My $100 CB750 Bobber build

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Picked up a 1980 CB750 for $100. Runs, drives and has a clean title for once. Got it cheap because, well, it was UGLY and the guy lived in an apartment and had no way to fix it up. Had a couple little issues, throttle was hooked up backwards, carbs needed synced and again, it was ugly as sin...

http://s18.postimg.org/e09blc3vt/CB750_7.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Got it to the garage and stripped all the body panels off it, pretty sure they weren't even CB panels. They were all just held on by wire and zip ties. Gas tank had the front bolt through it but teh rear wasn't even close to lining up. Anyways, naked...

http://s4.postimg.org/ja4y55scd/CB750_6.png (http://postimage.org/)
free picture upload (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Hacked all the rear shit off I won't be using. I WILL be keeping it a softail, not just welding it solid like 99% of the CB Bobbers are. I picked up a nice GSXR1K shock I plan to use on it. Nice adjustable coilover setup and adjustable nitrogen shock, eBay for $15 shipped, can't complain. ;-)

http://s9.postimg.org/iq86a78en/CB750_5.png (http://postimage.org/)
http://s4.postimg.org/y5cdloce5/GSXR1_K_shock.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Picked up a gas tank and quickly found out no regular tank would work, so I got to changing that today. I Grabbed some 1-1/2" to extend the main frame neck and then cut the side bars, turned them down and welded them back up. I got a bunch of random chunks while I was getting scrap so I have some nice slugs inside all the tubes I welded. Also drilled about 8-10 holes and plug welded everything I redid, should be better off than it was from the factory.

Here you can just see the main neck that I extended, didn't cut it yet as I am not sure what I want to do back there. I was planning to use a front mounted, leaf spring style seat but as it is a softail still, I don't think I'll need a seat shock too. So, I am thinking about just hacking that off about 12" long and mounting the seat directly to that. Have to figure out a way to make it "pretty" though if I do that.
http://s12.postimg.org/e92o5hbdp/CB750_1.png (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Then, I cut the side bars off...
http://s27.postimg.org/rsg0maehv/CB750_2.png (http://postimage.org/)

I turned them down about 90* so instead of going up and running with the main beam, the come out to the sides now. I actually really like the way it turned out, looks much better in person. Could have kept them closer to the tank but I wanted to leave the option for other tanks, this one is 3.3 gallon.
http://s28.postimg.org/xbzyqey4t/CB750_3.png (http://postimage.org/)
http://s12.postimg.org/hqdwzxp7h/CB750_4.png (http://postimage.org/)




Up next will be slightly modifying the swing arm and getting that shock mounted. After that, just a matter of body work, paint and bolting it back together. handlebars are KST Kustoms, 16" Mayhems.
http://s8.postimg.org/rgij9g8c5/KST_bars.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Exhaust will be the same as pictured above. I media blasted it up at a buddies shop, coated them with 2k* paint and will be wrapping them with black heat wrap simply because I think that shit is SEXY. Bike is going to be satin black with some gloss black accents and a tiny bit of chrome, REALLY tiny bit...

[AutoMods]

looks like a steal for $100

[sLoWnStEaDy]

made a little more progress today. Got the harness all stripped down to only what I must have, headlight, taillight and ignition. Won't be running turn signals or any of the dummy lights, horn, etc... Still have to make it look a little nicer on the bike but it's all there and functional. Got the hidden ignition and push button start on as well, really stoked with how those came out but I can't show em as they are "hidden" for a reason. ;-) Also got the shock mounted up to the swing arm, haven't got the top mount done yet but that will be next.

