Topic: Ross’s 1975 CB750 K5

[Galactica]

Hi everyone,

Last time I was here I was working on a 1977 CB750.  I picked it up from a friend who was thinning his herd.  I managed to make it a really nice clean runner.  But it really wasn’t a bike I wanted to hang onto.  Since about 2006 or so I’ve been restoring Z1z, KZ900s , and KZ1000s. 

In 2006 I was looking for a 1975 CB750 to restore.  Couldn’t find one but stumbled onto a ‘76 KZ900.  I went down the Kawasaki rabbit hole.  I did up the KZ900, a number of KZ1000s and a really cherry ‘73 Z1 900.  In 2020, after riding up to the Yukon on a KZ100 LTD I’d had enough of riding old bikes (I’m getting older as well).  I sold off my remaining LTD and my beloved Z1, and bought a Yamaha Tracer900 that I’ve fully kitted out for touring.

Last winter I realized I needed to feed my old bike addiction.  In 2006 when I started doing the ‘70s muscle bikes, I really had wanted a ‘75 CB750.  That’s the bike I had in 1977 when I met my wife.  Fast forward to selling my Kawasakis and getting the ‘77 CB750.  When I had finished resurrecting the ‘77 CB, I was in a parking lot picking up some beer when a fellow came over and said he liked my bike and he had ‘75 that had been parked in his garage for 10 years or more.  I asked if he’d be interested in selling it.  It caught him off guard.  He said “maybe” and gave me his card.  This was early spring this year.  After a few months of back and forth, I acquired the bike at the end of August.

Been going fairly steady on getting it back into some resemblance of a rider.  Here are some before pictures.

[Galactica]

Here are some “during” pictures.

[Galactica]

So, yesterday I finally got it to the point of start up.  I’ve done the carbs, reconditioned inside the tank, the front forks, steering, brakes (not quite happy with them yet), swing arm, seat, etc, etc, etc.

Anyway, there’s always something trepidation when you get ready to push the start button for the first time.  Choke on, clutch lever in.  Hit the start button.  Fired after maybe two turns of the crank.  Started chugging quite quickly.  Choke off, immediately running smoothly but fast.  Idle screw down to 1000rpm.  Running smoothly.  Pushing blue out of the exhaust.  As it came up to temperature the blue went away and has not returned.  Could be valve seals and/or residue in the new exhaust.  I’m really stoked. 

I was hoping the weather would clear enough this afternoon to run it up and down the lane a couple of times.  No joy, it rained all day.  Forecast is wet for a while.

I still need to work on the front brake.  It’s soft and the brake light pressure switch needs replacing. 

My plan is to run it as is for the time being.  Paint in the spring.  Here’s where I ask for some input. 

In 1977 when I met my wife, the ‘75 CB750 I had was painted the Planet Blue Metallic.  I will paint this bike in Planet Blue as well.  Can anyone tell me the best source for paint.  I have a really good paint shop nearby, but he would like me to do the research on the paint itself.

Also, at some point I’ll pull the motor for renewal.  Can anyone tell me the correct paint for that and where I might get it.

Thanks for looking at my posts.

Cheers,
Ross

[Galactica]

I found these paints online. Anyone have any experience with them?

[newday777]

Coming along nicely Ross.
I've heard that VMR is the ticket on paint though I haven't used it yet.
Engine paint I've used is CDE1615 a good match

[BenelliSEI]

+1 to the Duplicolor Engine Paint. I’ve had excellent results with it. It lasts too.

[Stev-o]

The VMR is good paint, pull the trigger on that.

+2 on the Duplicolor "Aluminum", very good results and no primer necessary, just proper cleaning.

FYI - the engine covers were not painted and look great polished, seems you should have that covered.

[Galactica]

Thanks for the input, fellas. 

I managed to run it up and down the lane this afternoon.  Seems to run pretty well, but I only managed to get it up to third gear.  Front brake is definitely not up to scratch.  Lever is soft and comes almost all the way to the grip.  I think I have the air out of the system, so I’ve ordered a master cylinder rebuild kit. 

