Getting around to the seat.  The pan is solid.  The cover is also in good shape.   I've been softening it over the last couple of months with some Avon skin-so-soft and some Meguires vinyl/rubber treatment.   It actually is getting softer and much more pliable than it was originally.    Now, the foam is just shot and not usable at all.

Since the pan is solid and the cover looks good, I figured I take a chance and just get some new foam for the seat pan after I clean it up and paint it.

Not 100% sure that I want to pop for $350 new red foam from yamiya - going to see what my local upholsterer can come up with for the foam.   Anyone ever sourced red foam anywhere else than Yamiya ?


Now - my question is for the tabs that hold the cover to the pan - the sharp triangular tabs that fold over onto themselves.    I have it in my head that those need to be annealed in order to keep them from breaking when re-folding them.    Not sure where I read that, but I haven't been able to find anything directly relating to that subject.

Has anyone had success with re-covering a seat with those tabs ?    Is it as simple as heating them up and letting them cool down slowly ?

I know it's a longshot, but, I'm looking for some ruby red side covers.   Ideally, I'd like them original (not re-painted)  The more patina the better.   Badges & screens would be nice too.

Faded is fine.     If you have any, shoot me some photos and your price.  Perhaps we can make a deal.   John

Got some great bullet connectors from vintageconnections.com but have yet to find any of these:



Anybody know where you can find those ?

And while I'm at it - non-adhesive loom tape ?  Would any of these be acceptable ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elliott-Tape-ET-501-Dry-Vinyl-Tape-Wire-Harness-Wrap-/110761345587?hash=item19c9e40233&item=110761345587&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wire-Harness-Tape-Electrical-Tape-Friction-Tape-/320737420002?hash=item4aad70a2e2&item=320737420002&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

I lucked into a sandcast a few months ago.   I have run an add on craigslist for about 5 years now off and on looking for 69-76 CB750s.  I don't really get many good leads, but occasionally, something turns up.  A gentleman contacted me and told me that he had what he thought was a 73 CB750A.   I wasn't interested, but I told him to go ahead and send me some photos and I'd try to find him a buyer.  When I got the photos, I was surprised.  It definitely was not an automatic, and wasn't a 73.   From his blurry photos, I could tell it was an early CB.  I called him back and asked if he could get me the serial numbers and some more detailed photos.  Imagine my surprise when I got the numbers... The frame was a mid 3000 number sandcast.  The motor, was in the 8000 range - bummer, but I thought I still need to grab it.    I gassed up the truck and took off to go get it.  When I got there, I double-checked the serial numbers and was shocked when I realized he had misread the number - it was in the 3000 range as well.  HOLY-CRAP, I found a sandcast!  

After we got it loaded up, I stayed for a bit and tried to find out more history on it.  Supposedly, one of his old buddies had the bike in his barn since the mid 80's.  He had recently passed away and his son ended up with it.  He had no interest in it or selling it.    Years went by and it sat, withering away neglected.  About a year ago, the son had some tax work done by his dad's buddy (the guy I got the bike from) and never paid him for it.  After trying to collect the money he was owed, he offered to take the motorcycle for payment.   That's when he started digging around on craigslist and found my add.   All he wanted was what he was owed - he had no interest in restoring or parting the bike out.  He's a hot-rod guy and was happy to know that I would at least get the bike back on the road partly as an homage to his old friend.   He even gave me 20 bucks off his asking price just so I could tell my wife that I was able to negotiate him down on the price.   Luckily, in this case, the man did not need the money - it was just a matter of principle for him.  He's retired, lives on a beautifully manicured 2 acre lot in his huge dream house and spends his days tinkering on his 1930 model A.  The sandcast was in his way, but he couldn't bear pushing it back out into the weather.  He had no interest in restoring it - just wanted it to go to a good home.

I got home that afternoon and got it unloaded and into the shop.   I read non-stop for the next few days trying to familiarize myself with the nuances of the sandcast CB750.
After closer inspection, I found that almost all of the original parts were there.  The only things I found missing were:  the mirrors.
Everything else, I think is there and original to the bike.    I was able to find the bottom half of the airbox locally.  I'll worry about the mirrors later.  

My plan (subject to change at any moment) is to take one section at a time and clean things up, inventory and photograph things, make the bike safe to ride again.  Mainly a thorough, thorough cleaning and maintenance that needs to be done.   I'll clean the bolts and parts and put them right back where they were.   Hopefully, I will be able to familiarize myself with the bike and it's parts and keep things in the proper place while creating a record of the bike.  That way, I can can ride it around a bit before I tear things down for repaint, plating etc.

My local Honda dealer has a 69 in the 300 range.  It was restored about 9 years ago using NOS parts.  There are a few parts that I noticed that aren't correct.  Still a beauty.

However, he also has an un-restored diecast in the 30000 range.   

They both have the throttle with the 4 cables.   However, the sandcast has an adjuster of some sort in the space where a push/pull cable (like the later ones) would go.  It almost looks like the knurled screw on the side of the carb bodies.

The dicast bike has a set crew in there (almost looks like the one you'd find on the clutch) with a nut.

Anyone have any photos of the bottom of the RH control that they could post.  My bike is in the 3000 range.

Ok, I hit the lottery and picked up what really appears to be an pretty intact sandie.    Tank is correct, the more I study, the more things look correct to the bike.
I've dug around a bit more, and it is pretty much a 1-owner bike.  The owner has since passed away.  It has sat since 1985 in of all places a barn before finding its way to me.

My question - might be a bit long-winded.    I want to lightly dis-assemble, clean things and put it back together.   When I say dis-assemble, I mean take the motor out, and clean it very well.  I don't plan on painting it for now.   While the motor is out, I want to clean the frame - again, not going to paint anything just yet.  I'll keep the wheels intact, will just replace the wheel bearings and clean them up - no paint or polishing.    The wiring harness is unmolested so I will only have to clean the connections.     I'll clean all the original bolts and re-use.  Some are pretty rusty, some are pretty good.   New tires - the ones on there are not original to the bike although they are very old.   The only parts that I think that I'm missing are:  the lower half of the airbox (2-hole) and side covers.   Unfortunately, 1 of the pipes has completely fallen apart.  2 are actually serviceable.  The 3rd, while intact, is full of good-sized holes.    Unfortunately for me, the pipes on it are the un-stamped "Lotus Root" pipes.   I have a line on some HM300s that I may buy, just to get it in running condition.
Carbs are off, and while they were more full of sediment and crud than any set I've ever looked at, they will clean up very nice.
I have already dropped the oil pan and inspected the oil pump & screen.  All looks great.   Points plate stayed dry all these years and somehow had some very, fine dust in there.
There are no signs of water in the motor  .   I'll do a standard tune-up and I really have the feeling that this beast will fire right up.


Do you think that my preliminary plan will in any way hurt the value ?    I know it seems most of you guys like to get them "un-touched"

I would really like to do a nice restoration on this one.   I have a boat that will likely hit the market to fund the restoration, but I am still undecided and could go either way.