Topic: 1972 CB750k Semi Restore - Indiana

[tango911]

Ok well i started on the K2 last night. Might as well start a thread and keep track of my progress here and may be make some notes. This will be my first tear down. Im going to have the frame and swing arm (maybe a few other parts) powder coated at a local shop. Then im going to scrub and clean all the parts i can and paint the small parts myself.  Clean up the Chrome and put it back together with some newer cables and freshly painted tank.   Ive stripped the bike down to the frame/engine/front end.  One of my buddies that restores vintage dirt bikes is going to help me with the forks.  I just need to search about the best way to take the engine out.  Thankful for SOHC!  Gives me a lot more confidence going into this.  It has a running engine so i prob wont tear it down.  I hope to go fairly original but keep the 4-2 and paint will be the Candy Gold.  Already have the side covers from Franken and they are great. I also got a nicer tank off a great parts bike and tons of parts i purchased a few weeks ago.

Here are some pics:  (i got this bike for $250.00)


This is the seat i got on CL for $85 to go on it when im done


started tearing down last night and this morning.


In between i took detailed pics for memory.
Heres a pic with my helper, Master Mech Natalie!!  She's been loving the tear down part. My son would rather ride his dirt bike, but does help sometimes


Here we are ready to take the front end off and somehow get the engine out ill do a bit of searching ive seen some threads where you lay the bike down in a little home made engine stand and pull the frame up and off.


Stay tuned.............................  HAPPY THANKS GIVING!!!

[Owned]

Hello fellow Indy Hoosier!  Looks like a fun project.  When you get done, you need to head up to one of the Indyvinmoto gatherings.  I'd love to check it out.

I've got a couple of projects going on right now too.  If you need any help look me up.  I'm on the SE side near Franklin Central.

[tango911]

Hello fellow Indy Hoosier!  Looks like a fun project.  When you get done, you need to head up to one of the Indyvinmoto gatherings.  I'd love to check it out.

I've got a couple of projects going on right now too.  If you need any help look me up.  I'm on the SE side near Franklin Central.

Thanks man, id love to go to the gathering.  Theres a dude named SID on the South east side, do you know him, he works on bikes.  I bought some drag bars from him.

[Owned]

I know Sid.  He gave me a hand tuning the carbs on my 350F when I was new to the game and 'green'.  I'm about a mile from him.  Good guy.

The IndyVinMoto guys meet up at the Steer Inn the first Thursday of each month.  You should target to have the bike ready for the Melody Inn show in Spring.  The show seems to be growing quite a bit each year.

[Hinomaru]

The two things that will definitely help with your restore are:

1. Hondaman's book

2. Modifying the lower right side motor mount to make engine installation easier.

 (Pic credit from forum member Kevin D)

[tango911]

I know Sid.  He gave me a hand tuning the carbs on my 350F when I was new to the game and 'green'.  I'm about a mile from him.  Good guy.

The IndyVinMoto guys meet up at the Steer Inn the first Thursday of each month.  You should target to have the bike ready for the Melody Inn show in Spring.  The show seems to be growing quite a bit each year.

yeah Sid is cool.
I took the Dream to the Steer Inn a few months ago. Ill be looking forward to getting the 750 done in time for the show in the spring. if you have a website or date and details about the Melody Inn let me know.

ALso, Hinomaru,  thanks for the tips.  i plan on getting the book. and ill look at the mod for sure.

[Stev-o]

Good start, I'll be tuned in.....

[tango911]

well I was kind of stupid and laid the bike down the wrong way the 1st time, and so I figured id just tilt and lift it straight out sideways and thats what I.  Im not big and huge, but strong enough to pull it off at 6' 210.  Wasnt too bad. Put it on a crate for now till i build a custom stand I guess. 

Question, do you take the center stand off before you go to get it sand blasted and powder coated.  (yes ill be taking the front end off, just not sure how yet)  dumb huh? lol, but so fun.

[Stev-o]

Yes, take everything off. You may wnt to consider changing the swing arm bushing before install.
There is an upgrade some guys do, search for it if your interested.

