an ‘82 750K and your mirror looks smaller than my factory ones. Second, the side covers, did you customize those as well? Mine seem a lot bigger and cover my air filter cones. I like the look of yours being exposed like that. Awesome job on the bike to this point. You should keep posting pictures as you tweak it.
The bottom set of images is using the original mirror. In the more recent pics you can see the bar end mirror. The squarish shaped bar end lowers the profile of the bike a bit more yet retains the 80’s style. It’s a bit smaller than the original. C and K mirrors might have been different.
Side covers are original. Mine’s a C model and a bit older than your K. Some of the 82 and 83 models changed the style of the tank a bit, where it sweeps down then meets the sidecover, which is longer to match up with the tank. The F model also had that tank/sidecover set-up. Open and more exposed does look better, especially with the pods.
I have some updates coming soon. I just upgraded the carbs to a set of Keihin CR Specials, 29mm. Awesome mechanical carb that solves all the jetting problems I had trying to use the stock CV carbs.
How did you do the seat? getting cafe racer, single seat, and girlfriend wants to ride on back, and your seat looks really nice
What type of paint did you use? And don’t your bars hit the tank? Any ideas how to fix that?
Hi all, I have a 79 CB750F SS. I ended up ditching the stocker carbs for a set of early GSXR Mikuni carbs. Just used radiator hose for boots. Had to fiddle quite a bit, and added 1 1/2 in steel pipe “collars” inside the radiator hose, but it is a hell of a lot easier than the stocker carbs and I can use either K&N filters or Velocity stacks if I want. Yes these are also CV carbs, but very pod friendly and very easy to tune….just sayin…lol
Hey Stever! Great site!! Just got a 1980 CB750C (with less then 12000 miles on it!
and plan on cafeing it this winter. Here’s a question for you… do you know where you can get rearsets for it? and possibley front shock kits for better dampening? Thanks! Phil
@Phil, rearsets I’m not sure about. Go to cb750c.com forum and go ask there, someone should know.
As for front shocks, you can get a set of progressive springs at oldbikebarn.com.
rearsets at http://www.omarsrearsets.com I think.
“raask” rearsets - his customer service was awesome
I have a CB750F DOHC 82. I like my bike. I have under triple clamp clip ons, Raasks rear sets. 4 into one exhaust.
Looking to add more things, like a widened rear wheel ( stock Comstar ) and a 180/55/18 tire.
My problem is the engine oil leak. I was told it is the main bearing. I was told the engine has to be pulled apart. That means engine rebuilt. If I have to go the engine split route ( for the leak problem.) I might as well rebuild the top end and get a new timming chain parts.
Anyone knows of a good reputable mechanic that will do a quality rebuild? I know how to adjust valves and simple stuff, but I will not try rebuilding the engine, I am not at that level.
Engine rebuilder anyone? in SO Cal.
@james, the effort and costs to do a full rebuild may not be worth it. Frankly it could be easier and cheaper to watch ebay and craigslist for a F model bike with relatively low miles and just do an engine swap.
But to hunt down a good mechanic that knows the DOHC CB engines, go to the cb750c.com forums or the cb1100f.net forums and ask around on there. A few very active members in the So Cal area and could point you in the right direction. Many of the same peeps frequent both forums.
James, Sometimes if you can get the old seal out you can put in a new one without pulling the motor apart.
Take an old long screwdriver and bend the tip just enough to get it behind the seal. Put a heavy socket on the screwdriver and gently (without hitting the crank shaft) work the seal out using the socket as a slid hammer. Work around the seal slowly. Once out just tap in a new seal (put grease on it before trying to install it).
Pics of my rebuild.
http://s373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/grandpaslinger/CB%20750/
also http://www.benjiescaferacer.com has a tail/seat bolt on that looks pretty cool
Please help me in my search for Keihin CR carbs. I have been searching for them and havn’t been able to locate a seller. Thanks, Ray
Ray Bligh
Have you checked in with Dennis Kirk. It’s a massive motorcyle store in the USA. Their website is: http://www.denniskirk.com
Ray, I got mine through Sudco - http://www.sudco.com/
Their website is not set up for e-shopping. You’ll need to contact them directly by phone or email.
I just got my new CR Specials today. If you can, please write a post about installing these carbs. Hopefully i’ll be riding by the weekend. Thanks, Ray
The inlet chamber for the Cr 29s is larger than the stock fuel inlet. How did you adjust this? Please let me know.Thanks, Ray
@Ray
You mean where the fuel line connects to the carbs? I just replaced my fuel lines. Went to UAP-Napa and got a length of beefier tubing. I think they were 1/4″ automotive lines. My old lines needed replacement anyways.
Hey Steve,
Great looking bike. I just put a drag bar on my 81 CB900 custom and when I got up to about 80 It got a little bit of speed wobble goin on. Scary stuff! Have you had any problems with that?
I’ve had no problems with speed wobbles. Have had her up to 110 miles per hour
You might have some other sort of alignment issue going on. Or your front tire is under inflated. Maybe?
i got a 79 cb750 the otherday for 100 bucks i cant figure out if i can just use a T for the fuel lines seems there is two coming from carbs but only one petcok on tank? im itching to ride can anyone help
@dave, Only one of those tubes coming off the carbs is for your fuel line. The one with the brass nipple. That other line is a breather, i think it’s supposed to connect back to the airbox.
