Topic: 1975 restoration/modification for a buddy- COMPLETED

[BigJimG]

I, too, like to take my first test rides on 94/75/275. 😬

I use 75/475/69... 

[Shtonecb500]

This bike is finally 99% so ill update with pictures and mark as completed this week.

I found the three yellow charging wires down at the motor were broken at the connections, after I repaired those everything started working again. I thought my reg rec was damaged and Had to spring for new one.

I purchased rust remover from auto zone, it worked quickly but not sure how well this tuff would do on really tough jobs, 22 bucks for a gallon. I did see some metal rescue in concentrated form and you just add a gallon of water but I decided to try the cheaper newer stuff. It did the job.

Im guessing the 75' model is the year they eliminated the option of turning off your headlight? because I cant get this bike to turn the light off at all, it turns the tail light on and off but not the headlight. The headlight assembly needs to be looked at again because I dont like the way it likes to stay oriented, needs chain guard installed, install the gas tank. Purchased some 2 inch risers for this bike as well, the extra height feels really good and im glad i added them, that also gives me the room to drop the forks another 2 inches and essentially eliminate the extra 2-3 inches extension on these fork, ill leave them as is for now and let the owner decided.

[Shtonecb500]

Progression pics, I’ll post final completed pics this week.

info on the bike: Purchased on CL in Detroit and the kid pulled it out of his neighbors garage. I jump started it in his driveway and gave his 1,000 bucks with title. Now that we have had this motor open twice and run through a couple version of the bike we know its got an 836kit, RC performance cam. i found some new fork tubes in the shop that were 2-3 inch over extended but we used them anyway, installed some lane splitter handle bars, 2 inch bar risers, a new seat cover from ebay, found a sissy bar in the shop, new spit fire tires. All the electrical components are new and upgraded, not sure what the taillight is from, installed forward controls from tc bros, new throttle and clutch cables, brakes are great.

I did not strip the gold tank because im keeping that for myself and I painted another tank for him, He wanted a military green theme and the primer color is what he liked. The bike is getting delivered to Georgia but not sure if im going to ride the bike or ship it to him, I told him to have someone or a shop down there to give it that rat rod cruiser flair he is looking to achieve. I wanted to go a complete different route as far as color scheme. The handle bars and forward controls are EXTREMELY comfortable for anyone considering this set up.

The only thing I dont like is the sound of the exhaust, its very crude. We aren't springing for a new exhaust though right now. I love the way it looks, fits the bike and i like how clean it makes everything.

[newday777]

Im guessing the 75' model is the year they eliminated the option of turning off your headlight? because I cant get this bike to turn the light off at all, it turns the tail light on and off but not the headlight.

The 1976 model year, K6(manufacturing started in 8/75) was when the feds required the lights to stay on full time(headlight, front marker in turn signals and the taillight).
The 1975 K5 had an on off switch for all the lights on the right hand control(and was eliminated on the K6 models to meet fed requirements). K5 and K6  had a small hi/low switch on the left hand controls that flipped vertically.
I owned both the K5 and K6 new off the floor and was a parts manager back then.
I have another K5 and a K6 now but can't take pictures until afternoon today. The K5 is a rider which I ride at least weekly and the K6 is in a rebuild process. I got asked to ride my K5 in the local Labor Day Parade. Both have their original hand controls on them.

[Shtonecb500]

this one says 75 on frame and 76 on title work. Ty you for the info, I ultimately gave up on finding a solution for it and decided him having a full time running headlight  light was best anyway.

[bryanj]

Remember they dont miraculously travel instantaneously from a factory in Japan to a shop in US.
The frame plate shows whem BUILT not sold

[Alan F.]

Remember they dont miraculously travel instantaneously from a factory in Japan to a shop in US.

I understand Honda is working that idea through R&D though.

[newday777]

this one says 75 on frame and 76 on title work. Ty you for the info, I ultimately gave up on finding a solution for it and decided him having a full time running headlight  light was best anyway.

But
Does it say manufacturered date or model year??

[ekpent]

  I think there may be a possibility that I painted that frame gold, the shade of it looks so familiar. The bike was a 1976 or K6. If it was the one I did here in Kazoo Michigan it would have been done in the 80's if I remember correctly and I used Imron aircraft paint that a guy I know supplied as that is what he did,paint planes. Mix ,spray and get it out of the cup before it sets up   I did it for one of my best riding buddies. He pulled the engine and put in a Wiseco 811 kit and a Barnett clutch. Also painted the tank/side covers Candy Apple red but somebody else later covered it in black. It was for sale here in town once by a guy who got it from my friend and then I saw it again for sale sometime later down around Angola Ind. and the person had broke down and he was selling. Sure looks like the same shade of gold on that frame.

[Shtonecb500]

All finished with this, loading up in the morning and delivering to Georgia. I’ll record a video so you can hear the scavenger pipes. This thing would look much better with a 18" wheel on the front instead, I wonder if i have any used tank trim somewhere?

[Alan F.]

That came out well, load it carefully and have a safe trip.

[Shtonecb500]

That came out well, load it carefully and have

[Shtonecb500]

Drove to Georgia straight through 14 hours, it rained on me for the first 8 hours then some mist here and there, they bike got soaked. I got there around 9am, went to ride the bike and it started dying on me, I assumed it was just too wet. Long story short, petcock wasnt flowing well, cleaned it out, bike was running real nice. It felt good to leave that #$%*er 1000 miles away from me.

Just got back a couple hours ago, drove back home straight through again.

back to my bikes.

[KennyRedman]

Drove to Georgia straight through 14 hours, it rained on me for the first 8 hours then some mist here and there, they bike got soaked. I got there around 9am, went to ride the bike and it started dying on me, I assumed it was just too wet. Long story short, petcock wasnt flowing well, cleaned it out, bike was running real nice. It felt good to leave that #$%*er 1000 miles away from me.

Just got back a couple hours ago, drove back home straight through again.

back to my bikes.

Well done. I saw all the rain and crappy weather in Atlanta while watching the WS games the last few nights.

[Alan F.]

Good to hear you got there and back without much drama. Preparation was likely the key.

[Shtonecb500]

Thanks guys.

Plowing snow really conditioned me for long distance and lots of the time behind a wheel so It wasnt bad. That was the first time I have taken i75 south that far, never been to Georgia before, never seen a cotton field with my own eyes before, the foliage down there was beautiful, about 20 min from the florida state line. I will be going back there....

I really hate dodge rams, they are the "hot boy" or the weekend warrior truck, its too high, too big, handles like a boat....they are so tall you cant even work out of the back of one. I DIDNT feel safe in the thing taking some curves at 80. It felt good being back inside of a truck though, maybe Ill get one again.