Topic: Blue K2 750 "Louisville Bike"

[Don R]

 This bike was already plated and titled when the frame was replaced. Apparently, Illinois did not get wind of a frame replacement or didn't have a rule in place.

[69cb750]

How did they deal with the DMV if the new replacement frame didn't have a VIN number stamped into it ?

Toot your horn and wave when you pass the dmv office, my state requires this.

This bike was already plated and titled when the frame was replaced. Apparently, Illinois did not get wind of a frame replacement or didn't have a rule in place.

Don,
Stamp your frame CB750-1000002 then list your bike on ebay, I have a replacement frame.

[Don R]

 Here I am, 10 months later and I just put old Blue Louisville on the lift.
  I really dig the 4-2 hooker header, but it sounded way better on a stock engine. My buddy said it sounded like an Indy car leaving his house. When I went 95 mph with them on the other bike I may have left some packing or baffle behind.
  This motor has some serious fin repair needed, I have a couple ideas, one of which involves copper plate and tig welding. The latter involves a different cylinder.

[grcamna2]

How do you plan to work-out the title/reg. papers Don ?

[Don R]

 It has its original title and there's no inspection needed to license or sell it. I'll add the reproduction 2/72 tag on the right and stamp the numbers on the left just like the Honda shop should have done when they sold the PO the frame.
  Honda should have supplied factory number stamps to the shops but they didn't. I even saw an engine number made with center punch marks.
  I'll lay it on its right side to weld the fins and stamp the numbers. It's under a hoist already.

[grcamna2]

It has its original title and there's no inspection needed to license or sell it. I'll add the reproduction 2/72 tag on the right and stamp the numbers on the left just like the Honda shop should have done when they sold the PO the frame.
  Honda should have supplied factory number stamps to the shops but they didn't. I even saw an engine number made with center punch marks.
  I'll lay it on its right side to weld the fins and stamp the numbers. It's under a hoist already.

Good to get it 'identified' visually.
The tag and number/letter stamps are a good idea.

[newday777]

I need stamps for the NOS replacement frame I bought a week ago.....no numbers were on it....

[Don R]

I need stamps for the NOS replacement frame I bought a week ago.....no numbers were on it....

I've spent hours online looking for number/letter stamps that duplicate our font. The open top 4 is a tough one and the 9 that looks like a balloon tied to a stick.
 I would have a little flexibility stamping the engine pad on my no number diecast engine. I'll likely leave it blank though, except for the three punch marks already done for the re-call. It's a diecast replacement case from a sandcast bike.

[newday777]

I need stamps for the NOS replacement frame I bought a week ago.....no numbers were on it....

I've spent hours online looking for number/letter stamps that duplicate our font. The open top 4 is a tough one and the 9 that looks like a balloon tied to a stick.
 I would have a little flexibility stamping the engine pad on my no number diecast engine. I'll likely leave it blank though, except for the three punch marks already done for the re-call. It's a diecast replacement case from a sandcast bike.

Thanks Don
Your engine case no numbers isn't much of a problem but a frame not having numbers is.

[Don R]

 I saw pics of one bike that was stamped near the battery next to the seat latch. Obviously it is a replacement frame done after assembly.

[newday777]

I talked with an old friend who was service manager after I was gone from the shop a few years and he confirmed that Honda didn't have number stamp sets available to the shops to match their factory stamps. The shops or mechanics would buy sets off the tool trucks, and there differences in the fonts for sure.
Oh well. Guess I'll have to find a set.

[grcamna2]

Don,let us know and put a link to the set of stamps closest to orig. you can find.

[Don R]

 To be honest I've given up on the number stamps. I borrowed a set and whatever they are, is what I'm using.

 I've de-glued the carbs and have had it running again. I ordered new brake lines and cables for it so while I'm waiting for bike and car parts, I'll take this beast apart and hopefully it will be ready to go back together.
  What I haven't decided is whether to try welding the broken fins in place or do I take it apart and return the bore to stock. I have a nice stock cylinder and pistons, and am sure there's a good head here too.
  With the chrome on it this might be a good home for my chromed swingarm and chain guard.

[Don R]

 I got a full set of cables and brake hoses today, The cap on my homemade IV bottle cracked, I'll try to find one or just buy a real fuel tank. This one was made from an empty tire slime bottle, the bottoms are very thick and will hold threads, the pointy top was good for the vent and capped when not in use.

