Author Topic: CB750k4 stock resto  (Read 17748 times)

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Offline JimM68

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CB750k4 stock resto
« on: December 18, 2011, 07:43:50 AM »
I started stripping down my 750 yesterday.

The bike is complete and stock and original. 15,500 miles. I bought it some months ago, and drove her a bunch this summer. So my "resto" will mostly involve cleaning, painting and polishing, and generally getting rid of near 40 years of old.

Why do I have to enter a captcha everytime I post here?
Does that go away after a certain number of posts, or?

Here's a before pic
« Last Edit: December 18, 2011, 08:08:58 AM by JimM68 »
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2011, 08:14:52 AM »
Hmmm, it appears that even pics off my phone are too large to upload directly, oh well.

Looking for some advice and info.

First on the list is the exhaust pipes. HM341's, in great shape. I'll clean em up and polish em. The heat shields look less than fabulous. The black paint in the recesses is "old" and also "worn", and the screws that hold the heatshield on are "old."

I'm gonna strip the paint off, repolish the heat shields (am I correct in thinking they are polished stainless, or are they chromed steel?) Then I'll tape off the recesses with some 3M fine line tape and repaint.

What's the best thing to paint em with, what will stick and stay stuck?

Are there spray bombs that will work, or should I go to the paint store and break out the touchup gun?

What about the screws?
Replace em? polish em? what kind of finish was originally on them, and can I duplicate thate?
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2011, 10:08:39 AM »
What will "revitalize" the plastic parts?

my airbox id dull and old. The lower plastic rear fender... fork boots. intake rubbers. Something permanent, I don't wanna just smear em with armorall and call em "restored"

Why do I recall replacing the chain on one of these 20 years ago, it it having a MASTER LINK?
No master link on this chain. How then do I get it off?
Pull the swingarm? How do I do that, just take out the big bolt?

Pipes are cleaning up nice, in perfect shape. Are these 341's original. or replacements?
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2011, 10:19:22 AM »
The 341's were the stock pipe.  Try "Back to Black" on your air box, should work pretty well.
I have a K4 as well.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline K5owner

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2011, 10:23:24 AM »
Bike looks great!

Here's a link to one of the places I buy parts.
http://www.cyclepartsnation.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CB750K4_A__MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB750-2300001/MUFFLER/CB750K4-JPN-A/2Y143413F14341315A

Along with shield & bolts, don't forget the "Gasket Protectors" (12 of them). They go on each side of the bolts.

Good luck with your restoration. Look forward to following your project.
-Ray
-----------------------------------------------------
Remembering the past...   Livn' the dream

1975 Honda CB750 K5, Restored Aug/2011
1971 Honda CB175 K5, next project
1977 Honda CT70, swap meet scooter
2004 Honda NRX1800 (Rune), Cruiser
1977 Honda GL1000, daily driver

Offline K5owner

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2011, 10:29:36 AM »
I haven't use the Back to Black, but should work. I restored my air box by wet sanding (400, 2000 grit), then sprayed a plastic clear coat paint (PlastiCote).

-Ray
-Ray
-----------------------------------------------------
Remembering the past...   Livn' the dream

1975 Honda CB750 K5, Restored Aug/2011
1971 Honda CB175 K5, next project
1977 Honda CT70, swap meet scooter
2004 Honda NRX1800 (Rune), Cruiser
1977 Honda GL1000, daily driver

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2011, 11:57:38 AM »
Thanks guys. Ii'm having fun out here.... got some oldies playing on pandora, heat on in the shop, and my beautiful bike just pouring out into pieces. I gotta get some more pics up.

I'm doing a "quick clean" on the parts that are off, then bagging and tagging and putting them on the "in progress shelves" in the shop.

What about the footpags?  springs and pins on the mains, and pretty much the whole passenger pegs. Kinda look like they used to be cad plated or something?
Is there a way to redo that at home?
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline Old Scrambler

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2011, 02:42:17 PM »
the platting was zinc and can be cleaned or re-zinked...............the black paint on the heat shields is a semi-gloss or dull finish........yours may clean up........most do..............search around on hear for various ways to restore the hard-rubber parts........including wintergreen oil.

You have a nice clean bike to start with..............must have been a good PO.
Dennis in Wisconsin
'64 Triumph Cub & '74 Honda CB750 Bonneville Salt Flats AMA Record Holder (6)
CB750 Classic Bonneville Racer thread - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,135473.0.html
'63 CL72 Project(s)
'66 CL77 Red
'67 Triumph T100C
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Offline Greggo

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2011, 02:43:54 PM »
Looks like a nice bike to start with!  Love that orange!!

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2011, 05:11:43 PM »
Thanks guys. Ya, she's a good bike, rides nice, runs great, looks fantastic for her near 40 years.

I'm gonna try to do the least invasive resto possible. She needs paint, too many wierd lil dents in the tank, and one of the sidecovers is cracked. Emblems are trash. Frame needs paint, or powdercoat. And the engine needs some new silver paint as some new polishing on the covers. I told the wife today my budget was a grand, we'll see.

Now to search out some home brew zinc plating. I seem to recall that is not real hard to do.
Wondering about the black anodizing on the controls, master cil, and mirror bracket... Again, they are not awful, but not close to new looking either.

