A Little Eplanation or My Ramble

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:21 pm

Hello all. I've been a lurker here for quite some time but decided to join to try and sell my '82 750F, but as I haven't had one inquiery on it I guess I'm gonna get the runability issue dealt with and keep it.
I originally bought this bike because a friend needed money and was moving out of the area and couldn't (or didn't want to) take it with him.
I had actually been looking for a 1980 750 for quite some time as that's what my dad had when I was in high school. He bought a new leftover '80 model in '81. He let me ride that bike to school a few times which I thought was so freakin' cool of him. Can you imagine trusting a 16 year old kid with your brand new street bike?! lol. He eventually sold it to a family friend who still has it.
Well, in 1991 my dad was taken from us prematurely from a heart attack at 57 years old. I was very close to him. He was responsible for getting me into riding at age 4, and I've been riding ever since.
Several years ago I asked the family friend if he would sell the bike to me, and even though he had aquired a larger bike (KZ1000) to ride he didn't want to turn loose of the 750F.
Fast forward to now. I happen to run into him at the grocery store, having not seen him in years, and he said if I was still interested in the bike, he'd sell it to me. Yes I'm still interested! So, next week, after a 28 year absence, I'll be reunited with my dads bike. I'm very freakin' happy!
Well, there it is. I hope you all don't think I'm a weirdo or anything for posting this, just felt compelled to do so. Maybe it's the holiday season...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:27 pm

Good story, Bruce. Nothing weird about it all.
Congrats on the acquisition of your dads' bike.

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:34 pm

Hey bud...my Dad passed away at 57 as well....if he had a bike and I could get it back I would do so in second!!! If you have a pic of your Dad and the bike I think it would be cool to post...

Happy to read your gettig it back!

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:09 pm

Very nice. I hope you get it back. Happy Thanksgiving, Tattoo

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:30 pm

Great story and you are not weird or the story for that matter. It means something to you and thats what is important.

Happy goble goble to you and family

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:42 pm

Cool Story Bruce, and congrats on getting your Dad's bike back. This site is the best source of information about the F that you'll ever find, and the guys here will bend over backward to help you get and keep it running at full throttle! Post some pics when you get a chance, we LOVE pics!

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:49 pm

So the truth is stranger than fiction!

great story Bruce, thanks for sharing that and good luck Very Happy

Martin

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 1:26 am

Thanks for the warm replies guys.... you really know how to make a person feel welcome. Smile

This site rocks! It definately is THE place for all things "F".
I'll definately post some pics when I get it home. I think I have one of my dad on the bike. I'll try to get it on here as well. Thanks again...

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:53 pm

Bruce, Definately post some pics of your Dad with his 750F. I also bought a new '80 750F in January of '81. Wish I still had that one. I'm sure getting your father's bike back after all these years will warm your heart and bring back some great memories. Thanks for telling your story BTW.
PM sent with some pics of me and my 750 taken in '81.

Cheers!
Chris

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 2:49 pm

Thanks Chris. PM replied. Great pics! Cool

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 3:42 pm

Looks like you already have something to give thanks for this holiday, I know it will make you feel great and close to your Dad again to ride that bike.Almost makes a brother get emotional.Cingratulations on your deal.

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 4:10 pm

Great story, I can't think of a better X Mas gift. Can't wait to see the pic of your Dad with his F.

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:31 pm

Hey guys! Just got the bike home about a half hour ago. It's quite a bit rougher than I was hoping for but oh well. I'm still excited. Very Happy

Here it is. I have the side covers as well. Had to remove all the calipers as they are froze up. It hasn't run since '04 so I know the carbs are coming off. Evidently it has a charging problem as well.
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Nothing like another project! Wink

This one is definately a labor of love.

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:47 pm

Here's a couple of me on my '79 SR500 and my dad on the 750F. These were taken on my 16th birthday August 2nd 1981.
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My mom snapped these right before my dad and I went for a little father/son ride around town. I still remember it...

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:10 pm

Congrtat's on getting your dads bike as i sai dearlier .It it still in great condition I got a quicksilver fairing with mine too but have not installed it yet . Do you think you could post another picture or two with a good angle of that fairing on the bike. It is the only other one I've seen. They only made 40,000 of them as compared to 100's of thousands of other models. Thanks and good luck!

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:38 pm

Nice Story.

Good Luck with your restoration.

