Topic: Greets from Central NY

[rivetslag]

Heyas. I've just bought a 1978 CB750K, so I'm joining your club! It has a bit over 23,000 miles on the clock, seems to be in great shape. I wish I knew what a 750 of this age in good running shape felt like. I'd like to make sure it's all nicely tuned up and running shortly, because I'm intending on a cross country road trip with it. I'm not sure how far to tear it apart to "establish" a presence with this bike, to make it mine, and get a good feel for it before I start depending on it. So, I'm here for informational purposes. Loving the wealth of info here so far.



I ran off to register and insure the bike, but I hadn't even taken it for a legal ride yet before I yanked the tank off to paint. Definitely wasn't a fan of the stock paint job, which I'm not entirely sure was stock. Ugly, for sure. I also intend on at least bringing some of the chrome under control with some black paint. I ordered some gaskets for the petcock which leaks when set to reserve, and when I go to pick those up I'm going to toss in a clutch cable, and air/oil filters for a quick tuneup. Oh, and the engine cage thing has to go...even though I'm tempted to leave it there for highway pegs on a long trip. A couple other mods I'd like to accomplish on short order are bar end mirrors, the tapered roller bearings for the steering head, fork gaiters, and an oil temp. gauge.

More pictures here if you want to take a peek at the bike and pics of the paint job so far.

Anyways, nice to meet yas, I look forward to picking your brains for ideas and info!

-hamilton

[seaweb11]

K8s RULE
Have fun with it. They are a very Stout bike

I'm heading out on mine for 2000+ mile trip to Sturgis later this month 

[IndyFour]

I hear you on getting the Bar-end mirrors.  I have some aftermarket ones in the stock location and they are so short....all I can see is my elbows.  Bar-end mirrors are high on my list also.

Great looking bike.  You'll have to show us more pics when it gets all painted up!

[wrenchman]

nice job so far, im also from central ny, cortland area, maybe we can hook up sometime. ride on

[andy750]

The engine bar is a great addition for a long trip. And if your bike ever tips over or slides you are going to save your engine for sure. One crack of the alternator or points cover and you could be looking at damaged cases...just a thought.

Have fun on the long distance trip - the K8 will go all day, and keep on going.

cheers
Andy

[rivetslag]

I finished up painting the tank, here's a quick shot from a little ~170 mile trip I took up to Remsen, NY.



wrenchguy: I love the Cortland/Ithaca area. I drive down there in my car every couple weeks, sometimes even when I don't have to. I have the MSF course lined up for the 24th, and the very first thing on my agenda is a ride down around your area, once I'm fully licensed. I've had a few roads there mentally tagged for further enjoyment on two wheels. If you wouldn't mind me tagging a long, I'd love to meet a local SOHC fan! You know there are tons of places to grab coffee in Ithaca

Also, many years ago, I drove along a road down there I have never found again. It's become my holy grail, just trying to relocate that stunning, winding two lane through the gorges. I'll probably spend a whole day aimlessly wandering in a search for it.

Andy: sage advice. I do intend on re-installing the engine guard before I leave for the road trip. It has the inside pegs, and I thought maybe it would be a good idea to toss on the fold-up style pegs on the outside as well, for a total of three leg positions. I also have a huge windshield that came with the bike, I'm going to toss on, too, for practical reasons.

Thanks for the nice words, guys!

[wrenchman]

i see you guys are talking about bar end mirrors, mine needs mirrors, and after listening to a bunch of you thats the way to go. where do you find these mirrors. thanks, and yes get ahold of me sometime when your planning on coming down this way, lots of neat old out of the way winding roads

[IndyFour]

i see you guys are talking about bar end mirrors, mine needs mirrors, and after listening to a bunch of you thats the way to go. where do you find these mirrors. thanks, and yes get ahold of me sometime when your planning on coming down this way, lots of neat old out of the way winding roads

I just got a set from eBay for about $30 shipped.  Love them....much better view of rear and sides.  A couple of my local cycle shops had them, but only in black and I wanted chrome.

[rivetslag]

Which brand did you get? I have looked at Oberon and CRG mirrors, they seem like the best out there. I know lots of Ducati guys love the CRGs. They are a bit out of my price range for what I'm trying to do, though. I also know about the Napoleons, but I don't really think the rectangular shape fits the bike.

My main goal is to get rid of the vibration that makes the stockers useless, and I have read that the affordable Emgos are chintzy junk.