Topic: My 750K8 - 22 years in the garage is enough

[kstoyman]

I parked her one day in early winter '88 because my new wife did not like to ride. The bike has been waiting for me, moving from one garage to another, I didn't want to ride, yet I didn't want to see her go. The dance lasted for over 22 years.

Finally, it was time to clean out the garage, she was on Craigslist for a day. Could not dare to see her go. I ignored her for so long, she is mad. She decided she would have a rusty tank, even a hole to fix. Things worth doing, are worth doing right.

My brother and I each bought a 750K8. Nichols Honda (RIP), even gave us a deal. Two black bikes with white fairings. Boy we had a lot of fun. He sold his bike.

The internet is a wonderful thing. So much catching up to do, researching, finding parts, getting excited with everything I learn, every part I order. Good thing the bike sat in the garage all these years. The first 3 years I rode her were the worst, she lived outside, I took her for granted. The garage saved her from being a basket case. She needs a bath in the picture which were about as month ago.

[Bankerdanny]

Welcome. When you're done and take it for its first ride you will kcik yourself for waiting so long.

[70CB750]

Welcome!

Sooo, does your wife want to ride now? 

[flybox1]

Good for you for holding on to it.
All neglect will be forgiven when your resto is complete and you take that first ride.
I hope your wife will understand your obsession 
Your brother will be jealous 

[edhaeuser]

Cool!  Looks like it's in pretty good shape.  How is the chrome?

[kstoyman]

My first wife, has moved on. She now has a Harley, she just wasn't right for me. My second and current wife, got a new car. I was cleaning out the garage because I promised if she did get a new car, I would. All she said when I told her I was going to fix the bike, was wear a helmet. That is not a problem. She is a much better wife.

As for the chrome, after washing the bike, I had some concerns. Not many large spots, just lots of little ones. Well, the day I washed the bike, I applied some of my research and used diet Coke and aluminum foil. 97% disappeared in 2 seconds. A couple took 20 seconds. What an awesome tip. The chrome is very clean now

Used Miracle Mystery Oil on the engine, no real oxidation. Got some splotches on the engine that I want to try to reduce without doing a sanding/polishing. I hear Barkeeper Friend which I have on hand works. I will do a small spot, take pictures. Also got some Mother's Mag Cleaner to apply after to protect.

Many of the parts have come in, sent the carb off to be rebuilt by Hondaman and also ordered his Transistorized Ignition for Dual Points. Planning to keep the bike mainly stock, make improvements where it makes sense.

Received the seat cover replacement and I took the old seat cover off. Discovered some rust that needs to be fixed.

[HondaMan]

Got your carbs yesterday! 

[cabrala]

All she said when I told her I was going to fix the bike, was wear a helmet. That is not a problem. She is a much better wife.

No need to wear the helmet while fixing the bike . Just throw it on once your cruising down the road all while kicking yourself for waiting so long, like Bankerdanny predicts.

Congrats on getting back into it after so many years. I've sent you a personal message about the neoprene points cover gasket you inquired about. Hopefully it'll help you.

Cheers.

[kstoyman]

Thanks everyone for all your current and future help.

Hondaman, I sent an email to you on a carb diaphragm I found. Also thanks for the book.

In Kansas, it's 110 in my garage, so I'm not wearing anything except a sweat band.

[kstoyman]

Since it is so hot here, I moved work into the house.

Received my replacement seat cover found on feebay from gumtwo. My orig seat was toast, I removed the speed nuts with some dikes and a blade screwdriver. There were a couple of places where there were 2 speed nuts instead of just one. More spares. Ace Hardware keeps them in stock for  $.38 each. Bought some additional ones for side cover badges.

After I had removed all the speed nuts, I bent all the pins on the chrome strip very carefully and bent all the upholstery point up to aid in cleaning all the rusty parts of the seat and repainting.

I discovered there is a rubber like piece that goes all around the edge of the metal seat base to reduce the sharpness of the metal wearing into the seat cover.

You can see from the pictures the old seat and new seat cover from gumtwo. Pretty good reproduction of the orig seat cover, parallel sewing and strap thickness were just not right. Sent an email to make things right.

[kghost]

Lookalike your having fun.

Keep it up.

[kstoyman]

This weekend I will finally have the space to put the scoot on the stand and start the cleanup. Parts have been coming in every day, saving the final order until I have had time to examine the bike from head to toe.

If anyone know of a place to order 35mm fork preload adjusters, please let me know, tis a rare bird...

Since the bike has been sitting so long, I have to do a lot of "delayed maintenance." Updating parts based upon "How to make your 77/78 handle like a MODERN sport bike" and "How to make your CB750 stop like a MODERN bike." There is lots of awesome being done on the bikes here, getting lots of inspiration.

Here's THE LIST -

Front End
New tire
Front wheel bearings
Progressive springs
Tapered neck bearings
New pads
Rebuild master cylinder
SS brake line
Replace seal in front caliper
Speed Bleeder
Steering damper
35mm fork preload adjusters

Electrics
Install H4 to replace sealed beam
Headlight OFF/LO/HI Switch Saver Relay Kit
Kuryakyn LED Battery Gauge
Blade fuse holder
Test and repair

Engine
Carbs rebuild
Dual points ignition
Oil gauge
Test and repair

Frame
Tank replacement
Recovered seat
New side covers

Rear End
New tire
Progressive Series 12 shocks
Rear wheel bearings
Brake shoes
Swing arm updated (once my carbs come back)

and Randakk's grips.

Can't wait to start!

[HondaMan]

For the preload adjusters: use 1/2" PVC pipe, or electrical hard conduit. Some have used female thread pipe nipples in 3/8" ID size (threads inside, won't scratch anything), not the easiest thing to find.

The most force the "slugs" will see is about 120 lbs from a full-force jounce that will lift the front end with bottomed springs. So, they don't have to be big and heavy. I have often used light conduit with a fender washer on top and bottom, so it can be cut to the size I want, then I add air valves to the fork caps. Cheap, effective, lasts for hundreds of thousands of miles (or, at least one-and-a-half of those, in mine!).

[kghost]

Best upgrade you can do......

Hondaman ignition.

I have three.

Dump the battery meter. If everything is working its not necessary.

[kstoyman]

I left that off the list, HondaMan already sent that to me...

Additions to THE LIST...
Transistorized Ignition for Dual Points
Stainless steel screws, bolts and hex heads replacements

The Vessel JIS Motorcycle Set arrives Monday.

[CycleRanger]

My first wife, has moved on. She now has a Harley, she just wasn't right for me. My second and current wife, got a new car. I was cleaning out the garage because I promised if she did get a new car, I would. All she said when I told her I was going to fix the bike, was wear a helmet. That is not a problem. She is a much better wife.

I lol'd! 

Howdy!
Even after the time & expense I predict you'll be glad you kept that K8 around!
Best of luck with the resurrection. You've come to exactly the right place for the best advice.

[kstoyman]

Does anyone know the specifics of the Triple tree threads  for the bolt/stud?

I cannot find the specifics by doing a search.

[Jayhawk]

Does anyone know the specifics of the Triple tree threads  for the bolt/stud?

I cannot find the specifics by doing a search.

Although I didn't remember when you asked the other day, after poking around a bit, I'm pretty sure the triple tree tapped hole typically used for mounting a steering damper is an M8 X 1.25 thread pitch.  I'll get that P-Clamp in the mail to you within the next few days.

[kstoyman]

Thanks Jayhawk, as always for your support.

I will document what I used when I get that work done on my scoot.