Topic: Another new guy, Tank question.

[donmillerx]

Hello all,
First post here.
I've been a member for quite some time over on an XS650 forum and recently joined up and asked this over on another CB site but just wanted to be clear...

Sorry if it's been asked multiple times before but I picked up this awesome CB750 tank at a garage sale, just because I couldn't pass it up. As much as I'd like to keep it, I posted it up for sale a few days ago on Craigslist, and I've already got someone that might interested in it but have a couple questions.

Is there an easy way to determine the year between 69'-72... and are they interchangeable? It appears to be a 72' but really, I'm not sure how to confirm it. He's looking for a 71'. Is there a difference in the tunnel width or how they mount up? I suspect he's looking to avoid any fabrication.

Ive gotten some conflicting info so far but the stamped number on the bottom reads: S4M15.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
Cheers.

-Don M.

[Stev-o]

Does it have original paint? If yes, easier to determine what year it may have come on.
Can you post a pic?

A '71 will fit a '72 and vise versa.  How much are you asking? If in good cond, I may be interested. 

[Johnie]

Yah, post a pic and you will get your answer and probably a good sale on this board.

[Tews19]

Pm'ed you if Stev-o passes

[donmillerx]

Haha, oops...
I knew I was forgetting something.
Photos would help.

Thanks for the quick response.
Original paint. Great condition. A little surface rust. No petcock.
Buyer said he'd be interested in it for $250.

If, for whatever reason it doesn't sell... I'll definitely let you know.
I'm in the Detroit area, if that helps.

Thanks again!

[Stev-o]

Looks like a 71 to me.

All yours Tews.

[Tews19]

If interested in sellin let me know. Can you post pics of the inside? I'm near Milwaukee if we can work out a deal I would drive done

[Trevdawg]

Looks good

[Johnie]

I'm thinking KO (69-70) tank as the KO had the black HONDA tank badge. The K1 started with the white letters. However, Honda did seem to use whatever was available when switching over to the next model / style.

[Stev-o]

Good point Johnie.

But do we really know if it is original paint/emblems?

[Johnie]

Correct Steveo...not sure on that. The solid silver tank edging at the bottom vs the black stripe tank edging that came on the K1's is also a clue if OEM. I wonder if the inside is rust free???

[Tews19]

Maybe you are interested in trading it for a 75 550F super sport tank with knee dents/?

[donmillerx]

My pologies for the delay.
I finally got a minute to snap some photos of the inside today:

There is definitely some rust building up. Would love to clean it out and seal it asap but from what I've been reading, there are quite a few differing opinions on the right ways to go about it.

I did get another offer this week, this time for $350 but they seem to be fetching even more on ebay, so it might be worth the little extra effort.

Thanks again to everybody for trying to narrow down the year.
Is it right to assume that if it's 100% original… it would probably be a 69' or 70'?

Not really looking to trade for another, right now… I wouldn't even have the frame to put it on. Haha.

Thanks again,
-D

[BeSeeingYou]

On that pic of the underside the right side (of the pic) looks a bit dicey.   The look of the pitting on the hump under the gas cap makes we wonder how bad it is further down.  I wouldn't trust it not to spring leaks after a good cleaning.

[Tews19]

Yikes, if you got offered 350, take it and run. The underside is horrible on the left side of the pic. SRUST, I think you are correct, looks more like a hassle after cleaning the inside. It's possible that the left side will crumble after cleaning.

I understand you want the best deal but the tank isn't a 69'. Please don't try to sell as if it were either. It doesn't have the proper markers.

 The great thing about this site is how members here will help out a person who signed up for the mere fact to get info to sell a product they have no intentions to keep.

If you went to a different site, most likely would have been flamed, been given #$%*ty responses and ultimately left here with nothing gained.

I hope you gained some insight.

If a person sees the tank in person and notices the bottom rusted area, don't be surprised if they pass or offer a completely different price.

Good luck though

[Johnie]

That was my first thought too. Surface rust is one thing, but the pitting would have me concerned about pin holes. Been there with the KO tank and had pin holes show up. You could have it lined, but beware as even the pros damage the paint at the radiator shops. Might want to sell it "as is" and let the new owner worry about it. It will cost you over $125 to have a radiator shop do it which was what I paid and that was 4 years ago. Like I mentioned in a post above, I paid $350 for a NOS tank a couple years ago, but it was spotless inside and still had the oil protection inside from Honda. After seeing the inside and underside pics it is not worth $250. Take what you can, but please be honest to the buyer. That rust on the bottom could be a major deal requiring welding, etc.

