Topic: Are 750 K1 gauges convertible to K0 gauges?

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

I have two nice K1 gauges on my late K0. I am wondering if these gauges are convertible to K0 gauges by replacing the faces and the covers? With other words: is the inside and the lower half the same as the K1 gauges? The signal lights are located at the same position and the diameter is the same.

[Tom]

I have thought of doing the same thing, the gauge frame or the bottom case is different and slightly higher on the K1 than the one on a k0 but if the rim that the the stainless crimp ring  crimps over was ground off it may work, i am not sure if the diameter on the K0 is less than the K1 it would be worth checking that first Mt

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

I did this for a friend last year. But all those photos are on my dead computer 

Can you describe what you've done?

[MCRider]

Lecram: If you do the swap, I'd be interested in the K1 faceplate, especially for the speedo.

Oops I just realized yours may be kph v mph?

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

Lecram: If you do the swap, I'd be interested in the K1 covers, especially for the speedo.

Oops I just realized yours may be kph v mph?

I have a MPH speedo as my bike came from the US 

The covers are the same as later gauges, like K2 etc. And (if you mean the same by covers as I do) the covers are the same for MPH and KMH

[MCRider]

Lecram: If you do the swap, I'd be interested in the K1 covers, especially for the speedo.

Oops I just realized yours may be kph v mph?

I have a MPH speedo as my bike came from the US  

The covers are the same as later gauges, like K2 etc. And (if you mean the same by covers as I do) the covers are the same for MPH and KMH

Assuming the face plate is in really good condition? Maybe a picture when the time gets closer?

Keep me in mind if you do the swap.

I have a NOS K1 Tach. My speedo face and cover are good, but not up to NOS. My other alternative is to buy new face plates from Yamiya, but they are expensive and i don't need both. They only sell them in pairs.

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

Lecram: If you do the swap, I'd be interested in the K1 covers, especially for the speedo.

Oops I just realized yours may be kph v mph?

I have a MPH speedo as my bike came from the US  

The covers are the same as later gauges, like K2 etc. And (if you mean the same by covers as I do) the covers are the same for MPH and KMH

Assuming the face plate is in really good condition? Maybe a picture when the time gets closer?

Keep me in mind if you do the swap.

I have a NOS K1 Tach. My speedo face and cover are good, but not up to NOS. My other alternative is to buy new face plates from Yamiya, but they are expensive and i don't need both. They only sell them in pairs.

The face plates are obviously different. The faces I have are unfortunately worn by the sun. :


I am considering to make K0 and K1 face plates, after I did it succesfully for the K2: http://picasaweb.google.nl/LecramR/Tellers#
But to mak both mph and kmh faces it could be too expensive. If there is enough interest from the US and UK it could be interesting for me to make also the MPH faces. If have already designed them in vector

[MCRider]

Thanks for the picture. Your K1 face is about the same condition as mine, so I'll pass.

The biggest problem I'll face in replacing just the Speedo Face is: will the colors match the NOS Tach? That may be why Yamiya only sells them in pairs.

As to your making them, as you know the K1 is a limited market. It may not be profitable, though desirable for sure.

[MCRider]

MCRider,
I have K1 face plates for speedos and tachs. Would you like me to put new faces on them or would you just want the crinkled plates?

Hi there. PM in your box.

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

MCRider,
I have K1 face plates for speedos and tachs. Would you like me to put new faces on them or would you just want the crinkled plates?

They look pretty, but the faces aren't the same as the original. I designed the faces 100% the same as the originals. Every detail is the same.

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

What are you talking about? What looks pretty? I don't understand your point. Please elaborate.

Compare both images:

The stripes are too close to the edge
Some figures are located on a slightly different position, like 140, 80 on the speedo and the 8 on the tacho.
The red surface must stop with the stripes, on your faces it stops at the edgo of the face.
the letters of the 'mph' and 'rpm' signs are too close to each other
there is too much space between the two middle stripes between 1 and 2 on the tacho

Some people would say: what are you talking about, but these minor differences are for me very important.

When I designed my faces, I made a scan of the original en put it under the drawing. Every detail was designed very accurately on a 32" screen.

[736cc]

While ago I put nice K0 faces (the plastic covers were typically cracked and crazed) inside K1 gauges, then I added chrome gauge covers.  It looked really nice and crisp, something you never see on K0 gauges unless brand new. Even then, the glass was crisper than plastic. Bike already had beautiful rechromed valve and engine covers, I left them as-is and painted the bodywork mirror black w/ factory sunny gold stripes and badges, trying to do it in a way the factory shoud have built a black CB750. One-of-a-kind K0 that had so-called experts nit-picking its incorrectness.
Here's only pic I have of that bike, which also had a seriously hot-rodded motor.
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/3243/blackk0.jpg

[754]

If you dont have to be correct, the K1 guages, are easier to live with, and hold up better..IMO

[Tom]

can someone please explain the different face colours used on the K1.. i have had more than a few K1's including a new one in 71 and they were all the green faces but i have seen some in the US and on ebay with Blue faces whats the go? MT

[CB750faces.com (Lecram)]

I think that the blue ones are discolored. I have had a blue K2 gauge (which has the same color as the K1) and opened it and found the green color on the outer edge of the face, under the rim of the cover.