Author Topic: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.  (Read 10260 times)

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Offline HondaMan

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Re: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.
« Reply #50 on: February 29, 2016, 05:53:14 PM »
It has (had?) an oil separator for the engine breather tube(s) and the oil tank. If it's still there, it is a little plastic container, about as big as a coffee cup, under the battery, above the front "U" part of the swingarm.

Is the #4 still sputtering? Often, riding these awhile will smooth off the carbon that collects on the valves, making the engine miss if it hasn't been ridden often (and fairly, umm...briskly...). I've also found that splitting up a can of BG44K into 5 or 6 "portions" for a series of gas tank fills helps to clean these off, too. Compression goes back up afterward.

How's the charging system doing? Do you have OEM type coils, or maybe some 3-ohm type instead? The latter can drag the battery voltage down when ridden for 3-4 hours in slow traffic.

After I restored the K8 on my patio the later "K" bikes have grown on me somewhat. I still think the "F" tanks do look a little better on them, though, even if the K8 tank can get you halfway across Colorado on a single fill! That's kinda important out here where fuel stops can be 100 miles apart...  :o
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline Desert-SOHC

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Re: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.
« Reply #51 on: February 29, 2016, 06:02:10 PM »

I just need to engineer a way to hold the front end off the ground. I don't have a garage, so I may attempt the cymbal stand hack I saw in another thread.


You can run a 2x4 under the pipes and use a floor jack to lift the front off the ground while its on the center stand.
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Offline therobbstory

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Re: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.
« Reply #52 on: March 01, 2016, 11:06:36 AM »
Oil separator! That's what it is. Yes, it's still there on my bike, just seemingly bypassed. Looking for a diagram on how it's supposed to be routed now. There's also a port on the top of my airbox with nothing connected to it.

Haven't had any backfire issues on #4. That was happening after I pulled the carbs and replaced the gaskets on the float bowls which were leaking. While I had them off, I sprayed through the jets with carb cleaner. No blockages that I could see.

Charging system is actually fine. Looking back, I didn't know how to start this machine and likely killed the battery with an unknown charge state with the starter. PO put a new battery in it shortly before I bought it, but I really don't think he knew the first thing about simple maintenance, and rarely even rode the bike. "About once a week in the city" is what he told me.

The coils are branded 'TEK' if memory serves me. I measured them just shy of 5 ohms, so they're either stock or stock replacement.

I'm going to keep the K8 tank for long hauls. The SS tank just has nicer curb appeal, and it was cheap. You're not kidding about capacity. One of the dudes I rode with on Sunday has a HD Sporster with a 2.5 gallon tank. He stopped at nearly every gas station to top of 'just in case.' I wasn't even close to reserve at the end of 140 miles.

Brake lines should arrive today. That's the big project prior to the weekend. New bearings are on order.

Offline therobbstory

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Re: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.
« Reply #53 on: March 06, 2016, 07:32:28 AM »
Not much action this week as I've been spending more time riding and less time tinkering. Got a good deal on a set of Renthal bars this week, so I threw them on. Vibration at the wrists is gone, and they offer a bit more pullback than the generic superbike bars I had.

Got all my new bearings this week. Going to attempt that next weekend.

Dropped my super sport tank off at the powder coater's house this morning. While doing aobut 70 on the interstate, I noticed my speedo bouncing around. When I got off the freeway and my hearing returned, I heard what sounded like a tortured cat under my front end. The sound went away when I covered the speedo with my ski-gloved hand. So I guess I need to inspect the cable. If that isn't the issue, I'm going to try a little denatured alcohol in the speedo body. If that doesn't work, I'll guess my speed by counting highway lines. Kidding.


Afterlight by Robb Hohmann, on Flickr

Offline Stev-o

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Re: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.
« Reply #54 on: March 06, 2016, 07:37:41 AM »
I have a nice set of gauges if you are in need
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline therobbstory

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Re: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.
« Reply #55 on: March 06, 2016, 07:47:29 AM »
I have a nice set of gauges if you are in need

Thanks! I'll let you know. I'm going to pull these off in the next hour.

Offline therobbstory

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Re: First bike: 1978 CB750 K8. Let's turn this piece into a solid runner.
« Reply #56 on: March 29, 2016, 07:54:00 AM »
Well, the inevitable happened.


Boxy Brown by Robb Hohmann, on Flickr

I picked this up in northern Michigan on Friday, and rode it back to DC.

I'm keeping my 750 as it's frankly more fun around town. The BMW only has 20k miles on it and is just a fantastic long-haul cruiser. For my ferry ride, I had it loaded down with side bags and a large dry duffel with all my camping gear and tools I didn't end up needing.

The 750 is going to get all new wheel and head bearings soon, as well as chain/sprockets and fork seals. I really like where it's at. It's a joy to ride and I've no reservations about doing 200 mile days on it.