Author Topic: 750K6 First Attempt (Read 6701 times)

JeffSTL · « **on:** June 28, 2012, 06:00:16 PM »

So, since it's a million degrees here today, I figured I would start one of these threads.

This is my first motorcycle. There was really no decision to be made, the CB750 was the only bike for me. The search was long and exhausting...about two years to find a suitable runner that was mostly stock locally. Being my first m/c I wanted something running and in decent shape. I came across plenty of basket cases, junkers, cafes (nothing against cafes if that is your thing, but to me there is not a more beautiful m/c than a stock 750k) and plenty of people with much better cameras than bikes.

Finally found one about three months ago, a 1976 CB750K. I really wanted a '72 or earlier but could not pass on this one. She had 6983 miles and was all stock and original except for the rear tire, exhaust, and battery.

So, here is the project:
After cleaning off the 22 years of storage (in the excitement i didn't even think off snapping a before pic)

What I've done so far:
I have been slowly cleaning her up and replacing some of the bits that aren't supposed to last 36 years. I want to keep it all stock and as original as possible.

Did the 3000 mile maintenance and was running ok, but should be better.

Cleaned out the garage to have a suitable place to work.

New front tire to replace what looked to be a perfectly good F6 GoldSeal with a 1975 date stamp.

Replaced turn signal relay with electronic flasher(couldn't deal with it's erratic function based on battery charge.)

Thought my mirrors were rusted to hell

Turns out they just had the factory plastic from shipping baked on to them...peeled right off! OK some of it required some scraping.

Good as new!

Brake fluid was REALLY OLD and gunked up causing the front break to freeze up

All cleaned up and working perfectly.

To where I am now. Just pulled the carbs off for a thorough cleaning and hopefully a much better running bike when I'm finished.

Haven't checked the float height yet but could see that #2 was way off.

To do list:

Finish carbs
Replace chain
Get new Boots? and velocity stacks for carbs
Drop oil pan and search for treasures
HM341's
Have swing arm powder coated
Replace original brake shoes (read the horror stories recently)
Replace Fork oil
New fuel lines
Replace trim bottom right of tank
etc.

This forum has been an incredible resource. Thank you to everyone.

dhall57 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2012, 06:06:32 PM »

Welcome to the sohc4 forum Jeff. Good looking K6, there great bikes. I know because I've got one too

harisuluv · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2012, 02:31:17 AM »

Nice find! Check out the miles on that odometer!

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2012, 03:54:35 AM »

Wow! Good things come to those who wait. Protective plastic still on the mirrors! You have found an increasingly rare gem.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2012, 07:50:10 AM »

Barely ridden. Nice find!

jerry h · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2012, 09:39:51 AM »

NICE! Your cleaned up "before" picture looks like a new bike! Too bad with only 7k, the HM341's got replaced.... I'm watching.

HonderCB · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2012, 03:45:28 PM »

nice bike man. What electronic flasher did you use?

I'm not too far away from you, maybe i will see you at vintage bike night in StL first monday of the month

JeffSTL · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2012, 05:48:20 PM »

Thanks everyone.

I'm afraid the progress might be painfully slow. My motorcycle fund has recently been robbed for a new washer and dryer and very expensive repairs to my kids violin.

I will probably have a lot of questions and here are a few.

Do velocity stacks typically look like this after 36yrs?

Are they normally flattened out against the separator in the air box?

I'm assuming I will need to replace these. They fit pretty loose should they be glued into place or sealed in some way or will new ones fit tightly?

JeffSTL · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2012, 05:53:50 PM »

HonderCB,

Here is the flasher I put on. Picked it up off a clearance rack at Advanced Auto Parts for 2bux. It is two prong and on the K, black wire plugs on the L terminal and grey wire to the X. Works perfectly.

There is a green ground wire in the harness there but since it wasn't hooked up the the original relay I just left it hanging were it was.

JeffSTL · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2012, 05:53:50 AM »

Cleaned the carbs and put new fuel lines on. Still need to sync them. Anyone in the St. Louis area have sync gauges?
Running much bettet now. The throttle response is instant and the rpms drop right back down now. Took it for a 20mile test ride last night. Getting some popping on decel. I'm guessing a little lean because it seems to be running hot. Probably need to check the timing after the carb cleaning too.

