1983 Honda 750, sits for ten years

I found a Honda 750 that has been sitting for close to ten years now. The
owner drained all the fluids before he parked it in the garage.
What would it take to get it running again? what parts would harden, seize,
or wither away in that time that may need to be replaced?

If I get it running, the owner is giving it to me.

Thank for any help

 

Often times the 'free' bikes are not the least expensive. You can easily
spend more than the bike is worth bringing it up to roadworthy condition.
A bike that is used and maintained regularly for ten years is probably
in better shape unless it was stored in a perfectly dry environment and
protected from ozone, etc.

All the rubber parts (tires, fuel and brake hoses, seals, dust boots) are
suspect, especially the brake hoses, a critical safety item. The pistons
may have rusted into the bores if the cylinders were not oiled before
storage. The gas tank will be rusty inside, if any fuel was left in
the tank, or in the carbs, they will have to be removed and cleaned.
The tank will almost for sure need de-rusting and coating with Kreem or
POR-15. Brake master cylinders will need rebuilding as will the calipers.
Wheel bearings will need regreasing and/or replacing, as will headstock
bearings and swingarm bearings. Also count on it needing new fork seals,
and the fork oil changed. You'll need to buy a battery.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just to make it clear that if the
motive for taking on a project like this is to have a good bike cheaply,
you need to consider all the restoration work it will need to make it
roadworthy, vs. a bike that has had regular use and maintenance.

 

aren't been ridden then there's a good chance the whole engine is seized up
even if its not then expect it to need a major strip , brake callipers ,
most seals and good chance the shocks are
creamed as well . Fair chance that the wheel bearings will have rusted as
well

 

I have a '03 SV650s, that I ride every day. the Honda 750 would just be a
project bike with a friend of mine that wants to learn how to ride. we both
like to tinker on cars. So the bike would be a fun project.

 

I found a Honda 750 that has been sitting for close to ten years now. The

I have a similar situation... my neighbor moved, had a 750 stored for
over 6 yrs..... he said he started taking it apart to repaint the frame....
well... no dice... I have gone thru the whole bike, replacing tons of
parts.... currently I have two small things left to do and will get to them
just as soon as it gets warmer around here.....I ve put alot of money into
rebuilding the bike (getting it roadworthy again). If you can't pick up
your parts cheap, then expect the parts to cost more than the bike is worth,
or almost....but think of the experience you will gain...

good luck..

Fwed

 

True, it will end up costing a good chunk. Money-wise, it is no savings, but
since I am not about to take apart my '03 SV650s, it will be fun to take
apart a free bike, and just gain knowledge from it.

My uncle got a Harley that way. He bought a 1979 Harley for about $2000.
Well, he bought a crate full of most of a Harley, and put it all together.
He loves to ride it, and would never think to sell it.

Do you happen to know of a good online source for "new, old stock" or just a
place that has a good price on the older parts?... or should I just see if I
can pick up a wrecked CBR and use it for a donor?

 

I found a Honda 750 that has been sitting for close to ten years now. The

Yes.... but you will have to be patient as sometimes the parts aren't
always available when you want them. Most of the parts I used came from
ebay. Its a good source for used parts.... some are new as well... Good
Luck...

Fwed

 

at the expected price, it could be an interesting project.
much depends on the real conditions of storage.
get it, check it over and don't spend much money on it till you get the
engine running and checked out.
as the poster said, the hoses may be suspect, the brakes need to be
carefully checked.
fill it with fluids, be careful of leaking carbs from sticky floats, try to
start it OUTDOORS.
don't burn the starter up with a big battery. too long at a shot during
cranking will do that.
enjoy.
good luck.
sammmm

 

Good attitude.

Just don't get sucked into it. It's terrifyingly easy to spend a hundred
here, another couple of hundred there, another hundred here because
you've already got this done, and wind up with a fairly nondescript bike
(which, I'm afraid, a DOHC Honda 750 is) for which you've paid a
fortune.