Topic: Lets see your SOHC bike out on the road!

[ofreen]

I took a ride to lunch in Bruneau yesterday on the 750.  Bike ran perfectly as usual.  The bike will turn 50 years old in February.  The engine still spins effortlessly at 65-70 mph.  It is smoother than ever.  I remember it being buzzy back in 1977, with blurry images in the rear view mirrors at speed.  That vibration went away as the miles piled on.  As always, I think about how amazing it is that I can ride this bike like it is only a few years old.  It would be easy to take it for granted because it is so reliable, but I can't help feeling a little sentimental about it.  A connection to my past.  All that being said, it remains for sale, price $171,304. 

[grcamna2]

I took a ride to lunch in Bruneau yesterday on the 750.  Bike ran perfectly as usual.  The bike will turn 50 years old in February.  The engine still spins effortlessly at 65-70 mph.  It is smoother than ever.  I remember it being buzzy back in 1977, with blurry images in the rear view mirrors at speed.  That vibration went away as the miles piled on.  As always, I think about how amazing it is that I can ride this bike like it is only a few years old.  It would be easy to take it for granted because it is so reliable, but I can't help feeling a little sentimental about it.  A connection to my past.  All that being said, it remains for sale, price $171,304. 

Did you go into that 'monstrous' building ? 

[ofreen]

I didn't.  It is part of a corn maze operation they put up every fall.  They charge admission and I just snuck in there to get the photo.

[BenelliSEI]

Last time my son rode the cb750K3 we were on a +500 mile ride, with some CVMG members. It rained for two of the three days and the bike had a few issues. First the starter button disappeared, and the starter would engage whenever the clutch lever was pulled in! By the end of the tour, we were starting up using the lever and then unhooking the trigger wires to the solenoid (otherwise the starter would engage whenever he held in the clutch lever!). On the last leg the rear brake light switch literally fell to pieces and then the solenoid packed it in. We came home soaked to the skin, on filthy, muddy bikes and parked it….

A while back I ordered a new RHS switch. Got one with the ON/OFF for the lights, so a little rewiring required. Replaced the solenoid but was still getting nothing on the starter. Turned out the starter motor safety switch was dead, so bypassed that. The brake switch got a “brand new-used” replacement. While moving around the shop, the clutch cable snapped off at the lever, so subbed in the best one from another bin.

Today my buddy Gary wanted to give his ‘75 GL1000 a good run, so I hauled out the K3. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden it. Performed flawlessly and I love the sound of the ancient (Made in California) “Gemini” 4-1 exhaust. Quiet through town, but wails nicely on throttle. The Kenda dual sport tires my son chose for the Lesters are an odd match, but work very well on loose gravel roads that made Gary nervous on the ‘Wing! The engine on this one has never been out of the frame. This winter I must remember to adjust the valves clearances and cam chain tensioner. I bought this bike for the first Ganaraska 250 about 15 years ago and it has served us well.

[Terry in Australia]

I’m happy that Spotty and I fixed the oil leaks on my K0, when we dragged it out of storage there was a good sized pool of oil underneath it. We had to pull the engine so I could “flatten” the cam cover’s gasket surface using the tried and true method of gluing a couple of sheets of sand paper to a sheet of glass and using a black marker on the gasket surface, then rubbing it on the sandpaper until all the marker ink had disappeared. Same/same for the alternator cover, gear selector cover and sump pan.

We were scratching our heads as to why it was only running on 3 cylinders until we dropped the float bowl on #3 and found the main jet sitting in the bowl. I’d bought these carbs from an “expert” who’d rebuilt them (poorly, he didn’t install the gaskets on the top of the carb bodies either) so we dropped all the float bowls and all the jets were loose. Anyway we sorted it out and installed some Yamiya pipes, and it’s going really well now.

[RAFster122s]

After quite a bit of elbow grease good news you report Terry! Congrats

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks David, after not riding it for almost 2 years I’d forgotten what a fun bike it is to ride. Spotty and I rebuilt the front master cylinder but the front brake is almost non existent and when I got back to the storage unit I noticed some greasy crap on the outside of the disc. I’ll give it a clean and see if that fixes it, the forks aren’t leaking and I presume that the caliper isn’t as there’s plenty of lever pressure, so not really sure what the problem is?

[grcamna2]

Thanks David, after not riding it for almost 2 years I’d forgotten what a fun bike it is to ride. Spotty and I rebuilt the front master cylinder but the front brake is almost non existent and when I got back to the storage unit I noticed some greasy crap on the outside of the disc. I’ll give it a clean and see if that fixes it, the forks aren’t leaking and I presume that the caliper isn’t as there’s plenty of lever pressure, so not really sure what the problem is?

