1979 cb750k Advice needed

[siddo]

Hi all. New to the forum and very glad to be here.  Any views on the above bike. There's one for sale in my area and i'm keen to have a look - i have ABSOLUTELY no idea of what to look out for though ie what would be the big red signs ito mechanical soundness when i go check her out. I can get it for $650 - not sure of this is a good price but the chap seems negotiable. The idea is that this will be a long term project bike...thinking of a cafe racer conversion. any and all thoughts would be hugely appreciated. 

Ps. my last bike was way back '92 so i am a real newbie.

Thanks
Craig

[motogrady]

If it runs and has a clear title buy it at that price.

You're gonna get rid of a lot of the other stuff anyway
if you go the cafe route.

[siddo]

Hi all.

this is the bike in question. clearly having no experience of the CB class, is it indeed the '79 750k model as advertised?

Thanks folks.

[seestheday]

Looks like a 79K to me.  Single front disc brake, DOHC engine, wire wheels.

I don't think that the pain is original, but I could be wrong.

For $650 as long as it wasn't in really bad shape and had a clean title I would buy that bike in a heartbeat.

Is there something wrong with the throttle?  It's hard to tell from the pic.

[siddo]

Thanks Sees. I havent actually seen her in the flesh. the seller is out of town until next week. You raise an interesting point about the throttle(didnt even notice that in the pic). I'll have a better idea on this and the other points you mentioned next week. the seller said the bike needs some tlc but that it is a runner...

Shot for the help!

[motogrady]

if it's a runner, and has good paper, it's a no brainer, get it.

a word of caution.

it's a 30 year old machine.

even if you do your own work, there will always be something that doesn't quite work
like a new bike would.  if you are the kind of guy that sweats the small stuff, maybe pass
on it.

but it does look like a bike worthy of saving.  really. close enough to
question cafe'in or chopping it.  a survivor bike. a rare bird.

make a few calls, see if you can find a guy that will work on it.
most dealers and shops won't touch it, they just don't know how.

good luck guy

[clintwillis]

i have a 79 750k ... love it.

not as easy mechanically as the earlier SOHC models however a great machine imo

[Hoosier Daddy]

As already said, if it runs and has a clear title, I'd go for it. You can down-load the service manual here, right above where you posted this. Have a look through it and see if this sounds like something you can work on. Brakes, clutch, wheel removal front and rear, etc.
 The intitial purchase price of a project is only a portion of the final dollor amount you will have in it. So make sure your budget can handle at least another grand (in bites) if you do all the work yourself, maybe more if you send some of the work out like paint or powder coat...
 Good luck to you and Keep us updated!

[siddo]

Thanks for all the advice folks. Pretty sure that this will be a real long term project - I want to take my time and get it done properly, I will be building my dream bike after all. The only issue may be the availability of part etc in South Africa, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it though. Thinking only positive thoughts now.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

[seestheday]

One thing that you may want to think about if you're going to cafe it: it is very difficult to get pods to work on the dohc carbs. If you have your heart set on pods you may want to look for a sohc bike (78 or earlier) or plan on getting different carbs (could run you as much as you paid for the whole bike).

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

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From: "siddo [via Honda CB750'S]" <[hidden email]>

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 04:45:14 -0800 (PST)

To: seestheday<[hidden email]>

Subject: Re: 1979 cb750k Advice needed

Thanks for all the advice folks. Pretty sure that this will be a real long term project - I want to take my time and get it done properly, I will be building my dream bike after all. The only issue may be the availability of part etc in South Africa, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it though. Thinking only positive thoughts now.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

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NAML

[siddo]

Thanks Sees...I'll stick to the OEM part for the forseable future. Had a look at a bunch of other threads on the topic and they've convinced me that function trumps form in this instance.

Cheers

[sgtslag]

Check the oil level, to make sure it is registering on the dip stick, left side, black plastic knob that screws into the engine/transmission.  Smell the oil, to make sure it isn't burning.  Oil is shared between the engine, and the transmission.

You will need to replace the suspension, front and rear.  Progressive Fork Springs, and Progressive 412 Rear Shocks, will be spendy, but they improve the handling dramatically, making it ride like a modern bike, and handle much, much better, and safer.  When you replace them, do both ends at the same time, or it will be less than desirable in handling, as they work hand in hand.  When you change out the Fork Springs, put in new  Dexron V ATF Fluid -- fork oil is very expensive ($15/quart, while Dexron V ATF is only around $5/quart, rougly equal to 8 Weight Fork Oil).

Don't know about South Africa, but if possible, use Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic Engine Oil.  It may not be a true synthetic, but it works like one, at a fraction of the cost.  I run it in all of my vehicles.  It is higher in detergents than most automotive oils, so it will, with time, and use, clean your engine and transmission nicely.  It is rated for cars, even though it is a "diesel" oil; it is rated for use in MC's, by Japan.  I ran it in my '79 CB750K, without issue.

The '79 K was the first year for the DOHC.  Mine ran rock solid, even when touring two up, with full saddlebags, trunk, and tank bag!  In 2009, we rode it 1,935 miles, circling Lake Superior, through the upper States, and across southern Canada, without issue in four days of rain.  Loved that bike!  Only sold it because we bought a dedicated touring machine, and it sat idle for more than a year.  Couldn't let it dry rot.

Fix it up properly, maintain it properly, and it will run for 80k miles, or more, without issue.  That assumes P/O's took good care of it, as well.  Mine had been well maintained, and I took very good care of it, as well.  It was a dead reliable machine, which I would not hesitate to ride across North America, and back again -- my body would fail before that bike did.  Cheers!

[siddo]

Great stuff, thank you sgtslag -  really appreciate your advice. I'm making a file of all the advice i receive to refer to at later stage.  

have a great Sunday!

Cheers
Craig