Considering an air cooled UJM, Honda 750 Four?

[kxpower?]

Hello All!

I'm going next week to look at a 1976 CB750 Four that's in need of some love to bring back to life. Apparently it's considered one of the original universal Japanese motorcycles (UJM). Judging by the pictures it looks like the supersport edition available only in 75 and 76. Air-cooled I-4, SOHC 8 valve motor with slide carbs, and a dry sump oiling system. And Thank Heaven a kick starter for days when my affinity for $hitty batteries acts up! That's the number one thing I miss about my first street bike, a 1970 BMW R60/5 (it was almost twice my age when I brought it back to life), if the battery was dead none of this bump starting BS just kick start it and go about your business.

I'm looking at it like it would be a good stablemate to the Ninja, it's still fairly compact with good ground clearance for playing around in the mountains here, but would have the capability to handle interstate and two-up work a little more comfortably than the Ninja.

Here's a link to a little write-up about the 750 Four:

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/cl...per-sport.aspx

So my biggest concern (aside from the likelihood my Dad will disown me for buying a non-BMW 70's bike ) is dealing with not only 4 carbs but they're slide carbs which I understand to be a little more tricky to tune just right versus the CV's on the ninjette. And dealing with points worries me a little but I've been around them enough to probably figure them out.

Anyone on here have any experiences to share bringing old Honda's (or other air-cooled I-4's) back to life? Any big problems associated with these that I should look for as red flags?

[verboten1]

The SOHC is a simple engine, not tons to go wrong,other than cam chain eating the case.

I had my '75 550 up and running the same day I brought it home.

then I did this:




I never did get to ride it


I had2 DOHC 750's and i thought it was pretty fast,i dont think it holds a candle to my tenere though. lol

I probably wont ever get another, just because it was always something wrong.

[kxpower?]

I remember seeing that one on the forums, that was a sweet looking bike!

Originally Posted by verboten1

I never did get to ride it

You mean the cam chain ate the case? That why you never got to ride it?

[verboten1]

Nah, I got it running, then tore it down to turn it into the frankenbike, and never finished it.

[kxpower?]

Originally Posted by verboten1

Nah, I got it running, then tore it down to turn it into the frankenbike, and never finished it.

Haha gotcha! I'd have to ride it around bone-stock for a while just to remind myself that some poor sap paid 1500 carter-era dollars (so like 10 grand in today's dollars) for this machine. And for good reason!