Kawi2strokes.com Forum

This Winter's restoration project will be a 1976 CB750F. I have been amassing parts for this bike the past few months and this past weekend started the teardown. This bike was purchased for $750 in New Jersey this past Summer and it is mostly there with only 13,000 miles and an engine that can be kicked through freely. The goal is a pretty close to original frame up restoration with complete engine teardown, new paint, chrome, etc. There will be a few non stock changes but for the most part the bike will remain close to stock. Time frame is to be complete by May so it can be on board for our annual trip to Deals Gap. Some before pics,

First bump in the road had me scratching my head. This seat hinge bolt was bigger than the other and would keep spinning when turned. I ended up grinding it off and brazing in a new stud to be ready for powdercoat. It looked like somehow, someone had gotten a new bolt in there between the frame and the bolt mount, which would appear impossible as the space is to small to get a bolt between the frame and mount and then up through. The other stud appears to be the standard spot welded stud. The frame showed no signs of cutting or welding?

If you have to go inside the engine, please be aware there are differences between the F and K models in the top end parts, heads, cams, and, even differences between different year F models. Early F had a basically K-like head and cam setup in lobe centers and valve angles, later ones, different, larger valve'd head, different valve angles, piston domes, and completely different camshaft basics, and that stuff DOESN'T interchange.

Those bikes are the best of the early "single cammer" Honda 750's, I feel. The later ones are fairly fast, and run really great when tuned correctly.

Thanks for the info, the plan is to rebore, rebuild the heads, and hopefully with only 13000, the lower end will be looking good. I have already got the 750f valves, but the pistons don't seem to be as available. The info I have gotten over on the SOHC forum is the K pistons will give a slightly lower CR but will work fine. One thing I have learned is that the "F" is not restored anywhere near as much as the "K" model. You can buy much more repro products for K bikes than the F. No problem, I'm up for it and don't mind a challenge.

I suggest you start looking at the different year's F model parts listings, like on motogrid, part numbers would tell you what is what. I think I remember the '76 is of itself, and like the K models, the '77 and '78 F's, totally different head, valves, cam, pistons.

Subscribed. I have a few SOHC but no 750F's. I would bet the bottom end is fine, they are nearly bulletproof.

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H2B..... H1E..... Z1B ..... RD350...... X6 Hustler..... TS250.... CB750 ..... CB550...... and a Bomber!!

Only things I have ever seen go wrong with their lower ends was the first design single row output shaft bearing, but, those were all superceded or FDM'd to a double row ball bearing.

The other is the primary chains and tensioner can get very bad, but it is strictly from NOT having the engine tuned/balanced correctly, like valves out of setting spec, timing all over the place and all 4 carbs not synch'd anywhere close.

Clutch needs better springs only, after Honda had to warrantee replace the original chains form excessive stretch, they keopt the same low quality chain, and simply put a set of lighter tension clutch springs in, so the clutch would have a bit if slip at full throttle acceleration, increasing the rotten chain's life, to jsut past the warrantee period expiration date. YES, that is exactly what Honda did, lots of "slip-n' 'n dodge-n'".

Get the settings right and balanced, sweet running bike engine.

I used to have one of those and yes they run forever it seems but what I thought was aftermarket greyish black sidecover were indeed stock. You would have thought they would have been burgundy like the bike. I had the factory four into one but don't remember it having that end section as it seem to sweep up a little and have a cone type end. It's one of the only bikes I have owned where if it tips over you need a crane lo lift it back up . Cool find hope it goes all well.

That is one of the areas that will change from stock. The side covers were missing so I had to get repros that are like the stock Black. They are going to get painted the same color as the bike, so will the gas cap door. I have seen pictures of others done that way and for me they look better than the stock Black. Still thinking on the color. Stock is Candy Antares Red but I like the Candy Ruby Red as well as the Yellow.

The earlier F1 model had colored side-covers,(same color as tank) the later F2 had the metallic/black covers.

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"One day, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." : anon.