Author Topic: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #3  (Read 45495 times)

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Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #100 on: January 24, 2010, 08:09:07 AM »
Remember this being an extremely exciting point in the process.
Tank and covers came back from painter and the bike started to look like something...
Sometimes back then I'd just go into my garage to look at the bike coming along.
Just sitting and staring...
I have to say... to me... the CB750 K0 is one of the most beautifully sculptured bikes.
The simple curves, lines and symmetry are so well balanced
To this day, I still catch myself ogling over the K0 motorcycle just like when I first was building it up.
I feel lucky to own one.
This project was about restoring a bike for a long term relationship.
I'd like to have this bike in 20 years with 100k still thinking how pretty it is....
« Last Edit: January 24, 2010, 06:15:55 PM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #101 on: January 24, 2010, 08:21:02 AM »
This is a great idea with the photos. I am really enjoying the "photo build". And your attention to carb tuning is an inspiration. More please! Could you also post a video of the bike at idle as you had it spot on before and give some pointers on how to achieve this! Thank you!

And what tire is that in the photo? Dunlop K70?

Andy
Sure thing! I've got a long story to tell. I'll include my videos and thoughts. This will take awhile as I have spent so many hours piddling away in the garage. I'm not a great mechanic and have made so many mistakes. Some things I skipped. Like the fact that wired, insulated, plastered and finished my garage just for this project. Seriously, I spent a month putting a shop together so I could enjoy the process more. This included buying tools, air compressor, shelves, work bench, .... where did I put those pictures... 
« Last Edit: January 24, 2010, 08:23:18 AM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #102 on: January 24, 2010, 08:21:34 AM »
This is a great idea with the photos. I am really enjoying the "photo build". And your attention to carb tuning is an inspiration. More please! Could you also post a video of the bike at idle as you had it spot on before and give some pointers on how to achieve this! Thank you!

And what tire is that in the photo? Dunlop K70?

Andy
Sure thing! I've got a long story to tell. I'll include my videos and thoughts. This will take awhile as I have spent so many hours piddling away in the garage. I'm not a great mechanic and have made so many mistakes. Some things I skipped. Like the fact that wired, insulated, plastered and finished my garage just for this project. Seriously, I spent a month putting a shop together so I could enjoy the process more. This included buying tools, shelves, work bench, .... where did I put those pictures... 

Yep K70 Tire!
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Magpie

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #103 on: January 24, 2010, 08:28:05 AM »
Great report Simpson! I'm looking forward to the day mine can roll out of the garage looking as good as yours!
"Sometimes back then I'd just go into my garage to look at the bike coming along.
Just sitting and staring..."  I can't count the times I've done this with my K1's and still do. Just having a beer and looking at them...........
To have them frame a K0 will be amazing.
It really is an addiction these old bikes.
Cheers,
Cliff.


Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #104 on: January 24, 2010, 08:34:51 AM »
This is a great idea with the photos. I am really enjoying the "photo build". And your attention to carb tuning is an inspiration. More please! Could you also post a video of the bike at idle as you had it spot on before and give some pointers on how to achieve this! Thank you!

And what tire is that in the photo? Dunlop K70?

Andy
Sure thing! I've got a long story to tell. I'll include my videos and thoughts. This will take awhile as I have spent so many hours piddling away in the garage. I'm not a great mechanic and have made so many mistakes. Some things I skipped. Like the fact that wired, insulated, plastered and finished my garage just for this project. Seriously, I spent a month putting a shop together so I could enjoy the process more. This included buying tools, air compressor, shelves, work bench, .... where did I put those pictures... 