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:21 pm

Love that SR500.......nothin' like a thumper!
One of these days I'll buy an Ascot to beat on Dead Horse 2

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:30 pm

Very cool story! I love this. Did your father add the fairing and the headrest? Your gona have that for a very long time I would imagine.

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:51 pm

Right on Bruce!! That bike is definately worth bringing back to life, especially with the attachment you have to it. You'll be sure to get lots of help, advice and access to parts here.
Have fun with it!!
I posted some of the pics I sent you and a couple of others on the post: 'Let the good times roll'
Nothing like pictures from the past to remind yourself that once that motorcycle bug gets in your blood, it's there forever, even in my case after a 23 year absence.

Cheers!
Chris

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:05 am

Nice pics......thanks!

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:27 am

nick40- Thanks. I'll definately get some pics for ya.

f4fast- Thanks.

Jebbysan- Thanks. Wish I still had the SR. It was a clean one. It was also the newest one you could get with rear disc, they went to drum in '80. Mad

bluenoser- Thanks. The only thing my dad added was the rack. Gordon (the gentleman who bought it from my dad) installed the fairing, backrest and Supertrapp 4-1. If you look close there's also a mount on the back for towing a trailer! Shocked

I'm keeping this bike 'till I'm pushin' up daisys. lol

Chris- Thanks again.

sixdog- Thanks.

I haven't decided if I want to go full restoration or just paint the bodywork, clean it up and ride it. It's got 30,500 miles on the clock. Any advice? Wink

And I gotta tell you guys, I have as much fun riding old bikes as I do the late model stuff. I went for a dirt bike ride this afternoon and guess which bike I took? The ol' '84 TT600. It was a mud-slingin' good time! Very Happy

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:49 pm

nick40, here's some pics for ya. Let me know if you want more specific shots.
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Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:58 pm

Great story, mine belonged to my uncle who also passed away unexpectedly...the bike sat for a number of years before it was given to me two years ago. Hang onto it and keep it in the family.

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:01 pm

Howdy everyone!
It's been a while but I finally got the bike running! Woohoo! It only took two times pulling the carbs apart and a little over a year to do it. Laughing

It sounds really good for 30,000 plus miles. I think the primary chain is a bit stretched though.
Gonna install a new battery this afternoon and then tackle the stuck brakes. More to come...

Guest

Still pluggin away at 'er! Good stuff. I bet your Dad would be proud. I know the guy who has my brothers old GS1000. He was killed on it 23 years ago. It was offered to me, but I still don't know if I can accept it. Maybe one day, who knows.

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 2:12 am

Great to see you are still working on bringing it back. It will be a true joy once you have it done. I look forward to seeing the completed pics. An act of Love can sometimes take many years to get fulfilled.

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 2:40 am

Jebbysan wrote:

Love that SR500.......nothin' like a thumper!
One of these days I'll buy an Ascot to beat on Dead Horse 2

Yep, the SR and the Ascott, both exceptionally cool bikes!

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 3:44 am

Thanks guys.
Well, I installed the new battery and conquered the stuck brakes. Removed the calipers from the bike and removed the pistons. Cleaned all the corrosion out and steel wooled the pistons. Reinstalled everything and flushed/bled them. The rear turned out killer but the fronts a bit mushy. That's alright, I can take care of that later. The main thing is the calipers work primo now.
Took 'er out for a little ride. It runs and rides excellent however it starts breaking up a bit around 6500-7000 rpm. Up to that point it's perfect. Idles smooth, crisp throttle response and pulls very strong without so much as a hiccup until the 7000 rpm deal. Possibly coils? I still have to check/adjust the valves too.
Here she is as of now. Haven't cleaned 'er at all yet. The side covers are from a '79 parts bike I picked up a few months ago. Other than the finish they're perfect. All the prongs and no cracks.

The mileage.

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 8:00 am

Onya, Bruce.
Nothing as good as a story with feeling, my OM also went at 57 in 77, now I'm 10 yrs older than him, always used to think he was stupid, but as I got older, for some reason, he got smarter. Smile

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 12:48 pm

Nice story Bruce, and the bike is looking great. I see you have it back to how your dad had it without the fairing. That Supertrapp exhaust looks awesome on the bike.

You'll iron out the little kinks in no time, and you know where you can turn if you need help.

Keep us all posted on your progress.

Tom