Johnie · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2012, 06:09:02 AM »

Great looking bike. Did you replace those air box rubbers? They should fit snug. The old ones are hard and will be very lose in there. How about a little story on how you got it and what the previous owner (PO) said about the bike and why it sat for so long. Nice find and enjoy. You will get plenty of envious looks on that...

JeffSTL · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2012, 07:24:37 AM »

Thanks John. First I have to say I am envious of your beautiful bikes and the new shop. Great job!
My bike shows it's age a little with some pitting in the chrome.

I did not replace the rubbers yet. Money is really tight and we are going on vacation next month. I will see what is left from my vacation funds before ordering parts..

The story to the best of my knowledge: PO in his later 50's had been thinking about getting a motorcycle to enjoy with his girlfriend and happened upon this one at the estate of the original owner who had passed. He put a new battery in, a new back tire and gassed it up. He is a big boy, 300+ and said his girl is of similar size and they just don't fit on the bike. Said he was selling it for a down payment on a harley. He was asking $3200, I got it for $2500. He was a super nice guy and as far as I can tel didn't mess anything up.

JeffSTL · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2012, 07:28:50 AM »

Sorry trying to type on my phone is an adventure.
Anyway, I don't have an epic barn find our inheritance story. Just glad it somehow found it's way to me

Johnie · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2012, 11:36:58 AM »

I appreciate the kind words Jeff. Hold onto the bike for sure. It will only go up in value. My problem is I have a problem selling a CB750 that I completed. That is how I ended up with them. I have no problem selling the other bikes you see listed. There is something about the aurora of the CB750 that goes back to my youth in the 70's. That bike was thought of as a pinnacle of motorcycle stature. You will find that out as you cruise the roads and get the lookers. That low mileage find is once in a lifetime and I found mine with last years project the K3 with 5,360 miles on it, so I know where you are coming from my friend. You will be amazed at how the 341's will dress the bike up. Just do not forget to include pics...we like pics here...

Edit: Don't worry about the oxidation on the motor side covers. You can polish that off when you are ready and have the time. It is a messy job, but the end result is phenominal.

bjbuchanan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2012, 08:22:58 PM »

Just the other day i reconditioned my airbox along with some Hondaman mods. A couple of months ago i wanted to do the wintergreen/xylene mix for carb boots. I could only locally get xylene in a big jug. I bought it and soaked the carb boots for like a week and they were nice and soft after so it worked great.

Now for the relevant part for you. I disassembled the airbox and removed those stiff stacks( mine were ridiculously stiff I thought I was gonna break em) and soaked them in the straight xylene for i would say 12 hrs or so and they are super soft and pliable now. They aren't as tough as the carb boots so they soften up much faster and are just like new.

Bottom line. Money is tight. $18 big jug of xylene makes carb and airbox boots brand spankin new saving you like 100$. Just think about all the other small rubber bits you can recondition too

HonderCB · « **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2012, 05:18:03 PM »

jeff, were you at vintage bike night on Monday? there were 2 K6's there that color. My bike was down towards the end of the row on the south east end

JeffSTL · « **Reply #16 on:** September 12, 2012, 05:45:29 PM »

Yes, finally made it out. I was parked nearer the middle not far from the beer on the south side, next to the Triumph Trophy untill a scooter wedged in. I was suprised to see so many CBs. Saw a couple really nice super sports. I guess one of them was yours?

JeffSTL · « **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2012, 05:53:31 PM »

Someone took some pics on facebook.

HonderCB · « **Reply #18 on:** September 12, 2012, 06:25:26 PM »

yea i know where you were, i was standing right next to there when you pulled out, you were wearing an orange helmet. Your bike looked and sounded great. I'll be sure to say hi next time now that i know its you.

ps here was my bike, pic taken from someone who posted them on the facebook page:

JeffSTL · « **Reply #19 on:** September 12, 2012, 07:07:41 PM »

That was me. I saw yours for sure. Thought yours might have been the nicest one there.

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Author Topic: 750K6 First Attempt (Read 6701 times)