Author Topic: Just a lump of coal.... 1974 750 Four (Read 4868 times)

DedHed · « **on:** July 20, 2010, 11:38:51 AM »

My first post.... Please be gentle.....
I was supposed to pick up a 1974 750 Four K4 last weekend. I got to the previous owner place and the bike started right up and sounded very good. No clacking, pinging or smoke. It idled smooth as we backed off the choke. He reached over and twisted the throttle a couple of times and still the engine sounded great. One more twist of the throttle and ...nothing.... the throttle cable broke. DANG!

Long story short, he ordered and recieved the new cables and we will be installing them this afternoon, and I get to bring this girl home today.

I look forward to sharing this make-over on this forum, I have read a great deal of advice and will heed all I can. This is going to be an everyday rider for me... I live only about 5 miles from my office....

First step will obviously getting out the hose and wash bucket, change the oil and check the intake filter..... Much work to be done to this old girl.... At first it will be putting lipstick on a pig, but I'll get her pretty before too long...
BTW... dropped a whole $500 on her....

DedHed · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2010, 11:41:05 AM »

Johnie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2010, 12:53:03 PM »

Welcome to the boards. Nice K4 which will look good with some TLC. Nice find for $500.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2010, 01:51:58 PM »

Welcome as well. Given what happened to the throttle cable, you might want to add inspecting/lubing the clutch cable to your to-do list. Looking forward to the before and after pics.

DedHed · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2010, 07:04:34 AM »

Well.. I went to pick the bike up yesterday. I was told it was ride-able. I took it for a quick spin around the neighborhood and the front brakes were dragging.... is that a proper term? It was as if I was riding with the front brakes on....

So back over this weekend with the handy metric allen wrenches, a C clamp and some WD-40. Oh yeah... Bring the trailer this time.

Thanks for the welcome!
Phil

Johnie · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2010, 11:43:08 AM »

Quote from: DedHed on July 22, 2010, 07:04:34 AM

Well.. I went to pick the bike up yesterday. I was told it was ride-able. I took it for a quick spin around the neighborhood and the front brakes were dragging.... is that a proper term? It was as if I was riding with the front brakes on....

So back over this weekend with the handy metric allen wrenches, a C clamp and some WD-40. Oh yeah... Bring the trailer this time.

Thanks for the welcome!
Phil

Here is a tip for you. The front brake will usually drag after these bikes have been sitting for sometime. They are OK sitting until you try the front brake. Then it will not return the piston in the caliper and it drags. Take a rubber mallet along with you. Give the outside of the caliper a few waks and it should free it up so you can at least move it around. But do not pull that front brake handle or you will be back where you started.

DedHed · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2010, 03:55:29 AM »

Great Tip John,
Like dad said... If it doesn't work, you need a bigger hammer! I'll bring along the mallet.
Thanks again,
Phil

Johnie · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2010, 06:10:18 AM »

You planning to restore to stock? If you are in need of stock pics of the orange K3-K4 here is a post that should be of interest to you. Welcome to the forum.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74014.0

DedHed · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2010, 06:59:59 AM »

VERY NICE!
I really like "MyHondas" Sparkely Orange - WOW.

Someone in the past traded out the spokes for 5 spoke (?) wheels...

Eventually it will be fully restored, however it will be a slow process. I have gained a little inspiration from this site.
GREAT STUFF!
Phil

DedHed · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2010, 06:37:06 AM »

I got it home.
The brakes were an easy project, albeit ugly.... The pad housing was rusted to the cylinder wall. With a little gentle persuasion (A rubber mallet, flat head screwdriver and brake cleaner) I was able to un-marry the two. As I had no replacement pads, I used brake cleaner and a couple of different size wire brushes I got both the pad cylinder, the piston cleaned up enough to operate. I have a nice squeak when I ride. Next weekend a full front brake rebuild.

This bike rides great. The engine is very smooth and still no smoke - no leaks. I picked it up yesterday and rode for around 3 hours - Already planning a road trip for this fall!

Philip

Johnie · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2010, 07:18:46 AM »

Sounds like a great runner that just needs a little TLC. That is why these bikes are so popular...they run forever with just the basic maintenance. Have fun with it.

DedHed · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2010, 08:15:08 AM »

WOW!!! I have spent the last four days riding then rubbing, mostly on the bike, but occationaly rubbing my arse...

All of the chrome was rusted, however a little 000 steel wool, elbow grease and earphones pumping through my favorite tunes did the trick. She has shined up very well. I also got out the bucket of water and some Dawn to wipe and wash... I figure if it works on oil covered ducks in the gulf, it would work pretty good as an initial de-greaser. So, I think "Lipstick on a Pig" was a little harsh... she shined up very nicely.

I put about 250 miles on the her over about three days, not the first issue. Before I lit out... I checked the oil - clean, checked the tires for pressure and dry-rot - all good there, checked the fuel - clean... and off I went.

I have reviewed some of the valuable threads here and next cleaning day will consist of a can of "Gunk" unless someone has a better suggestion (All are welcome)

I will take some pictures this afternoon of the after-effect of my cleaning.

This is the BEST $500 I have ever spent!
PEACE!

