cb750k7 Front Fork Help

[cpratt]

Greetings all, long time stalker of great info here, first time poster.

This summer I picked up a '77 cb750k to be a long term project and summer driver, and I'm a newb with these bikes.  The more I'm looking into this bike I'm finding things that don't appear stock, but are close.  16" rear spoke rim for example (think it's supposed to be a 17?) and a few other small things.

Anyways, to get to the point, I feel like the front forks are either not stock, or something else is going on.  This is simply a hunch by looking at photo's of other bikes, but the distance between the top of the shock to the headlight, or honda emblem, looks much longer on mine.  I want to say the tubes are still stock, but without fully dismantling them I'm not sure how to measure.  The chrome seems to have pitting that matches the rest of the pitting on the bike, only reason why I think they may be stock.

Part of me is wondering whether they just need a good rebuild or if there is something else going on.  I can hold the front brake and compress them, getting 3 or 4 inches of travel; without taking any weight off the bike, the forks appear to be topped out, fully extended, even when I sit on the bike.  Could it be an issue with oil in the shocks, wrong springs? or do the tubes always sit topped out like this?

Does anyone perhaps have a measurement from eye to top of fork for this year?

Ultimately I'd like to give it a mild cafe look, not necessarily looking to do anything crazy, but at lest would like to rebuild the front with some progressive springs and just get a good solid ride.

Perhaps you can tell me if I'm crazy from the pic's?

Thanks!  Look forward to a healthy discussion.

[shinyribs]

cpratt wrote

Greetings all, long time stalker of great info here, first time poster.

Welcome in!

cpratt wrote

This summer I picked up a '77 cb750k to be a long term project and summer driver, and I'm a newb with these bikes.  The more I'm looking into this bike I'm finding things that don't appear stock, but are close.  16" rear spoke rim for example (think it's supposed to be a 17?) and a few other small things.

 

Some of the 69-78 SOHC bikes came with 17's and others came with 18's. None of them had 16's,though. I have a '78K that came with a 17 out back,so I'm thinking that is what would be stock on your bike.

cpratt wrote

Anyways, to get to the point, I feel like the front forks are either not stock, or something else is going on.  This is simply a hunch by looking at photo's of other bikes, but the distance between the top of the shock to the headlight, or honda emblem, looks much longer on mine.  I want to say the tubes are still stock, but without fully dismantling them I'm not sure how to measure.  The chrome seems to have pitting that matches the rest of the pitting on the bike, only reason why I think they may be stock.

 

If your tubes are pitted they made need replacing due to fork seal issues it will create. They appear to be typical SOHC legs to me. Definitely not F model legs. I think they should be stock to your bike,but I could be wrong. Don't think I am ,though.

Without seeing a side view of your bike it's hard to say if the legs are longer than stock or not,but it seems to sit pretty level.

cpratt wrote

Part of me is wondering whether they just need a good rebuild or if there is something else going on.  I can hold the front brake and compress them, getting 3 or 4 inches of travel; without taking any weight off the bike, the forks appear to be topped out, fully extended, even when I sit on the bike.  Could it be an issue with oil in the shocks, wrong springs? or do the tubes always sit topped out like this?

 

Depending on your weight and how strong you are its very possible to compress your front end that much. Forks sitting at full extension is typical,even when seated,so I think you're good here. After adding progressive springs to my '76 F my forks would sag about 1/2''-3/4'' with me seated,but it was rock solid with the stock springs.

cpratt wrote

Ultimately I'd like to give it a mild cafe look, not necessarily looking to do anything crazy, but at lest would like to rebuild the front with some progressive springs and just get a good solid ride.

 

Progressive springs are worth every penny IMO. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.

cpratt wrote

Perhaps you can tell me if I'm crazy from the pic's?

Seems you are wearing pink shoes...enough said.  lol  Just kidding!

cpratt wrote

Thanks!  Look forward to a healthy discussion.

You've come to the wrong place for that. 

Good luck with your project. Just holler if you need anything.


p.s.- Nice Bronco! My gf wants one of those baaaaaad!

[TOOLS1]

Your bike would have had a 17" rear wheel, and it looks like a 4" extension on the front end. As for being crazy, only if you cafe it.
TOOLS

[cpratt]

Haha, I would call them more of a salmon colored shoe.

[cpratt]

Thanks TOOLS, been having a bear of a time finding a 17inch rim, lots of 18's though.  In your opinion, should I just spend the money and get some new tubes and rebuild the front end?  I like the idea of GL1000 forks, but would be happy with stock.

[TOOLS1]

If you want a GL front end, put one on. It's a bolt on swap.
TOOLS

[Truck]

Out of curiosity what is the difference with a GL front end? I was loking to do a rim swap wth a gl so I could do wire rims on my 900.

[TOOLS1]

Fatter, wider tubes, and duel disc brakes.
TOOLS

[Truck]

Hmm, I'll have to look into that, I was wanting to beef up the front of my 900.