Topic: K1 Hot Rod the Rat Race, new/old stuff.

[Kelly E]

Isn't it fun trying to keep a few bikes in ready to ride condition. We've got nine running bikes to keep ready at the moment. It would suck if we didn't like working on them almost as much as riding them.
We're still waiting for the weather to get a little bit better for riding. So far every time we get a random nice day I have been busy.

[Don R]

 Sometimes I can say we, my brother is my spirit helper in the shop, half of these bikes were his. He loves to instigate a project, work on it once and leave.
  His favorite thing is, he wants that bike with the 836 kit, different color tins and that rare 4-2 hooker exhaust system, the short shocks and low seat off that bike I just got. Oh, and running. See you later.  He forgets I've gotten it running for him 2 or 3 times and he lets it sit until it needs work again.
  But he's the only brother I got and at 82 I have to enjoy our shop time when I get it.
 

[Kelly E]

I say we because I work on and ride the bikes with my best friend from high school. We started buying $500 bikes in 2018 after we resurrected Paul's 75' CB400-4. He asked me to fix the bike and while I was he asked if he could help work on the bike. We've been working on bikes together since then. Currently we have 11 keepers with 9 soon to be 10 running.

[Don R]

 I got my black aluminum Bikemaster valve stems as reported in the pissed off section, they are way too short to reach through the mag wheels. I want to go tubeless on these TL Lesters. Fudge.
 
   The Hot Rod has the 29 smoothbores with velocity stacks.  My worry is feeding the motor disturbed air at high speeds. I'm wondering about the stock Z1 Kawasaki air box in the cb750 frame, I haven't been able to find the dimensions anywhere. Z1 parts has the best price, around $135 with the top screen and it still needs the filter media.
  My other thought is the K&N Suzuki oval filter with velocity stacks in a plate made to simulate a breadbox filter.

[desertrefugee]

Where is the disturbance coming from while using the stacks?  Isn't that their primary reason for living?  They've been used on hipo motors since time immemorial.  Hi revs and stacks go hand in hand...I thought.

Did I miss a memo somewhere along the way?  Is there a concern with the obstructions in the intake area due to the motocycle transverse inline four config?

[grcamna2]

I rode a few miles on the old tires, the Hot Rod motor sounds good and the smoking seems to be getting better.
  I also rode the nugget, it sounds like it has a tight valve or a sticky one, the exhaust makes a compression noise once in a while. I'm adding some MMO to the oil in case it's a sticky valve.
 The Sandcast got its legs stretched for the first time this year. Started hard the first time but ran great.
  I topped off the gas in a couple bikes, usually they sit full over winter. I know I pumped gas out of a few and replaced it with an av gas/pump premium no alky blend. They must have been ridden after that.
  The diecast has blue/green oil on the starter cover. It looks like the Amzoil 2 stroke I added to the fuel tank but I haven't been smelling any fuel in the shop. Curious.

Don,how does the power of the bike seem to you,compared to other hi performance CB750 engines you experienced before ?

[Don R]

 I've read about air turbulence problems from the sides with pods and assumed (possibly incorrectly) the velocity stacks have similar issues. I got a proper dressing down on the F/B Honda dragbike page about the pods I had on it. They seem to be mostly wire mesh with no real filtration. My end goal is to run a 1/2 mile top speed  event with it. The side covers have a 3/4" or so gap between the velocity stacks and where the side cover begins. A wind baffle might be in order.
 
  I haven't really been able to lean into it, the tires spent a long time in dirt and are weather checked, I've gotten one ride since the loose shifter ratchet was fixed. That said, it sounds awesome and in first and second gear it pulls pretty hard. It should compare pretty well to my Diecast, it's an 836 with a KH/F cam and head ported by me but has repro 4-4 pipes now. Compared to RC high compression and 836, 315 cam and ported with an RC 4 into 1.

[Don R]

 I did buy Harley Davidson valve stems today for the Lesters. The local Harley shop is closing and the guy that was going to mount the tires got a load of their customers. He wasn't going to retire until next year, he will be busy in the meantime.

[grcamna2]

I did buy Harley Davidson valve stems today for the Lesters. The local Harley shop is closing and the guy that was going to mount the tires got a load of their customers. He wasn't going to retire until next year, he will be busy in the meantime.

Excellent,then you'll be able to take it for a Good ride 

[Don R]

 I have not either painted or stripped the rims but I did take the hot Rod for a warm up ride. I managed a couple very small burnouts on tree debris in the driveway. I'm getting more brave with every ride. It really needs those tires.
 The flat spot on the front tire came out to play. I need to soften up the forks a bit. Goodness knows what oil is in there, being a 70's and 80's racer, anything is possible. I put my old Koni's on the back, the shorties ride as well.

[Don R]

  Those Koni's are rock hard. I'll probably put the shorties back on unless I go with the 1" longer swingarm then I may use the DOHC shocks. They really ride nice but are pretty long. I have a sweet collection of lowering blocks too lol.
  I am finally getting my tires mounted. I decided the bike is a barn rat, so the wheels will be too.  I can always paint or blast them later.
  After the last short ride it still smoked but seems to be better. Possibly wishful thinking but I'm counting on the Marvel Mystery Oil and heat cycles to loosen up the rings.
   This is a k1 cylinder that worst case would be a good candidate for big, big sleeves since it's 836 already.

