Topic: UNSOLVED MYSTERY: 1977 Honda cb750K

[BenelliSEI]

I saw another K7 with a build date of 10/77 today, with the traditional welded bung. Seems like that fabricated bracket was only on the earlier K7’s. Never made it to the end of the run. Beginning to think it was an “improvement” that didn’t meet the accountants approval!

[newday777]

I saw another K7 with a build date of 10/77 today, with the traditional welded bung. Seems like that fabricated bracket was only on the earlier K7’s. Never made it to the end of the run. Beginning to think it was an “improvement” that didn’t meet the accountants approval!

10/77 might be a K8

[BenelliSEI]

I saw another K7 with a build date of 10/77 today, with the traditional welded bung. Seems like that fabricated bracket was only on the earlier K7’s. Never made it to the end of the run. Beginning to think it was an “improvement” that didn’t meet the accountants approval!

10/77 might be a K8

Could be. It had the white pinstripe on the tank, but I didn’t get the frame #......

[Don R]

My friend that builds race cars had a goal of making his chassis as stiff as possible. He did, but I think they learned the cars needed some flex to work their best.

For traction during stress ?

His cars weren't as quick or consistent as the competition's cars, he cut out some structure and cured it. And in drag racing everything is about traction. Corporate engineers helped a little too much. I know of an old A gas dragster that was faster when the motor mount clamps were left loose. No idea why.

[HondaMan]

My friend that builds race cars had a goal of making his chassis as stiff as possible. He did, but I think they learned the cars needed some flex to work their best.

For traction during stress ?

His cars weren't as quick or consistent as the competition's cars, he cut out some structure and cured it. And in drag racing everything is about traction. Corporate engineers helped a little too much. I know of an old A gas dragster that was faster when the motor mount clamps were left loose. No idea why.

Another story like this: in 1972 a friendly local (competitor) dragracer who rode a Blue Streak Kawi (on its 4th ignition unit) would ride it to the drags, then loosen the rear chain until it literally flapped. When I asked him about it, he said he "ET'd faster with the chain flapping around".

[Ellz10]

Had to jump in here with my 2 cents. My bike is a '77 K7 with the bracket. PO screwed up the bike and frame in so many ways, one of which was just throwing any nut and bolt he thought fit into an area. So when I inspected the bracket and realized the bolts were seemingly way too long, I went to look into it - checking to see the correct size and whether there should be a hex nut or flange nut and much to my suprise (and eventual irritation) I could not, for the life of me, find that bracket nor the accompanying nuts and bolts. Ended up figuring out that the 2 bolts that go thru the bracket/frame are 8x65.

More to the point, it's quite an interesting story!

[grcamna2]

Had to jump in here with my 2 cents. My bike is a '77 K7 with the bracket. PO screwed up the bike and frame in so many ways, one of which was just throwing any nut and bolt he thought fit into an area. So when I inspected the bracket and realized the bolts were seemingly way too long, I went to look into it - checking to see the correct size and whether there should be a hex nut or flange nut and much to my suprise (and eventual irritation) I could not, for the life of me, find that bracket nor the accompanying nuts and bolts. Ended up figuring out that the 2 bolts that go thru the bracket/frame are 8x65.

More to the point, it's quite an interesting story!

USD forks ?

[Don R]

I saw another K7 with a build date of 10/77 today, with the traditional welded bung. Seems like that fabricated bracket was only on the earlier K7’s. Never made it to the end of the run. Beginning to think it was an “improvement” that didn’t meet the accountants approval!

 I can see a QC guy doing a time study on a production change and declaring it an unneeded extra cost.

[Ellz10]

Had to jump in here with my 2 cents. My bike is a '77 K7 with the bracket. PO screwed up the bike and frame in so many ways, one of which was just throwing any nut and bolt he thought fit into an area. So when I inspected the bracket and realized the bolts were seemingly way too long, I went to look into it - checking to see the correct size and whether there should be a hex nut or flange nut and much to my suprise (and eventual irritation) I could not, for the life of me, find that bracket nor the accompanying nuts and bolts. Ended up figuring out that the 2 bolts that go thru the bracket/frame are 8x65.

More to the point, it's quite an interesting story!

USD forks ?

2020 GSX-R Conversion.

[BenelliSEI]

I saw another K7 with a build date of 10/77 today, with the traditional welded bung. Seems like that fabricated bracket was only on the earlier K7’s. Never made it to the end of the run. Beginning to think it was an “improvement” that didn’t meet the accountants approval!

 I can see a QC guy doing a time study on a production change and declaring it an unneeded extra cost.

Don..... I suspect you are correct. Still strange this very obvious detail has never been documented. Especially when you consider some of the minutia that has!