Author Topic: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?  (Read 4590 times)

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Offline the_automat

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'73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« on: September 27, 2013, 01:29:54 PM »
Howdy.  I'm new here but have been reading several old threads and have been impressed with how cool and knowledgeable folks are in these forums.  With that, I'm excited to take part in the community.  I've only been riding street bikes for about a year and a half and I'm not a great mechanic but I'll be damned if I'm gonna pay somebody to do what I could enjoy learning to do for myself.  Right now I have a Suzuki C90 Boulevard and I love it.  Ride it all the time, just took her to St Louis to catch a Cardinals game a couple of weekends ago, over 1300 miles over three nights.  Wore my ass out but had a blast, rain and all.  She's a Cadillac and honestly probably a little more bike than I really need, at 5'9" and 160#...but I'm attached.  Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to pick up my next project.  Something for in town.  Winter project.  I want to make it somewhat café racer inspired.  The dude has a complete '73 CB 750 with the engine locked up and also a '78 CB 750 that's a complete basket case.  Multiple baskets actually, nothing's intact, but he said the crank would turn.  '78 has no title and that's a little scary to me.  '73 is titled... Anyway, I can pretty much afford one or the other, but probably not both.  Maybe I can get him to come down and I can pick up the pair, but I'm not sure.  Any advice?  How interchangeable are parts between these years?  My gut says go with the '73 and just rebuild the engine - but if you have an opinion and you read this between now and tomorrow afternoon, give me a holler.  Thanks.

Offline flybox1

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2013, 01:49:33 PM »
Hand him a $300 junk removal invoice and load them up  ;D

If you do get both bikes, and try to make one, its doable. But it isnt going to be fast or cheap.
Anything is possible...with shop space, few months or 12, and a few grand in the bank...
So, in this case, the cheaper the bikes the better, and IIWM, i'd have at least another $3k do dump in.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline flybox1

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2013, 01:55:42 PM »
go get this one instead! rims alone are worth it...
http://fortsmith.craigslist.org/mcy/4068122767.html
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2013, 01:59:03 PM »

Man, I know.  That's a beautiful bike.  If I had the funds I'd be on it.  But really...I want a project, so maybe it's better this way.

Offline Johnie

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2013, 02:04:40 PM »
Welcome to the forum...you will get different ideas from the guys here...go with your instincts and get the 1973 CB750K with title. It is all there and worth more than the 78. The basket case...who knows what is missing. Unless you plan to part the basket case out or have some extra cash to stick into that 78...I would stick with the K3. One trick a lot of guys find successfull is a 50/50 mixture of acetone and tranny fluid in the cylinders. Let is sit for a while...like weeks if you can. Sometimes you can free them up and get them running with nothing more than that 50/50 mixture. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Good luck and send some pics when you can.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline flybox1

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2013, 02:11:16 PM »
All of these bikes are projects, really.  ;D
offer $1500, i bet he'll take it...go get it!
sell the lesters for $1000 or more, and use that coin to 'refresh' this bike with some nice spoke rims, wheels, paint, and a new seat.  while all thats getting done, you can completely go through the bike making sure all systems are operating....project done.  you'll be riding by Christmas, and only out $500  ;) 8)
and it'll still feel like a project!  ;D
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2013, 02:19:32 PM »
Flybox, that's not a bad plan.  He's had that craigslist ad up for weeks, I think, asking $1900.  Or maybe it just seems like weeks because I spend a few hours a day on craigslist?  Anyway, that's more start up capital than I have to throw around right now unfortunately.

Johnie, I'll definitely try the ATF/acetone mix if I land the bike. 


Offline Don R

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2013, 02:38:00 PM »
A parts bike can be very valuable. Saved me a bunch of $$$. but I got a couple of real junkers for hauling them away.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
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Offline ekpent

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2013, 05:27:30 PM »
Earlier K bikes are easier to find parts for than 77-78K or 75-78 F's. Be nice to find a snotty looking runner though for a start.

Offline Johnie

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2013, 05:31:22 PM »
Yah, if you get the K3 we can run you through the 50/50 acetone deal. And I have to say this so you do not get ahead of yourself...once the mixture is in there do not use the bolt under the points cover to try and free the motor up. You will break that off as it is not made for high torque. Enough said...good luck and let us know how you come out.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline wvshooter

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2013, 05:50:54 PM »
It all depends... How much is being asked for the bikes? What is their exact condition? Etc, etc, etc...

