Topic: 1971 CB750 K1 Restoration Project- Restoring Still...

[MauiK3]

It's always about the tools, the right tool makes things smooth.

[HondaMan]

Did a couple test holes with the drill bits on-hand, but they were not going to cut it for the 1/4-28 tap, so I ran down the correct bit (#3 wire gauge drill bit 0.2130 dia) for the 1/4-28 tap at the local ACE Hardware. 
Setup the shaft in the vice, drilled holes, blew out chips with air, ran the tap thru & blew out again. 
Finished up by pushing grease thru new fittings.  The right tools always make the job easy (you'd think I'd have learn that by now....just too Froogle (cheap) I guess...lol

Good job!
I do LOTS of those. I also convert the later ones to be like the early ones so grease will actually make it into the bushings. I use aircraft-type drill bits to make the long hole down the center of the bolt (in my lathe) and then turn those grooves at the injection site and drill a hole to let the grease back out. Then I drill the collars (if they are the late style, and still usable) to match the site so the grease can make it out and into the bushings. Then they get SAE fittings like yours so the grease will actually go into the holes...

[Oly]

I'm looking to revise my original front sprocket from a 18T to a 17T. 
I see the JT Sprocket (JTF288) 17T available that has dimensions listed for it that match those of my original 18T gear.  I also see a Sunstar (#50717)
17T front sprocket at the Dennis Kirk site that looks like my original but has no dimensions listed to confirm it's the same and their site says it is for a 1970 CB750 and not for the 1971 I have (although mine was manufacture 8/70).

Has anyone used these two versions of 17T sprockets before and do you have any opinions of which manufacturer's product is better?

Also, I see that my original chain is a Diamond chain, with markings that have the number "148" inside of the diamond logo embossed on the chain.  Does anyone know what this marking represents, as the chain is not in bad condition and I was contemplating reusing it.

Thanks for your thoughts...

[BenelliSEI]

Your chain looks like it is getting “deep” into the drive sprocket. I usually replace sprockets and chains as a unit…… Ido like HondaMan’s suggestion of reusing the old chain for a few hundred miles to take the “edge” off new sprockets and then installing the new chain…..

[Oly]

Thanks for the feedback John.

When you replace the sprockets do you have a preference between "Sunstar" or "JT Sprocket" hardware?

[scottly]

Do both sides of the sprockets show the same wear? If only one side, it may indicate an alignment issue; I had this on my K1 with a 16 tooth that was flat on both sides. I don't recall if the 17 tooth I replaced it with came from Sunstar or JT, but it had the correct raised hub.

[Oly]

Do both sides of the sprockets show the same wear? If only one side, it may indicate an alignment issue; I had this on my K1 with a 16 tooth that was flat on both sides. I don't recall if the 17 tooth I replaced it with came from Sunstar or JT, but it had the correct raised hub.

Both sprockets look the same on both sides and they are the originals with 30K miles, so I was looking to replace them, along with a new chain.  I'm looking to get the closest to the original design as possible (with the exception of changing the front sprocket to a 17T).  I'm kind of leaning towards "Sunstar" right now.

[BenelliSEI]

I’ve used both and I think you’re safe with either.

[Oly]

Feedback greatly appreciated.

I've been moving a little slow this summer but am starting to feel better 3 weeks out from having three stents placed into the left side of my heart.
My brother and son came by and helped me get the engine into the frame and onto the lift, so now I feel like I can start making progress on my own.

[denward17]

I can understand how much of a journey it is, bike looks good so far. 

I've been following along, but don't have much to say usually.

Keep at it, it will be done before you know it, and as time goes by you will feel better as well.  Bike is secondary to your health, take care of yourself first.

[Kelly E]

3 stents? Glad to see you are still stomping down the daisies.

[Oly]

Kelly and Den... thanks for your thoughts.

This isn't my 1st rodeo though, as I've been wrestling with atherosclerosis for the past 32 years.  Multiple balloon angioplasties, other stents and triple by pass surgery leading up to this most recent go around.  New and improving technologies have helped immensely.  Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger!  Like Kelly says  "Just keep stomping the daisies down".

[Oly]

Without wheels under my ride I wanted to get the primed oil pump installed and the balance of the oil system to confirm it'll be delivering pressure, so I rigged a suspension setup from the big laminated beam in my garage.  Makes it real easy to perform most installs till I have the balance of the sub assembly's rebuilt for the wheels to be installed. 
Going slow, but getting there.

[denward17]

^Nice setup!

[Oly]

^Nice setup!

Thx Dennis.  It sure makes it easy to work on.

Touched up the outside fabric on the oil hoses and got the oil tank installed.  Put 3 Qts of oil in, installed kick start and kicked it over 30-40 times... oil level dropped a little and was preparing to spin it over with a car battery, when operating the kick start by hand the last few times my oil pressure gauge was registering almost 30 PSI.  Checked the forward tappet inspection caps to see if oil was getting to the top end and sure enough oil had squirted into each forward cap, so I called it good until I get the balance of bike put together and ready for first start up.

[newday777]

Were you setting on the bike while kicking it over?

[Oly]

Were you setting on the bike while kicking it over?

I actually placed my motorcycle jack under it to give it greater support while I kicked it over from above.  I had placed a squirt of MM oil in each cylinder to not let then move in a dry bore and it kick over much easier than I had expected and  I noticed my oil gauge moving up as I kick but couldn't get a real go look. So I got off and with my left arm stood alongside and rapidly turned it over while looking at the gauge.  To my amazement it recorded almost 30.  My thought was that if I can get it to that level by hand, that I had been successful in priming the pump.  Finding oil filling the forward tappet inspection covers, that I had loosely fit, so much so that oil built up in one enough to dribble out.

Stu, do you think I should proceed with spinning it over with a battery also?

[newday777]

It should be fine to spin it over with the starter.

[BenelliSEI]

Congrats on slowly getting “back at it”. Don’t overdo it!

Sounds like lots of oil pressure! Enjoy the fun part: watching a motorcycle reappear.

[Oly]

Congrats on slowly getting “back at it”. Don’t overdo it!

Sounds like lots of oil pressure! Enjoy the fun part: watching a motorcycle reappear.

Thanks John...I am pacing myself by listening to my body, but am eager to get to the end of this project, so I can get my ass out on the road.

I took Stu's advice and spun the engine with the starter and it made a bigger difference than doing it by hand.  Oil pressure gauge got up to 60 during that brief time.  Looks like it helped rebuilding the pump.

I've seen a lot of discussion related to oil capacity after rebuilding, but I just put in 3 quarts for now and after spinning it over with starter the dip stick shows the level at about halfway up the checkered section.  Any feedback on what others have done post rebuild is always welcome.

[BenelliSEI]

Sounds like a good plan! I’d leave the oil level where it is. I like to check it immediately after the first real ride and then top it up. It’s a lot easier to ad than take out…… Enjoy the build. “The journey is usually better than the destination”