Topic: 1971 CB750 K1 Restoration Project

[Oly]

John and Stu...thanks for your feedback.
  As I looked further into their differences I see they state that their standard all balls bearing kits are built to ABEC 3 levels (1 year warranty) but that they are all built in China, where their pivot works premium bearing kits are built in US, Canada, Europe, Japan or Taiwan from top OEM suppliers (NTN, NSK, and Koyo) and come with limited lifetime warranty).
  If I get bearings locally what P/N do I use to make sure I'm getting the correct ones...the original Honda P/Ns?

[BenelliSEI]

John and Stu...thanks for your feedback.
  As I looked further into their differences I see they state that their standard all balls bearing kits are built to ABEC 3 levels (1 year warranty) but that they are all built in China, where their pivot works premium bearing kits are built in US, Canada, Europe, Japan or Taiwan from top OEM suppliers (NTN, NSK, and Koyo) and come with limited lifetime warranty).
  If I get bearings locally what P/N do I use to make sure I'm getting the correct ones...the original Honda P/Ns?

I usually knock them out and take them with me. The guys look and measure for a match. Usually the bearings have universal part numbers on both the race and roller portion too. Often they will also offer a sealed bearing option (plastic, snap in covers on both sides) that keep grease inside and dirt/water out. If they have them, I upgrade.... The covers pop out easily, if you ever want to repack them, but at this point I’m confident they’ll outlast me!

[Shtonecb500]

love your original paint. The last few months i managed to piece together a full candy gold body kit for my k1...i love it.

[BenelliSEI]

love your original paint. The last few months i managed to piece together a full candy gold body kit for my k1...i love it.

I agree! A few years ago, I built this gold K0 (SOLD). Ever since, been thinking about a gold Yamiya kit for my K1.

[MauiK3]

The Yamiya stuff is very nice.

[Oly]

I agree! A few years ago, I built this gold K0 (SOLD). Ever since, been thinking about a gold Yamiya kit for my K1.
[/quote]


That KO is truly amazing.  I'm afraid mine will never get to there while I own it. The gold is my favorite color. It always looks so good with like new chrome.

[Oly]

  Well I finally got front and rear bearings out.  The rear bearings did show some slight soiling of the grease and after cleaning them up so I could spin them, they showed some roughness so definitely replacing those.  The front bearing set was considerably harder to remove even with my blind bearing puller and when I did they looked very good.  No contamination of the grease at all. 
  So the question I have for all the expert rebuilders on this forum is:  with 30,000 miles on the bike should I even consider repacking and reinstalling them to save a couple bucks or would I possibly be touching them again shortly after I start riding it regularly?
 

[seanbarney41]

I rarely find a reason to replace them.  Just keep an eye on things as you ride and mantain.  They will give good warning when they get bad.

[Johnie]

Opinion 2: The old bearings are not sealed. Replace them as long as they're already out with new sealed bearings. Minimal cost involved. I did that on my gold K1 (sold). No sense in keeping 50 year old bearings in there. Peace of mind for sure.

[BenelliSEI]

Clean out the old grease and have a good look. Quiet and no play? I repack them and put them back in.

[Oly]

  Thanks for all the great feedback.  I continued to clean up the front and rear bearing sets to be able to do a proper evaluation of them.  Right now I'm looking to reused them.  I am the first to remove them and so I wanted to document what I found.
Rear wheel: Qty 1, 6305Z, NTN, Japan and Qty 2 6304Z, NTN, Japan.
Front wheel: Qty 2, 6302Z, KOYO, Japan. (bearing with original grease shown)
  I'll be looking to get new oil seals and O-rings for both Front and Rear wheels, along with the Speedometer Gear Box Assy.  Any input on where to find these items would be really appreciated. 
  Also, I'd like feedback on which type of grease everyone is using for repacking everything.

[newday777]

Everett Power Sports and South Sound Honda there in WA have great on line prices for original honda parts.

High speed wheel bearing grease. I use a red grease.

[BenelliSEI]

I use the same grease. I think mine is a small tub, by Castrol. Local farm store.