Topic: '76 750K: Project Gunfighter

[Really?]

Really?  Is your '75K lowered?  Or maybe I just remember seeing it parked on grass, and it looked like it was slammed

Both.  Dropped about 3" front and back.  The grass made it look even lower because the grass came up to the rim.  I can't tell you how many times the exhaust hit something a couple weeks ago in the Hill Country on the Rally.

[Greggo]

Started putting things back together...steering stem went back together smoothly after the tapered bearing installation.  My bike only needed the smaller spacer on the stem beneath the lower race.  Had to use a thread file on the stem's top threads because the top nut didn't want to start screwing down.  I cleaned up my later 550 forks, and figured out that I can use the 750 caliper and disc with the 550 forks.  Got my 'new' gaiters on after some frustration and cursing.  Painted the idiot light bar.  Routed some cables to make everything look nice.  We welded a couple dots onto the steering stops to prevent the forks from slapping into the tank (the factory stops on the frame had either been banged up, or modified by a PO. 

The proof is in the pics, right?



The 550 forks I'm using


The beautiful smelling goop that came out of them


Here's how I left her today, feeling much less frustration towards the project.  Everything else is ready to be bolted back on Just ran out of time at the shop today

[Stev-o]

Looking good, Greggo!  Where'd ya get the tapered bearings. Need some for my K4, guessing they are the same as the K1.

[Greggo]

Looking good, Greggo!  Where'd ya get the tapered bearings. Need some for my K4, guessing they are the same as the K1.

I got them from another member!  I've scored some great deals on the for sale section here, as you know   I believe all K1-K6 bikes all use the same All Balls parts.  The kits available on ebay are around $40-45, and I think I picked them up here for around $30.  Amazing how smooth the steering feels now!

[hoodellyhoo]

I would have been happy to see something like that come from a set of forks. The stuff from my k6 was jet black and probably the original oil. I helped my dad change the seals on the K2 on sunday and that was the worst fork goo I have ever seen. When we opened up the drains we first got a few ounces of clear water. Then it was tons of chunky, snotty, green nastiness. Hard to believe something so vile could come from a system that is supposedly sealed off from the elements.

[Greggo]

I would have been happy to see something like that come from a set of forks. The stuff from my k6 was jet black and probably the original oil. I helped my dad change the seals on the K2 on sunday and that was the worst fork goo I have ever seen. When we opened up the drains we first got a few ounces of clear water. Then it was tons of chunky, snotty, green nastiness. Hard to believe something so vile could come from a system that is supposedly sealed off from the elements.

Ha!  You wouldn't have been happy to smell it!  Really though, the stuff that came out of the original forks was ten times worse than the 550 forks.  It was dark, goopy, and toxic.  My dad walked by and gave me a stern warning NOT to get whatever smelled like that on my skin...had that smell that you knew just isn't good for your liver if you get it on you.

Considering the continual pressurization/expansion that stuff goes through, it doesn't surprise me how vile it is after 20-30-40 years...new stuff doesn't smell so good going in either.

[Old75_ratafe]

Haters! 

Seconded... At 5'8" I can't flat foot my bike and just bought 3/4" lower rear springs and am doing the front as well.  If your really hitting the corners that hard on these old bikes get some emulators and progressive springs (or a gsxr front end).  As far as scraping the stator get a cheap set of case savers.

Hey Rat, i scrape my pegs doing u turns, its quite easy,  it wasn't a performance orientated reply, and Really was saying that tongue in cheek. I often wonder if some of you guys actually know how to ride properly....   I am 5'9

Easy retro it was made as tongue and cheek as I know Really's bike is super low.  No need to be calling peoples riding abilities into question.  And for the record I can make a tight U without scraping my case just fine, if your worried about scraping..slow down and go more upright.  I have a set of case savers but they are not on my bike.  I have clicked the pegs going around corners before and worried about nicking the case but I know my machines limits.  As far as performance was concerned we were talking about a GSXR front end and dual disc brakes... sounded pretty performance oriented to me.  Lowering a bike isn't for looks it lowers your center of gravity making you more stable as well and in my case is safer as I can actually touch the ground.  I was simply suggesting if you need to lower a bike and going to be pressing its limits as a rider there is a good chance of skidding out or scraping, then adding a case saver will save the engine and maybe your foot as well.

[Retro Rocket]

Without getting into a sh1t fight over definitions, better forks could be referred to as a performance mod but not in the "sh1t i can ride faster" sense, better road holding and a safer bike is what it is mainly done for, the added benefit is it will handle better at speed. You seem to think that speed is directly related to cornering clearance, i can guarantee you that while doing a U turn i am going slower than walking speed and still scrape. The limitations of my bikes, as i see it were the pegs were originally mounted to low, and the center stand is too low,  the bike easily {in stock form} scrapes without doing anything stupid and at normal speeds

As far as performance was concerned we were talking about a GSXR front end and dual disc brakes

You may have been but i wasn't....

Lots of guys on here lower their bikes for looks, if you keep moving the goal posts it makes it hard for anyone to offer any advice, and that was all it was....

[Greggo]

Any, and all advice is appreciated Boys.  Let's face it, internet forums are a place where people can come to ask questions, get advice, and make up their own minds

I'm really looking forward to buttoning up the bike next week.  My pops sent the front wheel out for a new tire yesterday, which was really the last piece of the puzzle.

[Stev-o]

What kind of tires, Greggo? I'm shopping...

[Greggo]

What kind of tires, Greggo? I'm shopping...

Not sure what got put on the front, but there's an AVON in the back on the late 750K 17" rim.  The tires on my 500 are the best I've ever had, Bridgestone Spitfires, front and back in the stock 18 & 19" sizes...they rock.

[Stev-o]

I would have matched the back Avon, great tire, but no biggie.
I'm thinking of going with Dunlops on the K8.

[Greggo]

I would have matched the back Avon, great tire, but no biggie.
I'm thinking of going with Dunlops on the K8.

Me too, but dad's paying, so I'll take what I can get

[Greggo]

Put every last piece back together, but got hung up on bleeding the brakes...they won't bleed.  Decided it needed to sit for a day before I tackle it again.  If all else fails, we will make an adapter and vacuum bleed it.  Put fresh fluid in the forks.  The stance isn't so bad with the shorter shocks...I kinda like it




New front tire matches the back Avon


Once the brakes are bled, I've got a few wiring details to sort, and she's done!

[Stev-o]

Nice new rubber - thumbs up to your Dad!
Bleeding brakes can sometimes be a pain, just heard of this trick: gently  clamp the hose with some vise grips and pump the brake lever.  The force will pump fluid/air out, but not let it back. 

[Greggo]

Nice new rubber - thumbs up to your Dad!
Bleeding brakes can sometimes be a pain, just heard of this trick: gently  clamp the hose with some vise grips and pump the brake lever.  The force will pump fluid/air out, but not let it back. 

Thanks Stev-o!  He told me he'd take the $160 out of my inheritance    It was really disappointing that the brake wouldn't bleed today.  We were pumping fluid up from the bottom (pumping fluid in from the bleeder nozzle with a pump) but there's some air trapped in there somewhere   I'll try the vise grip trick next time if we can't vacuum bleed it.  I think it may be called pressure bleeding actually.  Pops said he would try to get it going tomorrow.  I still need to put some turn signals on.  I'll stick with the big stockers for now, just to get it VIN verified. 


BTW: It's a bidirectional tire.

[hoodellyhoo]

When my 350f brakes wouldn't bleed I ended up having to put teflon tape on the bleed screw threads. Seems I was getting air in from there.

The bike looks great. Pretty sure I'm going to go with the avons too for my K6

[Greggo]

When my 350f brakes wouldn't bleed I ended up having to put teflon tape on the bleed screw threads. Seems I was getting air in from there.

The bike looks great. Pretty sure I'm going to go with the avons too for my K6

Thanks Hoo, the Avons look slick, and I've heard good things about how they handle.

[Greggo]

Done. Done. Done.  Well, except for hooking up turn signals...

Got the front brake to bleed today...Had to unhook the banjo bolt at the master, plugged the banjo hole with a finger, and purged the air that way...apparently while these master cylinders generate a lot of pressure, they don't move a whole lot of volume, so it was tricky to get rid of all the bubbles.  After that, I fit the side covers, fired it up, and rode her around the parking lot.  This bike feels SCARY fast, I'm salivating to get it out on the highway.



Oh, and I just had to take a pic as I swapped projects out    Goldie's done, so Turbo's on deck 

[joe29]

Congrats Greggo!  The 750 looks sweet!!!

Can't wait to see what you do with the turbo.

[Stev-o]

Looks great!  Been waiting to see how it would look with the side covers on...

[Greggo]

Looks great!  Been waiting to see how it would look with the side covers on...

I know Stev-o   Sorry I made you wait so long.  They're just so fragile that I didn't want to put them on until I knew I wouldn't need to take them off.  I'd been waiting to see how it looked too, and Oh Boy was it a nice sight

[Old75_ratafe]

Looks bad ass man good job

[Greggo]

Looks bad ass man good job

Thanks Man!  Your scoot's looking pretty good, too! 

[Greggo]

With all the major stuff done, I moved onto some little things today...installed the ignition switch on the stock bracket under the tank...hooked the horn up...reinstalled the headlight...adjusted the front brake...and rode her around the parking lot...still no registration.