Topic: Front End ID

[Venturous]

Hello,

Got a new (to me) CB750 project. It is a 1972 (K1). I know much on the front end is not correct K1. For example, the fender appears to be off a 77 or 78 and the chromed headlight ears should be painted. So, I know the front end probably has been replaced at one point.

The forks in a lot of ways look correct except the air shrader valve on top. I know the earlier CB750's weren't air assisted, but was there air forks on later models? If so, any guess what these might be off of??

If everything else seems solid as I get deeper into this project this winter, I will likely try to get the bike back to as many correct parts as I can, but it would be nice to know what I'm starting with.

Any guesses as to what year this front end it from?

Thanks

[hopterfixer]

The schrader valves and be added to the stock forks.  A 1972 750 is  K2, so the chrome ears are correct.  What about the front fender tells you it is later style.  Post some photos when you get a chance, we like photos.  Welcome to the forums. 

[Venturous]

The schrader valves and be added to the stock forks.  A 1972 750 is  K2, so the chrome ears are correct.  What about the front fender tells you it is later style.  Post some photos when you get a chance, we like photos.  Welcome to the forums. 

Well, it is titled as a 1972, but based on the VIN and also much of the other features (seat latch, guages, etc) it is a K1. We determined in another thread this was not terribly uncommon I guess.

Early front fenders had a fender stay in front as well as back. This has only the one in back and no signs there was ever a stay on the front. I think the 76, 77 or 78 models started using the fender with no front stay.

[mystic_1]

Early and later fenders had completely different mounting brackets due to the change in fork design between K2 and K3.  Hard to be sure from your pics but based on the caliper mount your forks look to be early ones, and unless the mounting bracket has been replaced then your fender is an early style as well.

mystic_1

[bill440cars]

       
          One thing, the CB750A had a front fender like that, that was slightly flared at the bottom rear of the fender. Hard to tell, from the picture, but isn't that one slightly flared? It would have the older mount also.

                                  Later on, Bill

[hopterfixer]

The schrader valves and be added to the stock forks.  A 1972 750 is  K2, so the chrome ears are correct.  What about the front fender tells you it is later style.  Post some photos when you get a chance, we like photos.  Welcome to the forums. 

Well, it is titled as a 1972, but based on the VIN and also much of the other features (seat latch, guages, etc) it is a K1. We determined in another thread this was not terribly uncommon I guess.

Early front fenders had a fender stay in front as well as back. This has only the one in back and no signs there was ever a stay on the front. I think the 76, 77 or 78 models started using the fender with no front stay.

I remember that thread now, there was a year or two in there with a mix of parts.  The fender looks like a GL1000 item.  It looks like a PO added those features to the stock front end.  You would just need factory fork caps to return that front end to stock, I am guessing yours were just drilled for the valves.

[Clyde]

A picture of the fork from side on would help to identify the front forks and fender. If it is an auto or 76F front fender the forks are the later type as these fenders will NOT fit on the early forks.
The gauges look correct for a K1 and there were some very late bikes which were called 1972 models.
The K1 should have painted headlight brackets as you mentioned, but it was common that if the bike was in an accident they were replaced with chrome ones
K1 and K2 the forks are the same.