Topic: CB750 K5 (The non-running gem)

[desertrefugee]

Sorry about re-introducing this time-worn topic, but I am facing this dilemma.  I already have a shop full of bikes and projects, including a '78 750F project (BIIIGG project).

...but, I have an opportunity on a VERY clean '75 750.   All the original bits are there (except exhaust), but it has been sitting for 10 years.  Oil is very clean.  Fuel tank is empty, but spotlessly shiny.  Mileage is showing 15K and I believe it.  Bike appears to have been garaged its entire life.  No fade on handlebar plastic.  Gauge faces not pristine, but darn close.   Motor spins and appears to have solid compression.  I kicked it over at least 4 times to go all the way around.  Very tight.

Would anyone go a couple grand on something like this?   I have a hunch it's a safe bet and other than carbs and fluids should be a fairly easy resurrection.    (Unlike my '78 which needs almost everything - including a motor teardown).

Am I nuts?

[goodtryer]

I would. I’ve paid close to that for bikes that were missing much more. And all indications are that prices are going up. Hard to imagine that you’ll lose money even if you just buy, hold, and sell.

Does it have a title?

Good luck!

[desertrefugee]

Yeah, out of state title, but clean.   I eyeballed it yesterday.  I think I'll close the deal tomorrow.  I've been burned buying non-runners, but this one has been loved.   I think it's the real deal.  (I hope it is).    It's just more than I am accustomed to forking over for a 10 year sleeper.

Frankly though, if it turns out to be solid and a decent runner, I'll probably let the '78F go.  That one will take time, energy and money.  I'm running out of all three!   

Thanks.

[desertrefugee]

Well, since this is an SOHC board, it’s the one group that can understand how thrilled I am to have this specimen.  Although someone has taken some serious steps towards trying to make it into a “café racer”, it’s not too far removed from a very, very clean K5.  I have about four boxes of original parts, in pristine condition including a complete “spare” motor, albeit disassembled.  (That makes three 750 motors I have on the floor, one ready to fire.)

Even the original seat is absolutely immaculate with soft supple vinyl!  Fenders shine like mirrors, even underneath!

Although it’s soon to be too hot to spin wrenches in Phoenix, even with a cooled shop, I will begin doing a few things. But, the real work begins this fall.

[Alan F.]

Looks like you scored a keeper, congrats.

[754]

Wow , nice and clean.

[Jimcg]

Seems to be in good condition. What a bonus with the extra engine!

/Jim

[b1jackson]

Well, since this is an SOHC board, it’s the one group that can understand how thrilled I am to have this specimen.  Although someone has taken some serious steps towards trying to make it into a “café racer”, it’s not too far removed from a very, very clean K5.  I have about four boxes of original parts, in pristine condition including a complete “spare” motor, all fit disassembled.  (That makes three 750 motors I have on the floor, one ready to fire.)

Even the original seat is absolutely immaculate with soft supple vinyl!  Fenders shine like mirrors, even underneath!

Although it’s soon to be too hot to spin wrenches in Phoenix, even with a cooled shop, I will begin doing a few things. But, the real work begins this fall.

I just picked up a blue 750 in need of a seat if you wanted to break up with the cafe racer look. PM me if you'd like to sell and recoup some purchase costs on the bike. 

[desertrefugee]

Thanks for the offer, BJ, but I'm going to hang onto it.  I'll keep it in cafe format for now, but I think eventually, I'd like to restore it to full OEM configuration. 

(The thing I dread more than anything in doing that?   Threading harness back through the handlebar!)

[Don R]

 I've gotten pretty good at pulling handlebar wiring. If I were closer I'd do it for you.

[desertrefugee]

Thanks for the chatter, guys.   Super stoked here.

Hard to find one any cleaner (without taking a 2nd mortgage on the house).

[ekpent]

 Is the black on the wheels etc. paint or powder coat ? Hopefully no frame chopping for that seat. That blue is one of my favorite colors on the 750's.

[desertrefugee]

Thanks!  Powdercoat - and nothing has been altered at all.

[754]

Make sure the wiring is warm, pull a wire thru first.. atrach to switch wire, and make it a rat tail with tape... clamp handle bar in padded vise.. pull and push thru..
 I bet a bit of soapy water may help.. good luck..

[desertrefugee]

Not trying to be a bore here, but I cannot help but pass along a couple more observations. I do have a window of a couple of days before the heat really turns on out here in Phoenix. (Serious heat)

But I thought I’d just share how I continue to be surprised at how clean it well preserved this machine is. I know it’s by far not the only well preserved specimen around, but to be unrestored and still so clean is amazing.  Previous owner told me it was in his living room for 10 years. The original owner before him supposedly said it had never been in the rain.  I believe it!

[desertrefugee]

Eventually and it will happen soon, the heat in Phoenix will prevent me from working in the shop. But for now, the evaporative cooler is still doing it (amazing since yesterday was 113F where the shop temp was a cool 81).   Happy with that!

