Topic: Sandcast guys - holy crap the engine and motor numbers are GOOD !!!!

[greenjeans]

I am going to look at a CB750 this evening that hopefully turns out to be a sandcast...probably not, but who knows ehh ?

From the photos I have (only shows the right side & front & rear) it appears to have some good things:

Cut front fender, duckbill seat, wrinkle tank, color matched headlight ears and airbox.   Carbs have 4 cables.   The guy is an older retired gentleman that took the bike to help someone out that owed him money.    He has the brake master cylinder off and the handlebar controls, so I can't see those from pics.  Has an original set of HM300s.  Tires even look original.  8k miles on the clocks which are the correct type.   The motor turns over and the electrics work.   But - for the last several months, it has been stored outside, so it is somewhat rusty - I've started with worse.

Isn't there a "sticky" or definitive "what to look for when buying a sandcast" thread ?   

He wasn't able to get me the serial numbers yet, so I can keep my hopes up that they fall under the 7414 number.

Can anyone think of any threads dedicated only to identifying sandcasts or diecasts ?   Any suggestions as to what exactly to look for is greatly appreciated.

[754]

 Try to get chain cover off, and inspect for chain damage.

[rklystron]

Good question. This is what I found. http://cb750sandcastonly.com/smf_forum/index.php?topic=54.0

[Roach Carver]

Don't let your friend beat you to it..... Just kidding.

[ekpent]

If it was a sandcast with original exhaust there is a good chance that they would have no numbers on them at all. Very early pipes were unmarked and are considered quite rare.But if not a Sandcast the K0's are still highly collectible as you have seen I am sure.Got fingers crossed for you and look forward to seeing some pictures.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Serial numbers are the most important feature by far.  Engine and frame.  The rest of the parts are probably more or less original depending on its history.  More original is better but there are many K0, K1 bikes that look beautiful, and are great riders, with many years of parts on them.  More original, more value, obviously. Would it kill the deal if the pistons were from a 72 ?  I doubt it.  :-)

[greenjeans]

Haven't actually seen if the pipes are stamped - I can just tell they aren't the same baffle as the later pipes.

The bike isn't posted on CL or anywhere - I run an add on CL constantly.  I still, rarely ever get any good hits.  I've talked to the guy at length.
The price is right, and I'll buy it probably no matter what.  If, however, it is a sandcast, I'll probably throw the guy a bit extra for good ju-ju.

I definitely have my fingers crossed - he's going to go get me the serial numbers today before I head down.

[754]

Just buy it before you WISH YOU HAD...
 even with the wrong motor a right everything else its still a few grand worth of parts if they are nice..

[Johnie]

Looking forward to hearing the outcome of this with pics. Good luck and I hope you get a sandcast there. Maybe we can save another.

[markb]

If it does end up being an earlier sandcast, just keep in mind that they are a pain to find parts for.  I'd recommend that youi sell it to me as soon as possible to save you all the trouble.   

Seriously, good luck and keep us posted.

Mark

[greenjeans]

Well....  good news bad news.....depending on how you look at it.

Good news - frame number is 10031XX

Bad News - At some point the motor has been replaced - number 10088XX

I'm still going to bring it home with me.   Not the best condition, but hey - it's an early one.   So, I'm chalking this up as a good find - we will see.

Now, do I start looking for a motor ?      Everything else appears to be original to the bike.  I'm hitching up the trailer this evening.

I'll post photos as soon as I get it home. 

[markb]

Not a bad score.  You could watch for an engine or or a set of cases with number 29xx to 33xx or so.  Everything from your engine should swap over.  My observation is that it seems like there are more engines around than there are frames.  Good luck and welcome to the world of sandcasts. 

[CycleRanger]

Good luck and welcome to the world of sandcasts.

What Mark means is now it's really gonna get expensive! 

[greenjeans]

That's what I'm afraid of.....   Time to start game-planning.

[Tugboat]

Congrats!!

[Johnie]

Agreed...good find...congrats!!!

[KingCustomCycles.com]

How bad do you want original?  I settled, fixed up what I had to be a sweet rider and will pick-up original bits and pieces as they show up affordable.  My engine is tight and original to the bike, my paint is fantastic, and my frame is solid.  The 11/69 build date makes it an early K0 diecast and even some parts for that are machined out of unobtanium. 

[Clarence De Barrows]

Hello!  New old guy here.  I just found this site so thought I'd check in.  I have a 1970 CB750 which I bought new in August of 70.  It has been in storage for over 20 years and I pulled it out a month ago as the bike bug bit me again (my wife says old age crazy) and started cleaning it up.  Due to the time in storage I decided to take it to an expert in my area, I live in Walnut Creek, California, across the Bay from San Francisco.  San Francisco, for those who don't know about it, has an independent Honda shop called Charlie's which deals only in vintage Hondas.  Charlie is THE MAN for these bikes so I took it to him to go through it and do the necessary to get it safely running again.  The bike is very clean and straight and I'm looking forward to doing the detailing to get it back to showroom.  That won't be too hard as its been well taken care of by me since new.  Well, that"s my story and I'm glad to be part of a group of guys who appreciate a great bike.  Hope to see you on the road soon!
Clarence
1970 CB 750
1971 CT 90

[dhall57]

Welcome Clarence, Are you the original owner of the bike? Did you buy it new in August 1970? How many miles? Post some pictures as soon as you can, need pictures, gotta see some pics.

dhall

[greenjeans]

Well - here are some photos.    Pretty rough, but the motor turns and somehow all the electrics seem to work.  Don't think it will take much to have it running.   Just going to have to sell a kidney or something to bring her back to her former glory.     Doesn't show in the pics, but it has side covers and a couple boxes of parts.     No title, but the previous owner is helping out with that.   Such a pain.

Do you guys think it would be worth it to try and find some sandcast cases or perhaps be on the lookout for a motor that is close to the frame number ? 

King - that's kind of my plan for now.  Get it road worthy & safe.  Then just start combing junkyards and ebay for bits and pieces.   Looks like peanut butter and jelly for the forseeable future.

Guy wants $500 bucks.   I've bought stupider things....too late to talk me out of it.  Click the pics and they should enlarge a bit.    Very rough, but I've started with worse.

[markb]

Guy wants $500 bucks. 

The frame alone is worth more than $500.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

The airbox is worth $600 on eBay just to give you some idea..............

[greenjeans]

hmmmmm.......not going to part out - as much as I could use the cash.  Bad ju-ju.  Bad ju-ju.
This will make the motorcycle gods happy.

[illrational]

please go easy...whats significance of sand blast case?and y so exclusive?

[KingCustomCycles.com]

sandcast, not sandblast.  It was a form of manufacturing used when the 750 was new in 69 that left a rougher outside appearance to the cases.  Only significant because they are worth a sack of money to the restoration crowd.