Author Topic: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....  (Read 2560 times)

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Online BenelliSEI

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Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« on: February 23, 2023, 06:17:33 PM »
Thought it might be fun to see some older projects.

Came across this picture of a Briar Brown cb750K I restored +20 years ago. Can’t recall if it’s a K3 or K4? Sold it to a Toronto Fireman and lost track of him and the bike. I suspect this one had a repaint. Very close to original, but a lot more gold flake than any other one I have ever seen......

What old pictures do you still have?
« Last Edit: February 23, 2023, 08:49:17 PM by BenelliSEI »

Offline dusterdude

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2023, 02:58:04 AM »
Pretty

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
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Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2023, 05:08:35 AM »
Was hoping some others would jump in and add some of their own?

I stumbled on this 1981 CBX around 2001. Sad story, it had sat untouched since 1981, with about 1200 total kilometres. It was covered in 20 years of grime, but under it all a new bike. Mike Nixon did the carbs and it came back perfectly. Sold it for what seemed like a lot at the time. The gentleman that bought it spent a few months touring all over North America, before shipping it home. It’s in Australia now. Definitely one of my favourites.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2023, 05:12:29 AM by BenelliSEI »

Offline newday777

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2023, 05:31:01 AM »
Okay I'll jump in John
My 83 GL1100 after bringing it back to life from it's 13 year sleep. The original owner had a low speed slide that ground the crash bars and the edge of the fairing molding so I replaced them as well as went all through the brakes, suspension, carbs and wiring.
It was my 1st restoration. I put 26,500 miles on it in a year and a half, rode it all over California(1 six day ride of 2,100 miles plus lots of local mountain rides all around Southern California)and to Vegas number of times to visit the kids and grands.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2023, 06:00:10 AM »
Lovely ‘Wing Stu! Never had a fully dressed one, looks great.

Here’s my very first SOHC Honda. 1978cb550K. I was riding a 1970 Triumph T100S and got tired of working on it continually and kick starting it from cold. Never really restored the 550, just polished it up and kept it clean. Fabulous bike that got me completely hooked. After this I had a 1978 cb750K. The first time I rode it I though it was just a big, heavy, fat version of the 550K. It took a while to figure out which one I really wanted. Not sure I ever did! My son took over the 550 and I got pushed up.

The guy that bought it from me was so annoying, I “refunded” him $250 on the promise he would never call me again!
« Last Edit: February 25, 2023, 08:54:44 PM by BenelliSEI »

Offline ekpent

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2023, 08:02:17 AM »
 Guess I"ll play with a couple of projects. I do not do ground up restores but I like to find originals and keep them that way as much as possible. Little patina does not bother me. These two examples here were original owner bikes done up the way they did them back in the day. Unfortunately old original owner / paint bikes are getting hard to find and expensive nowadays.

Offline Don R

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2023, 08:44:00 AM »
 A 400 I redid, it got a euro headlight and right control. I put a yellow LED in the park position for better daytime visibility to cars. The PO was a little old lady that rode it up pikes peak. it was lowered for her with works shocks and dropped triple trees.
 The KZ1000, I put on tires and made everything electrical work again.  Then, re-jetted for no accelerator pump and put stock airboxes back on it.  It got a full tune-up and valve adjust. That seat cover said it was for a cb550 of some sort but I had it and on it went.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2023, 04:46:54 PM by Don R »
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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2023, 03:02:40 PM »
I wish I still had pictures of all my bikes.  Every time one of my digital devices crashes, or another free cloud storage site demands money, there went all my pictures....
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2023, 03:16:24 PM »
Ok, my turn....

March of '16, seven years ago, started my "Park Racer" project....



And as of Jan of '17, 10 months later, here was the finished restoration...



Seems every nut, bolt or part got polished, painted, powdered or vapored!!
Here is the thread if you are bored and want to read about it.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,156311.0.html
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline newday777

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2023, 03:30:06 PM »
This 99 GL1500 Aspencade was pretty crusty from setting out in the southern San Diego Air for 8-12 years unloved while the original owner was sick before he passed.
It was my healing project after my other 99 GL1500SE was taken out by a cager(& almost me too)...... so I used parts off the totaled bike I bought back from my insurance company to get it running and spiffied up. The wheels took 4 days to clean up by hand.....
I sold it a year later.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2023, 04:29:14 PM »
Fantastic photos and stories, Thanks. I like knowing I have such good company in my follies!

Online Kelly E

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2023, 08:29:23 PM »
Here's a couple of previous resurrections.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2023, 08:30:58 PM by Kelly E »
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2023, 05:30:05 AM »
Kelly...... Nice work! The 400F has always been a favourite. In the early ‘90’s, my wife was riding a HONDA CM250 Custom. Not a very attractive bike, and my son’s and daughter learned to ride on it, so a few scares too.

