Topic: 1970 CB750 K0 restoration - going for original

[traveler]

Good to hear.  If I ever get a 750, I want it stock (different pipe though) with MINT correctly painted tins.

~Joe

[Johnie]

Mark, your bike makes me all goose-bumply!!! 

[egar]

zzpete,

Thanks for the inspiration. I will contact Don and order the Candy gold with the correct gold stripe for the tank. I'm trying to pick up what I need even if it is well in advance of where I'm at on the project.

[Tom]

zzpete,

Thanks for the inspiration. I will contact Don and order the Candy gold with the correct gold stripe for the tank. I'm trying to pick up what I need even if it is well in advance of where I'm at on the project.

The Gold stripes and Gold sidecover emblems went with the Candy Blue Green and the Candy Ruby Red, The Candy Gold Bikes Had Black stripes and Black sidecover emblems TC

[egar]

Thanks for th information! I thought it looked strange with gold on gold. I will make sure to use the black stripes with the gold paint.

Got the forks off and triple tree off today. I can't figure out how to get the ears off though. It looks like a chrome trim ring on the bottom of the ears are keeping them in place. The chrome is severely pitted so I will have to find a source for the chrome rings that hold the boots on at the top and bottom. Any suggestions anyone?

Update: I found a powdercoating company that willl sandblast, plug the screwholes and paint the frame swingarm, triple trees and other black bits for approximately $250. That was the ballpark estimate over the phone. The fenders will be rechromed for about $325.

If I go with the vintage honda paint and either do it or hire someone to do it, I will save a ton, compared to using the guy on Ebay who will pain everything for $750.

I now have to finally get the engine out of the frame. A buddy has a grinding wheel he bought three years ago and is still inthe box and said he'll let me use it to polish the engine pieces. I will have to pick up the cloth wheels and compounds.....

[egar]

I got the fork ears off, but I'm wondering where I can find replacement side reflectors and the chrome ring trim that appears to hold the boots (which disintegrated). See below:


Two more questions, you KO experts:

The bottom triple tree contains some kind of ignition looking thing that I couldn't remove. I got the plastic cover off, but I'm wondering why I can't tap out the ignition thing. Should I leave it in and tell the powdercoater to cover it before painting the bottom tree?

Also, on my last bike, I switched to tapered bearings. Do you think it would be sacrilege to do so on this bike. Keep in mind it will be a rider, not a museum piece.

I just about broke my weak back getting the engine out of the frame. I'm nervous about opening up the engine as I have not done much of that on the two 550s I had. But I would hate to get the bike back together and find that all the gaskets are dried out and leaky....


The 550 that my wife is learning to ride. My daily ride, an ST, is behind it:

[Johnie]

That ignition looking thing under the tree is the fork lock. First take the screw out of the plastic cover and remove the cover. Then insert the key and turn it in. Then let the key hold the unit and you should be able to pull the guts out. Keep an eye out for the little spring in there. They may stick a bit from years of dirt. Yes, put a new All Balls bearing kit in the front tree. You will be glad you did. I have them in my K1 and K4. Next year my KO gets them. There is a good thread about the procedure.
Those reflectors are not available from Honda anymore. You can get them on eBay or check Western Hills Honda in OH. Why are yours bad? I used some MAAS polish on the metal and mine look new again.

[egar]

Johnie, Thanks for responding to my PM. I tried to respond back but the computer timed out, so here it goes:
I shined up the reflectors with metal polish and they look decent. Not perfect, but presentable. Thanks for the tip.

I broke down and bought a pair of fork boot rings NOS for 30 bucks. Mine really are shot and maybe I can sell them for a few bucks.

I will order my all balls from Dennis Kirk. Thanks so much for your time. And I will remember the fork boot tip.

Hope to get all the black parts  to the powdercoater this week.

Ed

[Old Scrambler]

When you use both tappered bearings you may need a spacer (washer) on the tops of the fork ears to take up the space for a snug fit. I installed the bottom bearing and stayed with the original on top. I figured most of the weight is on the bottom. It fits as original.

