Topic: Another 76K

[britman]

What can I say, someone needs to start an intervention for old K's and invite me as guess of honor....1976, with a clean title and all the wrong add on's, yes the damn chopper wheel, and crappy chrome on the engine cases that is flaking worst than a greasy fat kid with a serve dandruff problem, but I needed a winter project.  The good, 19K original miles, has compression, and nearly everything works when I hook up an auxiliary battery and damned if this one was only an 70 mile drive one way.  Tank is shot, wrong model year to begin with and I have smelled some bad gas in my day, this has got to be the winner.  I probably paid too much for it, but I bought it from a guy even older than me, it was his ride that he parked years ago after a float stuck and it has just been sitting.  Both him and and his Wife are having some bad health issues, so my bargaining principles were swayed when I heard the scenario.  Going to start looking for a tank and stock rear wheel shortly, but for now I need to decide which direction I am going with this one......




     

[newday777]

I would have had a very hard time walking away from it too.
The chrome on the fenders, RC header and the wheels looks pretty good from the pictures, like it was in good dry storage. A lot better than the K6 I got back from a friend a few years ago.
Yes the engine cover chrome is toasty.......

[HondaMan]

That looks like [what we used to call] the 'Minnesota Tourer' style - except it has a 500/550 finned points cover(!).
It was vert common, for some reason, for the riders from the Wisconsin-Minnesota realm to install a 16" rear wheel, fork 'stablizer' clamp, and king-queen seats. I'd see them often in Black Hills' trips, and almost always sporting Minnesota or Wisconsin plates.

Often, the lowered rear (due to the 16" wheel and Harley 5.00x16 tire) would cause the float bowls to overflow readily because it dropped the rear of the bike down quite a ways. This made the fuel level sit right at the tops of the overflow tubes, so they often weeped, especially right after parking them on a hot day, on the sidestand. I cured at least one of these by installing longer shocks on the back to re-level it, as they were also carrying saddlebags and a tourpack with a Vetter, and the whole rig was sitting REAL low in the back, so that he was complaining about dragging parts when cornering.

[britman]

That looks like [what we used to call] the 'Minnesota Tourer' style - except it has a 500/550 finned points cover(!).
It was vert common, for some reason, for the riders from the Wisconsin-Minnesota realm to install a 16" rear wheel, fork 'stablizer' clamp, and king-queen seats. I'd see them often in Black Hills' trips, and almost always sporting Minnesota or Wisconsin plates.

Often, the lowered rear (due to the 16" wheel and Harley 5.00x16 tire) would cause the float bowls to overflow readily because it dropped the rear of the bike down quite a ways. This made the fuel level sit right at the tops of the overflow tubes, so they often weeped, especially right after parking them on a hot day, on the sidestand. I cured at least one of these by installing longer shocks on the back to re-level it, as they were also carrying saddlebags and a tourpack with a Vetter, and the whole rig was sitting REAL low in the back, so that he was complaining about dragging parts when cornering.

Funny you bring that up HM.  The old fellow I bought it from parked it because the one of the carbs was overflowing and running down on the exhaust.  I have a stock rear wheel I will be truing up to go back on the bike, it it not perfect but at least the bike won't look like a low rider.....

[HondaMan]

That looks like [what we used to call] the 'Minnesota Tourer' style - except it has a 500/550 finned points cover(!).
It was vert common, for some reason, for the riders from the Wisconsin-Minnesota realm to install a 16" rear wheel, fork 'stablizer' clamp, and king-queen seats. I'd see them often in Black Hills' trips, and almost always sporting Minnesota or Wisconsin plates.

Often, the lowered rear (due to the 16" wheel and Harley 5.00x16 tire) would cause the float bowls to overflow readily because it dropped the rear of the bike down quite a ways. This made the fuel level sit right at the tops of the overflow tubes, so they often weeped, especially right after parking them on a hot day, on the sidestand. I cured at least one of these by installing longer shocks on the back to re-level it, as they were also carrying saddlebags and a tourpack with a Vetter, and the whole rig was sitting REAL low in the back, so that he was complaining about dragging parts when cornering.

Funny you bring that up HM.  The old fellow I bought it from parked it because the one of the carbs was overflowing and running down on the exhaust.  I have a stock rear wheel I will be truing up to go back on the bike, it it not perfect but at least the bike won't look like a low rider.....

More than one of those Minnesota Tourer riders told me they liked the lower seat height caused by the 16" wheel, and I remember those guys being short, so it made some sense. Some others just thought the rear tire was too small (maybe because the cheap OEM Bridgestones only lasted about 4k miles?) and wouldn't 'carry the load', so they got the 5.00x16 setup. They sure handled poorly, though. It was usually better for those riders to install shorter shocks or those 'setbacks' for the rear shocks, then drop the front a bit by slipping the fork tubes up in the triple trees, like shown on the cover of my book (on the gold bike). The owner of that bike, when it was finished, was seriously inseam-challenged, so I installed 550 shocks at the rear, which was in keeping with his size: he is a shorter, smaller build. Today he has his own Triumph shop, said he sold the 750 to another rider near here. He decided it was just too tall for him, even with the mods. It was the tallest touring bike of the era!

[britman]

I had no fire at all on either bank, but juice going to all of the right places, hot coils and points.  I installed new points and condensers yesterday, and the electrics were renewed.  The points were aftermarket and not OEM quality but they dialed in nicely and the bike static timed spot on.  I in no way shape or form claim to be a mechanic, but it still a good feeling when you use your hands and what limited brain matter you have to bring something back from the dead.  Everything else in the garage has been converted to electronic ignition, it was a nice to go back to the old ways for a change.....   

[Stev-o]

Nice find Britman.  You paid too much? You must be getting soft!

I may have some replacement engine covers if you ditch the chrome covers...

[britman]

A donor project bike has arrived.  I needed a rear wheel, seat, engine covers, so on and so forth.  A 1973K with 24K on the clock, clear title, and all of the goodies I need.  It has been sitting in a driveway covered for ten years, so the motor is frozen, but I put it on the truck for a grand sum of 300 bucks.  The really really bad, I don't have enough room to swing a cat in the garage, so some re-organizing in on the menu.  Probably a good thing, my cat is not into the swinging thing anyway. 

[BenelliSEI]

Nice find..... it’s sad when they get left outside to rot....

[britman]

Nice find..... it’ssad When they get left outside to rot....

I couldn't agree more.  The seller pumped the tires up before my arrival yesterday, when I got there I could see the tube visible on the front from a spilt.  It made it home strapped down though.  I was in the bed in the afternoon armed with a large can of WD40, and the damn thing blew, scared the crap out me.  Going to be fun this morning unloading alone, with a flat.  I have heard it said, "Every problem is an opportunity", my future is really wide over right now.  I am trying to wrap up a number of projects before the cool weather comes, sealing stockade fencing, coating my driveway, some touch up house and garage painting, and the grass and hedges are still growing at spring time rates.  I am going to make a path through the garage and get bike to bikes in due course. It is just not enough time in the day and I am retired, how in the hell do you working guys go it......   

[britman]

Refurnished the carbs, they were surprisingly clean, new gaskets and o-rings was really all that was needed besides a deep cleaning.  The PO's idea of customization was to paint the carb bodies black, but it came off after going through a pile small brass brushes.  I checked the cam chain and valves, just a couple were a little too tight but basically all were in spec.  Today a set of new plugs, ran a temporary fuel line and hit the key,  (the headers were off so I knew it was going to be a short test run.)  Fired up immediately, run decent and came back down to idle even with no air box or carb adjustments, charging system worked (headlight wall test), good oil pressure (light went out immediately and there is an old side mount gauge that showed 80 PSI), everything else worked and there was no smoking, therefore, I am happy.   Now comes the making it pretty part knowing the engine is good.  Most of the parts off of the parts bike are in good knick, and I am really thinking of trying to do the later style paint scheme on the tank with black ground and decals, a real test of how bad I can screw paint up.  I have the parts bike in the back shed with the cylinders full of a homemade concoction to break them loose, "maybe."  Looking in with my inspection camera, it didn't appear to be all that bad, I fully realize that good be a bad sign.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to show you all my newly re-coated driveway.  It took 8 five gallons buckets of sealer and almost a full day.  I don't think I have ever been so tired or dirty.  I actually throwed all of the clothes and shoes away in the garage trash can after finishing.  I went in the house wearing my work apron for the neighbors benefit, at least you all know I am not a total heathen.......

[BenelliSEI]

Carbs (and driveway) look great! Just like you, I always want to hear them run smoothly and see that oil pressure FIRST. Now you can feel comfortable investing more time and effort. Looks like a solid project.  Congrats! 

[britman]

Caswell was the order of the day.  I actually lite the propane heater after treating the tank to speed the curing time.  Damned it doesn't feel pretty good out in the garage with remnants of the hurricane blowing through with a cold rain....  My heart goes out to those folks in Florida who bore the blunt of the storm.....