The last "major" thing to do is figure out exactly how I am going to mount the headlight. I got a pair of projector/angel eye, ricer style headlights for an accord from the swap meet for $20/ Hacked em apart and kept the 4 angel eyes as well as the 2 90mm projectors. Hoping to hit the junkyard at some point and maybe get lucky there. I want to keep it in an old school, tear drop style headlight housing but I have yet to find one in decent shape.

http://s15.postimg.org/w2wvvn4m3/CB750_8.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

well, I got to spend some time in the hospital recently so I haven't made a lot of progress. Finally about off the steroids and everything they have been pumping me full of and am getting back to feeling normal. So, of course, I went to the garage and almost killed myself. LOL

Didn't do too much, I just shaved the triple tree upper a good bit. Doesn't sound like much but I did it with a hack saw and a hand file. If you see the before/after pics, you can probably imagine it was a bit of a pain in the ass. Nothing feels better to me than doing shit old school though!!

http://s4.postimg.org/y1h4p83dp/triple_tree_upper.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/la2yiptll/full/)
http://s28.postimg.org/n6x7ty6ql/1554344_10201144917504758_5541180597741211637_n.jp g (http://postimage.org/)
http://s1.postimg.org/m6ototwqn/10500288_10201144917624761_4117714395279838907_n.j pg (http://postimage.org/)



Sadly, I have yet to justify buying a TIG welder, or a spool gun so I can't do aluminum welding. therefore, I gotta take that upper in somewhere and have it welded up. Those cast in risers are hollow and need to go away so I need the bottom side filled in so I can shave it down and do what I want to. Hoping I can get it done tomorrow quickly because my seat and my risers will be in. That would allow me to get final positioning on everything like that figured out.

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Stuck on the seat mounting at the moment... -_-
http://s24.postimg.org/3khsbanwl/10313078_10201153641162844_4245517778262569905_n.j pg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Headers wrapped... Once they're dry, I'll spray em again, after reading a ton, I've decided to use header paint on the outside rather than the silicone stuff. Seems everyone has much better results with a couple coats of paint than the silicone.

http://s7.postimg.org/qfqzafgvv/10487449_10201157421137341_488340014986032809_n.jp g (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Well, I got my headlight taken care of. This is the kind of thing I love, I couldn't find anything like I was looking for at junkyards or anything. I was mowing, hit something and BOOM, there it is, exactly what I have been looking for!! Used some 3M panel adhesive and glued it to the stock projector glass retaining ring. Still gotta finish it up and paint it to match but I am pretty happy with it!
http://s29.postimg.org/yn6ujjilz/zr19u8ik.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
http://s12.postimg.org/pkz8gv0cd/v6l29qyb.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
http://s22.postimg.org/ci4e1mr4x/b1tehvhv.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
http://s24.postimg.org/isvctoznp/glras2s8.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Also got my tail/brake lights today, ditched the ugly ass chrome, obviously and got them put on. They fit PERFECTLY in the old fender support holes on the swing arm, coulsn't have made them fit any better if I tried.

http://s29.postimg.org/42aygytx3/1oyur2wd.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
http://s16.postimg.org/lptn0htid/ztwt85b2.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

and the pretty exhaust all coated, wrapped and coated again. Only complaint is that the one header, I couldn't fit the wrap between the pipes so I had to wrap the together for part of the way. Doesn't look too bad but not exactly as good as I was hoping. the other one is pretty much perfect though.
http://s21.postimg.org/jr1np8n3b/55abpnhk.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Tomorrow should have the bike standing on it's own again, I've got the shock mounts made up and Champion Chassis (next to Sperry's) is making me some UHMV bushings which I am picking up tomorrow. Got my new levers, grips, carb jets, cables and some other stuff on the way so next week it should be running/driving if all goes well. Gotta get the front tire put on and rim painted to match the rear too. It's not completely done, I have a nice cherry metallic top coat to go over that red base coat on the rear wheel, should look pretty sick when they're done. I also picked up a KTM MX500 today so, that'll probably distract me a little bit.

[derek072887]

This thread really makes me want to get to work on my XS650! Looking good and you work quick!

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Thanks man! I'd be done by now if it weren't for waiting/modifying parts. Nothing I like wants to work with each other! Like the gas tank, no regular tank would fit so I had to modify those side bars and extend the main neck. The risers, I had to have the triple tree top welded/filled and then milled to accept the risers I wanted to use. Then I got the 1" handle bars I wanted as well but the brake/clutch controls I like are all for 7/8" so I have to modify them a bit to work as well. stuff like that keeps taking a little time here and there.

