Topic: Were there replacement frames once? K2 mystery.

[Don R]

 I lost the title for my new to me 72 750 before I got it sent in. My bad. I was getting the paperwork together to remedy that and noticed no frame neck tag or rivet holes. Also no stamped numbers of the left. I scraped paint and no grind marks, no sander marks no welds, nothing except smooth unstamped metal.
 I've been familiar with this bike since the 70's and remember the chain of ownership so I doubt it was ripped off or anything. I wonder if it was wrecked and repaired or something. It's got the 1106464 engine. With no vin the title people can't look it up.

 I do have a 72 numbered neck from a chopped up frame. hmmmm.

[Don R]

 The 110 engine tells me it was a k1 but still could have been titled as a 72, It had a sissy bar on the back so there was no grab bar or handle. It does have the indicator light console so I assume it needs a grab bar rather than the handle. transition bike?

 Early front fork, and 110 engine number say 71, gauge, turn signal beeper, cancel button  and console lights say 72, no numbers or tag says Honda pirates! 

 The 72's here all start with a 2 in the serial number, kinda disturbing, it's the best bike I have to sell.

[CycleRanger]

Yes, replacement frames could be purchased from Honda back in the day.
I have a 750K3 with a replacement frame.

It has no vin plate and the state-assigned number was hand stamped on the neck.
Fortunately that number matches the title.
The PO told me the bike had been backed into by a road grader back in the 70's.

True story or not for some reason the frame was replaced along with some other parts years ago.
The upside is the HM341 pipes are in almost perfect condition.

I do not know for sure but I suspect the reason my bike has a state-assigned number is that is was likely totaled out by the insurance company after its accident and the PO bought it back and had it repaired and re-titled.
The repair must have been done by qualified shop because I haven't found a single nut, bolt, cable, or wire out of place.
The only evidence of previous damage is the new frame, a slight dent in the oil tank, and repainted side covers and tank.
(And of course the minty pipes.) 

[754]

I think, not sure, but frames probably came like cases, then.. According to the local laws, they were stamped or left as is... Harley frames had no numbers till about 1968.

[bwaller]

Way back, when we replaced a frame, we were supposed to have the cops come punch in the original ser # on the replacement. (no-one else had punches!!) The VIN tag was not replaced though.

[Stev-o]

I once bought a bike with no Honda VIN tag or stamp.  However, it did have an Ohio VIN label and matching title.

I always wondered if it had been stolen at one point? Maybe it was a replacement frame, I have not heard of them before today.

[CycleRanger]

Way back, when we replaced a frame, we were supposed to have the cops come punch in the original ser # on the replacement. (no-one else had punches!!) The VIN tag was not replaced though.

I'm sure every state had their own arcane process for this sort of thing.
My K3 is neatly stamped 'TEX 200042".

I once bought a bike with no Honda VIN tag or stamp.  However, it did have an Ohio VIN label and matching title.

I always wondered if it had been stolen at one point? Maybe it was a replacement frame, I have not heard of them before today.

Well, the frame has a part number and could be ordered from Honda back in the day.
I would imagine however that not many people went to the hassle and expense of replacing a damaged frame on a motorcycle back then.

[MoMo]

I have replaced several frames back in the day in PA and used the shop stamps to restamp the original numbers...Larry

[Terry in Australia]

How hard did you have to belt those stamps to get a nice legible number Larry? Were the numbers just stamped by hand in the factory, or were they machine stamped? I've got a couple of sets of good quality stamps here, but hitting them with a hammer hardly makes a mark on steel? Just wondering..............

[Lostboy Steve]

How hard did you have to belt those stamps to get a nice legible number Larry? Were the numbers just stamped by hand in the factory, or were they machine stamped? I've got a couple of sets of good quality stamps here, but hitting them with a hammer hardly makes a mark on steel? Just wondering..............

I find the same to be true... you have to really wallop them and even then barely leaves a mark. I'd pay someone to find a local police officer who would even think to check such a thing.


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[Don R]

 Cool, If I find the numbers maybe I'll slap a plate on it and ride it to Larry's. 12 hours to Orrstown/Roxbury in a car, so 16 hours to Larry's on a bike LOL.

[MoMo]

I stamped the frame on Red Ryder using the numbers and a brass mallet, back in the day the shop had really high quality stuff so it wasn't all that hard to do. We mostly used the stamps to rebadge broken 750 motor cases after replacing under warranty with new cases.  It was a real pita what with the meager hours HOnda reimbursed us-think it was 18 hours to pull the motor, replace cases, reinstall and get running properly.   

[Don R]

 There aren't many shortcuts doing that job, dang. My buddy was a GM tech, he said since the bailout the labor hours are hard to make. He used to be the guy that beat it regularly.  He learned how to pull a V8 head and not remove the intake, Buick I think.

[Terry in Australia]

He used to be the guy that beat it regularly.

Ha ha, well he should be able to stamp our frames good then Don! But seriously, did the factory stamp 'em cold, or heat the steering heads up to cherry red before stamping them? The stamping on one of my K1 frames is so faint, even with the super-thin factory paint it's bloody hard to read, I reckon a couple of passes with my flap disc sander and they'd disappear completely!

[Lostboy Steve]

There aren't many shortcuts doing that job, dang. My buddy was a GM tech, he said since the bailout the labor hours are hard to make. He used to be the guy that beat it regularly.  He learned how to pull a V8 head and not remove the intake, Buick I think.

"Bailout hours" I like that! I mean I hate it, but I like the phrase.


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