OK, Fairy Tales all start out "once upon a time". & Sea stories "Now this ain't no shit". This is neither, just the story of my Sand cast. which you may or not believe/or find entertaining... In the summer of 1983 a much younger Gane was working as Parts Mgr in a long since defuct Honda dealership when a gent came in complaining of a "bottom end rattle" in a rather "rough" 1970 CB750. The Service Mgr. ( a close friend to this day ) attempted to explain that the rattle was a combination of primary chain & clutch noise which were "charactaristic" to the beast & nothing to be concerned about.... Apparently this didn't appease the gent, & He went "up front" to see what kind of trade -in the shop would offer. It must not have been much, As the Service manager "Andy" Wound up with the bike & title. Fast forward a couple years, "Andy" is offered a position w HONDA & has to move to Gardena for "training & position as "tech ref". & sells me a "Dead" Dodge van & its contents... Forgive, but I've no recall of the amount but it was "minimal" I was an aptmnt dweller at at the time & parked the van at my parents place until they started making "threats".... a starter & head gasket (no fun) finally made the "highway star" sell able, & I did. & "broke even"... Inside the van was a hodge podge of parts, & "most" of what is now the 1400. Like most, I knew that a "rough cast" 750 eng. was worth holding on to, but figured a '70 titled bike was "simply early" & nothing special. As a result, as the notion struck me, I "pieced together" the bike with whatever I had at hand ,& rode. Now. some 26+ year s later I realize this machine has "intrensic value" & that over the years, I've "pulled numerous "boners". The most notable, "buying a "flat seat" (cause it fit), & hardware was right, & swapping fork s because I couldn't find correct seals. & the rust was beyond salvage. Because I was "ignorant" I focused my "parts searches with parts which were "period correct" rather than "true", As a result, my "scattered bike " is probly worth less than most " garage finds" . where the parts were "correct if "wasted". Still, knowledge is a tool.".. I've no plans to "show" this bike, or even to sell..It's like family. My "quest for this year was to achive proper paint. Unfortunatly "wrinlkle" tanks seem to be scarce, & THE 2 tanks I'd thought might qualify are dudds. STILL. I have an "honest" sandcast frame & engine. airbox is two hole w/out conture. exhaust is 3 '300 & # 4 un stamped. anyone with a salvagable wrinkle tank and or a 300# 4 pipe pls PM me, My object is not for "concourse"bike. Just a "consistant" period piece. I ride this bike..Abettt 4-500 miles a year, my story is basicly one of neglect & ignorance, still, I have good intentions, & hope that this winter I'll have the time & funds to have a much more "presentable" bike. as usual G
