Topic: 1972 or 1973 CB750 ??

[dooger54]

Hope someone can help identify year of this bike. 

Looks to me like the frame number indicates a 1972, but other indicators note a 1973.  I believe the olive green color was only available in 1973?  The engine ID tag is almost worn off, but it looks like the first two numbers are 22.  That would indicate a 1972?

Bike has been in storage for 15 years, has 8700 miles .  This is actual according to owner.  Condition of everything would agree with that. 

Perplexed in Illinois.


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[KC_Northstar]

Engine number starting with 22 indicates a K3.   Frame number is K2.  side cover emblems appear to be K3 or later.
Does it have the extra push button switch on the left control?  It was a button that canceled the turn signal beeper
and was only on a K2. 

  KC

[acollin]

It looks like 1973 paint on a 1972 bike. There are a few oddities that separate the 72 from the 73.

For example: are there one or two buttons on the left hand handle bar switches? 2 buttons are from 1972-- one button is most liked 1973 or later.

Tough to see any detail in your pictures, but there a few parts differences in the two models.

[KC_Northstar]

Also, How many fuses does it have.   K2 had one fuse.  K3 had the fuse box with multiple circuits and fuses.

[harisuluv]

The plate is 72, didn't roll over to the next year til sept.

Tank decal is definitely post 72 giveaway but I have seen lots of changes in that year and some 72 came out with some 73 styling. Ie brake caliper arm and bracket is even listed on microfiche as both older and newer style cause a switch was made.

That said, looks like you have some swapping of parts.  Chain guide, fork ears, maybe unicorn, tank and side covers look like a repaint to me.

[acollin]

The seat looks like a 1972-- are the gauges structured in a rhino? Rhino dropped in 1973-- last year for rhino was 1972

[andy750]

I would have said the seat was a K1 (or cross-over K1/K2?) - the K2 seat was fatter with a different stitching pattern - like mine (which is a K2)





If you want to sell the seat Id be interested...used to have one just like it and really liked it.

Nice bike anyway
Andy

[dooger54]

Here are pics of both sides.

I don't think the tank and covers are repainted.  I know what to look for on repainted and I would be pretty certain they are all originals.


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[Johnie]

Welcome to the forum. Here is a pic of my K3 for you to compare...build date 10/72, engine 221 all OEM. Keep in mind Honda started the change over in models each year in August / Sept. My K1 is actually titled as a 1970 because it was sold in 1970, but it is actually the K1 model which is the 1971. Click pic to enlarge it.

[dooger54]

Here are gauges.

Also, what kind of front forks are these?  Don't look like the standard ones.


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[acollin]

The left hand handle bar switch is not from a 1972 ( not two button) and since there is no"rhino" in your gauges picture, that set up is not from a 1972.

I did not mean to suggest that there was a repainting of tanks and side covers. I meant only to suggest the paint ( painted parts: tank and side covers)  was swapped onto a bike with 1972 ID numbers.

The bike is a blend-- probably a great ride, just a collection of parts from a few model years.

[dooger54]

Just seems strange to me that someone would go to all the work of putting tanks, gauges, handles, etc etc from a 1973 on a 1972 frame. But if that's what happened, so be it!


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[Tews19]

Nice bike and welcome! It's a 73 . Eitherway enjoy and I can't believe I missed that if listed on CL.

[754]

The head suggest 72. And earlier, but the first 73 had that head.. Old scrambler has one to compare numbers with.
Check the steering stop for damage, front end looks swapped.  Silver caliper was KO, and the birdbath master cyl cap is KO or at latest 71..
 I like the color, if you get it, you can take sidecover emblems off and change back to the script type..lok a lot nicer.

[Johnie]

To be honest I never saw an engine tag worn off that bad? Seems questionable and a  bit fishy to me. Does he have a title? And can you turn the motor over with the kicker? If that is indeed a KO caliper on the front then that would explain different forks. The KO caliper will not work on K2 or K3 forks. If you are wanting to get that back to the OEM look you can still find the proper fork ears for it. Maybe you can get a little more info out of the owner. Feel free to ask any questions here. How much is he asking for it? Again...does he have a title with the frame number to match it?

[754]

That caliper will,fit 72 Fork, but would be black. Behind where the caliper mounts, is that ledge the same on both? Almost looks like mismatched legs..

[dooger54]

Owner had to order duplicate title from IL DMV.  He lost original, bike has been in storage and forgotten about for 15 years.

Will wait and see what year title comes back with.  Doesn't really matter to me as long as I can get title

Don't really understand what you guys are saying about the front forks.  Sorry for the ignorance, but my first bike in 40 years.  Have been into classic cars instead.

Doug


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