Looking to buy a 1975 CB750 - advice?
01-19-2010, 06:38 AM
#1
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Looking to buy a 1975 CB750 - advice?
Its actually for a buddy that im trying to get into riding. He found a great condition 1975 CB750 that we are going to look at this weekend. The owner says that he has done an electronic ignition upgrade, and has recently repainted the gas tank. Everything else is stock.
The bads: The carbs need to be synced and neutral light is out
Just wondering what we are getting into about the carb synching (easy, or shop work?) and what other quirks this year and model may have. I should be able to handle the neutral light for him with no problems. (switch, bulb, wiring etc...?)
If he gets it, ill probably be riding it 3 hours back to where we live since he doesnt have his endorsement yet.
Any input would be rockin! Thanks in advance!
The bads: The carbs need to be synced and neutral light is out
Just wondering what we are getting into about the carb synching (easy, or shop work?) and what other quirks this year and model may have. I should be able to handle the neutral light for him with no problems. (switch, bulb, wiring etc...?)
If he gets it, ill probably be riding it 3 hours back to where we live since he doesnt have his endorsement yet.
Any input would be rockin! Thanks in advance!
01-19-2010, 07:23 AM
#2
2nd mouse gets the cheese
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Alright, every time I have dealt with buying an old bike and the ad says the carbs need to be synced its like the best way to say "I have no clue about carbs" and "it doesn't run quite right".
Anyways the 75' cb750 should still have mechanical slide carbs, which is good, they are like the ak47 of honda carbs where the later cv carbs are like the m16 go figure. With that said though like all carbs they do not put up well with the laquer that can build up. Whenever I get an old bike that "needs a sync" I imediately translate that to a full clean tear down and inspection. You should know more once you ride it. If the only thing it does badly is idle rough but as soon as you start riding it smooths out then I would try a sync. Which by the way will require a carb tool with four manifolds.
Other than that its the usual drill with used vehicles, is there sign of neglect, what are the tires like (check the date on them), how does the chain look, are the bearings tight, are the fork seals still sealing, is there crash damage etc. Also a driveable 75' that needs nothing (including no tuning) at most is worth $2500, most of the time they are worth more like $1500 or less.
The good thing is they are easily fixable and honda still carries 90% of the parts for them. Go honda!
Also as a side note, low miles on an old bike = lots of rebuilding. Here's why on a higher mileage bike 25k + it was most likely sitting fewer years than a low mile bike 10k or less. Just food for thought, in my experience the bikes that where used and maintained well turn out easier to fix since sitting kills these things worse than a friendly rider.
Once right though, you could almost forget to do maintenance they are so reliable, but be prepared for some debug time if the bike sat though.
Anyways the 75' cb750 should still have mechanical slide carbs, which is good, they are like the ak47 of honda carbs where the later cv carbs are like the m16 go figure. With that said though like all carbs they do not put up well with the laquer that can build up. Whenever I get an old bike that "needs a sync" I imediately translate that to a full clean tear down and inspection. You should know more once you ride it. If the only thing it does badly is idle rough but as soon as you start riding it smooths out then I would try a sync. Which by the way will require a carb tool with four manifolds.
Other than that its the usual drill with used vehicles, is there sign of neglect, what are the tires like (check the date on them), how does the chain look, are the bearings tight, are the fork seals still sealing, is there crash damage etc. Also a driveable 75' that needs nothing (including no tuning) at most is worth $2500, most of the time they are worth more like $1500 or less.
The good thing is they are easily fixable and honda still carries 90% of the parts for them. Go honda!
Also as a side note, low miles on an old bike = lots of rebuilding. Here's why on a higher mileage bike 25k + it was most likely sitting fewer years than a low mile bike 10k or less. Just food for thought, in my experience the bikes that where used and maintained well turn out easier to fix since sitting kills these things worse than a friendly rider.
Once right though, you could almost forget to do maintenance they are so reliable, but be prepared for some debug time if the bike sat though.
01-19-2010, 07:39 AM
#3
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I would only add to check things carefully - especially inside the tank with a flashlight looking for rust - and bring a notebook as you look it over and tally up the costs:
chain/sprockets
tires
brakes
cables
the carbs I agree are usually gummed up - removing and cleaning is not a bad job to do and doesn't requiring separating the carbs from each other, just removing the floats/jets/needles and some new gaskets.
