Topic: The "I don't know what I'm doing" 1971 CB750 K1 Thread!

[God of Thunder]

Hellllllloooooo humans!

I picked this guy up a while back on an accident. I have a K2 thread going - that's getting closer to completion (ready for paint almost) - and when I was searching for parts, I found a 1971 with no motor for $100. I said "Ooooo look at all these parts for my K2" - little did I know that the K1 parts are often different than a K2. So - I ended up with a K1 with no motor. I've been searching for a motor - and have strongly debated just selling the frame and numerous accessories that I have - and then I also made small efforts to find a motor. As luck would have it - I located a motor about 4 hours away from me for a price that I was willing to pay. I have no idea of the condition of the motor - The frame starts with "107" and the engine starts with "111"  and I think the numbers are too far away for this motor to truly work in this motorcycle, but nonetheless, it is a 71 CB750 motor. So - I am NOT good with motorcycles - and I am learning a lot on my K2, so I was confronted with "sell it with the motor, or take a chance and restore one from the ground up" - in case it isn't obvious, since I made a thread, we're going with the restore and hope like heck I learn a lot of skills along the way.

The Good: I have 90% of the parts, including the main harness. I'm missing a seat - but I have a solution for it shortly. The frame doesn't seem to be in bad shape. I've got a 4 into 2 exhaust. I've got a lot of miscellaneous parts. And finally, I've got a K2 I can use as reference.

The Bad: No title. No idea of the condition of the engine. I know that the shift lever has a metal rod WELDED on. So I'll have to figure that out. Since the engine is off the bike, I will learn how to do a top end rebuild. The engine "COULD" be locked up. There is no kickstarter on it either - so I can't try.

With all of that said - I don't expect this to get a lot of updates right now. I wanted to post it now for a timeline, but the K2 at the moment is the priority as its almost ready for paint.

Pictures!
 

[WideAWAKE]

What’s your budget?

[God of Thunder]

What’s your budget?

I intend for this to take some time - so there's not a hard set budget. I'm gonna throw everything I've got at it.

[dusterdude]

Since im partial to k1's,i say build it

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

[WideAWAKE]

If time and money are no concern then get after it!

I would personally start by getting a title (or whatever paperwork make it proper in your state). No use spending time and money when it can very easily be taken from you when the time comes to get it on the road.

I’d do as much diagnostics on that motor to make sure it’s a viable candidate to get back on the road without pulling it completely apart.  (then I’d get the title haha) incase inspection wants to see a complete motor bolted to the frame.

[Don R]

 Here is my 70 when I got it. your bike reminded me of it. The color was called anti-theft brown. Now I call it the nugget.

[God of Thunder]

Here is my 70 when I got it. your bike reminded me of it. The color was called anti-theft brown. Now I call it the nugget.

At least yours had an engine in it! 

If anyone thinks this is too much for a beginner - please let me know now! I'd hate to start and have to sell it because I can't do it. I like to try new things - but there is definitely a lot of unknowns here for me!

[Don R]

 Only you can tell how far you are willing to go with it. My plan is usually to get it running first and ride it a bit. Get the mechanicals the way I want them and paint and polish after that. It often means several re-assemblies.
 I'm arguing with DMV at the moment on a title for a full custom drag bike build. They say they won't allow the previous owner to apply for a lost title.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Well, your engine cases are definitely a K1, so it will work even if you have to do a complete rebuild.  Since you have no history on this engine, it would likely be a good idea to split cases and check everything. 

[Alan F.]

By the time your K2 is finished you'll know your way around, and which questions to ask about your K1.

I'd look at the process for registering it in Vermont. You need a Law Enforcement Officer to write up a VIN# verification, so if you know any you're ahead already. The process isn't tough and it's all on their website.
You can do it.

Register in VT then take that Valid Reg to your RMV, DMV what have you, and apply for a title in your name. What State are you in?

[God of Thunder]

By the time your K2 is finished you'll know your way around, and which questions to ask about your K1.

I'd look at the process for registering it in Vermont. You need a Law Enforcement Officer to write up a VIN# verification, so if you know any you're ahead already. The process isn't tough and it's all on their website.
You can do it.

Register in VT then take that Valid Reg to your RMV, DMV what have you, and apply for a title in your name. What State are you in?

I'm in Missouri - my cousin is a police officer/sheriffs deputy in Texas. Is that something he could do?

[Don R]

  I got a letter written on police stationary saying they checked the VIN and nobody was looking for it. Just so they know in VT. that it isn't just one of my buddies writing it. They were very nice even at the beginnings of covid and actually refunded part of my money when I overpaid the value, they accepted poor as condition.  It did take a while but they had some crazy covid circumstances to work through. The DMV here completely closed.
  These bikes don't have the modern serial numbers and don't appear in a computer check.

[WideAWAKE]

By the time your K2 is finished you'll know your way around, and which questions to ask about your K1.

I'd look at the process for registering it in Vermont. You need a Law Enforcement Officer to write up a VIN# verification, so if you know any you're ahead already. The process isn't tough and it's all on their website.
You can do it.

Register in VT then take that Valid Reg to your RMV, DMV what have you, and apply for a title in your name. What State are you in?

If you don’t wanna jump through the hoops (I’ve done it a couple times)

You can check out the title service at saints engine and machine. For about 300 bucks, they take care of it all and send you a clean title that will transfer to any state. All you gotta do is send on some clear pics of your vins. Bike doesn’t need to be complete.

Lots of vintage bike folks use em. Great guy. Does some fantastic welding and machine work too.

[HondaMan]

WOW! With the airbox, too, what a find!
The K1/K2 differences are:
-Instruments (the K2 introduced the first "dashboard lites" on the handlebars).
-Rear fender/taillight (K2 got the big one, as did all Hondas in 1972 model year).
-Handlebar switches: the left side switch, if the frame is Old Factory K1, will lack a 'mute' button on the bottom of it for the turn signal beeper, while the New Factory K1 and all K2 had it, and the beeper. The Run/Off switch from the Old Factory (right side) was straight, while the New Factory units have a right-angle lever on them.
-The seat locks on K2, not on K1, and the hinges are different.
-The K1 frame, if it doesn't have them already, needs to have 2 holes in the lower side of the front cradle loop, right ahead of the lower front engine bolsters, and one on each side behind the engine where the vertical(ish) tube joins the lower one(s). This is to let accumulated moisture out, so the frame doesn't rust and rot there. The upper welds on the K1 were not 100% closed, so moisture can work itself into the tubes. The K2 and later ones were 'sealed up' to prevent this in the upper sections.
-The front brake hanger is a "C" shape on Old Factory K1 (1 piece) bikes and a 2-piece arrangement with a "T"-shaped upper part for the pivot pin on New Factory bikes. These parts interchange, though,

Those are the major frame differences, if I didn't forget any.