Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 06:51:56 PM
My next 750 restoration is going to be the CB750P2 Police bike, so whilst the engine for that is being finished up I thought it was about time the CL had its turn.
When I got the bike back in 2017 I serviced it thoroughly and had it MOT’d and then ‘other projects’ got in the way and it was drained of fluids, cylinders fogged and put into hibernation.
The paint set was sent over to Menno with the plan to recommission the bike for the 2018 season.
Here we are in 2021 and it’s now time to sort it..
This is a very early CL (vin is the 67xx range) and was a complete and original (albeit quite cosmetically tired) when it came to me.
So the plan for this was to completely strip and clean, but not over restore or do a full nut and bolt restoration, as this didn’t seem to stack up financially or imho do the bike justice.
I started the strip-down back in August 2021 and stupidly didn’t take that many photos initially, so there are some big gaps in the process…
Here a photo of the bike back in 2017 just prior to its export to the UK..(it’s a Kansas bike originally) .
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Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 06:54:53 PM
The bike was damaged in transit by the shipper and the front LH turn signal was knocked, deforming/denting the fork ear (bloody annoying).
Overall though the bike is very very original.
I wasn’t planning to document / share this build, but seeing hows it’s come together in the past few weeks (and given some of the striking similarities to the early 750) I thought I might as well share here.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211204/4b098113121c1bb05f44052dcd419653.jpg)
Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 07:02:55 PM
The original seat on the bike was too nice to restore, so I’ve kept that to one side and managed to source a really solid replacement to restore.
Interesting internal construction…
Also note how the reverse side of the seat pan was unpainted from the factory!! No wonder these had a tendancy to rust out..
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Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 07:19:59 PM
Original red foam was fine but need some reinforcement and ‘padding out’ - used 3mm seat scrim back foam.
Seat cover sourced with correct patterned top and piping.
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Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 07:21:27 PM
I’m not 100% happy with the finish (the scrim reinforcement / padding is showing through as the seat vinyl is very thin) but it’ll do for now and if it really pisses me off I’ll strip and replace the entire foam later down the line…
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Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 07:28:47 PM
Bronze swingarm bushes fitted (identical arrangement to the CB750), headstock bearings replaced, frame cleaned / touched up in places, wheels cleaned, engine deep-cleaned.
All of the chrome parts were hand-polished and nothing was re-zinced, just cleaned / de-rusted.
Engine covers were removed and polished. Fork lowers, brake plates and top triple tree also being polished.
This is the result after hours and hours of cleaning and re-assembly (chipping away at it).
Menno’s repainted side-covers refitted..
This was the point I realised it was going to look waaay better than I had anticipated..
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211204/8e68bb0e49ccdf7ba63bd07289698e00.jpg)
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Post by: Bryanj on December 04, 2021, 08:52:57 PM
Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 09:07:12 PM
James you put the rest of us to shame, as usual. You really can go off people you know!Hardly Bryan, but thanks for the compliment..
Post by: JamesH on December 04, 2021, 09:09:04 PM
Front end back on, fork lowers were polished.
New fork seals, original gaitors cleaned, top triple and clamps polished.
Fork ears repainted (managed to find a NOS LH ear from DSS in primer).
Seat test-fitted.
Need to make some minor wiring repairs and hope to have her buttoned-up and back up and running sometime next week.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211204/aae7328cbeb382b1acee4b85ca5d556f.jpg)
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on December 04, 2021, 11:12:03 PM
Post by: Spitfire on December 05, 2021, 10:22:44 AM
Cheers
Dennis
Post by: MrDavo on December 05, 2021, 12:45:21 PM
You asked me about my pattern seat, although it is perfect shape wise, your original cover looks better with the more rugged fake crocodile finish. Mine has a cheap Chinese flasher relay - the part is shared with the CB750 sandcast, so only available at silly money.
The chrome has come up nice, I think it’s better quality than people give Honda credit for. I couldn’t find an early alternator cover either, they get beggared up by the gear lever every time you fall off.
I hope you get a chance to use this one, I ride mine all the time for local journeys as it’s great for buzzing through the traffic as well as the country lanes.
Post by: JamesH on December 05, 2021, 12:55:12 PM
Lovely bike! My mate describes my blue one as ‘still as pretty as a picture’.Thanks Dave. One of the reasons for not going full but and bolt on this one is exactly fro that reason - I want a bike that I’m not so massively invested in financially or scared to use. I’ll report back once I’ve been out on a maiden voyage.
You asked me about my pattern seat, although it is perfect shape wise, your original cover looks better with the more rugged fake crocodile finish. Mine has a cheap Chinese flasher relay - the part is shared with the CB750 sandcast, so only available at silly money.
The chrome has come up nice, I think it’s better quality than people give Honda credit for. I couldn’t find an early alternator cover either, they get beggared up by the gear lever every time you fall off.
I hope you get a chance to use this one, I ride mine all the time for local journeys as it’s great for buzzing through the traffic as well as the country lanes.
Out of interest, what tyres do you run on yours?
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on December 05, 2021, 02:28:26 PM
Neat & Tidy said Mr Neat Tidy & Neat said Mr Neat
Post by: MrDavo on December 05, 2021, 04:42:24 PM
They are Indonesian made I think, I found them on eBay.
I rev the nuts off it, by the way, there isn’t a load of torque but it loves to buzz along. Unless I miss a gear though, I doubt I’ll ever see the 9,500 red line. The carbs took a lot of setting up before she would run right, very sensitive to float levels, but once it was right I could forget about it, tickover is metronomic now, at first it was all over the place.