Anyway, I got the harness installed and have lights (headlight/tail/instruments), ignition and starter engagement.  It was not without just a little grief, but the deed is done. Don't want to attempt a startup until the exhaust is hung - copper oring/gaskets due today.   I'll be keeping the cafe config for now as it's so close, all I'll need is tail light, plate bracket and a chain.  Got three in the boxes, but I want a new one.

One disappointment surfaced.  I mentioned a "spare" motor as among the many parts that were included.  Turns out that the "spare" is actually the ORIGINAL to the bike!  Dang it.  The  one in there now is a '76!   Wonder what happened to the original?  (At least I have it).

[Bankerdanny]

No downside the the '76 engine since it's not a concours show bike. I don't think Honda made any material changes to the K6 engine vs the K5.

[PeWe]

K6 has different clutch than K5.
Outer steel basket different to house the outer fiber disc with wider ears. K6 has same fibers as the later, even them with double riveted steel disc.

K6 has also the later primary chain hub with a circlip groove, clip mounted when basket sit in place with the smaller washer after.
K5 has the wider washer.

I'm rather sure based on the 1975 engine case and K6 I have:
K6 rear case ventilation to oil tank use a thicker spigot, 1/2" hose. The earlier is thinner.

(K6 oil tank is different, no ventilation to air as the earlier.)

[desertrefugee]

K6 has different clutch than K5.
Outer steel basket different to house the outer fiber disc with wider ears. K6 has same fibers as the later, even them with double riveted steel disc.

K6 has also the later primary chain hub with a circlip groove, clip mounted when basket sit in place with the smaller washer after.
K5 has the wider washer.

I'm rather sure based on the 1975 engine case and K6 I have:
K6 rear case ventilation to oil tank use a thicker spigot, 1/2" hose. The earlier is thinner.

(K6 oil tank is different, no ventilation to air as the earlier.)

Really good info, PeWe, thank you.  Probably saved me some grief if (when) I need to get into the clutch!

[PeWe]

You will see when open.
Now mentally prepared

[newday777]

Not trying to be a bore here, but I cannot help but pass along a couple more observations.

But I thought I’d just share how I continue to be surprised at how clean it well preserved this machine is. I know it’s by far not the only well preserved specimen around, but to be unrestored and still so clean is amazing.  Previous owner told me it was in his living room for 10 years. The original owner before him supposedly said it had never been in the rain.  I believe it!

Not a bore. And yes you did well on getting this bike for what you paid.

I bought a 75 K5 3.5 years ago from a friend's estate that sat in his heated basement, also well preserved. The tank, side covers and seat were up in a spare bedroom covered and protected. He had kept the bike kicked over so it wasn't seized. The carbs were drained as was the tank. I taught him how to put a bike away each winter here in NH back when he got it in the early 1980 period. I only had to do a quick clean on the carbs when I got it, change the oil and flush the brakes. I've known each of the 2 owners and sold the aftermarket parts other than the Invader wheels to the original owner. I'm slowly bringing it back to stock as I can afford to buy the parts.
At this point it still runs great even after my being gone for 18 months(I put it away in storage properly), I had it on a good smart charger(one that has desulfating mode, 3 amp Schumacher) so even the 3 yr old wet cell battery is still good I wondered how it would hold up being on the tender that long and was amazed. I have a new chain to put on this week.
Have fun bringing yours back to life. I'm glad the heat has held off for you. It did for me as I rode my goldwing back from San Diego a couple weeks ago, it was only 82 going to Vegas to see the grandkids and I didn't have to put on my cooling vest(Phase Change Vest!) this trip as I normally would have going through the desert.

[Kevnz]

Really envious of the bikes you guys find. Such finds are very rare over here in NZ and probably done through the grapevine, if at all. In the last 15 years or so, I have bought 4 500s a 550 and a 750 only the 550 was advertised for sale, the others found via contacts. If you don't have your finger on the pulse, you'll likely miss out. When they do get advertised, they generate huge interest, the 550 had 200 watchers and over 2000 views in about 3 days.

[desertrefugee]

Thanks guys.  I am really happy to have this bike. I have a bunch of them in the garage, and eventually the herd will thin down, but I can already tell you that this one will be a keeper.

Got the exhaust hung yesterday. 115 outside, but only 84 inside the shop. That is doable.

[Alan F.]

That looks so good with those big, fat headpipes!
I've got a black Kerker that I'll be using on my K8.

Yummy.

[desertrefugee]

So, Terry wound me up over on the Ducati 900SS thread with regard to one of my favorite upgrades. It’s one of the things vintage bikes benefit from the most is better brakes. He threw up a picture of his K2? With a factory dual disc conversion like the F series. That’s what wound me up.

I looked at my K5 and see that the forks have all the appropriate castings and bosses needed to add hardware for a dual disc upgrade!  I actually have a fairly decent pile of bits from a K4 I recently parted out including a caliper! The extra set of wheels I got with this K5 conveniently includes the front disk!  Might even get them drilled while I’m at it as our friend has (his bike shown).

Hopefully the caliper bore is good, but a rebuild there, a soft line and replace the rusty hard line, and I think I’m in business! Thanks Terry.