Topic: 1978 CB750K

[Gasturbine]

Hi guys. Complete newbie to the forum. I did some poking around, and it looks fantastic. Lots of good information and resources.

Anyway, Im not new to motorcycles and have had dozens and dozens over the years, In fact, I sill have my first bike...a 1973 Honda CT-70. Still runs and still street legal. Here is a pic;


And my current ride is my heavily modded 2008 Night Rod special;


Anyway, my real reason to reach out to you pros, is to ask for your comments on a 1978 Honda CB750K Im looking at. It has 9600 miles on it and looks to be in fine shape. It looks like the current owner was going to cafe it out. It has a pipe, wheels, a flame paint job (which isnt my style , but looks good) a cafe seat, LED rear turn signals, and he relocated the tail light/plate to the left side down by the axle. He asking $2500 for it.

Any advise/comment/tips on ANYTHING I should look for/be aware of? Do these bike have any funnies I should be aware of? What do you think of the price?

Thanks!

[flybox1]

Welcome to the forum!
looks to be well cared for.  $2500 would be more than fair up here in the PNW. 
Offer lower and find an agreeable middle ground.
just to verify the engine is original, post up the engine VIN.
Carb tuning will be pretty close to stock with the OEM airbox and aftermarket exhaust.
the PD carbs on the later F/K bikes can be slightly challenging, but when they work correctly, you'll appreciate them.

Nice looking bike.

[Vinhead1957]

If you plan on just riding it. It is a fair price for a daily rider

[78whiteorbs]

sounds like a good price to me . Look at those rims...ha

[750K]

You normally see those invader rims on choppers, I dig them on that bike. If its as clean as it looks I'd snap it up, I'm in the PNW as well and thats not a bad price. I'd still make a lower offer and see where you end up. Great staring point to have a good looking late model 750, really just needs a bit of cosmetic tweaking to fit your personal tastes.

[Cabilao]

love the rims.go and get it! 

[nikcorg]

Any advise/comment/tips on ANYTHING I should look for/be aware of?

If that's a K7 model, you should be aware that spare parts can be harder to come by. The K7 was a very short lived model and differs from both earlier and later models. That said, David Silver Spares and CMSNL are pretty well stocked. Just something to keep in mind.

[70CB750]

Welcome!

It does not look bad for the price, I would get it.

[Gasturbine]

Okay thaks guys! I spoke with the seller...he has some parts for it as well, but not the original rear fender/light assembly. 

Two more questions if I may...what are "PD" carbs and how do they differ from say "Mikuni CVs" which I am familiar with. And you say its a K"7"...what does that designate? I persume that means there were 1 through 6 variations, correct? Is there a web site that I may educate myself on these designations, and what they mean?

Thanks!
-Chris

[knowsnothing]

this might help

http://www.sohc4.net/cb750k-serial-numbers/

and this

http://www.sohc4.net/cb750k-model-guide/

[Gasturbine]

Thanks knowsnothing....great info, but I found two things...it looks like mine is a K8, and the ignition shows a dwell setting...does this thing have points?

[754]

77 is K 7......78 ..K8
 If you dont like the wheels and they are in good shape, the chopper guys will buck up and pay for those.
.those bkes did come with points..

[70CB750]

Originally points, but there are aftermarket solutions available.

[flybox1]

PD carbs have an accelerator pump (decreases acceleration 'lag' during initial throttle twist), and a fast idle cam (holds slides up during warm-up/idle).
 

[nikcorg]

77 is K 7......78 ..K8

Not necessarily, the K7 is 77-78 AFAIK. (I had a -78 K7, now I have a -77 K7.) But the K8 is DOHC while K7 is SOHC. Do correct me if I'm wrong.

[754]

In Europe the designations may differ.

[nikcorg]

In Europe the designations may differ.

Ah, yes. I didn't take that in account.

[78whiteorbs]

in america, I was always under the understanding with SOHC Honda cb750's is

69- KO
70-K1
71-K2
72-K3
73-K4
74-K5
75-K6
76-K7
77-K8
78-K9 WTF?? no such thing as a K9 right?

I have a 1978 and always thought it was a K8 , man what a mind bender. I am pretty sure this is even on the frame or title.

[Gasturbine]

Lol! Okay, you guys have confused me on the K thing, but no big deal. 

I spoke with the seller again...Im going up Saturday for thorough look over and test ride. Im about an hour away...we will take the truck, but if everything looks good I may ride it home.

Im already thinking what direction I want to go. Since he started the cafe route, I might follow with a fairing, rear sets and clubman bars. It will of course need paint...Im thinking flat black.

Other things to do are electronic ignition, velocity stacks, and maybe jetting.

Now if I can remember where I put those Carb-Stix 20 years ago? 

Thanks everyone!
-Chris

[flybox1]

Mine is a K9!
aka The Mutt!
(everything is a K8, with a K1 engine) 

As I understand it, the number after the K indicates the generation, version or incarnation of the bike, and has no relation to the year it was produced. K1 does not = 1971

[70CB750]

If you do velocity stacks, jetting is mandatory.  It is highly recommended to stick to the original air box.

As far as electronic ignition, Hondaman, member here, sells his version:

http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=12&products_id=32&osCsid=ce42d60a499dc11638497c6e1259c5f8

with points in place for back up.

another option is Pamco, Pete posts on this forum too:

http://www.cb750ignition.com/

this system uses Hall effect to pickup signal.

[6adan]

From what I understand the K meant a change of some kind. As I understand it there is not really a K0 but  69 and 70 are just K and 71 was a K1. When I look up parts from my local dealer it only shows 69 and then 71 and up, I thank because Honda did not consider the a major change from a 69 to 70. Just my thoughts.

[lucky]

Any advise/comment/tips on ANYTHING I should look for/be aware of?

If that's a K7 model, you should be aware that spare parts can be harder to come by. The K7 was a very short lived model and differs from both earlier and later models. That said, David Silver Spares and CMSNL are pretty well stocked. Just something to keep in mind.

K7 and K8 are the same.

1977-1978

[Gasturbine]

She's mine! Got her for an astounding $1700!

I even rode her home (1.5 hour trip) flawlessly. It sounds/runs perfectly! In fact, Im quite surprised on its performance/handling/manners...I cant tell you how stoked I am...I have such large plans for her.

Thanks for everybodies input and advice!

[ekpent]

Originally the 69-70 were simply called CB750. Think the K0 moniker has been made up by all of us enthusiasts.
  Congrats on your new nice running ride !!