[tango911]

rgr that stevo

ok, got the front end off with the help of my Father-in-law. 
I think there were 19 bearings in the bottom and 17 in the top.  hope thats right, we caught all but one that snuck off and was stuck to the frame when we were done. Im sure we'll figure it out.

now ot figure out the center stand, tons of dirt and grease and grime to clean

not sure i pulled the front end off correctly but its all still in tact. ill prob have my buddy check the seals and go from there

Trying to baggie everything and write it down.

[Stev-o]

Read this, concerning the ball bearings:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80232.0;topicseen

[tango911]

Read this, concerning the ball bearings:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80232.0;topicseen

u da man StevO thnks

[Nortstudio]

Good start to a great bike!

[RickB]

If you're thinking about rebuilding the steering head with tapered roller bearings, I documented my build over here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=51957.msg702096#msg702096

Might help you as those All Ballz kits don't come with much instruction.

[tango911]

If you're thinking about rebuilding the steering head with tapered roller bearings, I documented my build over here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=51957.msg702096#msg702096

Might help you as those All Ballz kits don't come with much instruction.

Thanks Ill check that out again, i think i came upon it in a search i did.

so far i have all the parts cleaned and ready to go, just waiting on new fork seals, gators, and a few other items to come in the mail. Also dropped the frame off to the powdercoater yesterday, so in a few weeks we'll be looking good.

[Stev-o]

Are you going w/black for the frame?

[tango911]

Are you going w/black for the frame?

yes , semi gloss black for all the frame stuff. 

[MCRider]

If you're thinking about rebuilding the steering head with tapered roller bearings, I documented my build over here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=51957.msg702096#msg702096

Might help you as those All Ballz kits don't come with much instruction.

Thanks Ill check that out again, i think i came upon it in a search i did.

so far i have all the parts cleaned and ready to go, just waiting on new fork seals, gators, and a few other items to come in the mail. Also dropped the frame off to the powdercoater yesterday, so in a few weeks we'll be looking good.

Watching...

If you didn't do the front steering bearing test, no worry, i can tell you they are bad and as others recommend, you'll want to upgrade to the tapered bearings. The ball/race OEM set up just isn't up to the pounding and within 10,000 miles they are usually shot. They get a dent worn into them at front dead center, and transitioning from left to right passes thru that dent and keeps you from ever enjoying the twisties as you should.  The tapers will last forever.

The swingarm bearings should be thouroughly cleaned and relubed. They may be bad as well, but not as certainly as the fronts. IF you were able to get the swingarm apart without pounding, you still have hope.

[tango911]

MCRider, ill have to show my father in law about the bearing mod. He's pretty good on that stuff.  I had to have my dirt bike buddy come over and help me tear down the forks.

[MCRider]

MCRider, ill have to show my father in law about the bearing mod. He's pretty good on that stuff.  I had to have my dirt bike buddy come over and help me tear down the forks.

great, its relatively easy as these things go, and will set you back about 4 hours.

On the forks, be sure to clean the lower legs thouroughly, let them soak in solvent. Goo and gunk will settle out in their bottoms and it takes time to loosen it and get it to flow out. If you have a solvent tank with flowing solvent, you'd see what i mean.

How many miles this beast have on it?

[tango911]

MC,

This beast has 34k on it.

I have the forks and all its components pretty stinking clean.  My buddy that restores vintage dirt bikes came over to help me pull them apart, he's very good and thorough when it comes to restoration.   If it only sets me back about 4 hours Ill definitely do the bearing mod.

[MCRider]

Wow somebody actually rode it! So many of these are way worse than yours with barely 10k on them.
With that many miles, the steering bearings are a must IMO.

Carry on!

[tango911]

Wow somebody actually rode it! So many of these are way worse than yours with barely 10k on them.
With that many miles, the steering bearings are a must IMO.

Carry on!

Thanks for the input MC, ill def have my father in law or friend help me do the bearing mod.

Stay tuned.......

[Stev-o]

Tango - repeat after me - "I can do it!"

I know you can.

[tango911]

Pulled the Tach and Speedo plates off last night and scanned them into the computer.  They are 89mm in diameter or 3 1/2 inches.  If i cant find the files on here or the web, i have a gal in town that does design work and will just send her the images for her to get going on it. Id rather not take the time to re-teach myself photoshop, i have so much on my plate as it is. Wife, kids, work, motos, kids, rentals, kids.  Did i mention kids??