New member from Orkney

[Magster]

Hello everybody,

By way of introduction I live in Orkney. I have returned to bikes after a lengthy absence and was looking for a project so I had my first proper experience of one last year when I got an XT350 as a box of bits with only around 70% there. I enjoyed the experience very much and did almost everything myself. When approaching the end of that build in April last year, I was offered an old CB750 on a chance conversation. I paid very little money for it as I thought it might be on its way to the scrapyard but here I am just trying to get the finishing touches.

The engine was seized, the carbs were off and it had been standing for nearly 20 years in a damp shed. I thought I would remove the engine and see what I could do with it before attempting anything else with the rest of the bike.

Over the next few months I got the engine unstuck and cleaned up and repaired what I could. Giving the top end a refurb and eventually got the engine running in a stand before attempting the rest of the bike.

As it was too far gone to restore, I thought I would try to make a café racer.
I have probably gone for every cliché in the book but I am quite pleased with how it looks so far.

I probably should have joined before now as I have lurked on a few of these forums and found really helpful information, so I must thank you all for that.

Anyway I will post a few pics before I say any more just now. I do have a few questions but will hold back on them just now. See what you guys think, constructive criticism welcome.

Oh by the way it’s a 1978 CB750F2 SOHC (or was anyway).

I also have an XT350 as mentioned and an FZS600 Fazer. The bikes date from 1978, 1988 and 1998.

Cheers, Magnus.

[Green1]

Welcome looks better then it did.

Cafe racers are a hard thing to get right as the run the risk of looking same old same old.

Mick

[mike the bike]

Excellent work, you wouldn't believe it is the same bike.  I can see why you paid very little money for it.  Looking like it did,  that would have put most people off.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Magnus,
A very warm welcome from me, also in Orkney!
'Standing for 20 years in a damp shed in Orkney'. Surely not!  I watched those recent programs on Orkney and the Sun shone almost all the time 
But seriously, like the others I'm impressed with the result you have achieved - there are lots more here for you to have a go at.

You will already know that there are many enthusiasts here and it would be great to see your bike on display at the Annual Rally in August plus any other get-togethers and ride outs during the year.

Keep us all informed of the next project.

Ian

[MrDavo]

Welcome, and well done with the bike, without your efforts it would have surely become just so many rusty spares, or scrap.

I visited Orkney this summer, we left the bike at John O'Groats and took the ferry for a day trip by coach. I'd love to see that mad game of murderball they play in Kirkwall at Christmas some day. The weather was lovely, and the Pentland Firth was like a millpond! I believe it isn't always like that, on the coach trip they told us about the night Orkney's chicken farming industry just blew away.

[petermigreen]

I love your cafe racer, very clean and crisp looking. Well done.

You've turned around a pile of junk into a really great useable machine.

[philward]

Welcome - great bike and what a transformation! Was the best thing to do with the bike the way it was - when you do a cafe racer, you can mix and match according to what is knackered - i.e. where the chrome is wrecked, you can paint it - when you refurb to standard, its a replace everything - so great choice and end result.

[Mag1]

Hi and welcome, very nice job their too. Not far away either, well about 100 miles and a boat trip.

[Magster]

Thanks very much for all the kind comments. It still has a little way to go yet.

Ian - Tommy has spoken of you and offered to take me to see your collection sometime when I am out that way, I hope you dont mind.

Magnus.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Magnus,
I often sign off emails by saying 'drop in when you are passing' but this time as you are close by anyway, the kettle will be warm!  I'm sure Tommy will ring first, especially if it's a bonny day - I might be out on the bike, even in January.

Ian

[haynes66]

good grief!! i thought my £99 500-4 was in bad nick but i think yours was worse. great job though, looks the business.