Strobing the timing seems to require an alternator cover with a hole cut in it, as these are rare (even damaged) I’ve only timed it static, but without problems so far. Common with many other 450 owners, charging seems marginal but I’ve never been stranded. She started first kick when the battery was flat after a long sleep in the garage.
Post by: JamesH on December 05, 2021, 04:58:11 PM
Lol - I agree, the seat cover is going to have to come off and the foam re-done at some point as it’s annoying me just looking at it ha ha..James you put the rest of us to shame, as usual. You really can go off people you know!
Second that. I always wonder where he gets the time to do all this. Lovely work as usual James. Seat foam is really odd.
Post by: JamesH on December 05, 2021, 08:04:47 PM
I use Dunlop K70s, for the blocky off road look without the downsides of knobbly tyres on tarmac.Thanks Dave. I’ll look into the dunlops - I meant to say thanks for replying to my Pm re. the seat.
They are Indonesian made I think, I found them on eBay.
I rev the nuts off it, by the way, there isn’t a load of torque but it loves to buzz along. Unless I miss a gear though, I doubt I’ll ever see the 9,500 red line. The carbs took a lot of setting up before she would run right, very sensitive to float levels, but once it was right I could forget about it, tickover is metronomic now, at first it was all over the place.
Strobing the timing seems to require an alternator cover with a hole cut in it, as these are rare (even damaged) I’ve only timed it static, but without problems so far. Common with many other 450 owners, charging seems marginal but I’ve never been stranded. She started first kick when the battery was flat after a long sleep in the garage.
My plan is definitely to keep/ride this one - and I’ll do a first outing road test report when I hopefully get her out between Christmas and new year.
Oh and I do have a ‘proper’ points cover that I need to get polished - I’ll fit that in due course.
James
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on December 05, 2021, 08:35:30 PM
Lol - I agree, the seat cover is going to have to come off and the foam re-done at some point as it’s annoying me just looking at it ha ha..James you put the rest of us to shame, as usual. You really can go off people you know!
Second that. I always wonder where he gets the time to do all this. Lovely work as usual James. Seat foam is really odd.
It's not a museum exhibit - or is it - get it into perspective you can't see the seat when you are riding it or can you feel a hump?
Post by: JamesH on December 05, 2021, 08:40:15 PM
Lol thanks for the advice. It’ll bug me, but not so much that I won’t ride it as-is ha ha! .Lol - I agree, the seat cover is going to have to come off and the foam re-done at some point as it’s annoying me just looking at it ha ha..James you put the rest of us to shame, as usual. You really can go off people you know!
Second that. I always wonder where he gets the time to do all this. Lovely work as usual James. Seat foam is really odd.
It's not a museum exhibit - or is it - get it into perspective you can't see the seat when you are riding it!!
But knowing what I’m like I will inevitably sort it.
It’s less about it being a museum piece, more about how I feel about it. Ultimately, that’s all that counts.
Post by: Bryanj on December 05, 2021, 08:42:32 PM
Post by: JamesH on December 07, 2021, 11:36:41 PM
Very pleased with how she’s turned out.
Next update will be a road test report when the weather / work commitments permit.
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Post by: taysidedragon on December 08, 2021, 12:47:58 AM
Post by: Nurse Julie on December 08, 2021, 08:23:29 AM
Post by: MrDavo on December 08, 2021, 10:38:02 AM
I see what you mean about the seat, the cover texture is much better than my copy, but it has a deflated look to it. I also notice I can no longer be smug about my tank badges having the ‘450’ on them, as now yours have too! Where did you find them? Mine came from California via France, a long story.
Of course Menno’s candy paint looks spectacular as always, as does my blue version.
Post by: JamesH on December 08, 2021, 10:42:44 AM
Looking good, if I didn’t already have one, I’d want one now!Thanks Dave. The seat is firm as f**k on my backside, so I think I’ll have to source a new foam and fit that at some point.
I see what you mean about the seat, the cover texture is much better than my copy, but it has a deflated look to it. I also notice I can no longer be smug about my tank badges having the ‘450’ on them, as now yours have too! Where did you find them? Mine came from California via France, a long story.
Of course Menno’s candy paint looks spectacular as always, as does my blue version.
The tank badges are I suspect repro’s - I bought them back in 2018 from a seller in the states I think..can’t recall who though. Was on eBay I think?
Will report back after the first road test - I’m determined to ride/use this one.
Big thanks to Menno for the superb paintwork done back in 2017/18..still as good as new.
Post by: heli_madken on December 08, 2021, 11:06:11 AM
Post by: JamesH on December 08, 2021, 11:07:20 AM
That looks lovely James.Thanks Julie.
Post by: JamesH on December 08, 2021, 11:07:58 AM
What an absolutely beautiful bike well done, the exhaust shields look fantasticThanks Ken. I’m a very lucky boy to have it. Can’t quite believe it’s almost 54 years old..
Post by: Laverdaroo on December 08, 2021, 06:11:29 PM
Post by: JamesH on December 08, 2021, 09:23:02 PM
Shame the back of the silencers have been grounded by the look of them James, doesn't really detract from the look as it does look well. Like the colour, what colour is it.Lol - it’s a tart up not one of my full restorations, so given it’s 53-year lifespan I can live with the odd dent / scratch here. Pretty sure it’s Menno’s Candy Ruby Red..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro