Topic: Alan's CB750K3 RestoMod version 2.0

[Alan F.]

Hey have you ever thought about selling those fork ears? Bet there would be a demand for this.

I could make up a set for anyone who's interested. But between work and family time can be hard to find.
I don't know what a reasonable price would be, any suggestions?

Measurements I'd need are:
your fork tube diameter.
desired fork ear tube diameter.
distance between lower and upper triple tree.
distance between fork tubes at center.
What size headlight will you be using?
how far foreward you want your headlight?
do you want extra holes to mount directionals?
do you want rubber bushings to mount them on your fork tubes with?

[greasy j]

Are you planning on adding a strip/swoosh or something to the tank/sidecovers to break up the grey?

I'm hatching an idea for a stripe/emblem to attach that should do the trick.
What would you think of a polished piece of aluminum sheet in the shape of an original tank stripe,  attached to the tank with the double-sided tape automotive emblems are held on with?

It might be tough to follow the contour of the tank, but maybe I can make it work.
-Alan

I think that would look slick. I like the look of steel, alum, etc. unpainted. and I like the old honda superhawk tanks w/ chrome. you can always go down to bare metal and polish in that shape, but if you have dents or whatnot, (bondo) that won't work. that would be a good way to get that look without having to find a perfect tank or chroming. it would have to lay down very close to the tank and keep the same shape or risk looking half ass. I would hammer it into shape, then trim the edges when it looks like it will hug the tank. good luck.

[Alan F.]

you can always go down to bare metal and polish in that shape, but if you have dents or (bondo) that won't work............. it would have to lay down very close to the tank and keep the same shape or risk looking half ass. I would hammer it into shape, then trim the edges when it looks like it will hug the tank. good luck.

I'm not sure how much bondo is on the tank, but the badges are filled in and the it seems pretty much dent free...so there is most likely some on it.

I'll probably begin with a piece of aluminum sheet and trace the outline of a factory decal onto it, then slip roll the curve onto it and work from there.
it may not be as tough as it sounds.

I'll start with a large stripe like the K3-4's had and whittle it down from there until I'm happy with it.
-Alan

[bigsherm]

I used Z-50 badges on  my Suzuki GS-450 tank.  The badges are mounted with automotive double-sided trim mounting tape.  Sorry for the crap cell pic.

Sherm

[Alan F.]

I used Z-50 badges on  my Suzuki GS-450 tank.  The badges are mounted with automotive double-sided trim mounting tape.  Sorry for the crap cell pic.
Sherm

Not such a bad pic, and wow have you put allot of work into that bike!
The GS450 tanks do look great don't they? I like the way your paint scheme and badge work with the lines of your tank.
Did you arrive at that style directly or did you go through a few versions?
I'd like to hear more about your build, you've got some very cool features that seem hard to imagine at first look.
I'll search for more threads on it.
-Alan

[bigsherm]

Thanks Alan,

     I don't have a build thread.  I've been building my '78-K in stages between deployments (army).  It's got a CBR front end and brakes that worked out really well.

     The tank is painted with flat black header paint on the emblem panel area, and polished everywhere else.  I coated it with many coats of wax to prevent rust while here in ultra-humid Alabama.  I'm only here temporarily and will thankfully go home to the ultra-dry Mojave desert in a month.  Using wax to prevent rust works ok here with rub downs every few days, but it'll be more than good enough at home.

     Next up is a stainless cafe tail.  I might post a new thread when I get that done.

Sherm

[Alan F.]

Getting back to the custom tank badge thing.... I'm leaning more toward the style of CB750_TANK_6.jpg which should conveniently be the easiest to fab up.
Any thoughts?
-Alan

[bigsherm]

Alan,

     Sure, feel free to post that stuff about the fork swap.  Thanks for asking.

Sherm

[HavocTurbo]

Getting back to the custom tank badge thing.... I'm leaning more toward the style of CB750_TANK_6.jpg which should conveniently be the easiest to fab up.
Any thoughts?
-Alan

*pops up from nowhere*

I like #6.

[Alan F.]

Thanks Sherm, I'll have that all compiled in the next couple of days.

Thanks Havoc, I'm leaning towards a .100" thick well polished stripe with a nice radiused edge all around, it should be simpler to get the right shape with it being located back away from the front of the tank, eh?

Maybe I could have an early Honda logo engraved?  I'll have to think about a few designs for a while.

Thanks for the input Guys.
-Alan

[Alan F.]

Got a little bit done tonight, sanded the paint off the rear motor mounts, swingarm mounts, coil ground and the horn ground.

Then I carefully mounted the swingarm, using a piece of 2x4 through the passenger peg mounts to keep the paint from chipping before I got the shocks on. While Hondaman had my swingarm I asked him to add some real grease fittings to both ends of the pivot bolt, it was only $5 or $10 more so why not?
Shocks are stock Showa items from an 82 CB750 (they're the ones with the aluminum tops) and fit great using my K3's hardware.

Then I put the 90's Nighthawk rear wheel into place using the Nighthawk axle.
It fits great and should handle a much wider tire next time.
It's a 17x4" wheel with a 130/70-17 Michelin Pilot Activ.

I still have to get the wheel bearings installed, reassemble the rear brake, and make my custom rear wheel spacers but I'll save those things for another day.

Here's a few semi-crappy cell phone pics, any thoughts?
-Alan

[HavocTurbo]

Love the Pilot Activ tires.... You are going to love em.

I know I did.

Bike looks gorgeous for just a frame and suspension.

[Alan F.]

Thanks Joe, I've got a 150 on the back of my nighthawk and it's a great tire, I'll throw one on the front in the spring too.

Sometime when I get really bored I'll have to try the wheel with the 150 on the K3 just for laughs.

-Alan

[andy750]

Looking good Alan! What are the rear shocks?

cheers
Andy

[Alan F.]

I've been spending some time thinking about side covers lately.  Sunday afternoon I fired up the bandsaw and started on some simple curved side covers with a shape reminiscent of my K3's left cover.  They're still in progress but here's a few teaser pics from my phone.  I'm thinking of polishing them, if I don't like the look I can always rough 'em up a little and hit 'em with a spraybomb.
-Alan

[Alan F.]

OK here's the right side cover completed, the cutouts for the filler, drain and front hose looked a little hokey at first, but they're growing on me.  I have attached 3 brackets that will bolt up to the stock sidecover rubbers (now I won't need new ones...) I'll use some stainless #10 BHCS's, washers and nyloc nuts to hold them on.
Polishing is still the plan, but I think I'll throw some gloss black on the 3 brackets to help them blend in and to show off the stainless mounting screws too.
Here's a pic with the oil tank, airbox and seat on:
-Alan

[GoatBaSS]

That looks mighty fine.

[pikeymick]

I've been spending some time thinking about side covers lately.  Sunday afternoon I fired up the bandsaw and started on some simple curved side covers with a shape reminiscent of my K3's left cover.  They're still in progress but here's a few teaser pics from my phone.  I'm thinking of polishing them, if I don't like the look I can always rough 'em up a little and hit 'em with a spraybomb.
-Alan

I like your side covers! I've also been trying to figure out a good solution for fabricating them! I've been following your build and it looks great! That thing is going to be BA when it's done!

[honda_jason]

looking good Alan! Maybe one of these days I can come over and give you a hand lol.

[Alan F.]

Been a little while since I've updated so here goes...
I've finished the left side cover, here's a few crappy cell phone pics

[Alan F.]

And the left cover:

[Alan F.]

There's a bit of a gap at the tops, but they fit just like the stockers do.  They should flow tons more air too.


       

[Alan F.]

They'll get wetsanded through the grits and polished along with the engine side covers, valve cover and a few other bits when I get to that stage.
-Alan

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Would you happen to have a template for those covers? Or did you just kind of make em up as you went? Either way, they look awesome.

I don't particularly like my covers and may try something similar.

[Alan F.]

I'll be offering them to the masses shortly if you'd like me to make a set for you shoot me a pm.
-Alan