I suggest heading over to these forums http://www.cb750c.com/
thanks i cant seem to find a place on the airbox but bike does stay running if i blow air into it but stalls as soon as i quit
I’m not running stock airbox and carbs, so don’t know the answers. Follow that link I posted above to the dohc cb750 forums. Lots of help in there.
Hi! I’m planning on getting a CB750, from the 80’s, to transform into a CafeRacer. I really like your’s and wanted to know what model is it? an F, K or C ?? I can get my hands on a very inexpensive CB750 Custom but don’t know if it will look good or if i should look for another one… Do you have any pictures of yours before the transformation, so i can compare? Thanks!
@Ugo,
Mine is a C. And no, I don’t have any before pictures. Previous owner had already started the cafe conversion - with the handle bars. Plus it was still in semi-pieces at the time (no seat, no lights, no front brake) when I bought it.
Wow, that was quick!
I guess the C stands for Custom and that they are the same bike, wich would be very great since they seem to be the only ones i find around here (Montreal). So basically, the bike itself wasn’t modified at all right? No cutting or welding anything? I’m not a mechanic nor a builder but i know how to use handtools and don’t want it to be a 2 winters project! More like a week end one
Any tips?
Thanks again
Yes, Custom is C.
Only cutting and welding I did was chop off the chrome posts on the forks for the front signal lights and chop a section out of middle of rear fender then weld it back together to create the shorter fender - actually paid a guy $50 to chop and weld the fender as I don’t have a welder.
Very very nice! You gave me confirmation to go with the Custom, thanks a lot!
Hello! Great Blog wonderfull bike! Something that ive been looking for.
I have had CB 750 F -82 for four years with out any tuning jet. I am going to order Keihin CR carbs from dynoman.net
There is two choices: 29 mm and 31 mm for DOHC. Do you have any idea does the 31 mm work as good (or as bad) as original ones in rpm’s under 6000?
How did you end up with 29 mm?
Dyna ignition could also be intresting..
Greetings from Finland!!
Joonas
@Sauna,
29mm is the ideal size for the cb750. 31mm would be better for a 900, or if you were planning to bore out your 750 to an 883 kit or something. Even if you bored out the engine the 29’s are still large enough, just have to re-jet a bit to compensate.
Thank you for your comments! Just ordered CR 29’s and dyna ignition also.
Hello!
I have my CR 29’s with k&n pods, 2,2 ohm coils and dyna 2000 ignition insalled. Bike runs very well after 6000 rpm’s but before that there is totally no power. I suppose carb tuning is what I need. I took the bike to local workshop to get it work but they failed somehow.
So, can you tell what size of jets you are young? And what is the needle positioning? Did you sync the carbs carefully before starting to tune the jets? From the workshop they said that pods might need some tubes inside them to get better vacuum at lower rpm’s. Have you heard/done things like that?
Here in Finland summer has begun and I cant’t wait to get my bike running.
Hi Stever and the rest of Honda DOHC buddies.
Well.Got a hold of a greart ex Honda dealer mechanic. He is working on my bike’s engine.Complete tear down,all new gaskets and seals. New timming chains. At the same time working on painting job. I want something other than stock colors. Perhaps red, or orange. No chromes, all black with orange ( perhaps red, or even kawasaki green.) tank, tail and side covers. Would like to open a blog like yours so we can have another Honda to have fun with. ( let me know how to do that, not a guru on internet stuff.) Once the bike is up and running ( couple weeks ) I will get a set of CR-29s and perhaps a electrical system. Your bike works with the CR-29s very well from what I hear. What about your stock electronics, I mean the coil ans that. Any need for a Dyno system? A while ago I got a rear ( stock Comstar wheel, love the look of stock performanced parts ) wheel widened. I will add that on as I get it on the road. Those rear tires are expensive and right now I would rather get the CR-29 carbies on. Iam in California. Would be nice to meet ridding our bikes sometime. Planning on ridding to the “Rock Store” in the Malibu Hills once it is running.
James,
I changed both Cr 29’s and Dyna ignition at the same time so it is hard to say the effect. I have still some problems with the ignition. It might bee bad contact with wires or bad sparg plugs..at low rpm’s there is some instability. Figuring it out. Any way the bike works very well at higher rpm’s.
There is a picture and power curve from dynorun at http://www.CB750C.com and topic ” My -82 CB 750F with Keihin CR 29’s and new ignition ”
Joonas
Hi Joonas. Finland is a nice place I definitely want to go visit. I have friends from Sweden and those northern lands have always been in my mind since I was a child ( perhaps Iwas a Viking
I also have 2 Datsun cars ( 710 and 610 ) that I like a lot and I know Datsun enthusiasts from up there. Hope to go soon. Thanks for the input on the CRs.I heard stories like that about the Dyna Coil system, reason why I am a little cautious about it. I will add the CRs first, then the Dyna coil( or other good system I may find. The only issue I ever had with my bike electronically speaking was when after years of solid ridding one day the stator ( I think that is what it is called, the stuff that rotates and has wire wrapped, like an alternator.) went down. I replaced one after another,(3) all refurbished ( never got a new dealer one ) all failing until the last one that is holding. Once I saw a CB750F from Spain with what appeared to be a car alternator hooked up and it seemed to work fine. ( perhaps a small Honda or Suzuki car ). Anyways, sorry for the protracted reply. BTW, since the Dyna system is more powerfull, make sure your wires are well insulated. Perhaps you have arcing ( spark plug wire shorting ) or ground wire issues. Cheers.
Guess Stever has sold the bike. No more comments. If not, what is going on with your bike Stever?