Topic: New here - need help sorting out a KO

[WideAWAKE]

Just picked this up (wasn’t looking but they find me haha)

From the running of the Vin it shows 70 K0

I’d like to bring it back to its original candy blue.

I am trying to figure out some details that I’m sure many on here may easily be able to help with as I’m not super versed in the 750. I’ve had a few 350s - got a cb160, a 500t (cut down) and a few xs650s so this guy is a bit out of my realm in terms of small details.

I’m wondering mainly about the front fender (is it stock)? I know it’s not a double or single cut so I’m thinking it came off a later k2/3 which I believe the tank and headlight ears came from. I do have the original ears.

Is my seat pan stock? I know it’s been recovered and cut down. It’s got a green foam.

I know the tank is not K0 - but is it the same tank just a different color?? As in, can it be painted and rebadged to a K0? (I’ve done a bit of searching around and some say yes, some say it slightly changed shape from K0 through k2/3

I know the side covers are repops.

Harness looks fried but it came with a new harness that looks to be of high quality made in Japan. Looks like the regulator crapped out and fried the connections.

Gotta love those red stickers on the heat shields hahaha

I’ve searched but can’t find a definitive answer as to the Speedo/tach - did they come green with a green line?? Or is that fade? I’ve read they were early KO but not sure. I can’t find anyone making a repop that looks like em.

Any other things that stick out as wrong?? (I know the shocks are and gauges are repop but I have the originals and they are in great shape)

Thanks I’m advance for any and all help!

Finishing up an xs build at the moment and this will be up next.

[scottly]

Welcome. The only thing I can tell you is that the rear shocks look like aftermarket S&W parts, which became Progressive.

[WideAWAKE]

Welcome. The only thing I can tell you is that the rear shocks look like aftermarket S&W parts, which became Progressive.

Thanks!! Didn’t know what they were. They seem to have seen better days haha.

[grcamna2]

Welcome to the forum WideAWAKE.
You've got a good looking CB750K there;is it a 1975 ?

[Don R]

 Most of what I see is K0, the carbs are later, see which side the petcock is on and how many fuel hoses it has. Look under the gas cap to see if the tank has wrinkles, that would be early K0. The carbs are later, as are the throttle cables and right control.
 The best and worst thing about the 750's is how many parts interchange.
  Check the engine number and how many bolts in the clutch cover, I can't see the #10 bolt in the photo. If it has 9 and an engine number below 1007414 it's a sandcast engine.

[ekpent]

Tank look like a 1973 Bacchus Green, Front fender and fork ears might be from the same bike if it was used as a donor. Not sure on the forks. Carbs and ignition switch are later model. Seat pan might be original though not 100% sure but no document holder. Original pipes would be marked HM300. Kill switch button should be black but yours is red. Chain guard looks like plastic which is good but can't tell if its a long or shorty, looks like a longer K1.
   What are the serial numbers on the frame and engine ?

[BenelliSEI]

Those gauges are the correct t ones for a K0 and extremely valuable! I just had a set restored by cb750Faces. Nice find!

[WideAWAKE]

@don R - I know it’s not a sand cast. I believe the clutch cover has 9 bolts - I’ll double check. But if the 9 bolt covers ONLY came on the sand cast then it’s for sure a 10.

@ekpent - you are correct in that the tank and ears are 73. Is there an easy way of telling if the forks were swapped?? It has the correct caliper.

Pipes are original with hm300 stamp.

Do you know what year the ignition is from? And how can you tell it’s not KO? I know the sand cast has  that stepped ignition is that diecast as well?

Chain guard is plastic - I’ll snap a better pic. It’s got a hole that will need to be repaired.

@benelli - that’s a slick bike and gauges look great! You know if mine are just faded?? Or did any actually come green?

[MauiK3]

looks like some mixing has taken place.
front caliper may be K0
frame and engine number will tell the story

[MauiK3]

K0 all had four cable carbs, K1 changed to the rack system

[Stev-o]

Welcome, nice find even though it it a "bitsa" bikes [bits of this, bits of that].  The early bikes are getting more valuable so the more original, the better.

Once you get to it, start a thread in the Project Shop area so we can follow along the restoration.

BTW - the XS650 is a fine bike, I've always wanted an early one.

[WideAWAKE]

Thank you all for the replies!!!

Very much appreciated!!

Here are some more pics.

Clutch cover is 10 bolt.

Stev-o - I’ll definitely post a build thread when I get there.

[ekpent]

Late K0 so it just squeaked in. K1 started at around 44650 for frame and 44806 for engine. Ko's had recessed ignition switch unless the real late ones were sharing some newer parts.

[Don R]

 The forks appear correct, the newer of the early type had a smoother transition right under the rubber covers, (gaiters) The older ones were more stepped.

[WideAWAKE]

Ekpent and Don - thank you for those replies.

I’ll have my eyes open for an ignition. I don’t seem to find any repops of those. Just the later style that I e already got.

[69cb750]

I’ll have my eyes open for an ignition. I don’t seem to find any repops of those. Just the later style that I e already got.

Your switch is correct for the vin.

[WideAWAKE]

69cb - thanks for that info.

Definitely looks like it’s been there quite a while if it was switched.

One less thing to do!

[Kook652]

follow.

[bryanj]

Those numbers look odd to me as there is 1 extra in the frame to engine

[WideAWAKE]

After the last 8 in the engine number there is a 1  hard to see in the pic based on the angle.

1042881

[david 750f]

Nice find!!! Your redline on the tach has faded over the years, they were always red.