I ran into another bump today. I got the suspension all done but I can completely compress the shock just by pushing down on the bike with my arm. it's a GSXR1K shock with a factory spring rate of 450lbs. Even with everything adjusted as stiff as I could, I can bottom it out by hand. I managed to find an Eibach spring that has the same inner diameter but is 1" longer and has a spring rate of 1000lbs. I'm gonna swap that out and see how it works. I figured this would be an issue as I was just taking a shot in the dark. Got the coilover setup for next to nothing and the other spring is only $30, so I can't complain too much. I picked up a KTM 500cc 2-stroke dirt bike I am playing with a bit now and I got the new lower unit for my boat finally too so progress will probably slow up a little bit. I am still planning to have it on the rode in the next couple weeks though. Other than the shock, I've just got little things to button up.

[Drifte]

Id kill for a cb and some spoked wheels. I wrapped up my projects for the summer, I guess its time for something new...

[sLoWnStEaDy]

to get irritated with this damn thing! I understand why everyone takes the easy way out and just makes a hardtail. I got a 1300lb coil spring and have it preloaded pretty much all I can and it still isn't enough. I guess it is due to the shock mounting location, being that close to the swing arm pivot, I knew I would need a stronger spring but holy shit, factory spring was like 400lb/in, more than triple that now and I still need more. I need like 1800lb-2000lb, which I have yet to find in a 2.25" i.d., 7"-9" length spring.

http://s14.postimg.org/5yefg88lt/7_20_2014_1.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Ended up moving the upper shock mount. rearward about 2", took care of the issue. Shock/spring still seems a little soft to me but I'll have to take a ride to know for sure.

[Drifte]

I've often thought of copying my mountainbike rear suspension if I did a single rear shock build for an older bike. Keeping the spring rate down being the goal and extending the lift of the shock. If I snagged an 06+ R6r rear shock with the bracket it would be easier to do by a lot in comparison. Looks like yours is coming together

[sLoWnStEaDy]

That's what I wanted to do but I knew before I started I would be over my head with that. The GSXR1K shock I used has the same style setup as the shock you mentioned. Suspension just scares me a little bit. I don't know much about it, my only experience is "bolt ons" when it comes to suspension. Lots of lift kits, lowering kits, stock replacement stuff, etc. I have been reading a lot on link suspension but still completely confused. I want to run a 3/4 link on my Blazer but, yeah, sooooooooooooo lost...

http://s9.postimg.org/gdklp0vfj/shock_setup.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/djhgbkt97/full/)

[sLoWnStEaDy]

If by chance anyone on here is interested, this is for sale. I got a great deal on a Harley and this has sat since. I'd still keep it and finish it if I can't get what I want out of it but, Just thought I would throw it out there. It needs the head/tail lights wired up, seat mount finished and longer clutch cable. I got the wiring all done up engine wise so it'll start up and everything.

$1200 FIRM if anyone is interested. Got a couple winter projects in the works and this is no longer a priority. I know, "I never finish anything", shut up... everything I have is for sale for the right price, at the right time. ;-)

[Drifte]

man, I want it but in the $100 form you go it in, mostly because it was $100...

[sLoWnStEaDy]

HaHa... Doesn't seem to be much interest at the moment. I might just have to finish it up (like 4-6 hours of work) and toss it on eBay just to see what's up. Or possibly wait until spring when everything on two wheels seems to double in price. HaHa

[Drifte]

Yea not a good selling time, Ive had an SV1000 listed for a couple months now with no interest.

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Yeah.... Wish you woulda listed the TBSS BEFORE I bought my Escalade. -_-

[sLoWnStEaDy]

http://s4.postimg.org/wc1ofgg7h/tumblr_n3dfwl_PSL11rlo1q2o1_1280.jpg