[newday777]

Did you bleed at the master cylinder banjo bolt first then the caliper (s)? That has to be done 1st after rebuilding or having an empty master cylinder.

[Galactica]

I did not blead the master banjo bolt.  I’ll do that.

[Galactica]

Oh gawd, all I did was make a mess with no difference in the brake.

[BenelliSEI]

Oh gawd, all I did was make a mess with no difference in the brake.

I only use a Mity-Vac bleed tool attached to the caliper bleed nipple. I often leave it all hooked up overnight and then a few more pulls in the morning. Never fails and no mess. Lots of inexpensive options on Amazon. Great tool.

[Galactica]

Oh gawd, all I did was make a mess with no difference in the brake.

I only use a Mity-Vac bleed tool attached to the caliper bleed nipple. I often leave it all hooked up overnight and then a few more pulls in the morning. Never fails and no mess. Lots of inexpensive options on Amazon. Great tool.

Thanks for that.  I might see if one of my acquaintances has one that I can borrow.

Today I opened the doors and did a vacuum sync.  My bench sync was so close, almost wasn’t worth the effort, but it was fun.  I’ve never been really very good at adjusting air screws.  But my bench setting seemed close, one turn out from seated. 

Now if I could just get the front brake sorted.  ☹️☹️

[Galactica]

So, the seat I ordered from Dave Silver Spares is really nice except for one thing.  They come without the “Honda” stencil on the back end.  Can anyone recommend a stencil vendor?

[Galactica]

As I continue with this project and get closer to paint, I have another question.

My intention is to do a colour change from the original red the bike came with to Planet blue.  To do it properly, I reckon the gas cap has to be removed.  Is it possible to remove and re-use the pins that hold on the clasp and cap?  How best might that be accomplished?  Or are replacement pins available?

Well, ok.  That’s three questions.

Cheers,
Ross

[seanbarney41]

Gas cap pins can be re-used but, of course, the more careful you are removing and installing, the easier and better it works.  Getting 'em out carefully is a fiddly chore and putting 'em back can be nerve wracking using hammer like devices in the vicinity of fresh paint.  I think Yamiya has fresh, brand new pin kits...probably other sources too.

[spotty]

So, the seat I ordered from Dave Silver Spares is really nice except for one thing.  They come without the “Honda” stencil on the back end.  Can anyone recommend a stencil vendor?

I've been wondering that myself, just checked Ebay, heaps of them from around $15, now i've just got to have my seat recovered

[Galactica]

So, the seat I ordered from Dave Silver Spares is really nice except for one thing.  They come without the “Honda” stencil on the back end.  Can anyone recommend a stencil vendor?

I've been wondering that myself, just checked Ebay, heaps of them from around $15, now i've just got to have my seat recovered

I’m quite happy with the complete seat I got from Dave Silver Spares US.  Except of course, that it doesn’t have the Honda stencil on the back.  Very reasonably priced.  Unfortunately it’s probably made in China.  So difficult to source anything these days that’s not.

Do me though, recovering wasn’t really an option.  My seat pan was so rusted that the area around the front hinge just turned to dust when the seat was opened.

[Galactica]

Gas cap pins can be re-used but, of course, the more careful you are removing and installing, the easier and better it works.  Getting 'em out carefully is a fiddly chore and putting 'em back can be nerve wracking using hammer like devices in the vicinity of fresh paint.  I think Yamiya has fresh, brand new pin kits...probably other sources too.

The 70s Kawasaki Zs used split pins.  That might be an option if I can find some of correct diameter  and length.  Won’t be able to check diameter until I remove them which may not be until spring. 

[newday777]

Gas cap pins can be re-used but, of course, the more careful you are removing and installing, the easier and better it works.  Getting 'em out carefully is a fiddly chore and putting 'em back can be nerve wracking using hammer like devices in the vicinity of fresh paint.  I think Yamiya has fresh, brand new pin kits...probably other sources too.