Ahh haaa found them pictures..
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #105 on: January 24, 2010, 08:39:01 AM »
February 2009
So, it started to come together...
« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 07:53:38 PM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #106 on: January 24, 2010, 08:43:11 AM »
March 2009
Smaller projects were getting completed also. Painting the seat pan makes such a difference...
On a side note, parts like the brake panel are NOS replaced parts. Yes expensive but what people forget, is hard to find.
I was calling dealerships all over states looking for these parts. Buying on ebay from all over the world. The reason I went to length of paying and searching was for authenticity. I have spent hours studying Vic World's build pictures. I was not satisfied with the way my restored surface finishes came out and Vic Worlds are just too nice. In fact his are flawless. The real 40 year old look is fascinating to me. It is filled with imperfections and shortcuts. Backsides where people do not look, like the underside of the clutch cover is not polished by Honda. These are the neat things about the bike I enjoyed learning. The third picture shows Vic's restored brake panel. Honda's never look that good.

I did elect to power coat which is not authentic. But since I plan to use this bike a lot, the idea of a more durable paint was very appealing choice. Gas, oil, and brake fluid resistant is nice.

« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 05:35:50 PM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #107 on: January 24, 2010, 05:51:17 PM »
March 2009
Finally came the day when most of it came together...
Oh boy was I pumped...

« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 08:03:47 AM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #108 on: January 24, 2010, 05:53:02 PM »
Found myself looking for opportunities to take pictures

« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 08:03:04 AM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #109 on: January 24, 2010, 05:55:54 PM »
So in early May 2009 I drove out to the country for a photo shoot.
This one hangs framed in my house...
« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 08:02:12 AM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #110 on: January 24, 2010, 06:08:10 PM »
Early May 2009
On another site, I made a couple videos for BOTM.
Wanted to make it fun and the other bike was an amazing RC51.
I wanted to show what these old bikes could do.
To this days, I still not happy with my jetting.
Perhaps this spring hone it in better.
[youtube=425,350]IfDX9YuiKVM[/youtube]
[youtube=425,350]9eDCLO6KZwo[/youtube]

« Last Edit: January 25, 2010, 05:35:01 PM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Thor's Hammer!

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #111 on: January 25, 2010, 01:18:45 PM »
Wow....what an awesome build!  Am going back to re-read the first couple pages now... :D
1978 Honda CB750F : 2005 Kawasaki ZRX1200

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #112 on: January 25, 2010, 05:34:23 PM »
In the middle of May 2009. I got the bike running okay.
Probably had about 4-5 weeks fiddling with air screws and jets.
I remember taking the bike on tons of night trips.
There is a loop nearby which allows me to hit 60-70 then turn around and do it all over for adjustments.
Well I took the bike to a dyno shoot and won.
Winning because there were no other 750cc class bikes I believe.
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #113 on: January 26, 2010, 07:55:44 AM »
June 2009
The summer has heated up and I'm not happy with two areas of the bike.
-Jetting and Gearing

The gearing was a stock 16/45. If I was to use this bike to run around town, it would be fine. Since I am using this bike as a light touring 2up ride, I'm more concerned with smoothness of a ride at cruising speed. I sold a 2006 CB900f to buy my CB750 K0. The CB900F AKA 919 gave me the same concerns. At traveling speeds of 65-75, I want to keep the revs down and reduce rider fatigue. I installed a 18T in the CB750 and that seemed to help considerably. The SO and I had many trips with the 18/45. This year I have changed the setup slightly. 18T in the front means you have to remove the chain guard due to clearance issues. If the chain were to fail then I could be screwed with an engine failure (chain breaks the case). So this year I move slightly closer to stock with 16/42. This is very close ratio to the stock 18/48 only favoring a taller gearing slightly.

The jetting made me so frustrated because I seemed to chase my tail all the time. I found myself last year drawing out a matrix and trying each combination of needle position, jet,  air screw and observing to my best the effects. I' not done playing around in this area and will continue to experiment this summer. I'd rather not say too much because I'm not sure of my findings yet because it was very subjective. Most of the time it seemed like dialing the carb meant compromising on a few key characteristics.

Picture from last year...