[Don R]

 The tires fought back but are mounted, the rear grabbed the safety bead and wanted to seat on it. We  forgot to get the valve core out and couldn't get enough air into it to pop it. I actually looked to see if it was accidentally a 17" tire even though I knew it wasn't. 
 I have Mx18 or something on a decent spoke rear rim, it was so fricken hard we gave up on breaking it down. I'm going after it with a razor knife and cut off wheel.

[grcamna2]

The tires fought back but are mounted, the rear grabbed the safety bead and wanted to seat on it. We  forgot to get the valve core out and couldn't get enough air into it to pop it. I actually looked to see if it was accidentally a 17" tire even though I knew it wasn't. 
 I have Mx18 or something on a decent spoke rear rim, it was so fricken hard we gave up on breaking it down. I'm going after it with a razor knife and cut off wheel.

Don,those rock hard old tires are a Big challenge to remove with just tire levers. 

Don,give us a ride report on how that high performance engine feels to you now that you've got decent tires mounted 

[Kelly E]

I don't even try to get old rock hard tires off. I do like Don does and slice with the razor knife, then I lever the bead up and use the cutting wheel to cut the bead wires. It stinks but it's quick. Kinda makes me want to go do a burnout.

[Don R]

 I cut that old dunlop off yesterday. I was surprised at the quailty of the rubber, it seemed supple and thin pieces were stretchy with no signs of dry rot. That thing was 5" wide.
  The old chrome rim is rusty from sitting on dirt and the hub isn't pretty at the bearing retainer. I did get a new retainer with the spare parts. The front rim is also trashed so I'll cut off the spokes and save that hub.
  I simply re-packed the Lester wheel bearings in place and snapped the plastic covers back on.
  Half of the center stand mounts have been cut off, I'm thinking about welding different tabs on or just repairing the ones that are there. A removable center is desired for racing.
   I learned my vintage Koni's are stuck probably due to a plastic washer inside that eventually melts due to non-compatible oil inside. The melted plastic plugs the orifices inside. They may hang on the wall of offerings to the gods of speed.

[Don R]

 I watched a video of the Fred Hamm special on wheels through time. It occurred to me this bike is the Steve Egli special. It could be called the Other Egli Special also. Steve last plated it in 1987, and saved it while his former Honda racing buddies dumped all of their 750 stuff. He said he was hoping to find somebody that would appreciate it someday. When he saw the three colors of K0 at my car cruise last year, he decided I might be the guy.

[Don R]

 Here she is, the low profile rear tire with the short shocks gives it a clean low look. I have a +1" swingarm that might work well, or a cut rear fender.

[desertrefugee]

Clean, no nonsense.  Just the way I like them.  Not a big fan of that particular seat though.

[seanbarney41]

nice Don...that cleaned up well.  Actually, really similar to one I have been working on for the last year or so.

[PeWe]

Nice bike modified with RC 4-1, Smoothbores, wheels and other small details that was a must back in the days when stock was so lame.
Good that not all bikes are restored to mint stock that is very beautiful.
The memories of the past need to be maintained too.

Agree about the seat.  One thing to replace if I do not offend the owner!

Look like a big swelling  bread. Just slice it, butter, cheese, salami and other tasty add-ons!

[MauiK3]

The seat forces the eye away from the best aspects of the bike.
Nice build.

[Don R]

 Thanks for the comments. I normally am not a fan of those seats or that color. It grew on me as I worked on it but maybe it grew on me like a wart. L0L! I'll try another seat or two and ask for opinions. At least it's not white. Ha.
   I can't wait to get some miles on it and see if the smoking eases up. I'm sure it's wishful thinking.
 
   Suddenly I am in the mood for a sandwich, hmmmmm salami.

[seanbarney41]

Don, I think the seat looks cool...and it takes some balls to run it on this forum.  Would I leave it on my bike?...well, probly not lol.  I know some tall guys who can't stand stepped seats because it prevents them from sliding back.  I am not very tall, so a stepped seat on a fast bike really allows me to stay relaxed on the controls.

[Don R]

 If you look close at the left side view you can see the pair of 22 caliber holes where they shot the barn rat off the seat.
  I didn't realize the OD of that rear tire would look so thin compared to the M/18 or whatever letter tire was on it. Lower is better in this case. I'm also going to try my drag bike rear fender on it..

[grcamna2]

Thanks for the comments. I normally am not a fan of those seats or that color. It grew on me as I worked on it but maybe it grew on me like a wart. L0L! I'll try another seat or two and ask for opinions. At least it's not white. Ha.
   I can't wait to get some miles on it and see if the smoking eases up. I'm sure it's wishful thinking.
 
   Suddenly I am in the mood for a sandwich, hmmmmm salami.

Don,have you taken it for a launch yet? a better way to see smoke