CB750F Restoration Update: Tools Are Piling Up

There’s something funny about a CB750F restoration that hasn’t actually started yet. The bike isn’t here. The lift hasn’t arrived. And somehow, my garage is filling up with tools. That’s where things stand with the 1976 Honda CB750F project right now, and honestly, I’m good with it.

This whole build is going to be documented from the very beginning, and that means the prep work is part of the story. So here’s what’s been happening while I wait for the motorcycle itself to show up.

The Ultrasonic Cleaner

This one started in the Discord. A few guys were talking about cleaning carburetors with an ultrasonic cleaner, and I filed that away. Then I’m scrolling through the Harbor Freight circular a couple days later and there it is: a 2.5 liter ultrasonic cleaner. Regular price $99, marked down to $80 for Inside Track members.

I did the math. There was also a 20% off coupon for Inside Track members. So I’m thinking 80 bucks minus another 16 gets me to about 65. I texted my dad, told him about it, and he said something like, “We don’t need it, but it could come in handy.” That was enough for me.

So I drive down to Harbor Freight, grab the unit, and head to the register. The cashier scans it, it rings up at 80 bucks, and I ask about the extra 20% for Inside Track members. Turns out the discounts don’t stack. When something is already on sale through the Inside Track program, the coupon doesn’t apply on top of it.

Fine. I get it. But she really explained it. Like, at length. I didn’t need the lecture. I just wanted to know if I could save a few more bucks. The short answer was no, so I paid the 80 and moved on. Still a solid tool to have – even if it wasn’t the deal I thought it would be.

The Media Blast Cabinet and Compressor

Right after I got home and texted my dad to let him know I picked up the ultrasonic cleaner, he throws a curveball at me. “Do you have room for a media blast cabinet?”

He’s got a benchtop media blast cabinet that he wants to bring over for the project. And then, before I even process that, he follows it up with, “Do you have an air compressor?” I told him I’ve got a small Porter Cable pancake compressor. Good for nail guns. Not going to run an air tool.

His response: he’s got a 5-horsepower Campbell Hausfeld air compressor that will run air tools. He’s planning to bring that too.

So now I’ve got inbound: the motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight (still on its way), the air compressor, and the media blast cabinet. And the bike itself. The walls are definitely starting to close in a little, but this is exactly the kind of setup you want for a restoration project. I’d rather have too much than not enough.

A Side Note on Filming the Build

This part isn’t strictly CB750F related, but it’s been on my mind. I came across a video from Goofy over on the Goofy Bastard channel. He was doing a first-person car wash video, nothing unusual. But right after that, I saw a clip he posted in the Discord of him pulling the carbs off his V-Max, both hands free, first-person view.

I immediately started thinking about how I’m going to film the build content on this restoration. A camera set up to the side doesn’t really show you what’s happening when you’re working on something. And I’m not about to wear a helmet with a motovlog setup in my garage.

So I asked Goofy how he was doing it. Turns out he picked up a pair of Oakley Meta glasses. The video quality, the sound, the hands-free capability, all of it looks great. And they are not cheap. Not in the cards for me right now, but for a restoration build where you’re trying to show people what’s actually going on at arm’s length, they’d be a really useful tool. Maybe down the road.

Where Things Stand

Still no bike. The lift should be here in the next couple of weeks, and once that arrives, you’ll start seeing actual motorcycle content. Right now it’s logistics and prep, but it’s all moving in the right direction.

The 1976 CB750F isn’t in the driveway yet, but the garage is getting ready for it.

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Ride With Me

If you want to follow along with the CB750F restoration as it unfolds, subscribe to the WaltInPA YouTube channel so you don’t miss any updates. If you know someone who’s got a project bike sitting in their garage, share this post with them. And come hang out in the WaltInPA Discord where there are already people talking carbs, ultrasonic cleaners, and what it takes to bring an old Honda back to life.