I'll try to get some more pictures up.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2011, 07:53:31 PM by JimM68 »
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2011, 08:12:35 PM »
Here's some pictures of my day
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline K5owner

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2011, 05:25:54 AM »
For the master cylinder & caliper I bead blasted the parts and painted them with Duplicolor Black Ceramic Caliper paint. Takes up to 500degF and when cured will resist brake fluid.



Caliper detail
-Ray
-----------------------------------------------------
Remembering the past...   Livn' the dream

1975 Honda CB750 K5, Restored Aug/2011
1971 Honda CB175 K5, next project
1977 Honda CT70, swap meet scooter
2004 Honda NRX1800 (Rune), Cruiser
1977 Honda GL1000, daily driver

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2011, 06:52:35 PM »
That black ceramic looks very nice, tho a lil different than the original anodizing.
Wonder if that stuff should be used on the controls too?

Original, eh? Hard to imagine that thing is near 40 years old. It's not stretched out, still plenty of room on the adjusters.
Those were not o ring chains, were they?
What if anything would be recommended to clean it?
It has a real thick coat of greasy stuff on it, to the point where I doubt any spray lubricant penetrates to the parts that need lube. Don't think dunking it in solvent would be a good idea either though?
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2011, 06:55:53 PM »
What about replating the parts that used to be zinc chromate?
I see Eastwood has a kit for $70 but it looks pretty cheesy.
Caswell http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/zinc.htm has a kit that looks a lil better.
Anyone used any of these?
Recomendations?
Makes more sense to just buy new parts?
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline lucky

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2011, 08:55:55 PM »
What will "revitalize" the plastic parts?

my airbox id dull and old. The lower plastic rear fender... fork boots. intake rubbers. Something permanent, I don't wanna just smear em with armorall and call em "restored"

Why do I recall replacing the chain on one of these 20 years ago, it it having a MASTER LINK?
No master link on this chain. How then do I get it off?
Pull the swingarm? How do I do that, just take out the big bolt?

Pipes are cleaning up nice, in perfect shape. Are these 341's original. or replacements?
I would get rid of that big ugly ,heavy #630 chain, and get a #530 regular chain and new #530 sprockets.

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #15 on: December 21, 2011, 04:36:35 PM »
Mostly having some fun with the 'droid and the tapatalk app I just bought, it works nice, kudos for the forum administration for supporting this, by FAR the easiest way to get a picture onto a forum!

If you can see on my back fender, there are 2 dimples, each with it's sctratch. Guessing it's from a poorly designed. Luggage rack? I'm gonna bring it to the local paintless dent removal guy tomorrow, see what he can do. That solution would mean living with the scratches.

The fender seems to be unobtanium. Any other solutions out there?

Sent from my ADR6325 using Tapatalk
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #16 on: December 21, 2011, 04:41:50 PM »
I'd start shopping for a good used fender rather than paying for PDR and living with scratches. They can be had, the cafe guys take 'em off.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #17 on: December 21, 2011, 04:59:39 PM »
I'd start shopping for a good used fender rather than paying for PDR and living with scratches. They can be had, the cafe guys take 'em off.

hmmm, probably a good idea... I see a couple NOS on ebay over $200....nd some used. Tx.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2011, 05:42:33 PM »
Original or replacement?

Thezse pipes, all 4, are just gorgeous.
The heatshields tho, have seen some abuse

Sent from my ADR6325 using Tapatalk
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #19 on: December 21, 2011, 07:17:36 PM »

How tough can I be on the chrome?
If I lay these against a loose polishing wheel, will they shine, or die?

Sent from my ADR6325 using Tapatalk
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #20 on: December 21, 2011, 07:40:24 PM »
If that's chrome, they look dead already!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline K5owner

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #21 on: December 22, 2011, 03:01:00 AM »
The HM341's are OEM. The rear fender, if its NOS OEM for $200 - its a good deal. Re-chroming would be $300+.

I agree with Stev-o; the chrome on the clamps are toast. New ones are still available. I got mine through David Silver Spares, they came as a set of four.

Nice work!
-Ray
-----------------------------------------------------
Remembering the past...   Livn' the dream

1975 Honda CB750 K5, Restored Aug/2011
1971 Honda CB175 K5, next project
1977 Honda CT70, swap meet scooter
2004 Honda NRX1800 (Rune), Cruiser
1977 Honda GL1000, daily driver

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #22 on: December 22, 2011, 10:44:22 AM »
Guess I'll put clamps on my list, they need to be shiny

Sent from my ADR6325 using Tapatalk
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #23 on: December 22, 2011, 03:46:49 PM »
Oh I love this part... NOT!   I just opened up the headlight bucket and disconnected every wire. Bikes electricals were perfect, hope they still are this spring :)

Sent from my ADR6325 using Tapatalk
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"

Offline JimM68

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Re: CB750k4 stock resto
« Reply #24 on: December 22, 2011, 03:50:03 PM »
I"ve never worked on a modern bike, only old hondas, and all but this one, back when they were fairly new...

Do modern bikes have a better way of dealing with wires?

Sent from my ADR6325 using Tapatalk
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW What a Ride!'"