Author Topic: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild  (Read 49490 times)

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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #50 on: December 27, 2012, 09:49:29 AM »
I like your cam chain tensioner!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline swan

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #51 on: December 27, 2012, 11:06:05 AM »
Surly Furious IPA, one of Minnesota's finest! Whatever is at hand.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13014/28203
1975 CB400 F cafes, 1974 CB750 K4 Cafe, 1966/1976 Triumph/ Norton Triton Cafe and 1962 DBD34 BSA Gold Star Clubman.

CB750 build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52551.0

Offline mwvachon

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #52 on: January 08, 2013, 07:38:46 PM »
Looking very sweet there swan!
M.W.Vachon
2014 CB1100 Deluxe
1999 Valkyrie I/S
1971 CB750-K1 (Candy Gold)
1971 CB750-K1 (Candy Red)
Project link: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=108498.0]
1965 Honda S90
1976 GL1000
1975 CB400F

Offline iron_worker

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #53 on: January 09, 2013, 06:20:12 AM »
Wowzers. Looking very good man.

Hope you didn't forget the dowel/seal for the large oil galley at the front/center of the case. lol

IW

Offline swan

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #54 on: January 13, 2013, 11:34:58 AM »
IW, got the dowel and seal in.


Quick update: Cycle X has not sent my valves and guides yet. I was told by a friend their online ordering system sucks and I need to call them tomorrow, grrr.... I removed out the bad exhaust valve guides.


The stator rotor cover was a nightmare. The bike must have been down and the were scrapes and scratches up to 1/8" deep. None of the parts motors in our shop were any better so I washed it in my fancy new parts washer.





Then I hand filed, sanded with random orbit and  bench top sanders, hand sanded from 150 to 1500 grit then buffed and polished on the grinder. I got rid of most, but not all, the scars. It is much better, but not mirror perfect, but I can live with it. I repainted the black parts with Testors black model paint and a small brush. I replaced the outer screws with allen bolts because I could not find panhead (cheese) crews with a small enough diameter to fit the cover.


That's it for now.
1975 CB400 F cafes, 1974 CB750 K4 Cafe, 1966/1976 Triumph/ Norton Triton Cafe and 1962 DBD34 BSA Gold Star Clubman.

CB750 build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52551.0

Offline SF

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #55 on: January 14, 2013, 09:20:09 AM »
chicks dig scars
92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline swan

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #56 on: January 23, 2013, 09:28:05 AM »
Cycle-X, WTF? Never again.

I have never ordered from them before but two of my friends have with one minor problem.

On January 5th I ordered a set of valve guides and 4 exhaust valves for my CB750 K4 through their website, paying with Paypal. By January 14 I heard nothing from them, no package (they are 3 hours away from me, 1 day shipping), no confirmation or tracking information. I called and although they were friendly on the phone, they blamed USPS for the loss of the package. A few hours later I get an email with a USPS tracking number. They never sent a tracking number with my original order on Jan 5 (ie. they never processed or sent my original order).

My valves and guides arrive on January 18. I get to my shop, crack a beer and sit down to work on my cylinder head and realized they sent intake valves instead of exhaust. WTF? I called and rather then return the intake valves in exchange for exhaust valves, I decided to order 4 more exhaust valves, keep the intake valves and install all new valves in my head.


Today, Jan 23  a 12" x 12" x 12" box just arrived with ONE exhaust valve. Seriously, WTF? Now I am pissed and stunned by the incompetence. I try to shop regionally and support small businesses, but I will NEVER order from Cycle-X again.  Three strikes, they are out.


My machinist has my head reading to go, waiting for valves to arrive but he is leaving the country on Monday for a few weeks. Now my engine will sit unfinished until his return. Had they sent what I originally ordered in a timely manner, my motor would be done and installed. Now my project is stalled. Cycle-X, WTF? Never again.
1975 CB400 F cafes, 1974 CB750 K4 Cafe, 1966/1976 Triumph/ Norton Triton Cafe and 1962 DBD34 BSA Gold Star Clubman.

