Topic: YEEAAAAHHH !!! Got it! I'm a proud SOHC owner !

[ascanio1]

@ ekpent

... start with the basic tune-up, set valve lash, set cam chain, check plugs (they can tell a story), check the timing and advance and most importantly make sure the carbs are clean clean clean and set up correctly.  Checking fuel tank and petcock screen for crud is important after doing all that.

I think that's what I'll do.
BTW, what's the petcock screen?

@bankerdanny
Thanks! I'll report how the conversation with the seller will go.

@ everyone:
- Ignition Keys: today I just ordered 2 new (old, original) keys.
- Spanners & screw drivers set: better buy (on eBay):
>> worn but original & year correct set with a few tools missing or
>> brand new set, from Honda original parts with all the instruments there?
- Side bags: did the CB four series ever get it's own set, as the CB custom series did? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-GL1000-CB900CUS-and-CB750K-CUS-Saddle-Bag-Trunk-/141440250713?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20ee7ef359&vxp=mtr

[70CB750]

Petcock screen is #9

[ascanio1]

@ 70CB750
Thanks!

Basically the fuel filter. right?

[trigger]

Sorry but, i can't be bothered to read all what other members have wrote as i am just off to bed. The front brake can lock if the pivot arm is the wrong side of the fender mounts (can not view in the pictures you have posted) . The pads will also wear unevenly.

[MiGhost]

@ everyone:
- Side bags: did the CB four series ever get it's own set, as the CB custom series did? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-GL1000-CB900CUS-and-CB750K-CUS-Saddle-Bag-Trunk-/141440250713?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20ee7ef359&vxp=mtr

The hondaline\samsonite bags were also available for the 750.
This is for the GL, but will give you a good idea what can be found for the hondaline bags.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/honda-gl1100-goldwing-trunk-luggage-hondaline-saddlebags-standard-1980-81-82-83-/370895630868?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item565b1a3214&vxp=mtr

There were more stylish aftermarket bags available that would be period correct also.
These include Shoei
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shoei-Saddle-Bags-Saddlebags-Kawasaki-Yamaha-Suzuki-Honda-/111058041518?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19db933aae&vxp=mtr

Bates
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bates-brand-saddlebags-saddlebag-bag-set-Honda-GL1000-CB750-KZ650-XS1100-GS1000-/301458756887?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4630579517&vxp=mtr

And Vetter
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VETTER-SADDLEBAGS-TOUR-PACK-TRUNK-78-honda-goldwing-gl1000-gl-1000-luggage-/281539232017?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item418d0bc111&vxp=mtr

[PeWe]

My front brake pads locked up when I did not take them apart after all yers sitting, waiting for me.
I had to exercise the brake with pads off. Out in-out in. I used some lithium grease on the piston when it was almost fully out.
Then greased the pin holding the caliper so it could move smoothly.
New pads that had thick layer of paint that I had to sand off so the pads will fit in caliper without locking upp.
I had a small pile of copper paste under each pad when assembling the brake.

I had new brake SS lines when brake locked up, new master cylinder too. Problem with caliper hinge, pistons not greased and pads stucked inside caliper. Brake works fine after that and some hard use to break in the new pads.

[ascanio1]

@ MyGhost

Thanks!
Samsonite: ouch....! Ugggggly! I like the Vettes but I really love the Shoei!

In those days, did Shoei make:
- model specific side cases which would simply latch/screw on to my K3's stock rear structure? or
- generic cases for most bikes of the day which you then had to adapt?

Should I Google for: "Shoei for Honda CB750 K3 side bags and top case"? This search returns many Shoei cases but none model specific or, at least, none described to be model specific. I'm afraid that I will need to bring the bike to a shop to install the side bags in which case soft side cases (throw over style) may be a better solution.



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@PeeWee,

Thanks, I appreciate the detailed description of the work to do but that was not the advice which I was seeking. It is my mistake as my post was not clear.

I have the opposite problem to locking the front brakes. I wish I could do it! I should have written: "My front brakes are terrible, I can't stop my bike!"

In today's bikes, if you brake in an emergency, your bike will come to a standstill right on the spot (or almost) from around 20Mph. You may even lift the rear wheel. Of course I cannot expect the same in a 1973 bike and I don't want to pull stoppies; but I do want to stop in, say, 2 or 3 meters at that speed.

Stop the bike = stop wheel rotation = stop rotor rotation = lock the brake! I can't do that unless I'm at "walking" speed!

I'm going with the mods suggested in this thread http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=51179.msg543860#msg543860

[MiGhost]

@ MyGhost

Thanks!
Samsonite: ouch....! Ugggggly! I like the Vettes but I really love the Shoei!

In those days, did Shoei make:
- model specific side cases which would simply latch/screw on to my K3's stock rear structure? or
- generic cases for most bikes of the day which you then had to adapt?

Should I Google for: "Shoei for Honda CB750 K3 side bags and top case"? This search returns many Shoei cases but none model specific or, at least, none described to be model specific. I'm afraid that I will need to bring the bike to a shop to install the side bags in which case soft side cases (throw over style) may be a better solution.

I concur on the samsonite. Better off left for the museum!!
GL1000 luggage can usually be adapted fairly easy to work on the 750

The aftermarket luggage will usually have model specific hardware to mount common bags.
All Vetter side bags, and trunk\topcase are the same. Mounting hardware can be hard to find.
Bates has 2 different sizes, and 2 styles. Mounting kit available on ebay.
Shoei only has the one size\style, and yes there is even a trunk\topcase.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-rear-Shoei-trunk-luggage-hard-case-storage-bin-box-W3-1-/291274530810?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43d1509ffa&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Black-Shoei-Travel-Trunk-removed-from-GL1000-/161376681558?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2592ccbe56&vxp=mtr

Search keywords
Shoei Luggage
Shoei Trunk
Shoei Saddlebags

Material composition.
Vetter: ABS plastic, prone to vibration cracks
Bates: Molded fiberglass. Weak hinges. prone to spider web cracking when painted.
Shoei: Molded Fiberglass??  I have no experience with these.

[ascanio1]

@ MyGhost,

Thanks, useful links & info! I've decided that if I go hard cases then it will be Shoei and I will be careful not to overload them as - apparently - they are not sturdy.

My wife rode only on my Piaggio Beverly scooter which has a rear top case with a back rest and she wants a similar rear support on my Honda.

I have 2 options:
A) Hard: 3 piece set with 2 Shoei side bags + Shoei trunk to which I will add back-padding, or
B) Soft: 3 piece set with 2 soft side bags (designed for pillion) + 1 sissy bars with back rest + rear soft case like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORCYCLE-REAR-LUGGAGE-BAG/321442772297?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D2e2696eee375415baf2a41b2010b438c%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20131003132420%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D161376681558&rt=nc

[Mr. Mike]

ascanio1,
As for the oil smell...well if your not burning it, maybe it's just the smell of a 40 year old power plant. I have a '66 Scrambler that when hot, also has it's own perfume and it smells somewhat like the big sisters. And yep, the front brake won't lock up, but if all is in good working order, as stated it'll do it's job when called on.
Ride safe-
Congrats on the purchase,

Mike

[ascanio1]

A forum member advised me to look at the engine vent outlet which I can't find but should be located under the tank. I think that I have to remove the tank to find it.

But yet another indication that it might be trouble, rather than not, is the fact that even when hot the first cylinder from the left (looking at the bike from the front) gives off a little bit of white smoke  while the others don't. And the smell diminishes when hot but does not disappear.

I posted a series of jobs that I am going to ask my mechanic to perform... I want to learn so I'll probably end up doing them together. But any advice is really welcome!