Topic: Nominate for Bike of the Month April 2018

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

No sooner have we recognize the BOTM for March that it's time to nominate some great SOHC4 bikes for April 2018!

[Stev-o]

Hey Don......id like to nominate Johnie. And his '78 550 stock restore....



http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,160819.msg1961561/topicseen.html#new

[danyo]

I'll second that. Nice resto Johnnie. Like always.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[Johnie]

Thanks guys. I accept.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nice bike to kick things off.  Okay, folks, anyone else??

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'll nominate MauiK3's 1973 CB750K3

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163354.0.html
IMG_1038 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_1230 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_1246 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_1233 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[Stev-o]

I'll second that sweet K3....

[MauiK3]

I am truly touched.
Thank you for the nomination, I accept.
This project was a bit of nostalgia, love and just wanting to wrench a little after a long absence.
While it is a K3, when I went to find parts, the observer will note I chose a lot of K0-K1 parts. That is is partly due to that's what I found and largely due to wanting it to look like my K0 looked.
I am fortunate in that my wife of 39 years enthusiastically supported it and rides with me on it.
The current status is that it is up and running although I think I have to raise the needles one notch to further dial in the mixture. It's till a tad lean.
I also want to replace the back rack, it came with the bike and I don't like it. I may have a local fabricator make one with a lower profile and I'll powdercoat it black.
I used Mark Paris's "bible" every step of the way, what a great book!!!!

The summary:
K3
29,500 miles
Head and cylinders by Hondaman (just cleaned up, not hot rodded) Cylinders are .5 mm over.
New clutch
New clutch spring compressor
Continental tires
New wheel bearings
New head bearings
New bronze swing arm bearings
New shock lower bushings
New carb kits
New cam chain/tensioner
New primary chain/tensioner
New sprockets/chain 18-48
New cush drive
Hagon shocks
New wiring harness
New rubber everywhere (it never ended)
New seat from Yamiya, 20 mm cut down in front (I'm only a 30 in inseam)
Discs went to Tru Disc for service, no squeals yet, they work great with two finger pull
New calipers
New fork springs and seals
New fork tubes, old ones are now cheater bars
New rear fender K0 style with the light
Gauges went to the Netherlands and they are beautiful
Frame is POR 15 with chassis black top coat
Engine is POR 15 aluminum detail paint
Electronic voltage regulator
Marchal euro headlight, the little parking lamp is on when the ignition is on
The tank, side covers and headlight can and ears are Yamiya, as well as the paint.
I had to have the steering stops welded up, they were worn and the forks could contact the tank, yikes!
I'm sure I've left something out but you get the idea.
Thank you for your consideration
Steve

[MauiK3]

Oh, how did I get the bike?
I bought it from the original owner, my eye doctor. He had to return to the mainland to Southern California due to his wife's health and he knew he didn't have time for it, he asked me to buy it from him. It came out of the blue and was one of those things in life you can't plan for. He was very attached to it of course. At one point prior to my buying it I told him that if I ever bought a vintage bike I'd have to go through it. This must have been the information he needed.
So when the time came I went over to his house and picked it up. I drove it around for a few months to evaluate the condition. It had just started to show some advancing corrosion and other age problems.
I then switched to garage from mostly wood work (my main hobby) to bike work.
And the fun............and spending..............and polishing..........measuring..............cleaning..........began.
Steve

[Stev-o]

I have another nominee....rtb's '73 CB500.   Now we are well rounded this month - a 750, 550 and a 500.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,124285.25.html


BTW - guys: save your stories for the voting thread that will start on the 16th [you can copy and paste].  Thx

[Sam Green Racing]

I'll second rtb's 500.

Sam.

[Stev-o]

I'll second rtb's 500.

And not a single black wheel in sight this month, Sam!

[rtbmrgl]

I have another nominee....rtb's '73 CB500.   Now we are well rounded this month - a 750, 550 and a 500.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,124285.25.html


BTW - guys: save your stories for the voting thread that will start on the 16th [you can copy and paste].  Thx

Thanks i accept. 

[MauiK3]

Old age makes things a little slower.
I forgot to add some things about the K3

Great stainless oil lines from Rafi
Stainless spokes from Buchannon
New rims from Yamiya
The tires and tubes came from Revzilla which turned out to be the best in regards to shipping. Their customer service is super.
I've used stainless fasteners in many places, many of which I hand polished. This all due to our marine environment here. I used original type fasteners in many key areas for strength.
I've only seen a few (3 so far) SOHC Honda's here on island. One is a chopper, one is sort of a cafe and the last I briefly saw looks stock.
Again, thank you for the nomination.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Now we are well rounded this month - a 750, 550 and a 500.

Thumbs up!