The 70s Kawasaki Zs used split pins.  That might be an option if I can find some of correct diameter  and length.  Won’t be able to check diameter until I remove them which may not be until spring.

David Silver has the pins

[Galactica]

David Silver has the Pons

https://www.davidsilverspares.com/parts/by-part-number/partnumber_6973/
[/quote]

Ya, I’d seen that.  But I’m pretty much finished ordering things I need from Dave Silver.  I’d have to pay $25 USD ($34Cdn) to ship two pins.  Also the pins are two different lengths.  I reckon I’ll try to find a more reasonable cost alternative, and also try to remove the pins, when the time comes, in a way that I can reuse them.  I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips as to how to do that.  I’m concerned that I’d damage them too badly to reuse them.

[Stev-o]

Have you seen these?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/380497385815?hash=item5897695957:g:uLgAAOxybi9Rdg5h&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0B3eQpn0CVqBSvPANCMWBussOcKHquJVJ3BV2B7EAO5Iq57U6XxiwBNnt4brpyeuZx0CLPeHwLIa6kgeQsOe9XveV6WyZickq7KpaaJYK1hmBJpTmz3QTHayAokLHbuMq9ycGSoQbujvYQhH3nodccvMgJlWTwEDkyWyAxmbq7SmdvQRtm04uwVwrXIwytbGZqqBvx8Qz52Q0iU1yRhYJmTFNnf4y4n7KbhUcZmz9vb6W1LpmmiLCrymOO3qQS32QunZXejlVVIRWm9Sk2kh94g%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6TLsamHYw

[Galactica]

Have you seen these?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/380497385815?hash=item5897695957:g:uLgAAOxybi9Rdg5h&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0B3eQpn0CVqBSvPANCMWBussOcKHquJVJ3BV2B7EAO5Iq57U6XxiwBNnt4brpyeuZx0CLPeHwLIa6kgeQsOe9XveV6WyZickq7KpaaJYK1hmBJpTmz3QTHayAokLHbuMq9ycGSoQbujvYQhH3nodccvMgJlWTwEDkyWyAxmbq7SmdvQRtm04uwVwrXIwytbGZqqBvx8Qz52Q0iU1yRhYJmTFNnf4y4n7KbhUcZmz9vb6W1LpmmiLCrymOO3qQS32QunZXejlVVIRWm9Sk2kh94g%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6TLsamHYw

No, hadn’t seen that.  Thanks.  I’m really rubbish at searching the interweb.  It’s actually a bit of a feat for me to post things on a forum even. 

Having said that, I found stencils.  There seems to be two sizes available.  5”x9/16” or 6”x1”.  Can someone tell me which size is correct.  I think it’s the smaller one.

[Stev-o]

Have you seen these?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/380497385815?hash=item5897695957:g:uLgAAOxybi9Rdg5h&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0B3eQpn0CVqBSvPANCMWBussOcKHquJVJ3BV2B7EAO5Iq57U6XxiwBNnt4brpyeuZx0CLPeHwLIa6kgeQsOe9XveV6WyZickq7KpaaJYK1hmBJpTmz3QTHayAokLHbuMq9ycGSoQbujvYQhH3nodccvMgJlWTwEDkyWyAxmbq7SmdvQRtm04uwVwrXIwytbGZqqBvx8Qz52Q0iU1yRhYJmTFNnf4y4n7KbhUcZmz9vb6W1LpmmiLCrymOO3qQS32QunZXejlVVIRWm9Sk2kh94g%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6TLsamHYw

No, hadn’t seen that.  Thanks.  I’m really rubbish at searching the interweb.  It’s actually a bit of a feat for me to post things on a forum even. 

Having said that, I found stencils.  There seems to be two sizes available.  5”x9/16” or 6”x1”.  Can someone tell me which size is correct.  I think it’s the smaller one.

Yes, the smaller size is correct [that is what is on my K4]

[denward17]

^/Thread drift

What kind of paint do you use on the seat stencil?