[Nick_olson]

I bought this bike a couple weeks ago and its currently down to nothing but a frame.

When I bought it you could tell it leaked oiled and I was told I should do a head gasket form the previous owner.

The PO gave me a new gasket set when I bought the bike so I figured it needed to happen. I started taking the bike apart with intentions of pulling the motor and either doing to head gasket myself with a couple friends or have a shop do it. I rode the bike for almost 200 miles in two days before I started taking it apart. I didn't see any oil leak out the entire time. Longer story short I decided to continue pulling everything off and take the motor out to go nuts and clean it. My plan is to remove some things along the way and put the bike back together. I also plan on doing new handle bars and new seat setup then run it. Now that it should be clean I should be able to see where the head gasket is leaking (if thats the problem).

While taking it apart I have done a lot of cleaning. I plan on upload pictures as I finish things. I have to say I don't have the best garage setup in the world or we may not always do things the right way. I'm learning a lot and its been a good time so far. I'm very excited to learn more and get this thing together.

To Be Continued....


-Nick

 

[dirkchecken]

why did you cut off part of the frame? new bars and seat?

 

[speedmotoco]

Chop Chop! I like the tank.

 

[Nick_olson]

why did you cut off part of the frame? new bars and seat?

I cut off the triangle brackets where the passenger foot pegs go and I also cut off the brackets that hold the stand on. What are you asking about new bars and new seat?

 

[Nick_olson]

Chop Chop! I like the tank.

Thanks, I'm not sure if its completely original paint. Seems like at least the gold was redone.

 

[caferocket686]

Good looking bike. My first real motorcycle, after my starter bike, was a '73 CB750 with drag bars and a motor that would embarrass my 100lb lighter brother on his brand new 600F2 from stop light to stop light. He couldn't keep his front end down and the guy that built the engine on my bike did a hell of a job.

If you have anyone in your life that loves you, don't ever ride this bike over 90 or 100 without doing some frame stiffening and/or swing arm upgrades. You'll learn real quick how to stay on a bucking bronco or DIE! Luckily I'm a quick learner and the guy that was on my tail in a 500hp Mustang was quick on the brakes.

 

[dirkchecken]

I cut off the triangle brackets where the passenger foot pegs go and I also cut off the brackets that hold the stand on. What are you asking about new bars and new seat?

your mod'n your bike for performance correct? different bar/seat combo can in some cases be considered" performance upgrades" (handling, aero). your changing your bars to a superbike bend or higher rise? and your seat to a comfy cruiser? not much in the way of upgrades. and plus you ruined your frame

 

[Geeto67]

I cut off the triangle brackets where the passenger foot pegs go and I also cut off the brackets that hold the stand on. What are you asking about new bars and new seat?

Why? that was a pretty dumb thing to do.

The "passenger peg triangles" did more than just hold passenger pegs. They also held the rear mount for the exhaust. Additionally if you wanted rearsets (and you are going to want rearsets) they served as the mounting point for all bolt on ones out there.

At this point you are just another idiot wih an angle grinder, no plan, and no direction. I hope you can at least weld since now you have to come up with solutions to the two problems you created.

Edit: looking back at your previous pics I can see why you didn't realize the peg mounts were just peg mounts - it is because some ham fisted previous owner cut your muffler back to nothing more than a stub. It should be common sense that an exhaust pipe is not properly supported by the bolts holding the head pipe on and the exhaust gaskets but then again it should be common sense that you have a plan and the parts you need in place before you take an angle grinder to anything on a motorcycle.

 

[Nick_olson]

your mod'n your bike for performance correct? different bar/seat combo can in some cases be considered" performance upgrades" (handling, aero). your changing your bars to a superbike bend or higher rise? and your seat to a comfy cruiser? not much in the way of upgrades. and plus you ruined your frame

I can't say I am doing everything specifically for better performance, its also for my own pure enjoyment. I understand why you feel I ruined my frame and I understand it's going to upset some motorcycle lovers but thats the benefit of it being my bike and me being able do to things I want.

