Topic: K5 Keith from Colorado Springs

[K5 Keith]

Hello everyone,
This is Keith in Colorado Springs. I came across this site soon after I bought my 1975 CB750K last August while searching for parts and information on my old bike. I finally joined last week!  I’m 28 years old but always think I was born 30 years later than I would’ve liked based on my enjoyment of vintage things. I'm married to a great lady for 4 years and have an 18mo old daughter.

After graduating high school I rode my dad’s Honda Magna as he did not ride it much. For the same reason he decided to sell it last summer. I started looking for my own bike and knew I’d want something sportier than a cruiser but not as aggressive as a super sport. I couldn’t justify a new Thruxton so I started looking at real vintage bikes. That’s when I discovered café racers on Carpy’s website. For the next two months I obsessively watched craigslist for a CB750 to come up for sale. The PO didn’t know that vintage bikes were cool again and was surprised to get 9 emails within moments of posting his add. I was second in line but fortunately the first guy’s lowball offer didn’t work out. I paid $1500 for it and became the 3rd owner that same night. The bike was never abandoned or even stored longer than a winter. Everything works (even the annoying beep for the turn signal) and it has 24K miles on it. Sadly the side covers went missing in the PO’s barn.

My plan from the beginning was to mimic Carpy’s Black Mamba build which of course meant very little original CB750 left over… But after lingering on this site throughout the winter and even from the attention the bike gets from the old guys at the local dealer I now realize it’s already a cool bike just as it is!



I quickly removed the windjammer, highway pegs, and rack. Also had to unplug the beeping turn signal alert after a couple weeks because I felt embarrassed at the stoplights when people would look around for the unusual sound…
As it sits now



To do list: new tires, clean up the brakes, paint on the side covers (from FrankenStuff, very pleased), oil change, and get it back on the road before $4 gasoline

[cb650]

Very nice.  As the addiction grows and you get a couple parts bikes you can do a build with them.

[CycleRanger]

Howdy, welcome!
That's a good looking K5! 
It will hold its value far better if you leave it stock. 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Greetings from Briargate. Thought I saw that bike up north fairly recently?? Looks like a great find. Glad I'm restoring mine so it won't look so bad beside your's. Which dealer do you use? I'm at Apex mostly.

[Johnie]

What a great looking original!!! Once you got the fairing and rack off that vintage look just popped right out. Everyone likes the planet blue. Once you get those side covers painted it will carry that color nicely through the bike. How many miles on there and are those the origianl pipes? Welcome to the forum.

[OpaGreg]

"everyone likes the Planet Blue".  Echo that!  K5 Keith that is a very nice bike you have there!

[Stev-o]

Welcome and another fan of the Planet Blue. Hopefully you can find a good painter to match the color for the side covers. Or, do you plan to paint the tank too?  How's it run?

[K5 Keith]

Thanks for the compliments! The pics do hide some of the fading but overall it’s been well cared for, thankfully. The PO posted the ad without pics so the color was a pleasant surprise when I went to see it myself. I go back and forth on painting the tank as it is very faded on the top. I need to paint the covers anyway… Are there stripe decals available? The bike has 24,600 miles on it and the pipes are the originals. I had to clean the carbs and replace the float needles to get it running strong.

Hi Jerry, it’s possible you’ve seen me in Briargate. My in-laws live just off Zephyr and Union and I kept the bike in their garage for much of last fall. On nice days I’d ride all around Briargate. Apex is the place I go. A friend works there and most times I just stop in to say hello. It’s also fun to talk to the guys usually hanging in the parking lot! I coincidentally met Ray, another member here, at Apex this last weekend. I’d enjoy seeing your bikes sometime and even learning more about participating in the tour.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Keith,

Anytime. Come on over. I'm around home most of the time. The bike is in MANY pieces now but going back together. Spending a little time in the garage today. I picked up another titled frame and engine to use my original take off parts on and build a 2nd bike when I finish my original. Don't know Ray but I'd say we should all meet. I have the tools and a little knowledge if you need anything. I'm thinking I saw you at the light by Rampart? That's close to Good Company too. We CAN talk tour too!

As far as paint goes the decals are available. If it's faded do the tank with the side covers so they'll match and be fresh if you can afford to. If it were not so nice that would be a different story. Fresh tins and shining chrome look gooooood!! I'd research for someone that paints vintage bikes and get some references on their work. I would NOT necessarily use someone locally.

[K5 Keith]

Keith - your gas line looks odd, do you need that online filter? That can cause fuel flow issues.

I've wondered about this too. Was just this way when I got it. The petcock does not have a filter sock in the tank so I assume the PO thought this would be good to have. Is an in-line filter good? If it's important to have perhaps I should get a smaller one and change the angle. Since you mention this I wonder if this is what makes it difficult for the bike to idle? Idle is smooth but the engine stalls unless I keep my hand on the throttle until it is warmed up after several minutes. 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Cold natured is kinda normal. Have Apex order you a filter for your petcock and some new gas line and ditch that thing. Looks pretty big. Can hold a lot of air.

[Johnie]

+1 on Jerry...if the tank is clean and you have the petcock filter in place you do not need that canister filter.

[cb650]

You guys remember to Old Bike Ride is coming up soon.

[Stev-o]

I agree with Jerry's suggestions, paint the tank and covers o they all match. I failed to do that on a bike once and regretted it.
You can get paint and stripes here:
www.vintagehondapaint.com

[78 k550]

Welcome,
I make it down there a few times a year.

Greetings from Briargate. Thought I saw that bike up north fairly recently?? Looks like a great find. Glad I'm restoring mine so it won't look so bad beside your's. Which dealer do you use? I'm at Apex mostly.

Old Bike Run soon.
Doing the happy dance for you Jerry. I just read you sig.

Paul

[K5 Keith]

You guys remember to Old Bike Ride is coming up soon.

Had to google this to know what you're referring too and it looks great! I've never taken part in a group ride or even been farther than the Springs on a bike. I'm very interested in participating!

[cb650]

It a pretty good time.  Get to see many old interesting bikes.  Did you find a web for this years?  I looked but havent found one.

[K5 Keith]

It a pretty good time.  Get to see many old interesting bikes.  Did you find a web for this years?  I looked but havent found one.

link is at the bottom of this page:
http://www.nortoncolorado.org/