Author Topic: K3 Project has now started.  (Read 34479 times)

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Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #250 on: October 03, 2017, 09:46:36 pm »
This is getting exciting, I'm anxious to see/hear/ride the results!!

I'm just getting started on installing the Hondaman key switch saver and the ignition module.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline HondaMan

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #251 on: October 05, 2017, 07:44:09 pm »
This is getting exciting, I'm anxious to see/hear/ride the results!!

I'm just getting started on installing the Hondaman key switch saver and the ignition module.


Remember this, if you are installing brand-new points: you need to run them about 100 miles or so without the box plugged in, first.

Reasons: the first is simply that nasty coating on the contacts that so far has resisted anything I can find to scrub it ALL off. It is a modern form of cosmolene, and as tenacious as enamel paint. I clean them with lacquer thinner on a sharp points file, then run them about 1 tank of gas, and THEN plug in the box. The Black and Green wires can be connected this whole time: just leave the Yellow/Blue/Orange/Purple wires free until the points are set up and burned clean.

Another reason: the foot and pivot of the points will not seat unless they suffer some initial arcing-breaking action: this puts significant force on them to seat them in. If you wait this 100 miles or so, the points will likely never need to be readjusted again: I ran mine from 2009-2013 with this same 1-2 step process (110 miles per tank of gas, first tank on points) and it never moved the timing, not a hair.

A final (and more recently discovered) reason: today's points are tungsten PLATED, not solid tungsten like they were in the 'old days'. This causes them to act differently with the box when cold, if they are not welded thru their substrate first. Running them reportedly 20 miles is enough to weld the tungsten plate to the underlaying metal (whatever it is) and make them work right. When right: the box will notice the difference between 'cold' points and 'hot' points, and will adjust the current slightly to the coils accordingly. This makes a little bit longer spark while the engine is cold, and everyone notices this right away when they stick the box onto a running bike. If the tungsten is not welded, the junction between it and the underlaying metal acts as a thermocouple and masks the temperature effects from the box.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #252 on: October 05, 2017, 08:07:45 pm »
Mark
Thank you for the heads up. Just now figuring out my mounting and wire management for the key switch and points wiring.
I am changing my headlight to an SEV Marchal halogen. Should I put it on a relay?
Thank you
Steve
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #253 on: October 05, 2017, 08:11:28 pm »
Today, my brake lines came in from Slingshot. Wow, quality stuff. Shaun even bent me a wonderful right side caliper pipe. I roughly fit everything up, here are a few preliminary photos. More to come.
Slingshot is great.
Steve
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline HondaMan

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #254 on: October 07, 2017, 05:38:49 pm »
Mark
Thank you for the heads up. Just now figuring out my mounting and wire management for the key switch and points wiring.
I am changing my headlight to an SEV Marchal halogen. Should I put it on a relay?
Thank you
Steve

Is the headlight wattage 55/60w? If so, the OEM ON-OFF switch should be up to the task.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #255 on: October 07, 2017, 07:08:23 pm »
Ok thank you.
Now I'm struggling with another problem (all day).
I can't seem to get power down to the starter safety switch black. If I jumper power to the connector the solenoid works fine but if I just hook everything up at the headlight area, no power to the safety switch, solenoid or rear brake light circuit. I've been looking at all the blacks up there and they are all hooked up but I must be doing something wrong.
Very frustrated right now, have to put it away and start over later.
Thank you in advance for any help
Steve

1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #256 on: October 08, 2017, 09:34:01 am »
It's Sunday, a new day, yesterday is behind me.
Today I will start over, take all the headlight area connectors apart and put it all back together to see if I can find my error.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #257 on: October 08, 2017, 02:18:47 pm »
I took apart everything at the headlight, re-assembled according to Hondaman's discussion about the hybrid US/Euro Emgo harness for the K3, everything worked EXCEPT the start circuit and the rear stop light. I grounded the neutral switch to emulate the engine being installed. Still no luck. I started checking power around the red connector to the starter motor safety unit (SMSU)with my test light and as I wiggled the the wiring, by accident, I noticed the test light flickering.
Turns out that the black power wire in the red connector to the SMSU was intermittent from one side of the connector to the other. I was unable to remove the connector to re-crimp it but I was able to press on the connections with a flat bladed screwdriver. It now works. The start solenoid works (with the neutral grounded) and the rear stop light works.
My brain is bruised.
If it ever acts up I will look for the tools and parts to build those connectors and re-make it.
I wish my OEM harness wasn't so stiff and old or I would have used it.
Aloha all, onward and upward
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline HondaMan

