Topic: 72 K2 top fork bridge/triple tree question

[edwardmorris]

So as I'm taking it apart slowly, I notice more and more stuff out of whack. I'm trying to figure out what kind of the top bridge goes with my K2. It seems that Yamiya has three different kinds listed and the late K2s seem to have had the ones that are made for K3-K6

http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=144_72&products_id=1620

This matches the fiche too, but the other two listings, and the bridge that's actually on my bike is what is throwing me off. It is hard to tell which of these two does it match

http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=144_72&products_id=716

or

http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=144_72&products_id=715

since its been cut off. The gauges themselves are mounted on a metal plate so I'm more inclined towards replacing it with the K3 one. Thoughts/Input or pictures of the top bridge from fellow K2 owners would be of immense help.

[jerry h]

From your pic in the project section, it looks like you had the unicorn tree originally, appears to be cut off and drilled to work with a K3+ bracket.  The listing for the unicorn with the hole was for a japan market only warning light (if I remember correctly).   Depends on how much you want to spend to go back to stock, or what parts you are able to find locally.....

Heres the pic from your project:

[Stev-o]

My K2 also has a unicorn triple tree top.  They can be had to find and expensive when you do.
Here is a nice one......


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Honda-CB750-CB-750-K0-Sandcast-H753-triple-tree-top-piece-NICE-WOW-/290996335826?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c0bbb4d2&vxp=mtr

[edwardmorris]

I can't find a good one for the 72, but there are some for the 71s on craigslist. Were those two years the same?

[70CB750]

I can't find a good one for the 72, but there are some for the 71s on craigslist. Were those two years the same?

You can use 71 on 72 for sure, if they were the same is question for Mr.Dream.

[Xnavylfr]

Look VERY close for cracks around the clamp area that pinches the top of the fork tubes. They are prone to crack!!



Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[LoachDriver]

Please excuse a newbie question, but how to check for cracks? Visually, with a magnifier seems obvious, but is there a better/preferred way? And what criteria do I use for pass/fail?

And since I'm asking, what should I look for when inspecting the lower stem as well?

To the OP, my apologies for interjecting a side question.

Thank you for your patience in answering what are -to most- obvious questions. Joseph.

[MCRider]

Please excuse a newbie question, but how to check for cracks? Visually, with a magnifier seems obvious, but is there a better/preferred way? And what criteria do I use for pass/fail?

And since I'm asking, what should I look for when inspecting the lower stem as well?

To the OP, my apologies for interjecting a side question.

Thank you for your patience in answering what are -to most- obvious questions. Joseph.

The cracks are obvious, in my experience. They crack all the way through at some point on the tube clamps, when the "D" spacer is not used.

Some have said they had luck rewelding these but I've never seen one repaired. There were 2 on eBay last week, both cracked and both for $150!
Crazy, and someone will probably buy it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB750-69-71-Top-Upper-Triple-Tree-Damaged-35MM-/181218680265?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a31799dc9&vxp=mtr

Good used ones should sell for $150 and up to $350 I've seen. OFten they come without the spacer and as such are candidates for the crack.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Honda-CB750-CB-750-K0-Sandcast-H753-triple-tree-top-piece-NICE-WOW-/290996335826?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c0bbb4d2&vxp=mtr

As to the OP picture, I can't confirm that the spacers are in the clamp gap. You should confirm this before tightening those clamps any more.

Of course this is crazy, but the laws of supply and demand are the laws we live buy. Fewer top trees as each one is cracked. More people wanting to resurrect these old bikes, don't know about the spacer.

[edwardmorris]

The 'D' shaped watchers/clams are there for the two fork tube holes, but missing on the main/frame side hole. I'll need to find one of these I suppose. Will a regular watcher do the job (and look ugly) or am I to go hunting for the exact thing?

[70CB750]

You don't need washer for the frame side - if you mean the bolt that holds the top bracket to the stems of the triple tree.

[edwardmorris]

You don't need washer for the frame side - if you mean the bolt that holds the top bracket to the stems of the triple tree.

OK good to know, and yes you got what I meant. The busted bridge on the bike seems to be mostly complete, I'll keep an eye out for a good bridge and from what it looks like, a new set of gauges off of a 72 as well.

[MCRider]

You don't need washer for the frame side - if you mean the bolt that holds the top bracket to the stems of the triple tree.

OK good to know, and yes you got what I meant. The busted bridge on the bike seems to be mostly complete, I'll keep an eye out for a good bridge and from what it looks like, a new set of gauges off of a 72 as well.

70CB750 is correct, just 2 washer/spacers total. Rebuilding gauges is doable and fulfilling, if you're in to DIY stuff. New black covers and faceplates can be had, etc.