They are still cool old bikes and there are a lot of cafe part/ideas for them - when done right they look very cool
chain/sprockets
tires
brakes
cables
the carbs I agree are usually gummed up - removing and cleaning is not a bad job to do and doesn't requiring separating the carbs from each other, just removing the floats/jets/needles and some new gaskets.
They are still cool old bikes and there are a lot of cafe part/ideas for them - when done right they look very cool
01-19-2010, 07:44 AM
#4
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Cool! thanks for the rsponses. I really appreciate them! I asked him the mileage and the owner hadnt got back with him yet. Ill have him also ask about time spent sitting up.
The owner did say that he has regularly taken iit to a honda dealer for all maintenance, and would get some kind of inspection certificate stating that everything is in good / excellent condition.
Ill let you know when he comes back with the mileage and time spent sitting up.
Thanks again!
BTW, Cornandp, I have been following your cafe racer build and if my buddy ends up getting this one, im going to have to get one too. THANKS ALOT! lol
The owner did say that he has regularly taken iit to a honda dealer for all maintenance, and would get some kind of inspection certificate stating that everything is in good / excellent condition.
Ill let you know when he comes back with the mileage and time spent sitting up.
Thanks again!
BTW, Cornandp, I have been following your cafe racer build and if my buddy ends up getting this one, im going to have to get one too. THANKS ALOT! lol
Last edited by Mike996; 01-19-2010 at 07:53 AM.
01-19-2010, 10:13 AM
#5
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Mike - is your friend mechanically inclined? Does he have a sense of appreciation for older standard bikes? Does he/will he enjoy working on the bike? I ask because like any older sought after vehicle some of the price is going to be based on what the bike is, and not just that it is a trusty first ride.
Think '67 mustang (my first car). I spent more time under the hood than behind the wheel. Probably there will be lots of opportunity to learn about bikes with the CB750, but if he is more inclined towards just hopping on and riding, there might be more modern better choices.
Just a thought...
Think '67 mustang (my first car). I spent more time under the hood than behind the wheel. Probably there will be lots of opportunity to learn about bikes with the CB750, but if he is more inclined towards just hopping on and riding, there might be more modern better choices.
Just a thought...
01-19-2010, 10:26 AM
#6
evil man of nothing
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Mike - is your friend mechanically inclined? Does he have a sense of appreciation for older standard bikes? Does he/will he enjoy working on the bike? I ask because like any older sought after vehicle some of the price is going to be based on what the bike is, and not just that it is a trusty first ride.
Think '67 mustang (my first car). I spent more time under the hood than behind the wheel. Probably there will be lots of opportunity to learn about bikes with the CB750, but if he is more inclined towards just hopping on and riding, there might be more modern better choices.
Just a thought...
Think '67 mustang (my first car). I spent more time under the hood than behind the wheel. Probably there will be lots of opportunity to learn about bikes with the CB750, but if he is more inclined towards just hopping on and riding, there might be more modern better choices.
Just a thought...
01-19-2010, 10:41 AM
#7
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My buddy is mechanically inclined. He is in the Air Force as a jets troop. basically he rebuilds and maintains turbine engines for boeing B-52h aircraft. He knows how to wrench, but hasnt before on a bike. He did help me several times when i worked on my 91 mustang, and he built a big ole gnarly jeep a while back, so i know he's capable, but since i personally didnt know that much about the bike, i figured id offer him some help by way of the experienced guys over here.
He is willing to get dirty and fix just about anything, and hes a single E-5 in the military, so he will be able to pay for anything thats beyond both of our abilities.
Basically he wants something to play with when i bitch about not having anyone to ride with, and something to tinker on the rest of the time.
He is willing to get dirty and fix just about anything, and hes a single E-5 in the military, so he will be able to pay for anything thats beyond both of our abilities.
Basically he wants something to play with when i bitch about not having anyone to ride with, and something to tinker on the rest of the time.
01-19-2010, 10:48 AM
#8
evil man of nothing
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Oh then hell he should be fine. You never know I've seen people buy old stuff and just shake my head when they don't have a garage, don't have any tools, a battery charger, etc...a clue...
01-19-2010, 10:53 AM
#9
evil man of nothing
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Unless you're a whiz with carbs sometimes it's also easier to spend a few bucks more and just buy something that runs right to begin with. Being that those and similar bikes aren't worth that much to begin with you may find another down the road for the same price that you don't have to pour as much time or money into. There will always be basic maintenance and plenty of cosmetics to do.
