Author Topic: The finishing touch  (Read 584 times)

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Offline Laids

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The finishing touch
« on: June 23, 2024, 02:54:06 PM »
This project is nearing completion. It’s a K4 , it was a rolling frame with Lester wheels. Gee I thought, I’ve got engines, carbs and lots of parts, I’ll build a bike. Famous last words, it’s the second time I underestimated what was missing to start with, like all the nuts and bolts. My previous build was a cafe so had room to mix and match.
So to come up to date, the only things left to do are, get the headlight to work, dial in the points and timing (PIA) and paint tank and side covers. Since it is a K4 and has a K2 engine and Lester’s, I thought I could diverge from original colors, and decided on Candy Ruby Red.
So last week I attended the Paris Vintage Rally in Paris Ontario. While wandering the swap meet, I spotted an Honda CB750 tank from about 150 yards away, (as time goes by it’s changed to 500yards…)
Anyway, it turns out to be an original NOS tank still in the box, Freedom Green Metallic. A 74 color and has never had gas in it. I think they call it serendipity, meant to be. Made a deal, deposit and would come back later to pick it up. The guy I bought it from was French but spoke English, when I picked it up later only his friends were there, my French was as bad as their English so I never did get the background story of how this tank survived unused for 50 years.

Offline HondaMan

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2024, 03:05:01 PM »
Those Lesters are cool. They're the only 'change' I'd like to do to my K2.
But, haven't ever found a set! :(
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
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Offline Laids

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2024, 03:12:49 PM »
My son saw the bike on Marketplace and forwarded it to me, for what the seller was asking I said ‘let’s buy it now’. Size are 19” and 18”.

Offline 70CB750

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2024, 05:11:31 PM »
Looking good. 
Prokop
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Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


CB900C

2006 KLR650

Offline rocket johnny

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2024, 05:47:52 PM »
nice score on that tank !!    i really like that color ,   great job on bringing that phoenix up from the ash's  !!

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2024, 05:50:17 PM »
That is a great score. Worth it.
Any reputable paint shop should be able to match that tank for the side covers since the paint is new and un-faded.
Yeah, Lesters. I dream of finding a reasonably priced set some day.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2024, 09:53:52 PM »
There's a spendy set on eBay for $1000 don't recall if it was 16" or 18" rear wheel...

Very nice score on bike and tank...
Always is way more to getting them back totally together than we estimated initially...or seems to be for me.
Unicorn tanks still exist but seem to be in northern states or Canada these days...
David
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Oddjob

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2024, 05:44:30 AM »
Back in the late 70s or maybe early 80s, when Lester ceased trading, the shops in the UK decided to sell off all their old stock of Lester wheels. A mate of mine wanted a set for his 550 ( I already had a set fitted to my 500 and still have them, and no they aren't for sale) so we went to a shop in Leeds, the shop wanted £5 a wheel, back then that would have been around $2-3 dollars. I could have had 5-6 front wheels for the 500/750 if I'd wanted them but they didn't have any Honda rears. They did have a rear (with drum brake) for a Z650 which we bought and adapted to fit the 550. £10 for a brand new set of Lester wheels isn't bad going.

Cost about another £50-60 quid to buy the parts needed to convert the 650 wheel to suit and AFAIK they are still fitted to this day.

Offline MauiK3

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2024, 07:43:29 AM »
Very nice bike.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline wolf550

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2024, 01:23:59 PM »
There's a spendy set on eBay for $1000 don't recall if it was 16" or 18" rear wheel...

Very nice score on bike and tank...
Always is way more to getting them back totally together than we estimated initially...or seems to be for me.
Unicorn tanks still exist but seem to be in northern states or Canada these days...
David

LOL that is probably my listing there on ebay for the lesters. still trying to sell em
74' CB550 (Sold)
71' CB500/550 (Sold)

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2024, 01:29:54 PM »
My son saw the bike on Marketplace and forwarded it to me, for what the seller was asking I said ‘let’s buy it now’. Size are 19” and 18”.

Coincidence. That’s how I got my set. Bought a project bike with a red frame. Sold the bike on (it was really ugly) and kept the wheels!

Offline MauiK3

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Re: The finishing touch
« Reply #11 on: June 24, 2024, 02:46:27 PM »
Almost makes me want to look for another!
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki