Author Topic: CB750 K1 vs K2 (Read 11293 times)

KC_Northstar · « **on:** December 04, 2011, 01:31:51 PM »

I just bought a CB750 K2 and would like to restore it to look like the K1. I dont have the bike yet, it will be delivered next week.
I would like to eliminate the warning light pod that is between the handle bars on the K2 and use K1 gauges. Will K1 gauges fit the K2?
I also would like to remove the rear grab bar that encircles the seat ar the rear and use the small grab bar that was on the K1. Will that
work, or is the frame different at the rear.

Thanks, KC

ekpent · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2011, 01:46:51 PM »

You will need the K1 instrument clusters as the dummy lights are contained within them and not a dash and should fit that rhino top clamp. You will need the K1 handlebar clamps to replace the dash. Grab bar can removed and then you will need K1 rear turn signal brackets and rubbers,still available for those. And if you really want to get picky you will need a K1 rear fender and tail light as they are a different shaped lens and do not have the ramp to fender mount.Now if you really want to get anal you will need the red side cover jewels and a plastic chain guard also. If yours is a true 72 you will also have an extra button at the bottom of the left hand controller which was a 72 only turn signal buzzer cancelling option.

Anybody think of any other differences ??

Magpie · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:30:16 PM »

The headlight brackets, K1 are painted same colour as the gas tank and has smaller reflectors, headlight shell painted same as tank too. HM300 exhaust pipes needed. Different seat latch, does the K2 have a locking one? Rear shocks are different too, black mounts on top, not polished aluminium. How far do you want to go with this? Get your wallet out! The K2 is a good looking bike too.

Cliff.

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:33:29 PM »

Thanks Ekpent,

The other thing I'm wondering about is the lower gas tank trim strip for the K1. Was it solid chrome like the K0 or did it have
the black middle stripe like the K2 and later. I used to have a K1 that I bought new in 1971, but I dont remember all these little
details.

KC

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:35:51 PM »

Quote from: Magpie on December 04, 2011, 02:30:16 PM

Different seat latch, does the K2 have a locking one?

My K2 came with a locking seat latch. But it did come without tumblers inside. It took the same key as the triple tree lock. That may help

Magpie · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:38:04 PM »

K1 tank trim has the black stripe. Cliff.

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:47:31 PM »

How far do I want to go with this? well here is my plan.
I agree that the K2 is a great looking bike, but because I had a K1, I want to restore this
as a K1. I will retain any parts I change so in the future someone can change it back if
they want. I will paint it candy Ruby red including the heatlight bucket. I will leave the
headlight mount chrome as I have seen CB750's like that and it looks pretty good. The
idiot light pod will be removed and K1 gauges added. Exhaust will remain K2 as it looks the same.
K2 seat grab bar replaced by Small K1 unit. and just as one final detail, I will replace the orange
emblem jewels with the red.

KCudioads syse

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:56:04 PM »

Ok heres another question. I read some where that a few early K1's came painted candy blue green. I also read that
there was a K1 color called polynesian blue. any truth to this?

KC

CrankyOldGuy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:31:42 PM »

The K1 plastic chain guard is particularly hard to find. It took me over a year and a half to find one (on e-bay) that looks almost new. Also, I believe the bolt spacing is different on the K2.

Harry O.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:56:29 PM »

Ely Minnesota huh. Seems like a lot of work to go through for a 3 week riding season.

At least Highway 1 is a nice twisty ride through the woods to the North Shore.

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2011, 04:48:18 PM »

"Ely Minnesota huh. Seems like a lot of work to go through for a 3 week riding season.
At least Highway 1 is a nice twisty ride through the woods to the North Shore"

Yea, but for the other 49 weeks I'll put chains on the rear tire and replace the front tire with a ski.

KC

ekpent · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2011, 04:57:38 PM »

I think the Polynesian Blue variant was a color that never made it to the USA as a planned model but some were sold in other countries. It was actually produced. Seems I have seen pictures with the Kilometer speedo's and the extra red speed light between the guages which was a known Japan thing.

Magpie-Cliff good call on all those other bits. Get some help from the 'Twins'

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:06:28 PM »

That makes sense because I saw a polynesian blue K1 in a book, but the bike was from England.

I am still wondering if any of the early K1's were painted candy blue green.

KC

ekpent · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:13:58 PM »

I have never seen a 'real' one painted the K0 blue green before but have seen some repaints around.

Magpie · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:20:33 PM »

From my info the K1's were painted Candy Ruby Red (the fastest colour), Candy Gold, Valley Green Metallic and Candy Garnet Brown. The K0's were Candy Blue Green, Candy Ruby Red and Candy Gold.
Post pictures when you're done please.
Cliff.

Magpie · « **Reply #15 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:23:27 PM »

I just remembered one I saw at a local swap meet a few years ago that a fellow did up. It looked good. Cliff.

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #16 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:34:57 PM »

Is the one in the picture Polynesian blue or Blue green?

Magpie · « **Reply #17 on:** December 04, 2011, 05:56:25 PM »

The picture didn't capture the colour very well, it was the blue green. I don't think I've ever seen the Blue. Cliff.

Hinomaru · « **Reply #18 on:** December 04, 2011, 06:27:48 PM »

Polynesian blue (metallic) was a legitimate color produced by Honda for the 1971 CB750 K1. It was also used on the 1971 CB450 K4 and both models share the same Honda paint color code: EG

Pics below are not mine, but here’s what an original surviving Polynesian blue color example looks like:

http://www.spookytoms.com/SpookyTom-CB450-71-01.html

http://www.spookytoms.com/SpookyTom-CB450-71-03.html

http://www.spookytoms.com/SpookyTom-CB450-71-02.html

(edit for third link)

ekpent · « **Reply #19 on:** December 04, 2011, 07:46:46 PM »

Poly Blue scroll down to 1971 750's PS-The early 750's and early 450's shared some key parts and as you can see colors also.

http://www.spookytoms.com/CB750-PaintColors.html

Magpie · « **Reply #20 on:** December 04, 2011, 08:08:19 PM »

I stand corrected! Good work guys. Cliff.

Hinomaru · « **Reply #21 on:** December 04, 2011, 08:43:02 PM »

Quote from: ekpent on December 04, 2011, 04:57:38 PM

I think the Polynesian Blue variant was a color that never made it to the USA as a planned model but some were sold in other countries. It was actually produced. Seems I have seen pictures with the Kilometer speedo's and the extra red speed light between the guages which was a known Japan thing.

Magpie-Cliff good call on all those other bits. Get some help from the 'Twins'

Eric, you’re very close!

I'm showing that Polynesian blue was only available for a very short time in the USA market from frame number: CB750-1044650 to 1053398 making it the rarest color of all the (USA) K1’s.

Beginning with frame number CB750-1053399, Polynesian blue was still available in all other markets except the USA. I wonder what made Honda change their mind?

ekpent · « **Reply #22 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:16:23 AM »

Your the man John,as mentioned before you have a heck of a reference library over there,look forward to your posts

Sure would love to stroll into a garage someday and see one of those blue Poly girls for sale. Be kind of a rare find I think. Eric

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #23 on:** December 05, 2011, 09:20:41 AM »

KC_Northstar · « **Reply #24 on:** December 05, 2011, 09:22:56 AM »

Here is a Candy Blue Green K1 I found on the internet. May be the wrong color for a K1, but it sure looks good.

News:

Author Topic: CB750 K1 vs K2 (Read 11293 times)

Hinomaru

Hinomaru