IainC · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2010, 08:53:58 AM »

Sounds like your having a blast. Cleaning and polishing can be a real pain, but with some good music and dedication I'm sure you will have it shining again.

I used 3 or 4 cans of engine degreaser on my bike before painting the engine, so I might suggest picking up a couple cans. Get a good stiff brush if there is a lot of the built up thick grease as it dosn't melt away as nice and easy as the thinner layers.

I used Mothers Mag and Aluminium polish on the alumnimum parts, I don't remember the brand of chrome polish.

I've also used Mothers Back to Black on my black plastic parts which works quite well (although is too slippery for use on the seat), but I've read here that people also recommend peanut oil.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2010, 04:07:36 PM »

Quote

Someone in the past traded out the spokes for 5 spoke (?) wheels...

Don't give those away, some of the early after market mag wheels are worth some good coin....

More pics please..

Mick

DedHed · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2010, 09:09:54 AM »

Try # 2.....

DedHed · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2010, 09:16:27 AM »

There we go... Still getting used to this danged 'ol www dot internet webby thing...

Update from previous post.. I noticed a drip or two on the ground this morning before I lit out for work.... Not any big deal at all, but I would like to know where it is coming from.

So far so good on this bike... I took it to a local restoration guy over the weekend... Joe Bruton... He has done some restoration work for the local Barber's Motorcycle Museum... IF you are ever close to Birmingham, AL you should hit it... Joe offered his advice as I take this journey,GREAT guy.

I briefly did a little research on the wheels and pipe... From what I could gather, the pipe is just an aftermarket (I think) and the wheels appear to be from a 78 - 80 CB.... Any links or information would be greatly appreciated!

RM81 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2010, 09:47:55 AM »

They look like lester mags. Worth a bit more than the stock comstars that came on the later model honda's.

If you want to get rid of them, let me know.

SKTP · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2010, 10:00:34 AM »

Look like 19" front and the sort-of rare 18" Lester rear...I have them too and love them...those wheels go for $800 easy.

For cleaning the engine...I found a hose and Honda Brite works amazingly well. When I first got my bike I thought some parts that turned out to be shiny aluminum were black...have fun. These things turn into an obsession

DedHed · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2010, 11:49:07 AM »

Thanks SKPT and RM81,
This is my first adventure into a CB... hell... A street bike for that matter. Last set of wheels I had was a 1979 Suzuki RM125 Dirtbike.
So far I am having a blast. I have gone through a fair amount of threads here and I think I am going to make this a Resto-Mod of sorts. For the last 2 weeks this has been an everyday rider, we'll see if I sing a different tune once the weather turns a little cooler. I only live a couple of three miles from my office so I think I can handle the weather. I'll let you know.

About the wheels, I cannot seem to find any real markings to indicate the manufacturer, Although the picture you posted RM81 looks identical to the front wheel. I have not put a tape on either of the wheels so I can't even tell you the size. Been a little busy riding this sucker.

Next step for me is to find a local where I can pick up some parts... The taillight is broken and I have found plenty on line however I would rather not pay the shipping on a $10-$15 part. Not that big of a deal but I still need to find a local source on previously owned parts. I have a decent lead that I have not checked out yet.

I'll give the Honda bright a shot. My weekends have consisted of riding early in the morning then coming home rubbing on this thing a while then riding in the afternoon. LIFE IS INDEED GOOD!
Thanks for the heads up on the wheels, I may keep them a while until I have to finance a major part.
Phil

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2010, 04:41:30 PM »

I would keep those wheels if they were mine, someone recently paid around $800 for a set just like those....

Mick

DedHed · « **Reply #20 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:53:48 AM »

yea right Mick,
As I paid a whole $500 for the bike, I do believe I'll hang on to these wheels.

I'll be doing a little extra cleaning on the shiny bits after my ride Saturday morning.

From the collective experience.... Will wax (Or some other product) bring the spakley out in the tank? The paint is not 100% washed out but it is rather dull.....

Thanks in advance...
Phil

DedHed · « **Reply #21 on:** August 05, 2010, 06:51:45 AM »

Yikes.... Found an oil leak this morning....

Came outside this morning and noticed a imprint of oil where the kick stand is. I looked under the bike and noticed this has been happening for a while, all "Nice" and greasy. The oil was not pooled up, just came from the engine, to the frame then down the kick-stand.

I'll have to wait until the week-end to ge-grease and find the leak. Any friends out there have a suggestion or common place where this may be occuring?

Off we go!
Phil

DedHed · « **Reply #22 on:** August 06, 2010, 06:46:45 AM »

Interesting story about the history of this bike...

I was out riding last night and stopped for a smoke and Mt. Dew. A fella pulled up next to me and said he had been following me for the past 5 or 6 miles, he thought he recognized the bike. He got out of his car, took one look at the brake pedal and said "This is it"

There is more to the story, but first.... Any guesses why there is a hole in the brake pedal?

RM81 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 06, 2010, 07:20:09 AM »

interested to know

IainC · « **Reply #24 on:** August 06, 2010, 07:53:29 AM »

Boots that won't slip off the pedal?

I really have no idea, but now I want to hear the rest of the story.

News:

Author Topic: Just a lump of coal.... 1974 750 Four (Read 4868 times)