My plan is to get a set of clip on bars and the I am getting the black Dime City Cycles black cafe seat (link below)

The DCC Original Ribbed Leather Wrapped Cafe Seat | Cafe Racer Seat

 

[Nick_olson]

Why? that was a pretty dumb thing to do.

The "passenger peg triangles" did more than just hold passenger pegs. They also held the rear mount for the exhaust. Additionally if you wanted rearsets (and you are going to want rearsets) they served as the mounting point for all bolt on ones out there.

At this point you are just another idiot wih an angle grinder, no plan, and no direction. I hope you can at least weld since now you have to come up with solutions to the two problems you created.

Edit: looking back at your previous pics I can see why you didn't realize the peg mounts were just peg mounts - it is because some ham fisted previous owner cut your muffler back to nothing more than a stub. It should be common sense that an exhaust pipe is not properly supported by the bolts holding the head pipe on and the exhaust gaskets but then again it should be common sense that you have a plan and the parts you need in place before you take an angle grinder to anything on a motorcycle.

Thanks for all the useful information, no need for the name calling. I appreciate you taking your time to educate "idiots" like myself. Live and learn.

 

[BigAl8295]

I can't say I am doing everything specifically for better performance, its also for my own pure enjoyment. I understand why you feel I ruined my frame and I understand it's going to upset some motorcycle lovers but thats the benefit of it being my bike and me being able do to things I want.

My plan is to get a set of clip on bars and the I am getting the black Dime City Cycles black cafe seat (link below)

The DCC Original Ribbed Leather Wrapped Cafe Seat | Cafe Racer Seat

Ergonomics suck if you do clip-ons without rear-sets. A lot of people use the rear passenger peg mounts for rear-sets. See where this is going?

You're not upsetting any motorcycle lovers, just showing that you have no plan.

 

[Geeto67]

I think you need a Philosophy adjustment. Like many noobs you came here because google is really efficient about putting CR.net at the top of most searches on "cafe racer". Also your "research" on the subject was probably limited to google searches for cool looking cb750 cafe racers which is what lead you to cut the pegs off in the first place - because the internet can't tell you what is a good bike vs a bad bike - it can only show you images that meet meta data requirements.

This isn't choppers, everything TV has been telling you about motorcycles has been lying to you in order to sell you crap. The philosophy you should have toward this bike is where do I need improvement? and how do I make improvements? You answer the first question by riding the bike to see where it's shortcomings are. The second you figure out by researching race bikes and talking to people who still use these as performance motorcycles.

Blowing the bike apart? yeah that was again a dumb newbie mistake. And by the way when you do something dumb I am going to tell you it's dumb. This is motorcycles not baking class. Toughen up buttercup. Since you have already blown it apart here are the things I think you need to do:

1) look into a frame kit that allows you to remove the valve cover with the engine in the bike. Gordon on SOHC4.net used to sell them
2) research and install bracing on the frame. Since it is apart anyway might as well get all the welding done
3) fresh swingarm busings, neck bearings, chain, sprockets, etc....basically the service items.
4) figure out your rearsets now. You really shot yourself in the foot since you need the bike assembled to figure out where your feet need to be. but oh well we already covered you were being stupid with the angle grinder.

 

[Nick_olson]

I think you need a Philosophy adjustment. Like many noobs you came here because google is really efficient about putting CR.net at the top of most searches on "cafe racer". Also your "research" on the subject was probably limited to google searches for cool looking cb750 cafe racers which is what lead you to cut the pegs off in the first place - because the internet can't tell you what is a good bike vs a bad bike - it can only show you images that meet meta data requirements.

This isn't choppers, everything TV has been telling you about motorcycles has been lying to you in order to sell you crap. The philosophy you should have toward this bike is where do I need improvement? and how do I make improvements? You answer the first question by riding the bike to see where it's shortcomings are. The second you figure out by researching race bikes and talking to people who still use these as performance motorcycles.

Blowing the bike apart? yeah that was again a dumb newbie mistake. And by the way when you do something dumb I am going to tell you it's dumb. This is motorcycles not baking class. Toughen up buttercup. Since you have already blown it apart here are the things I think you need to do:

1) look into a frame kit that allows you to remove the valve cover with the engine in the bike. Gordon on SOHC4.net used to sell them
2) research and install bracing on the frame. Since it is apart anyway might as well get all the welding done
3) fresh swingarm busings, neck bearings, chain, sprockets, etc....basically the service items.
4) figure out your rearsets now. You really shot yourself in the foot since you need the bike assembled to figure out where your feet need to be. but oh well we already covered you were being stupid with the angle grinder.

