Ross’ 1975 CB750

[Bucko]

 What’s the duty rate for vintage motorcycle parts?   CCS tariff code 9966 states that new or used  parts for vehicles 25 yrs old or older is duty free.

I believe that's 'New', as in NOS, or used parts.

[Galactica]

Well, ok then.  Next time I’ll try to get the parts duty free.  Thanks for the info Dave.

I just hope the border guard doesn’t take umbrage and send me in for a strip search.

[Steve G.]

  Don’t be afraid or intimidated coming back into your own country. This isn’t Venezuela,,,,,yet.

[Galactica]

So, I started playing around with the exhaust to make sure it will fit.  Everything looks well designed and engineered.  Although it is fairly low slung. 

One of the spacer/sleeves for the fear mount at the foot peg is short.  It doesn’t account for the foot peg bracket itself.  So I have to sort that out.

[Galactica]

After coffee with the guys, I went home and worked on installing the exhaust.  Delkevic 4 into 1 stainless.  Fits really well.  Just need a modified spacer/sleeve at the foot peg mount.

[Galactica]

One more.

[Steve G.]

  Loos good Ross!

[Galactica]

I installed the modified spacer/sleeve at the foot peg mount.  Fits perfectly.  So the exhaust install is complete.  Should get the lower brake hose tomorrow.  No idea when the needles/seats and electrical connectors will arrive.  I suspect that Canada Post has lost the package. 

[Galactica]

Got the lower brake hose this afternoon.  Installed it and fitted it to the new calliper.  Pumped up the system no problem.  But….the brake sticks solid until I disassemble it.  Can’t figure it out.  Very frustrating. 

Gonna leave until tomorrow.  I’m off just now to see Colin James and his blues trio at the Massey Theatre.

[Galactica]

Colin James in Massey Theatre was sooo good.  Nice small venue.  We had quite good seats. Seven rows up, centre isle.  Wasn’t too loud.  They played some older stuff, a number of songs from National Steel, and a couple of his latest album.  He’s starting on a new album in November.  They played two sets and, of course, an encore.  In the first set he played a different guitar on almost every song.

Slept on the CB750 front brake problem.  I think the problem is the pad on the inside.  I think the backing plate is too thick.  It’s not flat.  It has a weird convex bulge in the casting that I think is causing the problem.  I’ll do some checking, then maybe see if I can get someone to mill it down.

[dicken]

i had a similar problem with a honda pacific coast. the master cyl would not allow the fluid back in after releasing the lever. that tiny hole in the bottom was plugged. a fine sewing needle did the trick and now the brakes work great.

[Galactica]

Ya. I unplugged the hole with a feeler wire.  But there may be multiple issues.  The caliper side pad is a tight fit and seems to bind.  This aftermarket caliper came with a domed cap that fits on the piston and the inside pad had a convex lense in the backing casting.  These things seem to make the thicknesses squeeze the rotor tight.  I dunno.  I’ve tried all manner of fitment combinations and can’t get it to work.  I think I need a second set of eyes and thoughts.  I’m not above asking for help.

[Galactica]

Ok.  So I got it figured. 

I had bought an aftermarket calliper.  A complete unit including pads.  I thought it was a fair deal because the original one was toast.  Figured it would be plug and play.  NOT.

The inside pad was too thick overall because of the convex bulge in the backing plate.  I reckon it’s there so the pad can find its own seating square against the rotor.  Problem is, it pushes the pad up against the rotor too much by the same amount as the thickness of the convex lens.  It had to be milled off.  I used my hillbilly mill aka an angle grinder.  Problem one solved.  But it still would stick solid upon actuation of the brake lever.

After much removal and re installation, I determined that the calliper side pad was a bit too tight of a fit, and was binding.  So I used my hillbilly lathe, aka bench sander, to remove some material from its circumference. 

Front brake now works just fine.  But what a pain in the a## for something that was sold as being specifically for my bike.  I got it from Dave Silver Spares so I figured they would know what’s what.  NOT.

So now, it’s just the carbs I have to get finished.  I still have not received the needles and seats that were sent via Canada Post five weeks ago come Monday.  If they don’t arrive Monday they’ll mail another order.  You know, I’ve never really had a problem with Canada Post, even at Christmas time. 

I tried cleaning and polishing the seats with various products.  They’re bright and shiny but the needles still hang up for some reason. 

[Galactica]

So, I cleaned the needles and seats…again.  Needles seemed to be dropping down.  Ok…I’ll give it a try. 

Installed the carbs.  It was waaay easier this time.  It would sorta fire.  Checked the carb drain screws.  #1-fuel.  #2-no fuel.  #3-no fuel.  #5-fuel.  Dang, what a PITA.

I’m getting impatient and frustrated.  All that’s left to do for now is the needles and seats, and front wheel balancing.  Unless, of course, I decide to do a full year-down.  Although I may also do paint in the spring if $ allows. 

[Galactica]

When Canada Post works as it should, it works pretty well.  I got my replacement order this morning.  One week from Ontario.  Packages from the same place but sent via UPS, Purolator, or Canpar (they use them all) takes a week as well. 

Anyway, the needles and seats got installed right away.  Synch and float levels done on the bench.  Checked that there was fuel in all of the bowls.  Yup.  Installed the carbs in the bike.  Temporary fuel tank.  Choke.  Key on.  In neutral.  Pull in the clutch.  Press the starter button.  And WOO HOO, she fired right up.  Started to chug shortly.  Choke off.   Idled it down to 1000rpm.  Running smooth, great throttle response.  Oh oh, pushing some blue smoke.  Smoke coming up from the front of the engine.  Let it idle and come up to temperature.  All smoke goes away.  Ooo ya.  Look at the gauges.  Damn, the tach isn’t working.  Shut it off.  Disconnect tach cable.  Damn, it’s broken.  But man, I’m really stoked how well it started and runs.  And man, the Delkevic exhaust sounds great!

Couple things to do still.  My fuel line is a bit too big.  1/4”.  It’s what I had on hand but I really need a bit smaller line and clips.  Repair broken electrical connectors, now that I have them.  I’ll order a new tach cable at some point but I don’t really need it just now.  I’ll wait until I put together another order.

You never know.  I might show up at coffee on it sometime.