Depending on Texas law a bike without a title might be a parts bike no matter what condition it's in.

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2013, 06:04:59 PM »
the '78, no title:

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2013, 06:06:26 PM »
Here's the K3:

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2013, 06:08:23 PM »
I'm definitely going with the K3 for $350.  If he'll sell the pair for $500 then I think I'd do it, but I'm not sure he's ready to sell it at that price.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2013, 09:43:16 PM »
First off welcome from Lake Travis.  Just get the K3, don't bite off more than necessary. You'll need the extra cash for parts for the 73. 
+1 on Johnies ATF trick, I did it on my K7.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline ekpent

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #15 on: September 28, 2013, 04:00:55 AM »
If the exhaust pipes are in good condition and no rot holes on the 73 you have already made your money back at $350.00.

Offline Johnie

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2013, 06:03:48 AM »
Eric you beat me to it. Those are original exhaust pipes on there and since Honda stopped making them a few years ago they are hard to find and are costly. If those are in decent shape you already made your money back. Check the bottoms to see if they are full of holes. You never know, the original owner maybe replaced them years ago. That K3 looks real nice...almost to nice to cafe. If the side covers are missing you can find those. Keep us informed on the sale and good luck with it.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline thelowmax

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #17 on: September 28, 2013, 07:31:31 AM »
Having learned that a bike with no title can often be like a 400 pound paperweight, I would get the 73. Also, there's a lot more options with these more common bikes thank the 77/78 K's. On the other hand, I have several of each and prefer the style of the later models.

What am I doing and why am I doing it? Those are excellent questions.

'72 Amen Savior/'77 CB750K Chrome/Da Bhudda(project)
'73 CB750K Green/El Verde (beat)
'76 CB750K Red/The Cinnabomb (sweet)
'77 CB750K Black (frame and parts) CANNIBALIZED
'77 CB750K Dark Purpley/Scooty Puff, Jr. (la beast)
'78 CB750K Black (struggling) SOLD
'78 CB750K Blue Flake/CiocioSan (minty)
'81 CB750C Poiple/Barbie'sDreamMotorcycle SOLD (darnit!)
'89 Trek 21" 21 speed Green/YaBiatch (the wife)
Converse One Stars size 8.5 Black/Sneaks (suede)

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2013, 02:18:32 PM »


Alright and woo-hoo.  Picked up my new girlfriend yesterday - opted for the K3.  She's a pretty foxy old gal, thanks Craigslist.  Previous owner said he put Marvel Mystery Oil in the spark-plug holes about a week ago, so I guess I'm gonna let it sit for another week or two and see what will break loose.  Go out there ever so often and rock it back in forth in gear like the deranged man-child I am.  Or should I try and suck the MMO out with a shop-vac and put in some acetone with tranny fluid?  I reckon the Marvel is detergenty enough for the job?  I guess I oughta start a re-build thread as well, once I get to dig in.  Thanks again for all the insight.  Makes the process a bit less intimidating.

Offline Vinhead1957

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #19 on: September 29, 2013, 02:36:43 PM »
MMO is great by itself!   

Offline Stev-o

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #20 on: September 29, 2013, 02:48:44 PM »
Congrats.  Your new girlfriend?? 

I used the Acetone/ATF on my K7 to free it up.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #21 on: September 29, 2013, 02:56:52 PM »
You know, a MILF.  A motorcycle I'd like to fix.

Offline lucky

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #22 on: September 29, 2013, 03:03:31 PM »
I would want the 78.
There is always a way to get the bike registered.
Just register it as a custom build.

Offline the_automat

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #23 on: September 29, 2013, 03:35:57 PM »
Well Lucky, if I can get ahold of a flux capacitor, maybe I'll go back and get the '78.  But for now I've got the '73. 

Offline Tews19

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Re: '73 or '78 CB 750, or Both?
« Reply #24 on: September 29, 2013, 04:36:57 PM »
Congrats on the K3!

MILF>>>>>>>> I love that phrase..
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.