CB750K1: Restore? (y/n)

[Rotary Junkie]

Here's the deal...

My uncle bought a '70 CB750K1 back in either the late '70s or early '80s, eventually the motor got tired of life on earth so he yanked the engine/gearbox, tank, signals, basically almost everything save the seat, bars, and wheels. Since then most of it (save the frame) has been sitting somewhere in his attic and the frame has been stored "inside" a cottage that we recently tore down. Last reg tag on the plate is from '87 so I'll assume it's sat since then.

So basically, it's a complete basket case that needs a lot of love... But it's also a very popular price.

I'll get pics probably Wednesday evening of how it sits, and so on...

Now the real question... How stupid am I for wanting to wake the dead, and how incredibly stupid of a first bike would it be?

 

[Bopop4]

Honestly, I would get a cheap, easy to ride and maintain bike first, instead of a huge project that will see you more in the shop than on the road.

The 750 is a big bike too, a CBR/Ninja 250 would be a much better choice.
Get one of those to learn how to ride, and then you can build up the Honda in the meantime, it'll take a while if you just have the frame.

You could get a complete CB750 for the effort and money that it would take to restore the old one.

 

[PAPPACLART]

Yes, go for it, I have ridden one of those, great bikes tho I think the one I took out was a few years older.

Check forums for Classic bikes/honda etc, sure you could bag allot of freebies if you find the right group.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Honestly, I would get a cheap, easy to ride and maintain bike first, instead of a huge project that will see you more in the shop than on the road.

That's no fun. For starters, I do my own work wherever humanly possible. I won't be able to do the brightwork but I should be able to manage paint and drivetrain/wiring.

The 750 is a big bike too, a CBR/Ninja 250 would be a much better choice.
Get one of those to learn how to ride, and then you can build up the Honda in the meantime, it'll take a while if you just have the frame.

We've got everything for it, it's just all in different places. Basket case, but the baskets are full.

You could get a complete CB750 for the effort and money that it would take to restore the old one.

I'd say you're right aside from the fact a good K1 goes for 4-5 grand rom what I've seen.

Yes, go for it, I have ridden one of those, great bikes tho I think the one I took out was a few years older.

Wouldn't be a CB750 if it was any older; K0 was '69.

Check forums for Classic bikes/honda etc, sure you could bag allot of freebies if you find the right group.

Once I get serious about it I'll be doing exactly that. Have to take inventory of what we've got, what we absolutely need, etc.

 

[PAPPACLART]

Sorry I meant to say younger, I think it was a 76-78. Had a couple hundred thousand miles on it but felt new.

 

[wfooshee]

Everything you do on that bike to put it back together will show you two more things that need to be done (and 16 parts you need to find) that you didn't realize going in.

I say pass. Especially if you want to ride.

This is not going to be an assemble-over-a-few-weekends-and-ride-it-away project, now matter how bad you want it to be.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Everything you do on that bike to put it back together will show you two more things that need to be done (and 16 parts you need to find) that you didn't realize going in.

Yep! Any type of project follows roughly the same rules.

It will be twice as difficult, twice as expensive, and take twice as long as planned.

Or any variation of those multipliers.

I say pass. Especially if you want to ride.

Time isn't exactly a concern; in fact the main reason I want to at least try is that aside from time it's not going to cost me too terribly much.

This is not going to be an assemble-over-a-few-weekends-and-ride-it-away project, now matter how bad you want it to be.

I know that with absolute certainty. Pics of frame coming soon, just have to pull them off my phone.

 

[XS]

So, have you started? The thing is, yeah it will cost more to restore, certainly more than you'll ever get out of it, but if you like the bike too much to sell it then it doesn't matter. Plus, a CB750 is a great learner bike. It's quick but not so much that it will be dangerous to a new rider, and it's light, so handling should be easy for a new rider too. I hope you go through with it.

 

[Bopop4]

How is a CB750 light?
They're 500lbs!

 

[XS]

How is a CB750 light?
They're 500lbs!

True, especially compared to a modern bike. I guess I had Harley/cruiser type bikes in my head, weighing in between 600 and 800 lbs. Still, a 500lb bike should not be a problem for most beginning riders and is pretty average for a 750 cc bike. Bran new Yamahas 600cc and above weigh in between 415 and 580 pounds...
I highly encourage taking classes though. Not only will they teach beginning riders things only the most experienced riders know, but it will also get the rider used to how the bike feels. Most riding classes should let you choose the type of bike to learn on, hence you can choose a small 250cc bike if you feel better, or choose a bike closer to the style of your CB750.

 

[Slash]

My '80s 3 wheeler is lighter than that thing....