Topic: Alan's CB750 K8

[BenelliSEI]

Benelli...does Canadian K8 have an on/off switch for the headlight?  If yes, that may be why those repro harness' worked easy for you.

No. Lamps are permanently on as “day time running lights”. I don’t remember it being a big issue.
I do remember the harness for the K7 was slightly different and was a separate part number. No rcol cation why.......

[Alan F.]

All I've ever found for k8 is:
https://www.vintagecb750.com/products/5/electrical/55/wiring-harness

[BenelliSEI]

All I've ever found for k8 is:
https://www.vintagecb750.com/products/5/electrical/55/wiring-harness

Yup..... That would be what we used. The only thing I remember was engaging the starter button turns off the headlight momentarily. Took me a while to sort that, but otherwise painless and still working perfectly well.

[desertrefugee]

I did use them in two K8s I restored with a friend. Don’t recall any issues and they are both running reliably. Probably +8-10 years.

I get all misty when I see one of these. A K7 was my first Japanese street bike. By the way, isn't the one on the right a k7? Side cover sure is...

[BenelliSEI]

I did use them in two K8s I restored with a friend. Don’t recall any issues and they are both running reliably. Probably +8-10 years.

I get all misty when I see one of these. A K7 was my first Japanese street bike. By the way, isn't the one on the right a k7? Side cover sure is...

Yes sir! I still have both. The leading K8 and the K7 are mine. The one in the back is another K8, belonging to my best friend. We restored them all together, years ago. The white tank strip on the K7 is the other give away. The K7 also had a more traditional “log” seat. Still two of my favourite bikes. I think the black ones look stunning! At one time, my wife rode a 400F, my son rode a 550K and I had the 750K8. Made a lovely set.

[Alan F.]

All I've ever found for k8 is:
https://www.vintagecb750.com/products/5/electrical/55/wiring-harness

Yup..... That would be what we used. The only thing I remember was engaging the starter button turns off the headlight momentarily. Took me a while to sort that, but otherwise painless and still working perfectly well.

I'm not sure I understand, did you sort it? (and how?) Or was it a design feature? (Which I understood to be so)

[grcamna2]

I did use them in two K8s I restored with a friend. Don’t recall any issues and they are both running reliably. Probably +8-10 years.

I get all misty when I see one of these. A K7 was my first Japanese street bike. By the way, isn't the one on the right a k7? Side cover sure is...

Yes sir! I still have both. The leading K8 and the K7 are mine. The one in the back is another K8, belonging to my best friend. We restored them all together, years ago. The white tank strip on the K7 is the other give away. The K7 also had a more traditional “log” seat. Still two of my favourite bikes. I think the black ones look stunning! At one time, my wife rode a 400F, my son rode a 550K and I had the 750K8. Made a lovely set.

John,these 3 beautiful Honda's are all the same color scheme  Very Nice CB400F,CB550 and CB750.

[RAFster122s]

Bill, that's a photo of three 750s, not a 750, 550, and 450...
Tank stripes are different on all three...
Even though it is a pair of K8s and a K7.

[Alan F.]

The bike on the left says 400FOUR on the side cover, sorry.

But they are Beautiful bikes. I doubt mine will be in league with them. But then again for a $300 buy in with title I'll be happy if it's reliable in the end.

[Don R]

 I love the paint on the 400F

[BenelliSEI]

All I've ever found for k8 is:
https://www.vintagecb750.com/products/5/electrical/55/wiring-harness

Yup..... That would be what we used. The only thing I remember was engaging the starter button turns off the headlight momentarily. Took me a while to sort that, but otherwise painless and still working perfectly well.

I'm not sure I understand, did you sort it? (and how?) Or was it a design feature? (Which I understood to be so)

I think the harness was OK, but Honda had added a small jumper wire in the headlight shell that I had to replicate and add...... Honestly, I just can’t remember!

[Alan F.]

I'll give it a go then when the time comes. I'm sure if the search function can't find the answer that someone will have the info. Thank you for mentioning this jumper, I'm pretty sure you just saved me a big headache.

[Don R]

 I forget if it's brown to br/wh or brown to black, it gets obvious after the other colors are matched.
 Your bike probably already has it. It's male to male and the only one I've ever found in a honda. I like to print the oldmanhonda wiring diagram in color as big as possible, then tape it to a beer carton so it will stand up.

[BenelliSEI]

I forget if it's brown to br/wh or brown to black, it gets obvious after the other colors are matched.
 Your bike probably already has it. It's male to male and the only one I've ever found in a honda. I like to print the oldmanhonda wiring diagram in color as big as possible, then tape it to a beer carton so it will stand up.

Don..... I think you are right! I have a “Canada K8 Wiring diagram” in one of my manuals, that I think shows just what you describe. I’ll look for it too.

[Don R]

On a 400F it's under the tank in the wiring sheath. I removed it and matched the colors and the euro park lamp worked.

[Alan F.]

...Now to find some oven cleaner to get the anodize off of the 2 sets of CB750A/GL1100 wheels and choose which will go on the K8.

Almost a full year later I've finally found Oven Cleaner on the shelf at a local store! I bought 2 cans and will be polishing these wheels up first chance I get.

[Ellz10]

So, instead of a barn find it is a pine forest find...

Dying at this 


BTW, I've read the whole thread, and a great job Alan!

[grcamna2]

So, instead of a barn find it is a pine forest find...

Dying at this 


BTW, I've read the whole thread, and a great job Alan!

Alan,do you have a 'salvage woods' of old motorcycles around where you live;can you go shopping there regularly ?

[Alan F.]

Thanks Ellz10! I'm hoping to finish up 2 other projects before getting back into this one, with the nice weather finally becoming more consistent I'm more motivated. Working on projects without real shop space really blows.

No Bill, it's just a photo I downloaded somewhere. I'm sure there are places like that nearby that I dont know about though.

[grcamna2]

Thanks Ellz10! I'm hoping to finish up 2 other projects before getting back into this one, with the nice weather finally becoming more consistent I'm more motivated. Working on projects without real shop space really blows.

No Bill, it's just a photo I downloaded somewhere. I'm sure there are places like that nearby that I dont know about though.

I found a similar experience in W. Pa. not far from a state park.
The man had a day job;his Father had the collection before him..The unfortunate thing was they were in his yard covered in thick old vines and poison oak looking like they'd been there for decades,there were even small trees growing up between them.I offered to clear some of the brush out in trade for some parts and after a few days I could see what was left of them up close..

[Alan F.]

I'd think spots like that would be good to visit in early winter before snowfall.

[grcamna2]

I'd think spots like that would be good to visit in early winter before snowfall.

I did it in early March,caught some blisters but it was worth it.I couldn't go back again because it broke my heart seeing these bikes with no plugs or carbs on them. 

[Alan F.]

I agree.

[Alan F.]

Much to my amazement my Girlfriend just asked me to complete my CB750K8 so I can take her out riding 2-up this year.

First I'll need to complete 2 50cc scooters and the CB160, so watch this space!

[Stev-o]

Much to my amazement my Girlfriend just asked me to complete my CB750K8 so I can take her out riding 2-up this year.

Hi Alan....what is needed at this point to make it a rider?  Seems this would be a priority if the gfriend want to ride!