Topic: Hello, 1978 CB750K owner

[Tripps]

Just thought I'd introduce myself, and post up a pic of my bike. I managed to reach 53 years of age without ever owning a motorcycle, but this spring I spotted a 1978 CB750K by the side of the road. 11,00 miles, only 1 registered owner I believe, two owners in between never put it on the road, it was unregistered for 6 years. When the guy came out of the house, it turned out to be a guy I worked with years before, he was asking $1000, but let me have it for $850, a price I was pretty happy with. Very good condition, fender chrome about perfect, rims and headlights have some very minor pitting, but not bad, no visible oil leaks, and the inside of the gas tank looked good. Needs mufflers, headers a little blue, but good. Funny thing is, the motorcycle looked super familiar, but I couldn't figure out why. Months later I ran into a former employer of many years at a funeral, (also the bike sellers former employer), he mentioned he still had his 1977 CB750K he bought new. Aha! That's why it looked so familiar, when you don't ride, you just don't notice makes and models. Funny thing is, I also have a 94 Dynaglide, he has a 98 Dyna Wideglide. I have a 2010 Rocket3, he has a 2007 Rocket3, and we both own 2002 Sprints. I haven't seen him in 10 years or more, I find it really weird we were attracted to all the same bikes.

I would like to bring the bike back to like new condition this winter, I don't know it it would really be called a restoration, it really just needs a paint job, slip on mufflers(gotta have 4, love the look) and maybe some rechroming, needs nothing mechanical, even has new tires. A couple general questions, if anyone can help:

I know it will never be a really valuable bike, it's burgundy/maroon (Candy Alpha Red, supposedly, although the old paint codes call it that, I can't believe anyone would call that red), would I detract from the value by painting it black, I really like black, it was the other color offered that year, and I'd worry about someone matching the original color accurately?

Other question is how expensive it it to rechrome rims? I found an original OEM front rim at Bikebandit for $92, but I can find no source for a new back rim, mine isn't bad, but it's not perfect, and I am shooting for perfection, LOL.

Thanks in advance, very nice forum, I've already spent a lot of time reading before I posted, very informative.

[Skunk Stripe]

You can get new rims from buchananspokes.com. A little more expensive but not that much.
As for value, what sort of shape is the paint in? If not that great, then you won't hurt value really.
As for slip ons, they seem to be a bit scarce lately but the main issue is that most slip ons have a larger I.D. then our headers have for an O.D. and in many cases the included reducers do not go low enough to seal and so you might need to go to an exhaust shop to have special adaptors made from exhaust pipe. At least you can polish them up well to blend in ok.

[GammaFlat]

You can pretty easily go chameleon.  Just get another set of side covers and tank and paint them however you want.  Once you have 2 sets, you can "change colors" in 5 minutes.   

[Tripps]

Thanks, forgot the pic, LOL, such a long post. Paint isn't really bad, but 35 years old. Hmm, I'm used to vbulletin forum templates, not sure if the attachment loads automatically, we'll see.  

PS- side cases cracked and reglued many times, one fell apart, got replacements, but I have to at least paint them, mainly why I figured paint the tank, too.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Good morning, backrest is not original and bars look aftermarket also.  It would not be difficult to find OEM side covers to match if the tank is nice.  I would go back completely stock as you have mentioned.  They are rare in original condition and clean.  Stock parts are very affordable as "take-offs" from bikes people have cafe bobbed or chopped.  My .02

[Tripps]

Good morning, backrest is not original and bars look aftermarket also.  It would not be difficult to find OEM side covers to match if the tank is nice.  I would go back completely stock as you have mentioned.  They are rare in original condition and clean.  Stock parts are very affordable as "take-offs" from bikes people have cafe bobbed or chopped.  My .02

Thanks for the info, seat looks original, as Honda is still visible on the back, do you think it's the whole sissybar/rack, or just the backrest. I'm pretty good at googling, but I couldn't find take-off side covers to save my life, maybe a post here would help, not fond of the ones I found, recesses and visible screws for expansion bolts at post locations, though I suppose the could be filled before painting. If I could find replacements in Candy Alpha Red, I might not paint at all, paint is pretty good except for a couple scratches on tank top. I have found the replacement decals for tank and side cases. I'll have to look up what the handlebars should be. I've always been a believer in factory stock, not a modifier myself. Found OEM 4 into 4s, but well over $1000, not sure if I'd spend that on an $850 bike.

