Topic: K4 rebuild starting its uphill battle to survive

[myhondas]

Boy is it in bad shape. 1983-now it has been left outside to rot.  Finally got around to pulling the engine today. pulled the carbs off to clean. Can I use aircraft simple green to soak them? It is not supposed to harm aluminum. I plan to soda blast them also. This is a stock bike and has 105 jets in it. I thought stock was 110. Only one carb and bowl is full of gas varnish. #4 was dry and has the most oxidation on it. I can see that this will be a long and expensive restore. Long cause I don't have the $ to handle the expensive part. But it was my first honda and I want to save it. Am I out of my mind or do I have half a chance of completing this?

http://s564.photobucket.com/albums/ss89/myhondas/K4_BUILD/?albumview=slideshow

[Johnny5]

Stock mains for that year was 105.

Man, that bike is rough. It's one of those projects you gotta break down and do a little part at a time from the frame up.

[Johnie]

Man, usually when I start a restore I like to have something to work with...something so that I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Only you can decide if you are up to the challenge. I felt bad for the bike as I went through all your pics. You are correct, this one will cost a lot of money. Even the electronics appear to be questionable. Rectifier, solenoid, etc. with a lot of rust could be in jeopardy too. Your decision, but for me I would have passed to something that was not so far gone. But do not let me sway you, that is just my personal feelings and thoughts. I am sure there is someone somewhere who has taken something from the brinks and brought it back...good luck with your decision.

[Spanner 1]

Sheesh, what a lot of work !...couldn't find those wheels on any Honda, do you know what their off ?  Best of good luck with the bike, I see your already on the way ,taking apart stuff ( the easy part, right? ).

[1974CB750rider]

Man, you got your work cut out for you but it was your first Honda and believe me I understand how the sentamentle factor can come into play on any vehicle. Do you have a bike that you can ride now? If so I'd go for it and just take it down to the frame and start there and work my way up. Was the motor stuck on it? If it wasn't then thats a plus. For your situation I must quote these famous words "We have the technology, we can rebuild it". Good luck and please show us pics as you move along.

[honda750k]

you've certainly got a lot of work cut out for you.  do you want another pair of those handlebars in much nicer shape?  I've got a set here that I dislike because they look all wrong on my bike.  

that bike needs a lot honestly.  good thing you're doing a complete teardown.  might need to rebuild the engine too.

[myhondas]

Sheesh, what a lot of work !...couldn't find those wheels on any Honda, do you know what their off ?  Best of good luck with the bike, I see your already on the way ,taking apart stuff ( the easy part, right? ).

Those are Shelby Dowd Daytona mags. been quite a few wheel threads here on them and Henry Abes.  Personally I prefer the SD's and would like to put them back on the build....but I haven't made up my mind yet on that one. This is what the bike looked like back in its day.

http://s564.photobucket.com/albums/ss89/myhondas/oldk4/?albumview=slideshow

[Bowswell]

The trailer look good...lol
goog luck.

[Lawdog374]

Good Lord.  I thought my K4 was in poor condition.  Good luck with that one.  I agree, it is one of those things you need to redo every little nut and bolt.

[johnyvilla]

You definitely have your work cut out for you, but when your done, the contrast from where you started will make it all the more worth it.

I can imagine there's been some moisture in that motor at some point.