Topic: IDing "K" Engine Year of Manufacturer w/o serial number

[Ricky_Racer]

  Okay, here's a tuffy for me but maybe one of you guru's can point me in the right direction. I have a 1969-1976 SOHC CB750 engine and need to choose a complete gasket kit. The problem is that it has an aftermarket case without stamped numbers. Is there any way to determine the year series by any external method? Thanks In Advance!

[Ricky_Racer]

I guess I better say that the engine's in a Rickman-Honda CR so there's also no Honda chassis number to work from! 

[SteveD CB500F]

Can you tell us which model carbs it has fitted?  There's a cross-reference table on the site so may be able to get model and year from that.

[ericstew]

What's your Rickman frame number?The first one is the year and the 3 others the serial number for this year.
ex:mine is as 5089G
5=1975
089=the 89th made that year
G=honda 750(or Kawasaki 900Z)frame

On your engine/check the diameter of the oil vapors return that's on the back of the top crankcase(the one where the numbers should be)
1969-1974:internal diameter:6mm
                external diam'     :7.8mm
later         :int diam:8mm
               :ext diam:10mm
You should be OK with these/the gasket kit don't change much.
There ar  other things to check but less easy to explain for me in english(i'm French)but i'll give a try if you need help.

[Jim Shea]

Ricky,
Welcome. Which country are you and the bike from?
Jim.

[bryanj]

There are various internal differences, like chain oiler, driveshaft bearing type etc but very few external differences, the only one I know of is the number of bolts on the clutch cover which is less on the VERY early engine which is almost certainly not yours. The only real way is to pull the head and see how many seals there are arround the studs . Now I am willing to be proved wrong but i think everything except the Head gasket and those seals is identical whichever model

[Ricky_Racer]

Okay. First of all thanks to everyone who's trying to help me through this issue. I checked and I have 8 bolts on the clutch cover. I looked for a vent near the engine number plate and could find none on either the engine with the replacement cases or a second "K" motor CB750E-xxxxxxx, so I'm not sure what I'm looking for there...
The carbs appear to be the standard Keihins that you find on almost every mid-70s CB750 motor.

Could someone elaborate on the internal changes, especially the sealing washers around the studs? I have to pull the head to fix the typical oil leak anyway, so I can check the internal layout to ID the vintage of the motor.

To answer another question posed: I actually have two Rickman-Hondas (please don't hate me!) but only one is completed. The second one is gonna be nutty-wild! Anyway the chassis numbers are 4257G and 4547G and I live in Southern California.

Thanks again! Any additional help anyone could give would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to complete repairs and restoration on the Lance Weil-built Rickman by mid-summer. 

[Bob Wessner]

Wow! Nice!

[DiscoEd]

Wow! Nice!

I'll double that and add an Awesome!

[Ricky_Racer]

Aw, shucks Guys... You're seriously embarassing me. So, I'm gonna be a real jerk and post a shot of my Read-Titan CB750 Daytona in the hopes that someone else out there has one, or knows of anyone else who has one. I'm seriously considering developing the Read-Titan components as a complete Cafe kit for the CB750, depending on how much I'd have to spend to make the molds. (Sigh) So many dreams; so little money...

[bwaller]

Sweeet

[Jim Shea]

Ricky Racer,
I know someone in the UK that has a Read Titan. PM me if you want to try and put you in contact.
Both of the bikes look the 'business'.
Jim.

[cadler]

http://www.hondachopper.com/modifications.html
Try this
It is in www.hondachopper.com
it also has the exploded views of the engine and modifications
Craig

[SteveD CB500F]

I bought my Rickman 3/4 fairing (avatar) from Read Titan in 1977 (it cost £78).  I'm not sure if they are still in business.

[bryanj]

The easiest way to tell the differences would be to look at the parts book for a "K" (early) and an "F" both F, F1, F2, And F3. That will give you possition and part number for the seals I have the K on paper and the F on CD but distinct lack of time!

[Ricky_Racer]

Thanks for all the help, guys... Okay, bryanj, I've got a paper "K" parts book. I'll check it out in depth. Sorry I forgot to RTFM, LOL! Little has been written about Read of Leicester (sp?) but my understanding is that they've been out of biz for over twenty years. Jim, I'll try to PM you later today about your friend with the Read-Titan. Thanks again, everyone. I'll let you know how the Rickman rebuild goes.