My son Chris spotted a ‘75 cb400F for sale locally. Parakeet Yellow, it was a bit beaten up, but low mileage. One of the smoothest engines ever built. We painted a spare tank to match our 550K and 750K. They made quite a set at roadside stops!

When my wife got her new Kawasaki KLR650, in 2008, the 400F sat for long periods of time. A fellow CVMG member pestered us about it for a while, so we sold it to him. It’s up in Manitoulin Island now, and looks just as good as ever!

Offline simon#42

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2023, 06:04:55 AM »
Ok, my turn....

March of '16, seven years ago, started my "Park Racer" project....



And as of Jan of '17, 10 months later, here was the finished restoration...



Seems every nut, bolt or part got polished, painted, powdered or vapored!!
Here is the thread if you are bored and want to read about it.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,156311.0.html

i like that .

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2023, 09:29:58 AM »
Ok, my turn....

March of '16, seven years ago, started my "Park Racer" project....



And as of Jan of '17, 10 months later, here was the finished restoration...



Seems every nut, bolt or part got polished, painted, powdered or vapored!!
Here is the thread if you are bored and want to read about it.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,156311.0.html

i like that .


+1. Looks great,

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #15 on: February 25, 2023, 09:39:06 AM »
+20 years ago, my first full resto. My buddy Gary and I had a pair of K8’s (my first cb750) and they both needed some work. We bought a parts bike (K7) in preparation. I gave that one a “3,000 mile tune up” and it ran so well, we decided to do all three!

Still have all of them.....

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #16 on: February 25, 2023, 09:41:43 AM »
My third full restoration. A really clean K6, now belongs to a dentist in Montreal.

Offline newday777

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #17 on: February 25, 2023, 10:50:31 AM »
My third full restoration. A really clean K6, now belongs to a dentist in Montreal.
Nice.
I have 2 in the que. One I set up from the crate for my oldest brother. My dad had it a couple years after my brother had to sell it, then a friend of mine bought it from dad. It's a full tear down project of love.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #18 on: February 25, 2023, 11:12:28 AM »
My third full restoration. A really clean K6, now belongs to a dentist in Montreal.
Nice.
I have 2 in the que. One I set up from the crate for my oldest brother. My dad had it a couple years after my brother had to sell it, then a friend of mine bought it from dad. It's a full tear down project of love.

Neat history, well worth the effort!

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #19 on: February 26, 2023, 06:10:03 AM »
One of my earlier projects. Neighbour bought this KZ1000 new, when he was 19 years old. Early version that still had Z900 panels and colour. Friend of his, that owns a body shop, did the spectacular paint. Started his own business, married, kids, etc. Sat for 20 years. Brought it back to life 10 years ago. Very fast machine!
« Last Edit: February 26, 2023, 06:11:45 AM by BenelliSEI »

Online Kelly E

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #20 on: February 26, 2023, 08:45:05 AM »
One of my earlier projects. Neighbour bought this KZ1000 new, when he was 19 years old. Early version that still had Z900 panels and colour. Friend of his, that owns a body shop, did the spectacular paint. Started his own business, married, kids, etc. Sat for 20 years. Brought it back to life 10 years ago. Very fast machine!

Nice KZ 1000.
I better put up my 77' KZ 1000LTD that we recently finished.
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #21 on: February 27, 2023, 05:47:50 AM »
Kelly..... I do like the look of that bike. The first time I rode that KZ1000 I was really blown away by the outright, straight line speed. Makes a cb750 feel very tame!

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #22 on: February 27, 2023, 05:53:17 AM »
6-7 years ago, I went to look at a cb750. Ended up buying a stash of projects and parts from a fellow’s widow..... Some I kept, most moved on. This little CL200 was very original, with new pipes and paint. Sold very quickly. Now that I need a bike for my 13 year old grandson, I wish I’d kept it!
« Last Edit: February 27, 2023, 05:57:10 AM by BenelliSEI »

Offline budman

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #23 on: March 01, 2023, 04:43:38 PM »
A friend of mine gave me this 1974 CB750 basket case in late 2011.  I started the rebuild in late 2014.  There were too many bad, useless parts so I went custom.  I had to find an engine for it.  The one that came with it had been sitting outside with the head and cylinders removed and full of water.  I found a '74 engine and rebuilt it.  I think the only parts that remained from the original bike was the frame, The swing arm, the rims, the rear brake lever, the front hub, the front rotor, the lower fork legs, a few clutch parts and a couple of carb bodies.  I did 99% of the work on the bike myself, including all the fab and paint work.  I took the first ride on it 4/2/2017.

In the fall of 2019, I sold it back to the guy who gave it to me.
Bud

1973 CB750K3 Chopper
2021 Indian Scout

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Motorcycles Restored Some Time Ago.....
« Reply #24 on: March 02, 2023, 06:30:30 AM »
Budman..... amazing what can come from almost nothing!