[Don R]

 The carbs are unstuck and cleaned, it starts and runs. I replaced all of the old and long chopper cables and hoses. The motor still has broken fins on the cylinder and head. I have a sweet K5 top end that was on a running sandcast engine case.
  I'm considering pulling the engine and doing a top end swap, it's not the correct engine anyway. It really is a k2 bike but the engine case is K1. It would be a shame because that 836 runs hard. I'd really like to get a peek inside of it. Maybe just an engine swap would be more beneficial.
  I've sold two bikes recently which means I have two fewer batteries around here. I need to snag a new one this week to rotate into my keeper bikes. One that I'm using is 8 years old. 

[grcamna2]

The carbs are unstuck and cleaned, it starts and runs. I replaced all of the old and long chopper cables and hoses. The motor still has broken fins on the cylinder and head. I have a sweet K5 top end that was on a running sandcast engine case.
  I'm considering pulling the engine and doing a top end swap, it's not the correct engine anyway. It really is a k2 bike but the engine case is K1. It would be a shame because that 836 runs hard. I'd really like to get a peek inside of it. Maybe just an engine swap would be more beneficial.
  I've sold two bikes recently which means I have two fewer batteries around here. I need to snag a new one this week to rotate into my keeper bikes. One that I'm using is 8 years old.

You take it for a short ride yet ?

[Don R]

 No, it's still on the lift. I have been practicing welding fins, so far oxy/acetylene and alloy rod hasn't worked. I can't make enough heat to make it stick.
 Tig may also need some pre-heating.

[Don R]

 I set the gas tank on the floor and it began leaking at the petcock. I had to put it back on the bike and hook up the fuel lines. My guess is I cracked a fiber washer inside the petcock.

[Terry in Australia]

I think I replaced mine with copper washers last time Don, for the same reason.

[Don R]

 I finally took old Louis' petcock apart, my new fiber washers were too small, so I got out the petcock box and found my two best used ones. I had a new Randakks 4 hole washer for a goldwing that fit, it's a dark red rubber of some sort. Anyway it's getting a test now, if it passes I'll fill the tank and put it on.
   Edit; There was some rust showing on one screw, with a stain going down into the sediment bowl , this tank got a dose of water a few years ago, I acid washed it until it looked clean and lined it with northern products blue coating. It did not work, the tank is re-rusting under the coating.
 It looks like old Louis is getting a different gas tank and a paint job. I'll drop the float bowls again for a quick check, if they have anything in them, I'll recover the fuel and petcock and make this bike black. I also have a set of F-B sidecovers so black is an easy option.

[Don R]

 My brother had left an open can of gas out in the rain, I ended up taking the hit on the damage. He seems to not remember I saw it and commented on how to get rid of the gas. I already fixed his lawn tractor.
 This lovely on the outside blue tank is the big heartbreaker. It's nice to look at but not worth the effort to live with. Reminds me of a girl I knew. I plugged a 1/4" inline filter draining it and ended up using a coffee filter and a funnel to get the gas back out.
 The black tank is a newer one, with the petcock on the wrong side but has a good one. Now I need a barbed fuel tee and have to move the lines. It's a shame my painter is moving to OK. I want to do another Tiger Eye Pearl bike.
 
 

[Don R]

The gas that made me sad.

[Don R]

 The tank cleaning on the K4 went so well I'm going to try to save this one again with cleaning vinegar followed by Evaporust.
  I'll decide later if I want to try to remove the Northern tank liner, whether it was my poor application or poor product performance I can't say, but it/I did not do the job. 

[Don R]

 The carbs were mostly clean, but two needle valves were frozen. It took pliers to release them. 2-3 aren't heating up,  and the 2-3 the timing was off. This bike would be a good candidate for an electronic ignition. These points and the set from before have plagued me since day one.  I hesitate to drag it to the swap meet again, it has more miles on the trailer than on the street.
 It appears the Northern brand tank sealer has melted into the gas and cemented the carbs. Oh my, they were a bear to get cleaned. Still not 100%. I think the #4 exhaust valve has a bit of rust on it, it's getting fuel and good spark and is timed but the pipe doesn't get as hot as the other three.  I'm going to ride the stink out of this thing tomorrow.

[Don R]

 Old Lewey got a chromed swingarm with bronze bushings and workable grease zerks in the pivot bolt. I re-set the brake pedal to line up the dots, it always seemed like worn brake shoes but they are pretty new.
  The brake pedal rod and strut are chrome and I've been gathering all of the related chromed parts as they were discovered in purchase parts.
  For the life of me I couldn't get the pivot bolt through the right direction. It finally went through the opposite way so I called it good. Now it's missing the zerk, hopefully I'll find it. If not I'll tap and drill it.
  This will go well with all of the chrome engine parts and footpegs, and free up a rebuilt later type swingarm for my brothers K4.