Might want to pull the pads out,have a look Terry.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks David, after not riding it for almost 2 years I’d forgotten what a fun bike it is to ride. Spotty and I rebuilt the front master cylinder but the front brake is almost non existent and when I got back to the storage unit I noticed some greasy crap on the outside of the disc. I’ll give it a clean and see if that fixes it, the forks aren’t leaking and I presume that the caliper isn’t as there’s plenty of lever pressure, so not really sure what the problem is?

Might want to pull the pads out,have a look Terry.

Thanks Bill, I definitely will, the front brake was never great, but it’s awful now.

[bryanj]

If its been stood 2 years has the pivot pin started to sieze

[PeWe]

Terry, your K0 looks really nice and complete
Like all parts on it were assembled together at the Honda factory back in the days.

[Terry in Australia]

If its been stood 2 years has the pivot pin started to sieze

Thanks mate, I suppose anything’s possible, I’ll take a look.

[Terry in Australia]

Terry, your K0 looks really nice and complete
Like all parts on it were assembled together at the Honda factory back in the days.

Thanks Per, considering that I built it out of parts that I’d been collecting for several years I’m pretty happy with it, but it’s going to get another restoration when I retire and I’ll try to find some more original pieces to put on it, even if they’re just Yamiya reproductions.

[BenelliSEI]

Terry…..Looks fabulous! Ride it!

[MauiK3]

Funny, my K3 750 does not have a switch on the clutch.

[PeWe]

Terry, your K0 looks really nice and complete
Like all parts on it were assembled together at the Honda factory back in the days.

Thanks Per, considering that I built it out of parts that I’d been collecting for several years I’m pretty happy with it, but it’s going to get another restoration when I retire and I’ll try to find some more original pieces to put on it, even if they’re just Yamiya reproductions.

I was close to mentioning  parts/puzzle bike.
But that could look like a bad way of describing the natural beauty!

Several bikes back to life thanks to that build. Their souls can be stored in all parts.

Something to remember when blue light people complain on your speeding.
"I could not help it, it just took off, it's a Honda!!!"

Forgot to mention...Original Yamiya, not bad repros.
They have some parts better than Honda.

[ofreen]

The RK x-ring chain installed in 2015 and 20,000 miles ago died a sudden death after the 190 mile ride to Bruneau.  Not as bad as Andy's chain but 3 links froze up and contributed to some vibration and nasty noise as they went around the countersprocket.  After I installed a new RK chain and Sunstar sprockets, I took a 110 mile ride to break them in.  Very minimal readjustment was needed when I got back.  I got started late, only about  2 1/2 hours before sunset so the light was great.  I also knew a cold front was going to blow through by the evening.  I hoped to get back before it showed up.  Didn't quite make it but only got sprinkled on.  The wind was interesting, so was dodging tumbleweeds the last 20 miles.

[Laids]

Probably the last ride this fall here in central Ontario. Rode my KO which I got in 1984, changed the rings at that time and she’s still going strong. My friend rode my K4 which I just finished in June this year. Both have HM300s and make a wonderful sound.

[M 750K6]

Very lovely. Like the K4's wheels. 👍

[ZTatZAU]

I try not to ride in temperatures (F) less than my age but I made an exception today.

I bought this K1 750 new in 1971 and rode it until I bought a GL1500 in 1994.  It's been parked ever since.  I made sure it still ran about ten years ago but then put it back in the corner until this resurrection began in the fall of 2022.





It feels good to have it out on the road again.
Thanks again to all here who've helped me get this done!
ZT

[grcamna2]

The K1 is looking good ZT.

[RAFster122s]

ZT, very nice finish to the restoration. Pipes look good and bike looks good and most won't know any issues with the bike unless you point them out. Not that many here might be able to see these things given the time, but most aren't so don't sweat them or let them bug you and enjoy the bike! It looks great and will give you plenty of smiles I'm sure. Wouldn't give Busso the satisfaction of being able to point anyone to how to overcome their pipes issues if they don't have the backbone or integrity to right the wrongs. Those that need a fix will find their way to the forums and find the fixes or workarounds. Not your job...

Enjoy the great bike, a future bike of the month candidate

[PeWe]

Only one owner since 1971, over 50 years is very special!

[BenelliSEI]

ZT…….. Motorcycle looks fantastic. So glad you’ll get a few more days to enjoy it!
Congrats, well done.

[ZTatZAU]

^^^^
Thanks everyone! 
I appreciate your nice comments and all the help I've received around here.
ZT