CB750 build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52551.0

Offline iron_worker

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #57 on: January 23, 2013, 10:20:16 AM »
Ouch. That sucks man. My parts are with them right now so hopefully they don't mess up my order...

IW

Offline mwvachon

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #58 on: January 24, 2013, 03:17:15 PM »
Hey Swan,

I feel your pain. I'm on my 3rd salvage motor (trying to find something that's not too damaged or has decent bearing seats) and expected to be past my own engine rebuild by this time. I'm realizing that I want this to be done right and have to suck up the setbacks as occur. I suppose I could start zinc plating all the hex fasteners and shiny bits I plan to reuse while waiting word on my latest set of cases... It is good to share experiences with various suppliers also. I've had good luck with a couple Kawasaki resto sites for some of the various CB750 parts they carry. Check out Z1-Parts and Z1 Enterprises.
M.W.Vachon
2014 CB1100 Deluxe
1999 Valkyrie I/S
1971 CB750-K1 (Candy Gold)
1971 CB750-K1 (Candy Red)
Project link: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=108498.0]
1965 Honda S90
1976 GL1000
1975 CB400F

Offline swan

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #59 on: January 31, 2013, 03:20:51 PM »
Update, I just got off the phone with Ken the owner of Cycle-X. He was very upset over my vendor reviews and the poor performance of his employees representing him and his business. He explained he is a mechanic first, a business person second and he has had problems with his newly upgraded online system and some of his workers. Fair enough, I understand and explained I was upset with a simple order being screwed up 4 times. He wanted to let me know he waived the cost and shipping for the three exhaust valves that recently arrived. Without an invoice in my last shipment, I did not realize he had done so. Thank you Ken for doing this and making it right. I did not ask for this, I just wanted what I ordered.

Ken was convinced I was out to "save the Honda world from his business" by "making it my mission in life" to "post bad reviews everywhere possible" and told me he would "come down Winona right now" to discuss this. Sorry to disappoint Ken, it is not my mission life to destroy you, your business or save the Honda world, again I simply wanted what I paid for in a timely manner, nothing more, nothing less, just what all customers expect.

I posted and linked this review three times on this forum and twice on the Do the Ton forums so other members could make an informed decision on which vendor to use. Both forums offer "vendor review" sections. I have updated all my reviews stating Cycle-X sent three valves for free to make up for their errors, (thanks again). Despite being upset over the multiple problems with and the length of my order, I kept my review factual without name calling or threats. I did not post "bad reviews everywhere possible" and explained I did not post in such places as on Yelp, Facebook, the Better Business Bureau or on any other forums, user groups or social media sites.

If Cycle-X sorts out their systemic and personnel problems, I would consider ordering from them again in the future. As stated in my initial post, I try to support small and regional businesses. Ken, if you are in Winona, you are welcome to stop by my shop, have a beer and talk old bikes.
1975 CB400 F cafes, 1974 CB750 K4 Cafe, 1966/1976 Triumph/ Norton Triton Cafe and 1962 DBD34 BSA Gold Star Clubman.

CB750 build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52551.0

Offline Viktor.J

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Re: 1974 Honda CB750 K4 Cafe Racer rebuild
« Reply #60 on: February 03, 2013, 01:50:51 AM »
Then I hand filed, sanded with random orbit and  bench top sanders, hand sanded from 150 to 1500 grit then buffed and polished on the grinder. I got rid of most, but not all, the scars. It is much better, but not mirror perfect, but I can live with it. I repainted the black parts with Testors black model paint and a small brush. I replaced the outer screws with allen bolts because I could not find panhead (cheese) crews with a small enough diameter to fit the cover.


That's it for now.

Hey man, great job with the alternator cover. I recently did the same and mine look like its been laying on field after WWII, so I know how hard it is the get it 100%. Mine still have some scars left also but, it's still miles better then before :)
Im going to repaint the "honda" logo black as stock. But did you use only the model paint ? no primer or clear coat ?

Great work so far ! 
Please ! Take a look and give me feedback in my project thread, its much needed :)
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112745.0

Honda CB750 K2