cb750 K0 1970

[Nurse Julie]

A lot can happen to a bike over 50+ years. For someone who just wants a USA K0 to ride and who isn't worried about numbers, it's still got a value but not £9k+. But, for someone who wants a proper matched engine / frame K0, it's no good to them at all.
Unless you can find out the definitive history, whether the swap happened in USA in early days, and why, or more recently in UK, and why, it's really got to be sold as a bitsa.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

FWIW that strange shaped B is I understand it is only applicable to the engine number casing not the headstock stamp or plate if it has one.

The odd B is on my 400 & 500 engine numbers on the upper crankcases  - my 400 has the original chassis plate and its a normal printed B on the plate.

[JamesH]

thanks for that.the plot thickens looking at pic i took of stampings it looks like they are not original factory.so need help guys what i do know it has never been restored cos it was a faded rusty tatty mess when i bought it.it was imported from usa probably sunny state cos it wasnt rotten rusty.i certainly would have checked the numbers to the v5.although the guy i bought it off seemed a really nice bloke he either didnt know or didnt tell me they were not original.so is it possible the frame was changed under warranty from a dealer which was a k1 frame cos its a late k0 and they stamped it or there was some stealing going on i put it like that cos the engine,carbs, airbox,clocks,seat,side panels etc are k0 as is the engine numbers seems a strange way round.james said they are k1 forks and hub could they have gone on a late k0 i dunno.obviously i'm a bit pi**ed off, i don't really know what it is.certainly don't want to sell it someone telling them one thing and its another.and what do you think value wise cos obviously theres a lot of money in it as your all aware. appreciate your help.

Trev - I'm feeling a bit guilty having raised this in the first place, so apologies and I know you're in a tricky spot.

From what I can see, the front fork lowers, front hub (tabs on chrome spedo drive plate are the giveaway) and front brake disc (doesn't have the square section on black boss reverse side closest to hub) are the bits that look K1. My instinct suggests it was probably rebuilt early in it's life in the US by a dealer, using a restamped factory replacement frame and new front end components that were available at the time. More than likely in the early 70's but who knows.

To make it a 'proper' matching numbers K0 you'd need to source a matching numbers K0 frame with data plate, fork lowers (the stanchions and internals will swap straight across) with correct profile, K0 brake disc, K0 speedo drive plate and chrome cover (the K1 hub will likely be the correct 'tall shoulder' hub) and then build it all into the replacement frame. Technically it should also have a single cut (rear) front fender. It's do-able, but a total pain in the arse given you probably just want a straight sale.  It's an annoying situation & I can only sympathise.

Having said all of that above, there is still value in the bike - I guess you've just got to decide which path to take and price it accordingly if you do just want to sell as-is.

[Toko_Jo]

FWIW that strange shaped B is I understand it is only applicable to the engine number casing not the headstock stamp or plate if it has one.

The odd B is on my 400 & 500 engine numbers on the upper crankcases  - my 400 has the original chassis plate and its a normal printed B on the plate.

Frame and engine fonts are identical Ted

[JamesH]

FWIW that strange shaped B is I understand it is only applicable to the engine number casing not the headstock stamp or plate if it has one.

The odd B is on my 400 & 500 engine numbers on the upper crankcases  - my 400 has the original chassis plate and its a normal printed B on the plate.

Frame and engine fonts are identical Ted

This is the VIN on the Sandcast frame I’ve just had blasted and am starting the build on. Note the weird B

[ogre]

thanks for your help what value would you put on it then please.

[Bryanj]

It is distinctly possible it was re framed as an insurance job early in its life and as builders would only have generic stamps that explanes the font.
If it has all the correct numbers on the v5 it is a legitamate vehicle, posssibly  not worth as much as a 100% from the factory bike but still a nice bike worth a good amount, its 50 yrs old and has had replacement parts

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

FWIW that strange shaped B is I understand it is only applicable to the engine number casing not the headstock stamp or plate if it has one.

The odd B is on my 400 & 500 engine numbers on the upper crankcases  - my 400 has the original chassis plate and its a normal printed B on the plate.

Frame and engine fonts are identical Ted

So you are talking the direct stamp on the frame not the alloy frame plate when fitted. A bit of 50 years rusting could soon mess up the frame - either way a Honda frame would have the right B unless you are saying sand-cast frames were different?

[JamesH]

FWIW that strange shaped B is I understand it is only applicable to the engine number casing not the headstock stamp or plate if it has one.

The odd B is on my 400 & 500 engine numbers on the upper crankcases  - my 400 has the original chassis plate and its a normal printed B on the plate.

Frame and engine fonts are identical Ted

So you are talking the direct stamp on the frame not the alloy frame plate when fitted. A bit of 50 yes rusting could soon mess up the frame - either way a Honda frame would have the right B unless you are saying sand-cast frames were different?

What Jo is saying is the stamps used on CB750 Sandcast, K0-K6 Frames and engines are the same font, height, dimensionally identical. I just used a Sandcast frame I have here to help visually explain. I’ve got plenty of other pictures somewhere showing the same ‘B’ on later K1-K6 frames. But don’t take my word for it - I’m sure other members will chime in here.

[Nurse Julie]

Agree, they are the same font, size etc on the headstock VIN and the engine. Honda didn't have a set of stamps for the frames and a different set for the engines, the stamps were all the same.

[Toko_Jo]

As I said Ted all the same after about the mid 1960's. I have also heard that dealer stamped on the opposite side of the headstock when a frame was replaced and re-stamped. Not sure how true that is though. Pre that date  (CB72 era but Bomber was the later font) it was a much simpler font very simiar to the ones Sears-Roebuck sold in the States,

[Nurse Julie]

On the USA model CB SOHC/4's, I wonder where a dealer would have re stamped in the event of a re frame as the VIN tag is on the other side 🤔🤔🤔 Easy on UK and rest of world models as those models never had VIN tags.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

So after all this chatter about the shape of a letter B I personally do not think it alters the value of your bike one iota - I would sell it on the basis of what is recorded on the V5 & the bike itself.
At £9500 it looks a great bike - why pay say £2-3k more for a frame that is probably older & rustier inside.

If it looks like a Duck, Quacks like a Duck - its a Duck I say.

Don't get me started on started on USA model v UK model they are all made in Japan - they are all imports too much talk trying to justify daft prices I think.
Not that you could ride one blindfold but who could tell the difference in the saddle - some wine buff probably eh!  We all know what they are.

[Toko_Jo]

On the USA model CB SOHC/4's, I wonder where a dealer would have re stamped in the event of a re frame as the VIN tag is on the other side 🤔🤔🤔 Easy on UK and rest of world models as those models never had VIN tags.

Agreed .. I only mentioned it because I haven't seen many replacement frames  but have seen two Honda twins with replacement frames with the stamping on the opposite side  to normal... then I saw something online about stamping on opposite side. The two  I saw were UK bikes and perhaps it was just a dealer error.

[Johnny4428]

FWIW that strange shaped B is I understand it is only applicable to the engine number casing not the headstock stamp or plate if it has one.

The odd B is on my 400 & 500 engine numbers on the upper crankcases  - my 400 has the original chassis plate and its a normal printed B on the plate.

Frame and engine fonts are identical Ted

I completely agree Ted. Ask what you want for it Trev, it’s then up to the buyer as to whether they are willing to commit. Especially for someone that wants a descent bike but is not a purist. You can still be upfront with the knowledge you have regarding the bike.

So you are talking the direct stamp on the frame not the alloy frame plate when fitted. A bit of 50 years rusting could soon mess up the frame - either way a Honda frame would have the right B unless you are saying sand-cast frames were different?