[Johnie]

When you use both tappered bearings you may need a spacer (washer) on the tops of the fork ears to take up the space for a snug fit. I installed the bottom bearing and stayed with the original on top. I figured most of the weight is on the bottom. It fits as original.

Dennis...is there a difference in the trees from the KO to the K4? The reason I ask is I put the All Balls in the top and bottom of my tree on the K1 & K4 and the fork ears fit perfect? I did not need any spacer on the ears.

[egar]

Dennis, Thanks for the tip.

I will be picking up the frame, swingarm, triple tree, center stand and battery harness from the powdercoater today. The cost was much higher than the estimate on the phone: $370. Ouch. Will post pictures when I get the parts home.

[markb]

That's one thing I've learned about these restorations: it always costs more and takes more time that you thought it would.

[Magpie]

A big "Amen" to that Mark!
Cliff

[egar]

The powdercoating is amazing. The gloss black might be too dramatic in fact. You could brush your teeth in the reflection. I have to get batteries for my camera and will post fresh pix. You guys are right about cost. The frame looks so good that I know I'm going to nickel-and-dime myself to death making everything as nice a possible. I can't imagine installing an old rusty bolt back into the frame.

Next question, I've sued VHT silver on my past cb's. Is there something that is closer to original available out there? Such as carpy's paint he hawks on his web site? Any suggestions?

Research tells me honda's motor paint was called cloud silver. ...

[Magpie]

I've used Dulpicolor engine paint 1615 and it's very close to original.
Cliff.

[markb]

+1 on the Duplicolor

[egar]

Mark B, if it is good enough for your beautiful bike, it will work for me.

[egar]

I contacted Dennis Kirk and they said they don't have an All Balls tapered bearing set to fit my bike. I did see an all balls set on Ebay that listed the K0 as one of the ones that fit, but I'd hate to order it and find out they were wrong.....

[egar]

It's a nice sunny Saturday morning for finally shooting a few pictures of some of the parts that were powdercoated on Tuesday. The photos simply do not do them justice. I didn't photograph everything---the triple trees and swingarm are safely tucked away, but I wanted to show the frame, battery box and center stand. It is simply amazing when compared to the pre-paint photos.

[Zaipai]

Wow, that powder coat is the way to go. Its amazing. I only wished I had the cash to do mine..

Good job..

.: Scott :.

[SohRon]

That frame is looking sweeeeet! Makes me anxious to start on my own! Keep up the good work!
(Hmmmm... maybe I should look into picking up a '750 to restore...  )

[egar]

Question:

The PO replaced all the engine bolts with nice allen key versions (like I have done in the past). However. Four of the allen bolts on top of the head are frozen and starting to strip. Should I drill them out or chisel the bolt heads off and then use vice grips to unscrew the shaft after I pop the head off? I want to take off everything that has a gasket to be sure I don't have a leaky engine when I get the bike running...
Suggestions?

Also, anyone have a recommendation from my last question about locating tapered bearings? Dennis Kirk says they don't have them to fit my year...

[egar]

I had a couple of buddies come over today so that I could help one of them put new throttle cables on his Sportster. It took a lot longer than it would have for an expert, but I've never touched a Harley in that way before.

Anyhow, I got the valve head cover off but errantly chipped the top while trying to work out a frozen bolt. I had four or five frozen bolts even though they were allen key head aftermarket bolts that the PO had installed. I posted a question in the bike section asking whether I should bond the chipped piece back on or whther I should buy a new cover. Are KO valve covers interchangeable with other years? I dunno....


Below are some photos of what the engine looks like inside. I don't know whether it is bad or good, but I'm getting nervous as I dismantle it. I've never gone this deep into an engine before....





There was a finned cover on the bike. Some of the fins are mashed. When I removed it, I found that the Honda logo had been preserved nicely....

[Johnie]

I would suggest contacting member Hush about those steering bearings. I thought the tapered bearings were the same from 69-76 before the change over in style. The kit I got for my K4 from Dennis Kirk was part number
12-1431 per my purchase order. The cost was $42.99 + $7.99 shipping. But before you buy check with Hush just to be sure.

[egar]

Thanks, JOhnie. Any thoughts about my valve head cover situation? Should I just buy a replacement on Ebay and are other years interchangeable?