EDIT: You may want to edit your ad to remove the "excellent condition" part and add the inside and underside pics you were honest to show us. Good luck with your sale.

[bjatwood]

Personally, I wouldn't buy anything from somebody that just jumped on the site and posted up pics of a tank he wants too much money for! Just sayin....BEWARE

[Tews19]

Yeah, not piling on but I would remove the excellent as well. Johnie's example is in excellent shape. Use that as reference.

[lostmykeys]

 I wouldnt buy anything from a resident of Detroit #1 most dangerous city in the US,look it up.

[lone*X]

The vast majority of people living and working in Detroit are honest hardworking folks.  Judge people on who they are personally, not on a statistic.  That isn't cool, it more like geographic profiling.

[Tews19]

The vast majority of people living and working in Detroit are honest hardworking folks.  Judge people on who they are personally, not on a statistic.  That isn't cool, it more like geographic profiling.

plus 1....

My neighbor is from Detriot. I asked him after reading this, he said there are parts so bad you do not want to visit. Anyways

[BeSeeingYou]

I wouldnt buy anything from a resident of Detroit #1 most dangerous city in the US,look it up.

Probably no more dangerous than a place with folks living in mobile home compounds with multiple wives.

[donmillerx]

Sorry guys.
I do apologize, I guess it was poor manners to join up here and immediately ask for advice regarding the tank. Thanks for being cool about it.

I definitely appreciate the help and although I might not have an old Honda (yet), I've got a 70's Yamaha XS650 and I dig all vintage Japanese motorcycles… It's just a matter of time.

Unfortunately, you were totally right… it's a shame too, I had no idea.
I tried some left over evaporust in the tank today and sure enough, she bled right out of tiny pin holes. 

Not sure now if I'll bother with ebay or just hang it on my wall.
It's definitely sad but I didn't really want to see it go anyway.

lol @ lostmykeys
Don't worry, I don't think too many gang bangers off of the mean streets of the motor city are trolling vintage motorcycle forums… haha.

-But watch out for the guys on bicycles!

Thanks again to everybody.

[lostmykeys]

Donmillerx,
 That was perfect response and that picture and the timing were priceless...hats off to you!
 Srust, I wish I had mutiple wives never mind no I dont as one is enough for me.
 Oh I dont live in a mobile home compound...I live in a van down by the river.I get my internet conection from a tree that makes power.
 I am from California, I lived in Texas 20 years,I lived in the midwest for a very long 13 years.
 I am a salesman and I have seen some places that need to be cleaned up some and Detroit freaked me out alot! but so does St Louis and Atlanta and I'll just stop there.
 I chose to live in Utah because I like the mountains.
 

[Tews19]

#$%*ty on the tank. But stick around if you get a CB.

[Johnie]

Yah Don, you were totally cool about the hole thing. And I must admit the honest type to post those pics that showed that tank for what it truly was. I have seen some guys do like you and give it a nice coat of wax and hang it on the wall. Good talking piece. Others have actually made a lamp with the tank as the base. It is a cool piece though. I do want to welcome you to the forum even if you just popped on to tell us about the tank. I have a feeling you will be back with a SOHC in the future. There are a number of SOHC's that pop up in your area from time to time. Hope you can land one soon. You can even pop over to the "wanted" area of this board to let the guys know what you may be looking for. Good luck in your search...
Johnie
WI

[Tews19]

HMM, hanging up on a wall? I could really use some art. Would you be interested in selling still? I may be interested in it for art but not willing to pay crazy money. If so, let me know

[Hinomaru]

Welcome to the forums!

Candy gold is introduced 1/70 beginning with frame no: 1019210. Honda had two different 1970-71 candy gold tanks by part number.

Early tank: 17500-300-030CQ  used from frame: 1019210 to 1055209
Late tank:  17500-300-040CQ  used from frame: 1055210 to end of production

17500-300-030CQ is superseded by 17500-300-040CQ. Your tank could be either early or late production. It all comes down to which KO/K1 model trim is applied to the tank, then it becomes correct.

[Stev-o]

#$%*ty on the tank. But stick around if you get a CB.

Stick around even if you don't have a CB. There is a thread "other bikes", a couple guys on here have XS's, great bikes.

Thanks for being honest about the tank, takes a real man to do that. And great pic!