Honda CB750K5 Restoration by Royhall

[royhall]

Don't blame me you voted for this, well, except for OddJob. Steve can you block OddJob from this thread, thanks.

The bike hasn't actually arrived yet and is at present in a container in Valencia, Spain. It has just been loaded onto the ship MSC Sandra after doing it's Atlantic leg on the MSC Maria Elena. For those of you with absolutely bugger all to do this is the container tracking number   #TRHU7426738

The bike was actually bought off eBay via a well known outfit called Flashback Enterprises. This felt like taking a bit of a chance as the money had to be paid upfront via bank transfer (MoneyCorp). There is absolutely no safety net in that way of payment, except for a few clauses in the MoneyCorp transfer agreement. But I decided to take a chance as they came recommended by a member on here as well as other places. They also have very good feedback on eBay.

Before buying I asked a lot of questions via email and got good answers except for a few he didn't know the answer to. When you look at the pictures it is clear the bike has been apart and a few parts are loose. The engine has been out and put back in? The big question he couldn't answer was, has it had a chain break and broken cases. So I just had to take a chance on that.

It looks rough as it is, but try to look at it that the exhausts would have been rotted out, the seat knackered and the paintwork needing redoing anyway. So a set of replica pipes, a DSS seat, and a Yamiya tank set sorts the problem without any work involved.

The asking price on eBay was £1700 but he accepted an offer a bit lower than that so that was good. Looking at others for sale (and after visiting DK's in person) the present going price for a project is 3.5k to 4k. Then you still have to do the exhausts and paint etc so at £1500 it's not looking too bad. There will be additional port charges, VAT, NOVA, and delivery charges that amount to around £300. The way I look at that is the new exhausts and tank set are as good as free which is a good starting point for a project.

Here's some scary pictures: Steve, please don't block OddJob I was only kidding.

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[AshimotoK0]

Will it be delivered to Barrow Roy?  ..pretty convenient for you if it is. That outfit looks pretty decent to me .. seems like you are cutting out the middle man. ( i.e. the likes of DK and Freddy ). I know a few people who have bought  projects from Summerbud and they sound pretty decent too.

[royhall]

That is correct Ash, Barrow in Furness is it's destination port. The import agent does a delivery service at reasonable cost, so looks like a door to door transaction for £1800 ish all in.

For me that tank and side panels are toast, when you think that pictures usually hide the real bike that tank must be a turd. I really don't think they are worth the extensive work required to save them as new ones are available. The seat pan may be saveable and rebuilt, will have to look at it when it arrives. To be honest I will be very happy if there has been no chain break and the cases are good. I don't think the engine has been apart by the look of it, and all the fins are good. The seller says it turns over with compression and all gears engage so hopefully the engine may be an easy rebuild.

Here's a few more pictures:

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[SteveD CB500K0]

Ok Roy.

Oddjob is safe.


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[Moorey]

 

     Or track your ship real time.   https://www.myshiptracking.com/?mmsi=355305000

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Looks pretty good so far - what is your predicted budget spend for the project?

[Laverdaroo]

Well, in my rather under qualified opinon, that looks a great buy!
I hear you with the tank and panels but I'd be tempted to have a go at them, you might be surprised. Re the replacements, its a lot less work but I'd still be tempted. the motor looks pretty good and the casing issue aside, I think you've done rather well there, there is more there than when I bought my 550. A great starting point.

[philward]

That looks good value to me Roy. My view is if you intend to rebuild to as new (ish), to buy as cheap as possible provided all parts are there - as all parts/mechanics will be rebuilt or replaced anyway so the cheaper the base bike, the better.
If that bike was cosmetically better - ie, standard intact exhaust but with rust and better paint work, you would still probably still replace them. Other bits would be the same.
If the purpose of the rebuild is to just get it to a tidy runner, then thats a different thing all together and the above doesn't apply.
Great buy Roy - I'm sure you will mint it and will be interesting to follow the build.

[JamesH]

Roy I’ve probably got a suitable grab rail for a K5 somewhere so if I come across it I’ll let you k ow and send some pics..good luck with the restoration…


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[heli_madken]

I bought a CBX from Flashback Enterprises last year, exactly the same process MoneyCorp transfer, delivery to Barrow etc dealt with a good guy 'Billy' this end who delivered the bike to me at reasonable cost. The bike turned up exactly as advertised, NOVA and taxes all in order so you have nothing to worry about there.

Looking forward to watching your progress

[royhall]

Roy I’ve probably got a suitable grab rail for a K5 somewhere so if I come across it I’ll let you k ow and send some pics..good luck with the restoration…

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Thanks for that James. There will probably be many of those bits and pieces missing when it arrives so anything you can dig out for sale would be greatly appreciated.

[royhall]

I bought a CBX from Flashback Enterprises last year, exactly the same process MoneyCorp transfer, delivery to Barrow etc dealt with a good guy 'Billy' this end who delivered the bike to me at reasonable cost. The bike turned up exactly as advertised, NOVA and taxes all in order so you have nothing to worry about there.

Looking forward to watching your progress

That's reassuring to hear. Did Billy get in touch with you when the bike arrived in Barrow, or will I have to contact him. What did he charge you delivery up to Scotland? Cheers.

[AshimotoK0]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u55pomkq2oh52jt/CB750K5_Dealer_Set-Up.pdf?dl=0

[royhall]

Thanks Ash. If only it was being delivered in that condition.

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[Johnny4428]

Good luck with the project Roy! Mine came from the same dealer so hopefully no hitches. No problem with Billy in Barrow he’s quite switched on with transport etc. Look forward to progress. Mines just about ready for firing up so fingers crossed!