The Honda Owners Club

Hi everyone. I'm just about to start helping a relative getting her bike sorted and I'd really appreciate any help and advice that you can give me. I've worked on a lot of my own bikes over the years (including a number of Hondas - SR's, XR's, CB, CBR's & VFR) but admit to having very little experience on bikes of this vintage.

She's got a 750 Custom exclusive (so it says on the side!) which is a Jap import. It's a V plate which would make it a 1979/80 but I don't know if the fact that it's an import will change that - I'm guessing that when it was brought into this country it was given an age related plate. Any thoughts?

1) It has a light that comes on at speed. My wife had a GSXR 400 jap import that did the same - about 55 mph from memory. Is this the same? If it bugs her too much can we justb remove the bulb without any related problems?

2) I'm also guessing that it's restricted (as well as needing a bloody good service!) cos it tops out at about 140 kmh (about 87mph). Can anyone tell me please what form of restrictor is used on these bikes and how is it removed? When de-restricted what sort of top end should it pull.

3) I'm going to give it a good service as a first priority - usual filters, oil, etc. Can anyone recommend a good place to source the parts needed please? What's included in a full service for this bike?

4) I'm also planning to bleed brakes (replace hoses if necessary), grease linkages, etc. Does anyone have any words of warning, tips, do's or dont's about tackling these on this bike? - I've learnt in the past, knowledge built up about certain models is invaluable when working on them!

The bike is currently a runner, has an MOT and is pretty tidy but has been kept outside and not received thorough maintenance.

Sorry about the length of the post, but any information would be very gratefully received. I'd also be happy to call someone back if they have any gems they wish to share but fancy a good bike related natter rather than typing for hours!! I'm near Northampton by the way.

Thanks again in anticipation.
Alistair (Ali P).

Having brought a car into the country in 1982, this was before Q plates, the reg was the year on registration in this country, so my 1979 car had and X plate.

Thanks Jimmy.
So that would mean that the bike was brought in to the UK in 79/80 but could be a few years older. How do I tell the year of manufacture / model type on these early CB's? Presumably I'll need to know the year / model to order the correct parts.
Thanks again everyone.

Is it a DOHC model?

Witch

As far as I can find out the first CB750 Custom was released in 1980 and was the Custom version of the CB750K with DOHC.

here is a link

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/bikes/Honda%20.htm

Thanks Witchmaster, you're a star. I think that's the one. I've just spoken to her and it sounds like it is the dohc. She's sent me a link to a bike she says "looks like it" !!!! She's trying to take a picture on her mobile to send me.
Part of the trouble is that I haven't seen the bike yet! She's coming to stay with us from next weekend and I'm trying to do my research first. Just got a pic - definitely a dohc.

She says it like this one....
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/cl ... custom.jpg

It may have been built a year earlier than stated if its a US machine they seamed to get several Honda Models earlier and they were more into Customs than stanard machines

It is definately the DOHC Custom version of the CB750K though

Witch

I was assuming it's a jap import cos it's got Jap stickers over it, but it's definitely the one in the link you posted so thanks very much. At least now I know it's a 1980 CB750 Custom etc etc. Apparently the brown seat was exclusive to this particular model (I may be wrong but that's what I've heard) and it is the brown seat version.

Do I go to a local Honda dealer for parts for one of these or are there specialists I should go to?

The Custum had different finishes but that particular finish seemed to be one with a browm seat.

Parts may be difficukt to find ... one source is here
http://www.cmsnl.com/search.php?s_name=cb750

or here
http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/index.html

Ebay is another but in the uk it bould be difficult you may find more on ebay usa but it won't be cheap

another source is riders of yeovil who have a large range of NOS parts

Witch

Thanks again Witch.
The Riders connection is interesting. I'm a member of Phase One Endurance who used to be sponsored by Riders. The owner, Phil Jessop's, son rode on the teams junior bike around the time I pit crewed for them. Don't know if it's the same one or if I'm getting my wires crossed but interesting.

Anyone know how these are / were restricted for the Jap market?

Yes they were untill a certain year bikes were restricted by size (650 i believe) in Japan and all the big bikes were made only for export ......... later the big bikes were released in Japan but restricted in HP

Witch