Topic: 74 CB750 and a 77CB750K Barn Find

[Cowhead83]

I just Picked up a few bikes from a friend of mine whos brother had passed away and they were in his barn..  I got a 74 CB750 and a 77 CB750K and I guess i had the option of taking a few others like a 78 750R and a older 450 not sure on the year..  So anyhow I have the 77 and thats pretty much complete except for the Air Box is missing and the Exhaust has been cut off.  I also have the 74 CB750 that is missing the Tank and the seat and the side covers.  So I am thinking of turning that into a bobber. So I am asuming that the bikes have been sitting since the late 80's both motors turn when use the kick start.  So what do you think these bikes are worth?  Ill try and get some pictures or something here soon but the are not in the best condition but not in the worst condition either..   What would be my first steps to trying to get these suckers to turn over?  Also can i get keys made for something this old?  I have no keys for either of them..   So if anyone has any good ideas let me know and let me know what my first steps to getting these bikes back on the road.  One more thing the 74 has the inverted front fork and Mag wheels..  Where can i find a set of Mag wheels for the 77? Does this mean the 74 is a super sport??

[Gurp]

Should hhave grabbed the 450 too lol. Sounds like a good haul none the less cant wait to see pics.

[Cowhead83]

Well I think there was two 450's not sure on year they were pretty stripped down and than there was a frame for another one with just a motor under a bunch of stuff but it was to hard to get to I noticed that the top of the motor had a small lip that stood up on the side of the valve cover so im not 100% sure on what the difference is on these old bikes.
So are my 77 and 74 the same frame?  they look pretty much the same to me and how tough do you think its gonna be to get these things running and can i get keys made somewhere?  I only paid $100 for both bikes and if I want the rest i can probally get the 2 450's and the one that im not sure on and that 78 for about $250

[Johnie]

Welcome to the board...the bikes are worth a bit more if you got the titles with them. Regarding will they start...one reason this board is here is these bikes are very reliable and usually start right up with minimal work depending on how they were found and if the previous owner did not hack the wiring and stuff. Try hondakeys.com  There is a number on the front of your ignition switch on the 74. The 77 I think it will be found on the shaft of the ignition. That is the number you will need to provide to the key place. I do not think the 74 and 77 frame are interchangeable. 1977 was the year Honda changed the style to a little newer look from the 69 - 76 CB750's, but I will let someone else confirm that for you as I am not 100% on that one.

[Cowhead83]

He has titles for the bikes we checked all the vin numbers on the ones we could get to and he had the titles on hand.   Here is a picture of my 74 if it will upload...

[Johnie]

By looking at the blinkers it appears to be a K5 model with taller aftermarket handlebars and expensive aftermarket rims.

[Gurp]

Check those wheels and see if they say lester anywhere oon them if they do you got a 1000$ set of wheels lmao. Like said already they arnt real hard to get running. Im no expert but there are plenty of them around to guide you with the most accurate info about your bikes. Good luck.

[Stev-o]

Welcome. The 74 is not a SS model, I think Johnie is correct, a K5 model. (CB750K).

And yes, those may be valuable wheels, but may not have the Lester name where you can see it (it's usually in the drum brake area).  They are no longer made.

Here is another place to get keys...

http://www.motorcyclekeys.com/vintage.html

Good luck and have fun with your new toys!

[Cowhead83]

Well that would be great if I had a set of Lesters I guess I don't know a whole lot about them or what they are worth..  How would I refinish them if they are lesters?  and how do i find out if they are for sure a Lester Wheel?  and whats the difference between a K0, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, ETC I see it on some of them but i have no idea what that even means..  Someone please give me some education over here..

[Stev-o]

If you can post some better pics, we will be able to verify the wheels.

K0 -K8 are the different models of the CB750.  Generally, but not always, a K1 will be a '71, K4 a 74 on so on. But you would have to confirm this with the VIN numbers. The models did not always change with the year.

The earlier models are the most collectable and valuable, especially K0. You'll learn all thisvin time.

So what's your plan? I'd say clean it up!

[Cowhead83]

Ok so I took pictures of the Wheels and the VIN are there any particular years or Makes of the motor that has more ponies? anyone know a good place to get carb kits and gasket sets and piston and main bearings just to totally go thru the entire motor? I guess my main Plans were to buy a hard tail kit and stretch it out 5 IN and run it like a bobber but I see alot of people restoring them too so I guess as of now im kinda up in the air about it all.  I know i need a fuel tank and I noticed the front Caliper is missing too DOH!! and the side covers are missing the emblems and I think it may get spendy to restore

[Stev-o]

The earlier motors had slightly more HP, but compared to modern sport bikes, they are no speed demons.
How many miles does the motor have? May not need rebuild. I had onecthat had 60K+ miles and still ran good. A compression check is in order.
I don't know the Lesters that well, but your wheels do look like them. 

[Cowhead83]

I have 31000 on the 74 and 17000 on the 77

[Cowhead83]

So as I am looking thru some of the Forums I see people saying they have a 1975 CB750 K or a F whats the deal with all theses letters and how do i know exactly what mine are?  I attached a picture of the VIN but how do you find out how to decode the VIN on these bikes?  Im gonna need to know exactly what I have so i can start ordering parts for it...

[toytuff]

Best thing to do is stick your eyes on this site and read all you can. It will all come together in time.

Nice find on the Honda's! Welcome to the site and we have a wealth of information here. I learn something everyday. 

tt

[Johnie]

The F bike is the Super Sport model. Sort of a sporty version 750 with 4 into 1 pipes and some styling changes. You have the CB750K5. By the VIN tag you can see it was built in Sept. 1974. Was then titled as a 1975 I would suspect. Honda starting doing their model changes in like August or Sept. so that is why a 1974 build could be titled as a 1975 and be the K5 model. Here is some more info on your bike:

The CB750K5 Four was sold in 1975 and was available in one of two colors: Planet Blue Metallic or Flake Apricot Red. The instrument faces were dark green. The speedometer numbers were increments of 10 (i.e., 10, 20, 30, 40, etc.). The side covers were smaller than the K0 model and there were no slots on the leading edge. The upper forks were chrome. The white tank pinstripe was wider than the K3 model. The headlight shell was black. The taillight and side reflectors were larger than the K1 model. There was a two-throttle cable system (pull open and pull closed). The exhaust system was a 4-into-4. The engine was a 736cc SOHC 2-valve dry sump inline 4 cylinder linked to a 5-speed transmission and chain drive.

Serial Number
Frame: CB750-2500001
Engine: CB750E-2372115