CR750 first ride

[MarkCR750]

I rode my CR for the first time today (actually its not a CR lookalike yet, it's in MOT trim, lights indicators etc, looks a bit odd as you can see below!), anyway once it's MOT'd it's remove the road bits, refit the fairing for a final check of fit, then the tank, seat and Fairing go off to the paintists).

First impressions;
Fuelling is pretty close, no flat spots, nice burbling backfires on the throttle down, I'll probably lose that once I've got the fuelling bang on , shame really.
Front forks way too soft, need some progressive springs.
Sounds glorious, took it on a few country roads and it was intoxicating, had to reign myself in a bit  .
It's quicker than I thought it would be, probably due to losing all that weight (the bike not me).
Handling feels pretty neutral but I will wait until I've firmed the front up before pushing it too much.
Front brakes are very good!, I was surprised because I'd read that the dual disc set up didn't massively improve the brakes, that's wrong it definitely does, and no squeals, yet!.
Nothing fell off!, right hand footrest/rearset need a tweak but that's probably me forgetting to tighten it in the first place.
Got to the MOT station and they'd double booked so it's now booked in for 10am tomorrow, wish me luck!!!!!.
PS insurance was £261 fully comp with Bikesure, that is for a custom bike policy which allows any modifications (apart from engine tuning, but they don't class non standard air filters and 4 into 1 as tuning), I couldn't be bothered to shop around and thought that not a bad price considering almost any mod is allowed.

[philward]

Very nice - looks great!

[MarkCR750]

Thanks Phil, can't wait to get it finished now, it rode better than I thought it would, hopefully I can get the fairing etc painted in the next couple of weeks and then it will look a bit more CR'ish .

[UK Pete]

Looking good, not far to go now
petre

[JamesH]

Well done Mark that's coming along nicely...

[MarkCR750]

Cheers chaps, passed , no advisories , will wonders never cease!.
Gave her a temporary coat of Matt black before the MOT, no particular reason , maybe a bit embarrassed by the previous 2 tone primer , looking fwd to getting the paint done properly , honda metallic burnt orange, very 70's

[gamma]

Very nice Mark. I,m still miles behind you, have only just sent hubs off to central wheels with those Italian rims for lacing up. And still scratching my head about a tank.

[MarkCR750]

I have good news for you about the Italian rims, they are Borranis , I took mine to central wheels , the wheel builder said "oh you've got Borranis " I said no they are unbranded , he said well I can assure you they are Borranis , evidently they sell them to the trade in Italy unbranded to get around franchise rules  , nice surprise, I got my fibreglass tank from Jon Clarson in Holland , £225 delivered, expect to pay triple that for an alloy version, good luck with your build if you need any info just ask, can't wait to get the headlamp etc off mine and fairing etc on.

[JamesH]

Gamma if you need an alloy tank I have two of ASA moyces (Bartel engineering) CR750 tanks sitting boxed on my shelf. As received from ASA never used. One will probably be surplus to requirements....

[philward]

Asa Moyce! there's a name that brings back meories - I used to love watching him wrestle with his Z1 in proddie races in the early 70's - now that was entertainment!

[gamma]

Hi Mark,
That's good news, I am having them laced but no tyres fitted as yet, as still some way off before I start the actual build. As I work in Saudi I will do the final build when I am finished out here. I am still unsure about the tank. Hi James I have sent you a PM about your tank.

[JamesH]

No problem Gamma. Got the pm. I'm looking for £600 for the tank + postage. It's never been out of the box (other than an initial visual check on arrival) - happy to pull it off the shelf, unpack & photograph if you or anyone else is seriously interested. James

[gamma]

Hi James, I am now seriously interested, I realise I will have to cut the sump off if I want to retain the original oil tank. I have now seen your original post about this tank from January I think. Can you check out the tank, and confirm that it will slot straight onto the CB750F1 frame and give clearance for clip-ons, which it should. I know that I have to weld or mount an extra cross point at the back for the rear strap. Send me some pics please and we could have deal.

[JamesH]

Hi Gamma. That was actually a third tank I had - that first one sold VERY quickly. I have two left which I had plans with for both. Sadly I won't have time to check this against an f1 frame as I don't have one. I do have a K2 that I can test fit it to. You'll need to do your own research regarding clip-on clearance etc as this will be fork/triple tree offset dependant. I'm not looking to make any money out of this (as they are £499+vat and postage from Meadspeed). You're just benefiting from not having to wait for 12 months. Up to you.

[MarkCR750]

Hi James, I am now seriously interested, I realise I will have to cut the sump off if I want to retain the original oil tank. I have now seen your original post about this tank from January I think. Can you check out the tank, and confirm that it will slot straight onto the CB750F1 frame and give clearance for clip-ons, which it should. I know that I have to weld or mount an extra cross point at the back for the rear strap. Send me some pics please and we could have deal.

Gamma, you wont have to cut the sump off if you turn the original tank through 90 degrees, as I did, my tank doesn't have a sump but I've hidden a lot of my electrics where the sump would have been.
P.S. I drilled through and tapped my steering stops on the triple tree and fitted bolts with lock nuts, that way I can adjust the amount of lock, depends how much you sweep the clipons back as well of course.