[britman]

fI have hit a slight bump in the road.  I just found out the Maryland title on the bike has the Vin number as GB750 and the correct serial number instead of a CB750.  My screw up, I looked at the title and checked the number the day I bought the bike, but missed the G instead of the C.   Lesson learned, slow down and pay attention.  I am taking a shot on getting it corrected with a letter and documentation to the State of Maryland, wish me luck on getting this fixed on a 47 year old motorcycle with the title issued in 1983.  Worst come to worst I am prepared to live with it.

This is the second time for me.  My 1974 CB750  which I bought from the original owner/buyer has the number 5 missing from the VIN directly in the middle.  It was titled that way when the bike was bought new in North Carolina.  I transferred the title to Virginia and it went through with no issues.  I have kept all of the paperwork to include a copy of the original title and registration, but have never attempted to have it corrected.  I will fool with it if I ever sell the bike, which is highly unlikely.

Both mistakes are due to my lack of attention when purchasing a project, but between the negations on price, inspecting the overall condition as to what is missing and what is crap, and the plain fact I just truly enjoy the process, my excitement tends to cause buyers blindness......

 

[Stev-o]

Hey Britman...I'm sure you can get the typo error corrected but it might take some help from the PO.

These type of errors are very common, there is even a spot on the Texas' title paperwork for corrections made to the title.

[BenelliSEI]

Has happened to me here too! Two numbers in the middle of the VIN number transposed...... took a letter from a Honda Dealer, but I did get it corrected eventually. To make you feel better; I had the bike for nine years before I noticed!

[britman]

Waste Not-Want Not------I had this set of dual sport tires in the shed left over from a past project so guess where they ended up.  The final look may have a little bit of an apocalyptic look.  Anyone know where I can get headlight grill with a skull in it??

[britman]

It is going to be a really good day.  I just got back from the mail box, a corrected Maryland title was in the mail.  An exact duplicate of the original, still in the PO's name, but now the bike is a true CB instead of a GB.  The best thing is, no charge........Maybe there is hope for the system and playing by the rules after all.......

[newday777]

Cool report! There might just be some hope yet!

[BenelliSEI]

It is going to be a really good day.  I just got back from the mail box, a corrected Maryland title was in the mail.  An exact duplicate of the original, still in the PO's name, but now the bike is a true CB instead of a GB.  The best thing is, no charge........Maybe there is hope for the system and playing by the rules after all.......

Nice! This belongs in the “Happyish” thread too! Well done.

[Stev-o]

  Anyone know where I can get headlight grill with a skull in it??

How 'bout a skull headlight?  Just in time for Halloween!!

https://www.realheadlight.com/skull_headlight.php

[britman]

First ride today.  I pulled the tank from the parts bike and gave it a good flush, it was surprisingly clean for a bike sitting outside for that many years.  Some fuel lines, buttoned up the headlight bucket, stuck in a half charged old acid battery, and around the block we went.  I had a problem with the neutral light and clutch safety switch which is a diode on the late 76 models, I just unplugged the damn thing, and it works fine.  Everything functions to include the annoying turn signal beeper.  The bike runs great, even without the airbox, it pulled great, no clutch slippage and shifted perfectly.  Just need to decide on paint scheme and color and either change out the stator side engine covers or just sand down and paint over the old chrome finish.  I am going to run it a few more miles and change the oil and filter one more time.  I think this is going to be a great ride for the next owner, I will probably wait till spring to put it up for sale though, unless I finish and run a Christmas Special.....

[BenelliSEI]

I like those tires. Looks very “vintage”.

[Shtonecb500]

those tires are tits.

[HondaMan]

First ride today.  I pulled the tank from the parts bike and gave it a good flush, it was surprisingly clean for a bike sitting outside for that many years.  Some fuel lines, buttoned up the headlight bucket, stuck in a half charged old acid battery, and around the block we went.  I had a problem with the neutral light and clutch safety switch which is a diode on the late 76 models, I just unplugged the damn thing, and it works fine.  Everything functions to include the annoying turn signal beeper.  The bike runs great, even without the airbox, it pulled great, no clutch slippage and shifted perfectly.  Just need to decide on paint scheme and color and either change out the stator side engine covers or just sand down and paint over the old chrome finish.  I am going to run it a few more miles and change the oil and filter one more time.  I think this is going to be a great ride for the next owner, I will probably wait till spring to put it up for sale though, unless I finish and run a Christmas Special.....

Looks good!
Maybe you can start a new line for Honda, perhaps with a new marketing mantra like,

ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH TO RIDE THE SL750?
The offroad digger with 4 CYLINDER POWER!!!

...but then, you'd have to alter the title again...