Pics of my $300 CB700- How should I restore it?

[polar8]

Got this bike on Craigslist and thanks to this forum I got it running pretty easily, just a simple carb cleaning. I have some free time this summer and I'd really like to make it look nice again. It's rough, but everything is in good shape (owner just put a new seat on it) and there are only a few things to replace.

If this was your bike, what would you do to it? I was thinking of blacking out the engine completely, and repainting the tank in the original red/black color scheme. Then adding straight bars and a round headlight up front, as the stock guages and headlamp are really beat up.

Thanks for the advice!

[muttstang]

It looks like a fairly good streetfighter candidate.  a round headlight and some different gauges would be nice, though gauges can be quite spendy depending on what you get.  Finding side-covers could be tough.  They show up on ebay from time to time but can cost quite a bit.

for as little as you have into it, I'd fix it up.  Be sure that your tires aren't more than a couple of years old, if so, be sure to replace them.

I'd say a good cleaning will make a big difference along with new gauges and a round headlight.  then the side covers will make it look really nice.

[HandsomeSteve]

$300 for anything running is a pretty good score!

[gammer]

Hi polar8  

Nice grab for $300!!

I'm a purest, so if it were mine I'd try to take it back to as close to stock as I could get it. The good is that it is in running condition and you don't have any serious mechanical issues. The bad is the missing left side plate and bikini fairing is expensive.
There is not much you can do about the missing side plate, other then purchase a used one from eBay or a cycle salvage yard...or make one (but you'd need an original to copy).
As for the front fairing, you could get a Maier fairing for it...

http://www.maier-mfg.com/catalog/large-sport-fairing-rectangular-headlight

Rifle also makes a fairing for this bike...

http://rifle.com/Nightflight%20Fairing%20for%20Rectangular%20Headlight-P1905.aspx

Or go with a round Headlight, like what Muttstang did for his 700s...
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,8208.msg116089.html#msg116089

p.s. There are not too many bars that will go on this bike and not hit the tank.

[tomb raider]

   NHF Brother. Score is right, I'm amazed how well them pipes are.. What is your location ?  All ways nice to keep a 700S looking like a S but it's your bike. I'd like a '
Gun Fighter look some day... 

[windrider]

How money do you have?  How much time do you have?  Will you ever sell it?

Once you cut it, chop it, change the suspension, handling, it won't be worth a lot.  If you have time and money, stock is the best way to keep it.  That is my opinion, a lot based on cars, and some on bikes.  Once modified, they loose value fast.  What is worth more, a 1975 stock corvette, or a 1975 corvette with lowered suspension, after market wheels, crazy exhaust, radical interior, .......?

[injuredcyclist]

 

I'd go stock.  The thing I like most about the 700's is how much they seem to scream "80s!".  The stock color scheme, blocky panels, tank, and fairing...

Good luck with whatever you decide, and be sure to keep us updated.

[Merle]

Like's been said- back to stock, ebay for parts, patience. Make sure it's mechanically perfect first and maintenance done. For a few hundred carefully spent, you'll have a bike to be proud of.

[jdseibe]

hey polar8,

I am actually going to be converting the front end of my bike to a round headlight, so I have a stock front fairing (painted black) up for sale if you are interested in it.. whatever you do good luck with it.. I'm in a similar situation.. I just picked up a 700 that I actually got for 700.. and am in the process of fixing it up the way I want it to be.. good luck!

[muttstang]

Make it the way you want it.  It's not exactly a collectible bike that is going to increase a lot in value.

[Burgi]

Make it the way you want it.  It's not exactly a collectible bike that is going to increase a lot in value.

+1 and no matter how much you spend it won't be an original condition bike.

[FearThis SC]

   I would suggest that you bring it back to as close as stock condition.   Great to see another "rescue" bike going to someone that will fix her up   

As other suggested Ebay is your best bet....Good Luck!  We like 

Ride Safe...

[draco_1967]

Make it the way you want it.  It's not exactly a collectible bike that is going to increase a lot in value.

+1 and no matter how much you spend it won't be an original condition bike.

+2 While I am a fan of the stock 700S look, it is your bike. Do with it what you want. My dad and I debated over this when we decided to work on a '67 mustang fastback. It might have been "worth" more if we did a numbers matching, all original resto, but then where is the fun in that?! We decided to do something we would enjoy driving around, not create a trailer queen that we would only bring out on Sunday afternoons.

[gammer]

Just to clarify, when I said I would go with the stock look, I didn't mean to turn it into a show bike and never drive it.
What I mean is that the Honda engineers put a good chunk of time and money into the design of this bike and how it looks and I like it.
Of course what is important here is to get a bike that functions properly and that you can have fun driving it. If it means you have a round headlight, so be it. Again, what matters is that it is functional, safe and you have fun riding it.
I just prefer the stock look as it is appealing to my eye. I think the main reason why I like the looks of this bike so much is because of the stock bikini fairing.

[Merle]

Jah, of course it's your bike to do with whatever in the world you want- a cool blacked-out rat bike bobber, bone stock, dual-sport it, or "trike it out" lol. Sounds like you're leaning towards original.

Good luck, have fun, and post pictures!

[jonno173]

I'd go for stock. There are a lot of parts going around. One thing you'll know, they fit!

[MOPARJOE]

I'm with Gammer and the others, who think it would be best "stock". I like the look of these bikes, over anything else ever built. It will also be easier to know what parts will fit/work, and what to look for on the "net"....just my 2 cents (I'm very partial though)  Joe

[9c1]

Boy, I've always been one for stock especially if you're going to sell it. 

But after seeing those pics, if you plan to keep it I'd go all stock bodywork, updated round headlight, and a solid color paintjob (ie: all black or silver).

[stavrosman]

What ended up of your project?

[Grug]

I'm into stock, too.

Personally, I really like the look of the bikini fairings. 

Sounds like you got a great deal, though!

[bkreischer]

For what its worth, I have a project bike as well that I am redoing right now - I wish I paid $300!!!

It came with flanders drag bars - don't do it.  You may be able to rotate them to miss the tank by a c-hair, which mine did, but the controls will be so tight against the headlight fairing it will crack.  Only if the drag bars you pick are longer than stock would you be able to clear the fairing, and then you would most likely be opening up other problems like cables too short, etc...

I love drag bars - but the setup on a 700 won't allow it.  I'd love to be proven wrong, as I have new black drag bar I would love to use, but its exactly the same as the set I pulled off that cracked a perfectly good fairing.

[Mad_Marv]

wow, yours looks very much like this one:

The guy asked $1200,- for it....
I n my eyes he f*cked up the bike completely... I'll give him $150 max....

[RajunCajun]

        It's your call!  I admire any form of "saving old toys" . I do prefer stock as it will bring back memories for anyone admiring your bike.
Of course your budget will play a big part. With all the help from these great NHF members, it can happen! My brothers and I restore old mustangs, and the response from all age groups has always been tremendous. I don't trailer my cars, but they are pampered.

Good Luck, and keep the pictures coming.
RajunCajun

[AmericanClassic]

I wouldnt be too concerned with going back to stock, but the stock headlight nacelle is by far the sexiest part of the NHs. And I typically hate square headlights.