Sounds good. Again, thanks for your time.

 

[Nick_olson]

Ergonomics suck if you do clip-ons without rear-sets. A lot of people use the rear passenger peg mounts for rear-sets. See where this is going?

You're not upsetting any motorcycle lovers, just showing that you have no plan.

I understand what you're saying. I guess custom mounts for rear-sets will need to happen at some point. I have a friend who didn't put rear-sets on when he had clip on bars and it wasn't too terrible. At this point i'd like to finish cleaning and I already had plans for some of the things Geeto67 said to do.

 

[o1marc]

I understand what you're saying. I guess custom mounts for rear-sets will need to happen at some point. I have a friend who didn't put rear-sets on when he had clip on bars and it wasn't too terrible. At this point i'd like to finish cleaning and I already had plans for some of the things Geeto76 said to do.

It's a 67 GTO not a 76.
Let me ask you this about your friend. Did you ride his bike and it wasn't too terrible for your short ride, or possibly could your friend have done the wrong thing and instead of telling you " I was an idiot and didn't put rear sets on and any time I ride any considerable distance my back and wrists hurt for days" or does he answer with the typical hipster answer of "it isn't too terrible" which in reality means "it is terrible, but not too terrible." Riding in a position that is ergonomically incorrect may not feel too terrible now but could have long lasting implications in the future if you do much riding.

 

[Nick_olson]

It's a 67 GTO not a 76.
Let me ask you this about your friend. Did you ride his bike and it wasn't too terrible for your short ride, or possibly could your friend have done the wrong thing and instead of telling you " I was an idiot and didn't put rear sets on and any time I ride any considerable distance my back and wrists hurt for days" or does he answer with the typical hipster answer of "it isn't too terrible" which in reality means "it is terrible, but not too terrible." Riding in a position that is ergonomically incorrect may not feel too terrible now but could have long lasting implications in the future if you do much riding.

Thank you for correcting my type-o (Sorry Geeto67). He didn't have rear-sets on while he owned the bike. However, he did say if it didn't sell the bike that is one thing he would have added. Fortunately for me I don't have intentions on going for really long rides. That being said, i should be able to pull off having no reat-sets for a little bit until I make a mount for them. The main thing is getting this thing back together. I'll worry about the rear-sets later.

No hipsters here....

 

[jaguar]

You drive a MKV, and a broken motorcycle, you ARE a hipster!

bases have more or less been covered, you are on the wrong path.
just because some other idiot didn't build a good bike doesn't mean you shouldn't.

-no low bars with out rearsets
-don't use the term style
-done hack shit off the bike for zero reason
-done ditch the fenders
-no knee dents
-no lowering the bike
no pods
-don't take the fucking thing apart to clean


do think about systems and how the bike actually works.
do try to learn the difference between a good bike and the ship posted on blogs.

 

[Nick_olson]

You drive a MKV, and a broken motorcycle, you ARE a hipster!

bases have more or less been covered, you are on the wrong path.
just because some other idiot didn't build a good bike doesn't mean you shouldn't.

-no low bars with out rearsets
-don't use the term style
-done hack shit off the bike for zero reason
-done ditch the fenders
-no knee dents
-no lowering the bike
no pods
-don't take the fucking thing apart to clean


do think about systems and how the bike actually works.
do try to learn the difference between a good bike and the ship posted on blogs.

You're from Long Island so then you must be a ***.

 

[o1marc]

You come here and say you are excited about learning and then resort to calling names when you don't like the lessons you get from qualified, experienced builders. What would you have called him if I told you he was from L.I. and he is black?

 

[Geeto67]

I drive a Mk V, have lots of broken motorcycles, and actually am a ***. Smile when you you say that.

ignore jaguar he has a mk v too and lots of broken motorcycles but I think he is one of this inbred uk types. Plus he's just fucking with you.