[import_tuner13]

hey!  welcome to the world of cb750s!  i've had one (also a 78) for a couple months now (still not running of course) but I've completely torn it down from the ground up.  detracting from value, anything not "original" will detract, but if it doesn't look good, then I would say paint it. I am actually going to attempt to repaint my BLACK gas tank because the years have not been kind to it.  Side covers, if cracked and unrepairable, a guy on this forum named FRANKENSTUFF just started making sidecovers for our bikes in more sturdy form for like 75$ shipped.  I didn't have them to start, and ordered the first set from him.  They are excellent quality.  I was very impressed.  kingcustom is right, the handlebars aren't original, but if you like them, who cares.  I feel if I am going to own one of these I am going to make it mine.  if you need to know anything about this bike ask me because I've done exhaustive research all about them.  Good luck!

[bollingball]

Hey Tripps I have a black 750K8 got my new sidecover from DSS they are exactly like original. My bars also had a 6in rise got my new ones from Flanders. What part of the country are you in?

[knowsnothing]

You can also get a fantastic repo set of sidecovers made by a member here.  I bought a set of his K8s and they are awesome.  Fit perfectly and are sturdier than the original. 

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74022.0

[Spanner 1]

Wow man !, very impressive... your 53 and never had a bike, now since last Spring you have aquired this 750K, a '94 Dynaglide, a 2010 Rocket 3 and a 2002 Sprint.... I would LOVE to see a pic. of all your bikes together, wow 

[bollingball]

I saw that to Spanner thought I wasn't reading it correctly

[dhall57]

Good looking K8. I wish I could be lucky enough to fine a 750 on the side of the road for sale. Way to go

[Spanner 1]

'Tripps' may be living up to his name .... or not

[Tripps]

3rd try, getting pissed, LOL.

[Tripps]

The other Sprint pic was the one the owner sent me, I drove down to North Carolina last week and picked it up, 30 hour round trip, but at $3000 with 13,900 miles on it, I think it was worth it. Oh, and my Chihuahua, Sophie, likes riding as much as I do.

[Spanner 1]

Well done, that's quite a stable full, wow again  
Do you ride any of your bikes?... got pics out on the road ?

[Tripps]

Do you ride any of your bikes?... got pics out on the road ?

Boy, you're a suspicious little bugger, ain't ya? Think I bought 'em to hang on the wall? 12, 000 miles this summer, and still out any day there's no ice on the road. Here's one just for you. 

[Spanner 1]

Not suspicious at all  .... there is a Thread here; 'Let's see your SOHC out on the road'.....but your Rocket 3 could be included no problem.... never seen one 'in the flesh' myself !

[Tripps]

Probably have to wait til spring on that one, bikes are put up in the barn for the winter, except the Rocket, which has a plug for heated gear( gloves came in wrong size, vest backordered    ). Funny, I realized all my riding pics are of others, never bothered to have someone take pics of myself.

Some here of me and the Rocket at the Triumph Noreast Rally this summer ( I'm second from left on the front page pic )-

http://noreast.webs.com/

[Tripps]

Aha, swiped a couple off my buddy's facebook page of our Windsor, Ontario trip-

BTW, it was nice of a friend on the Triumph rat.net page to point me this way, found and learned all kinds of valuable information here already.

[Rocker]

Welcome to the forums! Nothing beats a classic Honda SOHC Four. There are a lot of great posters here and a wealth of knowledge to be read.