Topic: New CB750 K8 owner in Cleveland, OH

[jdigga]

Hello all,

I just brought home a 1978 CB750K8 today.  I've been lurking around this board for the last few months, my other bike being a 1981 Yamaha XS650H.

My new CB was kind of cruisered out by the previous owner with a giant sissy bar, crash bars, pullback-type handlebars, chrome engine covers, and a lounge chair-looking seat.  It has a 4-2 exhaust, which doesn't sound too bad, but I'd prefer a 4-1.

My XS is pretty much stock with the exception of some cafe-style handlebars that I just put on this week (not shown in my avatar picture).

When viewed next to each other, there doesn't seem to be an appreciable size difference, but the CB feels so much bigger when sitting on it.  It feels a lot heavier pushing it around too.  On the other hand, the CB feels lighter and more nimble on the road than the XS.

My goal for the CB is to clean up the look a bit (the sissy bar is already off) and move towards something of a cafe-lite/bratstyle look.

It kind of sucks that I got it at the end of the riding season, but I suppose I have all winter to work on it and scour ebay for parts.

*Pics added 26 Nov 06, now sporting kuyarico's old bars.  Thanks, man...*

[seaweb11]

K8s RULE

[jdigga]

Wow, I hope my bike will look half as good as yours someday...   

[seaweb11]

Thanks. I find it a great sturdy ..........fun bike.

[medic09]

Congratulations, jdigga!

You've got a great bike in that 750Four.  Mine's the same model, got it two months ago; running but neglected.  Pretty soon I was commuting ~130 miles/day on it, even with all the problems I have to straighten out.  It's a great bike.  It will need lots of attention over the winter; along with our project Triumph.

My other ride is a Yamaha SR 500, so we're sort of in the same fraternities; though I'm sure your SX would leave my thumper behind on the top end.

Let us know how you come along with getting your bike in shape.

[jdigga]

Cool, a fellow Yammy rider!    I like the punchiness of the vertical twin but it's tiring for longer rides.

Just as you I'm hoping to be able to use the CB regularly, or at least as much as Cleveland weather permits.

First project is to pull the carbs and go over them with a fine-toothed comb.  The previous owner had somewhat of a hard time getting it started, and even though I rode it home I can't get it started again.  Not that it matters too much since it started snowing today.  He also mentioned that there might be a problem with the accelerator pump, which I'm not familiar with.  The choke cable needs to be replaced and I'll probably do the requisite plugs and air filter as well.

I spent a good few hours during the Ohio State/Michigan game (brought a TV in the garage, yay Bucks!) going over the bike in detail.  Everything looks to be in good shape except the rear wheel seems to be a bit misaligned as well as the seat.  According to the PO it's been down, but everything else looks straight.  There are a couple other minor things like a missing left foot peg rubber, right side cover and a strangely wired secondary kill switch.  But the PO rode it this whole past season but needs a little tuning up.

I can't wait until next spring...

[burmashave]

Welcome, Jdigga!  Congrats on your new purchase.  You may want to take a glance in the FAQ -- there's tons of great information there to get you started and thinking.  The Carb FAQ has info about carb rebuilding and tuning.  As far as replacing your air filter goes, I know that the OEM filter elements are pretty expensive (around $45 as I recall), and I believe there are inexpensive alternatives.  You may be able to search for them or ask.  I'd have a better idea, but I'm running open velocity stacks.  The FAQ also has a good list of parts suppliers for SOHC4's.

[kuyarico]

Nice find. Let's start a Cleveland CB club!

[dusterdude]

not another k8....welcome

[jdigga]

burma - Thanks for the link.  I'm a little apprehensive since I'll be dealing with 4 carbs instead of 2.  I thought about doing filter pods but in browsing this forum it seems that the general consensus is that pods detract from all-around performance. Would you have any thoughts on that running open stacks?

kuyarico - That's a fine idea.  The more riders the merrier, right?  But we'll have to allow Suzuki GS550E and Kawasaki Ninja riders too. 

duster - I take it K8s are rather plentiful around these parts?  I almost bought a 1974 (would that be a K4?) a few months ago but it was pretty tired.

[dusterdude]

yes they are,i always rag on the k8 owners on here,they are so much fun.

[firecracker]

yes they are,i always rag on the k8 owners on here,they are so much fun.

It's really his deep-seated desire to own one that causes him to comment.  He just has such a low self-esteem, he doesn't think he's worthy of a K8...

 

[burmashave]

burma - Thanks for the link.  I'm a little apprehensive since I'll be dealing with 4 carbs instead of 2.  I thought about doing filter pods but in browsing this forum it seems that the general consensus is that pods detract from all-around performance. Would you have any thoughts on that running open stacks?

I think the general consensus on pods is that you will likely have less trouble tuning with a stock intakes and exhaust.  Changing either affects the carburetors, and it makes it a bit harder for members to help you get things dialed in properly.  That said, I believe many members run with pods.  I'm running with velocity stacks because they came with my aftermarket (Keihin CR29's), and because I need to do top and bottom end work anyway -- so I'm not as concerned air filtering as I should be.  And it did take me some time to get my carbs dialed in right.

[jdigga]

I think I'm going to stay with the stock airbox for now to avoid having to do any re-jetting.  I just pulled the plugs this evening and they were pretty badly fouled.  Still haven't been able to get it started again but it looks like I've got my work cut out for me.

[jdigga]

Pics added...

[kuyarico]

After riding your bike, I've decided that I must find a 750. 

[nogoatz]

Hope my new 550F Super Sport cleans up as nice as yours did...hey my bike came with a big sissy bar too! LOL......mine might stay so my chick doesn't fall off! lol

your NE Ohio Bro....

Nogoatz

[grumburg]

Hello all,

I just brought home a 1978 CB750K8 today.  I've been lurking around this board for the last few months, my other bike being a 1981 Yamaha XS650H.

My new CB was kind of cruisered out by the previous owner with a giant sissy bar, crash bars, pullback-type handlebars, chrome engine covers, and a lounge chair-looking seat.  It has a 4-2 exhaust, which doesn't sound too bad, but I'd prefer a 4-1.

My XS is pretty much stock with the exception of some cafe-style handlebars that I just put on this week (not shown in my avatar picture).

When viewed next to each other, there doesn't seem to be an appreciable size difference, but the CB feels so much bigger when sitting on it.  It feels a lot heavier pushing it around too.  On the other hand, the CB feels lighter and more nimble on the road than the XS.

My goal for the CB is to clean up the look a bit (the sissy bar is already off) and move towards something of a cafe-lite/bratstyle look.

It kind of sucks that I got it at the end of the riding season, but I suppose I have all winter to work on it and scour ebay for parts.

*Pics added 26 Nov 06, now sporting kuyarico's old bars.  Thanks, man...*

Greetings from Wooster. I kick myself that I sold my showroom 650 xs2.

[jdigga]

Wow, all these Ohioans are popping up out of the woodwork.  Greetings to you too!

Here are my scoots together: