1977 Honda CB

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Up for sale is my very well cared for 1977 CB750F2 Super Sport motorcycle. I take pride in the refurbishing that I have finished over the last year. The motorcycle has just a little over 10,000 miles on it and it runs strong as it should. All fluids are new and there is a new sealed heavy duty battery installed. Tools, owner’s manual, and advertising literature are included. Please read the following narrative and view the attached photos. Also, contact me via eBay if you have any questions. I require a $250 deposit within 48 hours of the close of the auction. I prefer (ideally) that if possible any interested party (or personal representative) view the bike prior to the close of the auction. Pickup/shipping is buyer’s responsibility and can be arranged for at the end of auction—I realize that shipping/transportation can be difficult. It is a very nice motorcycle. I take these bikes seriously and respect their history. Having just recently sold my CB750K5 project (VJMC Magazine, December 2009), and still riding my 1999 Triumph Trophy, but knowing it was soon to be shipped to an eBay buyer in British Columbia, Canada, some decisions had to be made. So, with a Michigan 2010/2011 winter looming there was a real need to come up with some plan—no project motorcycle or what? My wife knows that I do not idle well during the winter months and one evening early last fall she really put the situation in perspective—go for bike number 35! This narrative describes the project motorcycle that came to me after a casual search one evening on “Craig’s List”. The listing description was vague and no photos were provided in the advertisement. Calling the fellow really left a lot of questions unanswered as he was the second owner and only briefly. He indicated the original paint was black and so was the engine—and all the parts were original but it needed new tires as they were original and cracked. He did know that it had 9,800 miles and he had it serviced one-year ago at which time the Honda mechanic wanted to buy it. He claimed the original owner was mature (?) and did attend to the required maintenance schedule. So, a short 75-mile drive brought me face-to-face with what was to become the “winter sanity project”. Everything seemed to be in order and complete with no modifications for a 34-year old motorcycle, but before making an offer I needed to research my library. The partial findings included: Abbreviated Specifications CB750F (CB750F2’77) Super Sport (Product Code: 410)—November 1976-May 1977 Total Approximate Production: 25,000, Frame from: 210.00.11, Engine from: 260.00.04 Color: Black or Candy Presto Red FT: Fuel Tank Stripe is Red with Gold Pinstripes CH: Fuel Tank, Side Covers & Rear Cowl are Unit Color ’77-‘78 CH: Comstar Wheels with Dual Front Disk Brakes ’77-‘78 CH: Engine & Fork Legs are Black ’77-‘78 General Description—CB750F2 The CB750F2 was introduced in November of 1976. It was largely similar to its forerunners, although the newer model is substantially modified both in specification and styling. The modified design features of the F2/3 models include: a) heavy-duty ¾” inch pitch (630) drive chain with sealed-in lubricant, b) a quartz halogen headlamp fitted (not to US models) as are larger indicator lenses and a larger tail light, c) the choke knob is repositioned to the handlebar clamp and the ignition switch is re-sited between the base of the instrument heads (US models already had the latter modification, and now have an integral ignition switch/steering lock), d) modified front fork internal components, e) new aluminum castings carrying the rider’s and passenger’s footrests, and the rear brake lever on the right, f) the silencer is of a different design, g) there is a twin front disk brake set-up, complimented by a single disc rear brake—the front calipers are now mounted behind the fork legs, h) the wheels are of the Comstar variety, and are of a built-up composite form, with an aluminum alloy rim and pressed steel slotted spokes, i) the electrical connections, which used to be mounted in a box on the front left-hand frame down tube of the F1, are now fitted inside the headlight shell, and j) twin horns are now fitted. Further, the engine fitted to these, the latest of the then ‘Super Sport’ models, has had substantial modifications carried out in order to boost power output. The modifications are: a) there are larger valves fitted: inlet valves are 34 mm, whilst exhaust valves are 31 mm, which is a 2 mm and 3 mm increase respectively over the F0/1, b) the compression ratio is lowered from 9.2:1 to 9.0:1, c) the combustion chamber and port shape have been improved, and the camshaft profile has been modified altering the cam timing, d) stiffer springs are fitted and are rated at 202 pounds as opposed to 154 pounds on the F1, e) new 28 mm carburetors with an accelerator pump along with enclosed linkages are fitted, f) a larger oil filter fitted with more cooling fin area in the sump, g) stiffer clutch springs—up-rated from 220 pounds (F1) to 242 pounds, h) there was up-rated bearings (thin wall plain bronze/lead/tin) for the crankshaft assembly and stouter cylinder studs were made to cope with the heavier barrel and boosted power output, i) black engine finish to mimic road racing machines in that color to improve their heat radiating properties, and j) the red zone on the F2/3’s rev counter was increased to 9,500-10,500 to suit the higher tune of the engine. Apart from these innovations and the somewhat dramatic cosmetic changes, such as the matt black paint finish to the engine, front fork stanchions and rear shock absorber springs, the F2 gives the same general overall appearance as its immediate predecessor. These later models were judged by period testers to be “sweet bikes.” Well, after doing the research, I felt that I had a fairly good idea as to what an F2/3 was all about—so one more project rolled into my shop. It was a good decision as the 34-year old motorcycle performs very well. It is probably the last of 35 (Triumph, Norton, BMW, Kawasaki, and Honda) motorcycles I have refurbished, and it is indeed one of the last SOHC bikes coming from the Honda factory. The photos depicts my winter 2010-’11 project (tear down to engine/frame) and illustrate the modifications (note: all original components, except the muffler, and rear view mirrors are included with the motorcycle): a) Narrower and slightly lower handle bars, bar end mirrors, b) Jet-Hot coated header, c) MAC Muffler, d) stainless steel fasteners (all three pounds of the original fasteners included), e) Progressive Fork Springs, f) Leak Proof Fork Seals, g) and of course the engine seals and gaskets from Honda, all brake seals and master cylinder rebuild, h) Bridgestone Spitfire tires, and sprockets/ final drive chain were renewed, i) NGK Iridium Platinum plugs installed, j) a new K&N air filter is fitted, and k) new sealed very expensive battery. The original handle bars were just about two-inches higher from what my old back prefers—I have a difficult time sitting straight up. The Jet Hot (ceramic like) header coating allowed me to retain the stock original double-walled header pipes at a much more reasonable cost compared to new or rechromed pipes—I really like this product/process. The new MAC muffler was available and lighter with greater ground clearance—the stock muffler was not economically available and was way too heavy. The carburetors were cleaned and renewed with a new accelerator pump diaphragm fitted and gaskets/seals. All painted surfaces and alloy components were renewed to create a very stunning 34-year old bike. One of the side covers was repaired by the previous owner. The inside of the gas tank is darn near mirror like with no rust—previous owners and I knew how to take care of the equipment. I need to sell before the Michigan snow sets in. These bikes I do are not meant to make me a profit but I need to break even in order to continue the old bike hobby. I have attempted to maintain a stock look while making reasonable and responsible upgrades. Also, I am nearly 73-years old and require a smaller and lighter bike to ride and work on (legs, knees, arthritis etc. tell me so)—maybe a CB550 Super Sport or something similar. Thanks for checking this out—remember to ask questions.