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #258 on: October 08, 2017, 08:04:46 pm »
I took apart everything at the headlight, re-assembled according to Hondaman's discussion about the hybrid US/Euro Emgo harness for the K3, everything worked EXCEPT the start circuit and the rear stop light. I grounded the neutral switch to emulate the engine being installed. Still no luck. I started checking power around the red connector to the starter motor safety unit (SMSU)with my test light and as I wiggled the the wiring, by accident, I noticed the test light flickering.
Turns out that the black power wire in the red connector to the SMSU was intermittent from one side of the connector to the other. I was unable to remove the connector to re-crimp it but I was able to press on the connections with a flat bladed screwdriver. It now works. The start solenoid works (with the neutral grounded) and the rear stop light works.
My brain is bruised.
If it ever acts up I will look for the tools and parts to build those connectors and re-make it.
I wish my OEM harness wasn't so stiff and old or I would have used it.
Aloha all, onward and upward


You could always do like I do, and shunt-and-remove the safety module. Most real bikers don't need it, but the DOT was not convinced...
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #259 on: October 09, 2017, 10:08:16 am »
Hondaman
i may do just that to avoid future problems with it.
Also, my new SEV Marchal headlight has the Euro "running light" in it. I will wire that to a switched power in the headlight and make it a daytime running light. It's a small bulb but it makes quite a bit of light with the great reflector.
Keyswitch saver circuit works great by the way!
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: Maui K3 moving along
« Reply #260 on: October 09, 2017, 08:52:15 pm »
Got the head back from Hondaman. A thing of beauty I say!
Getting ready to paint it and move on to assembly.
I feel better now that my electrics appear to be working correctly.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #261 on: October 09, 2017, 08:54:36 pm »
Still need to put some screws in the exhaust port holes to keep paint out of the threads.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #262 on: October 09, 2017, 09:05:50 pm »
Does anyone have a suggestion for a plating shop? I have a few things I need to get re-chromed.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline Stev-o

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #263 on: October 09, 2017, 09:22:03 pm »
Head looks good!     Good chrome shops are getting harder to find. Here...

http://classiccomponents.com/company/about
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #264 on: October 12, 2017, 08:18:48 pm »
Made some progress today.
The head is on, valve train assembled. I obsessed a bit on getting the cam right, have not done one in several years, the last cam I did was a Dohc Kia SUV.
Reviewed Hackaweek a few times. His section on the cam is pretty good.
I also straightened the points shaft, found it to be 0.008" out. Got it to about 0.001". Hopefully it will idle better.
I'll be prepping for the engine install soon as time allows.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline HondaMan

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #265 on: October 13, 2017, 11:50:41 am »
Cam looks correct!
The 0.001" shaft will help several things, you'll like it. ;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #266 on: October 14, 2017, 09:46:08 pm »
Getting closer to going back into the frame. Tried to static time just to be close, ran into the problem of having enough adjustment with the replacement points assembly. It's a TEC from Yamiya. Have to review all the posts about this. I will compare the old/new to try and figure out the source of the problem. I know I read that the points themselves can be shorter. Have to do some measuring.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #267 on: October 16, 2017, 04:57:50 pm »
I'm getting ready to put the engine back in the frame and I was looking things over and made a discovery I'm glad I caught.
First, let me say that here on Maui, if it can corrode, it will, so you have to take steps to slow it down.
I was looking at the NOS rear fender that I found and noticed small rust worms working out from underneath the doubler plates on the underside. The fender has never been on a bike, I took it out of the original package. What to do? I cleaned it up as best I could without harming what plating is under there, put some Ospho on the offending areas, very sparingly, let it dry, and clear coated it. As time goes by I will need to keep an eye on this.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #268 on: October 20, 2017, 10:40:37 am »
Got the oil pump primed and installed, oil pan is back on.
The engine is ready for reinstalling as soon as I gather some help lift to the "lump".
I'm using the lower the frame on to the engine method. I will make a pillow of moving blankets and other soft stuff to keep the weight off the points cover. I must admit some nervousness, so much has been done. Getting closer!
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #269 on: October 20, 2017, 11:56:29 am »
That engine looks perfect...really!  I would suggest blocking up the engine with wood blocking to protect the points cover
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #270 on: October 20, 2017, 02:25:22 pm »
Thank you
I am wrapping some 2x4 pieces with some soft stuff to block it.
I am anxious to see how it runs. Hondaman was a key part of this project, he took care of the head, valves and cylinders.
Also, of course, his book, his continual advice and input were invaluable.
Steve
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline algophobe

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #271 on: October 20, 2017, 04:12:39 pm »
What kind of paint did you use for the crank case and head? Looks great
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Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #272 on: October 20, 2017, 07:15:23 pm »
It's POR15 detail paint, I got it at the local automotive paint supply store. Not cheap, about $24 a can. Goes on very easily and levels out. Not prone to drips or runs. I didn't put a very thick coat on. The frame was media blasted and I painted it with POR15 black with a top coat of their chassis black top coat. That also went on very well.
Made some progress today.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #273 on: October 20, 2017, 07:17:18 pm »
Had to recruit some extra muscle for the lifting.
Got the first color on it.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline MauiK3

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Re: K3 Project has now started.
« Reply #274 on: October 20, 2017, 07:18:30 pm »
Correction
The POR 15 engine paint color is called cast aluminum from their Detail Paint line.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki