Topic: Restoration Service?

[samfig]

Hey, All!

I've had this K3 750 for over six years and I love it.  I'm the second owner and it's stock save for some little things here and there and it's needing some refreshing that I'm finding little time to be able to get done myself.  I've done some work here and there with the help of this awesome forum but I've gotten to the point in life (two kids, starting a business, working my real job and maintaining a home) that means I have to choose very wisely how I'm using my time.
With this in mind, does anyone know of a reputable service in the midwest that you would trust with bringing these beasts back to their full glory?
it needs mechanical (new seals and a general overhaul) and cosmetic work (painting the engine and some polishing of bits).
I'm in the Chicagoland area but I'm willing to drive for it to be done right.
Thanks!
-Sam

[ekpent]

 How much are you willing to spend, that stuff gets expensive fast if someone else does it. Both member Sean and I know of a place close to Kalamazoo but not sure I am ready to make a recommendation with my rep on the line.

[samfig]

Cost will always be a deciding factor, of course, but it's easier for me to expense the cost to the wife if i'm restoring the bike instead of buying a new one.  Realistically so long as it's mechanically good I'm fine with the bike as it.  The cosmetics would just be a bonus.

[ekpent]

 Do you have a picture of it handy you could post ?  Worth a thousand words.

[pjlogue]

Samfig,  The best advice I can give is learn all you can about your machine.  Unless you have a very deep pockets you will need to get your hands dirty.  This is a 47 year old bike.  Educate yourself about how it works and how to do repairs.  This forum is a huge resource of information.  A true mechanic these days is almost impossible to find.  A mechanic is very different than a shop technician. 

If you want to ride, get to know your bike inside an out.  Know how to do a field repair on the road.  I have had my bike since I bought in new in '76 and have been riding since '72.  Every nudge, sound, tweak it makes when I ride, I know what to look for.

There are very few people I would trust working on my bikes. 

-P. 

[Alan F.]

Samfig,  The best advice I can give is learn all you can about your machine.  Unless you have a very deep pockets you will need to get your hands dirty.  This is a 47 year old bike.  Educate yourself about how it works and how to do repairs.  This forum is a huge resource of information.  A true mechanic these days is almost impossible to find.  A mechanic is very different than a shop technician. 

If you want to ride, get to know your bike inside an out.  Know how to do a field repair on the road.  I have had my bike since I bought in new in '76 and have been riding since '72.  Every nudge, sound, tweak it makes when I ride, I know what to look for.

There are very few people I would trust working on my bikes. 

-P.

I agree, buy Hondaman's book and have at it.

[The Sovereign Man]

Samfig,  The best advice I can give is learn all you can about your machine.  Unless you have a very deep pockets you will need to get your hands dirty.  This is a 47 year old bike.  Educate yourself about how it works and how to do repairs.  This forum is a huge resource of information.  A true mechanic these days is almost impossible to find.  A mechanic is very different than a shop technician. 

If you want to ride, get to know your bike inside an out.  Know how to do a field repair on the road.  I have had my bike since I bought in new in '76 and have been riding since '72.  Every nudge, sound, tweak it makes when I ride, I know what to look for.

There are very few people I would trust working on my bikes. 

-P.

I agree, buy Hondaman's book and have at it.

I agree with you agreeing. They’re not difficult machines to work on, just parts are occasionally hard to come by.

[69cb750]

I've gotten to the point in life (two kids, starting a business, working my real job and maintaining a home) that means I have to choose very wisely how I'm using my time.

I've gotten to the point in life (two kids, starting a business, working my real job and maintaining a home) that means I have to choose very wisely how I'm using my time.

[Alan F.]

One alternate method is to buy a turn-key bike from a forum member. They come up from time to time and can usually be had for less than the cost of doing it yourself or having it done by someone else.

[samfig]

Gentleman!
I see your angle and I don't think the majority of the work is out of my league.  I bought HondaMan's book several years ago and I've been able to do some small things like the wheel bearings, master cylinder, and brakes but what I'm up against is time.  I agree that with patience and time I would be able to complete the mechanical stuff and then send out to a shop all the paint work, but at what cost of time?  I can't imagine how long the bike would be out of commission if I were to remove the engine to replace seals and look things over.

As for the bike itself ... when I bought it from the original owner about seven years ago it had been sitting for decades.  He had the original seat, forks, and bars in boxes as he had it modded at the dealer when he bought it new.  Two of the pipes need to be replaced as they have large holes in them and it makes the bike sound and smell terrible. 

Here are some pictures of the bike from when I first got it. 

For me having it mechanically sound is first, which means some seals would have to be replaced as its weeping oil and some new pipes, which I would want the original look.  Since it would be big $$ for some pipes it would look odd if they were new and everything else had a patina to it.
Thoughts?

[samfig]

Some more pics.

[samfig]

a few more.

[ekpent]

 From what I can see I would not be doing a re-paint if its original and would try and get the mechanicals sound,original handlebars on and bad pipes replaced or repaired and keep it original as possible slight patina and all. How many miles are on her ? Where is it leaking oil at,might be as simple as a tach seal or something.

[madmtnmotors]

I would not remove the engine unless you can confirm some profuse oil leak that would require removal (rare).

[jakec]

What OP wants is a detail job done.

[maxheadflow]

I would not remove the engine unless you can confirm some profuse oil leak that would require removal (rare).

What about if the cam tower plugs are leaking?  I would think that these are pretty much mandatory with the age.

[madmtnmotors]

I would not remove the engine unless you can confirm some profuse oil leak that would require removal (rare).

What about if the cam tower plugs are leaking?  I would think that these are pretty much mandatory with the age.

OP has already indicated he does not have the resource/luxury of time to devote to this. To entrust that kind of work to any shop will require a leap of faith, good fortune, and deep pockets. Just trying to be realistic about how to realize the most enjoyment without huge outlays of cash and possible engine damage from inexperienced "mechanics" by "jousting at windmills" in the form of minor oil weeping.

Member ofreen was at nearly 160,000 miles on his 75 CB750F in 2017 without ever having removed the engine from the bike:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,23731.msg1930736.html#msg1930736

Then, in 2019 they were hit by a truck on the way home from work:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,23731.msg2069630.html#msg2069630

and I'm not sure he even removed the engine then to make the repairs.

[seanbarney41]

Ofreen's bike is a hero!  But I am not sure it can be considered the norm.  Most of these bikes I see are gonna need pucks.

If I wanted some good work done.  I would either send the engine to CycleX or try Johnny's Vintage in Ohio.  He is more of a Kawasaki specialist, but I know he has done scores of 750's.  Either way, it's gonna cost, so most guys gotta do it themselves.  That is why there is not a selection of shops in every region.  Few that are interested can afford the bill.

[maxheadflow]

I would not remove the engine unless you can confirm some profuse oil leak that would require removal (rare).

What about if the cam tower plugs are leaking?  I would think that these are pretty much mandatory with the age.

OP has already indicated he does not have the resource/luxury of time to devote to this. To entrust that kind of work to any shop will require a leap of faith, good fortune, and deep pockets. Just trying to be realistic about how to realize the most enjoyment without huge outlays of cash and possible engine damage from inexperienced "mechanics" by "jousting at windmills" in the form of minor oil weeping.

Member ofreen was at nearly 160,000 miles on his 75 CB750F in 2017 without ever having removed the engine from the bike:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,23731.msg1930736.html#msg1930736

Then, in 2019 they were hit by a truck on the way home from work:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,23731.msg2069630.html#msg2069630

and I'm not sure he even removed the engine then to make the repairs.

Well at 160K they guy was probably tossing in a little fork oil or ATF to keep the seals and tower plugs soft. 

As far as finding someone else to do the work, I'm all for it.  The thing is to find someone reputable which is the reason why he is asking here.  Believe me I've seen a bunch of "do it yourselfers" do more damage than good.  This place thrives on it.

[samfig]

The immediate work would have to be what's pictured below and the two exhaust pipes that are turning to swiss cheese.
I'm not sure what it would cost to change that seal, but what time would it take?  How involved would the work be?  I feel confident in doing the work with time and patience, but one of those is precisely what I don't have.

[scottly]

Well at 160K they guy was probably tossing in a little fork oil or ATF to keep the seals and tower plugs soft. 

No, he wasn't. My top end was last apart in 1979, and the seals and cam tower pucks don't leak.

[madmtnmotors]

The immediate work would have to be what's pictured below and the two exhaust pipes that are turning to swiss cheese.
I'm not sure what it would cost to change that seal, but what time would it take?  How involved would the work be?  I feel confident in doing the work with time and patience, but one of those is precisely what I don't have.

Is that exhaust soot on the cylinders? If so, replacing exhaust pipes and exhaust gaskets is pretty straightforward.

[madmtnmotors]

As far as finding someone else to do the work, I'm all for it.  The thing is to find someone reputable which is the reason why he is asking here.

Part of my point being reputable=$$$, just depends on how much you want to spend.

[newday777]

The immediate work would have to be what's pictured below and the two exhaust pipes that are turning to swiss cheese.
I'm not sure what it would cost to change that seal, but what time would it take?  How involved would the work be?  I feel confident in doing the work with time and patience, but one of those is precisely what I don't have.

Contact Steve Hoy in Indiana. He comes highly recommended and isn't too far from you.

https://www.hoyvc.com/

BTW your bike looks great.

[ekpent]

 Here's a face behind the name for Hoy  https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2019/01/22/vintage-motorcycles-restoration-niche-brownsburg-shop/2524719002/