« Last Edit: January 26, 2010, 08:01:37 AM by Simpson »
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #114 on: January 26, 2010, 08:06:07 AM »
And that concludes my flashback and back to current date with me fixing the issues I originally stated at the start of the thread.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #115 on: January 26, 2010, 08:17:16 AM »
Thanks for the detailed flashback! It was fun to read.
1972 CB350F (Back from the Dead!)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20822.0
1965? S65 - Coming Eventually!
1972 CB750K2 (father-son project)
1976 CB750K6- (sold) http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96859.0
1976 CB750K6 (sold)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=62569.0

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #116 on: January 26, 2010, 08:29:27 AM »
So finally I've mounted my new tire and saddlebags. Additionally as said I've updated gearing at 16/42. After about 50 miles of testing, there seems to be very very little oil (if any) leaking from the head. We'll see, as I've heard it could very well come back soon. The saddle bags jiggle more than I imagined so a second support bar will be created attaching it to the fender. Things are coming along good, this setup will take me into the New England area this year for a 2up ride through Vermont and New Hampshire. Weather pending it will line up with the Laconia weekend. The top case has not arrived yet and the painter has not contacted yet to verify. The girl and I went to breakfast Sunday and it was nice to bring a change of jackets so the motorcycle jackets (CE protectors) could be stored on the bike with gloves. The saddlebag bars also are a good place to hang our helmets. The Yamiya seat seems to be a worth while addition, even at the extra cost.  


1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #117 on: January 26, 2010, 08:30:48 AM »
More pictures...



1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Magpie

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #118 on: January 26, 2010, 10:49:04 AM »
You may want to find some clear plastic "protectors' for the lids of the saddlebags. On my ST1100 I was very careful when I swung my leg over getting on the bike but still would scuff the lid of the bag with my shoe. It made me angry every time I did it. I was at a recent bike show and most of the bikes with bags had scuff marks from test sitters.
Cliff.

Offline andy750

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #119 on: January 26, 2010, 01:37:20 PM »
Great advice from Cliff. I find I hit my top box and bags all the time on the VStrom.

The bike looks great with the bags!! Very very nice and the paint came out really well. You may want to try some type of rear support bar that runs from case to case though not sure how that would work on the 750 -very common to see on adventurer tourer bikes for the same issue you describe.May from the top bar to top bar.

Good luck with it and if you need a place to stay in Boston (with garage) when you come through let me know! Or if you want a riding partner for a day trip Id also be up for that. I just want to see this bike!  ;D

great flashback!
cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline mcpuffett

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #120 on: January 26, 2010, 02:35:25 PM »
Beautiful bike & a credit to you, love it  8), cheers Mick
Honda CB750 KO 1970,   Honda VTX 1300 2006, Lancaster England.

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #121 on: January 27, 2010, 08:26:56 AM »
Just received the top case. I rested it in place, so if it looks mis-aligned... it is...
The top case gets put in the corner of the garage for now.
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline Simpson

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #122 on: March 15, 2010, 09:34:57 AM »
Saddle Bag Update:
I've added a third support beam connecting the saddle bag cage to the fender.
This is a alum bar and is fairly flexible. The idea is just to minimize high speed shake a bit.
If not rigid to satisfaction, I'll make an identical steel bar to replace it.
No testing yet as it is raining today...
 
1970 CB750 K0
1975 CL/CB 360 Mix

Offline andy750

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #123 on: March 15, 2010, 09:47:53 AM »
I am curious to see how this works out. Id have thought it would have been more stable to connect the two bags by going under the fender (or attaching to the fender but having them connected). Looking forward to the update ;-). Still -very nice work and I am eager to try out my own bags to see if they will work for me.

cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline UK Pete

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Re: CB750 K0 Restoration - Round #2
« Reply #124 on: March 15, 2010, 10:36:55 AM »
Thats the first one i have seen with side boxes and it looks good, also the bike is great my favourite colour
Pete