Topic: black 1973 Honda CB750 K3

[MoMo]

Hello to all. I am new to the site but not new to vintage 1970's Honda bikes.  I recently purchased a black 1973 Honda CB750  K3 that looks to be the original color. Tank and side covers are black without the normal stripe that was on the tank.  Bike was from a one owner family and the owner swears the color is original.  I do not remember black, only the reds, greens, blues and oranges.  Serial number is 2035361. Anyone have any idea if this is original, maybe Canadian or European?  Thanks for any help.

Also, There is a beeper that  goes off when the turn signals are on and a built in button on the l/h switch to turn the buzzer off.  And there is the ability to add a caliper to the r/h fork leg.

Larry

[Old Scrambler]

No US-spec bikes were black..........All had standard decor tank stripes and side-panel badges. The beeper switch was on some US models.  I have an early K3 and it has the head design and seat cover pattern found on the K2 but no beeper switch.

[Speed King]

Let's see some pics, mang.

[754]

Seems to me there may have been one on here once, may have had silver stripes.
 Does your bike have a single instrument, rather than 2 ? ie police model..

[Johnie]

This might give you some added info if that bike is indeed from the USA:
The CB750K3 Four was sold in 1973 and was available in one of three colors: Flake Sunrise Orange, Candy Bucchus Olive, or Maxim Brown Metallic. The gas tank stripes were white, gold and black. The side covers were smaller than the K0 model and there were no slots on the leading edge. The upper forks were chrome. The headlight shell was black. The taillight and side reflectors were larger than the K1 model. There was a two-throttle cable system (pull open and pull closed). The exhaust system was a 4-into-4. The engine was a 736cc SOHC 2-valve dry sump inline 4 cylinder linked to a 5-speed transmission and chain drive.
K3 Serial Number: Frame: CB750-2200001 Engine: CB750E-2200001
What is the build date (month & year) shown on the neck ID tag?
I wonder if it could be a K2 titled in 1973?
K2 - Serial Number
Frame: CB750-2000001
Engine: CB750E-2000001

[MoMo]

Thanks for the replies. I'd post a photo but I don't know how.  There are the standard two gauges.  Frame is 2035361, engine is 2043177 and year of manufacture was 4/72. From one of the posts it seems as though it is a K2 but were they black?  Look forward to more response.  Thank you, Larry

[Johnie]

Here is the K2 info for for you:
The CB750K2 Four was sold in 1972 and was available in one of three colors: Brier Brown Metallic, Flake sunrise Orange, or Candy Gold. The gas tank stripe was gold but as with previous models, the Gold tanks had a black stripe. The side covers were smaller than the K0 model and there were no slots on the leading edge. The upper forks were chrome. The headlight shell was black. The taillight and side reflectors were larger. There was a two-throttle cable system (pull open and pull closed). The exhaust system was a 4-into-4. The engine was a 736cc SOHC 2-valve dry sump inline 4 cylinder linked to a 5-speed transmission and chain drive.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Your bike is a K3 and it was repainted.

[Hinomaru]

Here's a couple of links to help ID the mystery bike:

Serial numbers: http://www.spookytoms.com/CB750K-IDPlates.html

Paint colors: http://www.spookytoms.com/CB750K-PaintColors.html

[MoMo]

Thanks for the info,  I'd never seen a black, stock 750 but the owner swore it was originally black-guess that wasn't the truth-said his father-in-law bought it new and it was always black. Doesn't look like a repaint as the underside of the tank is black. Anyhow, it is a great bike, 40,000 miles, runs great and devoid of rust. Thanks for the help.  If anyone could tell me how to post a photo, I'd appreciate it, Larry

[754]

The 72 brown is VERY dark.. more like black..
 makes me wonder if somehow they managed to strip the decal stripe off, pretty sure there was clear over it. Not impossible I am thinking to get decal off, then reclear if needed.. in that case it would still be factory paint..hmmmmm..

[elroy]

I too own a black cb750k3, I'm just coming to realize that it must have been a repaint job. Coulda fooled me, looks stock as hell. I kinda like it better now though, knowing that my bike is unique compared to other older 750's. When I bought the bike the rear wheel is apparently a k3 hub laced into some kind of harley 16" rim, at least thats what the mechanic told me when I brought it to put in my dyna ignition. Also, I havent been able to find another bike with the same exhaust as mine. I hope the photos work ~elroy

[srook]

Elroy,
Your exhaust looks like an old Mac megaphone exhaust.  I used to have one on my old K6.  It looks like this:


Scott

[736cc]

black is beautiful


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Stev-o]

  If anyone could tell me how to post a photo, I'd appreciate it, Larry

Open a free acct at photobucket.com, then upload your photos to it.
Then click here:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70243.0

[Alan F.]

 

[Kevin400F]

Having a previous owner absolutely swear than a non-Honda color was "original", purchased new that way isn't so far-fetched.  Suppose the interested purchaser went to the local Honda shop and was bound and determined to buy the bike, so long as it was black.  A very accomodating dealership could well have had the bike professionally repainted (typically just swapped the tank and sidecovers for a repainted set off the "custom rack") before the original owner even took delivery.   

[MoMo]

Here's an attempt to post a photo, since then the crash bars have been removed,  thanks, Larry

[Stev-o]

nice!

[MoMo]

See that it worked! thanks for the guidance.  Besides the rollover bars being removed, I also found a seat strap, installed tapered steering bearings, stripped the black paint from the lower fork stanchions, changed all fluids  and enjoyed riding.  I must have worked on hundreds of 750's when I was a mechanic but never saw a black one and kind of assumed it came from out of the country because the PO said it was always black. Like a couple people said, it could have been done at the dealership.  I'll have to take newer photos.  Larry

[GammaFlat]

I love this scheme.  It's one of those rare times when it looks "correct" when it's not.  I could see doing this to a bike.  The polished or chromed engine parts are a nice touch with the black as well. 

[MoMo]

Agree, black is a classic look, seems Honda would have done it  to the 750 at one time.  I had a 71 Honda Cb450 that I had painted very similar to your 750 gammaflat, only difference was I had a silver stripe. It was a sweet running bike.  Larry