01-19-2010, 11:19 AM
#10
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I just talked to him again, and the guy said it has 30k on the clock, and he was riding it every weekend until he decided to put it up for sale. been for sale for 3 weeks, but he claims he starts it every day and lets it get up to operating temperature.
01-19-2010, 04:35 PM
#11
Remember stock is BAD!
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The CB motors are near bullet proof. They are great bikes. As note before look for the usual signs of neglect. In my opinion the carbs on the CB's are pretty easy to work on.
01-20-2010, 09:58 PM
#12
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I had a 74 CB360T and loved it! I am a moron when it comes to working on bikes but it was easy enough for me and a buddy to do our maintenance in our apt complex parking lot.
Great bikes! The only 70's model CB I would stay clear of is the 550 I believe, they had a bad rep if I remember correctly from all my CB research.
Great bikes! The only 70's model CB I would stay clear of is the 550 I believe, they had a bad rep if I remember correctly from all my CB research.
Last edited by eersfanpilot; 01-20-2010 at 10:00 PM.
01-20-2010, 10:18 PM
#13
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I would check to see what tires are still available for it. Also the stock brakes leave a bit to be desired and it is kind of heavy but they are pretty cool and make a fun cafe project. The other plus is that it has a pretty much bullet proof drive train.
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...b750k%2075.htm
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...b750k%2075.htm
01-21-2010, 07:00 AM
#14
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I had a 74 CB360T and loved it! I am a moron when it comes to working on bikes but it was easy enough for me and a buddy to do our maintenance in our apt complex parking lot.
Great bikes! The only 70's model CB I would stay clear of is the 550 I believe, they had a bad rep if I remember correctly from all my CB research.
Great bikes! The only 70's model CB I would stay clear of is the 550 I believe, they had a bad rep if I remember correctly from all my CB research.
I would check to see what tires are still available for it. Also the stock brakes leave a bit to be desired and it is kind of heavy but they are pretty cool and make a fun cafe project. The other plus is that it has a pretty much bullet proof drive train.
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...b750k%2075.htm
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...b750k%2075.htm
01-21-2010, 12:29 PM
#19
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01-21-2010, 01:41 PM
#20
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01-23-2010, 07:08 PM
#22
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I had a bunch of CBs when I first started riding and loved all of them.
Now maybe it was just me, but three out of four had had chains snap and fly through the engine casing. One did this to me on the road. The fix was to cover the whole mess with bondo -- but it didn't fill me with alot confidence. I think the 70s chain was just too wimpy for the power of the bike.
A lot of these bikes were converted to VW coils, so you might want to check. Wheels can go out of whack pretty easy, too, and tire size might be an issue these days. I remember the carbs being a bitch to synch, but I was a kid and it just seemed like a lot of work. You'll want to check the wheel bearing, fork seals, all that stuff. Believe it or not, in my experience those 1970s Hondas weren't as interchangable as you might expect.
I also had a 550, which was a better bike in most respects and the 400 four rocked hard. It was the CB 360 (twin) and CB650 -- sorry captain -- that sucked. The later DOH 750s / 900s were outclassed by the machines of the day, but were ok bikes, too. Just don't expect any of these machines to keep up with a SV650 on the street.
But them early SOH CBs still look way cool, sort of porky Triumphs in style and pretty low to the ground.
R.
Now maybe it was just me, but three out of four had had chains snap and fly through the engine casing. One did this to me on the road. The fix was to cover the whole mess with bondo -- but it didn't fill me with alot confidence. I think the 70s chain was just too wimpy for the power of the bike.
A lot of these bikes were converted to VW coils, so you might want to check. Wheels can go out of whack pretty easy, too, and tire size might be an issue these days. I remember the carbs being a bitch to synch, but I was a kid and it just seemed like a lot of work. You'll want to check the wheel bearing, fork seals, all that stuff. Believe it or not, in my experience those 1970s Hondas weren't as interchangable as you might expect.
I also had a 550, which was a better bike in most respects and the 400 four rocked hard. It was the CB 360 (twin) and CB650 -- sorry captain -- that sucked. The later DOH 750s / 900s were outclassed by the machines of the day, but were ok bikes, too. Just don't expect any of these machines to keep up with a SV650 on the street.
But them early SOH CBs still look way cool, sort of porky Triumphs in style and pretty low to the ground.
R.
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