Post by: triplE675 on January 02, 2021, 12:43:37 PM
Could the knowledged many on this forum
Advise on how many UK K0's exist ?
My bet is press fleet / dealer demo's only
10 ish ?
Here's my (US) spec K0 gradually changing to UK spec. seat refurbished by me with Bob the seat parts and clocks mended/refurbished by kent400 look as good as NOS.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/f9ca82691e65d37cd9da8ff7c4e7e169.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/2454fba41ba58a89aeef07439db0f90a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/d94f1a21083c2ea013a51d9b8e02ecea.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/8b6acc6509e66a8667ff6b3ef5728188.jpg)
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Post by: 1234pot on January 02, 2021, 01:00:42 PM
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Post by: Nurse Julie on January 02, 2021, 01:09:23 PM
I have one. Recently back from the dead!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c65c7456621608ee1dd982777f322a9a.jpg)Welcome to the Forum. Have you recently bought the K0?
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Post by: Nurse Julie on January 02, 2021, 01:11:33 PM
Post by: 1234pot on January 02, 2021, 01:14:40 PM
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Post by: Nurse Julie on January 02, 2021, 01:16:52 PM
May this year...I’m in loveAnd so you should be, its a very nice bike you have there. I could be wrong but I think it was one restored by a forum member 🤔
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Post by: triplE675 on January 02, 2021, 01:24:41 PM
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Post by: 1234pot on January 02, 2021, 01:25:29 PM
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 02, 2021, 01:28:42 PM
May this year...I’m in loveI could be wrong but I think it was one restored by a forum member 🤔
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My thoughts too Julie ;)
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 02, 2021, 01:31:59 PM
The world of the proper UK 500 K0's is very, very small Ash and Graham has had his hands on a majority of them now in one way or another 😊😊May this year...I’m in loveI could be wrong but I think it was one restored by a forum member 🤔
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My thoughts too Julie ;)
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 02, 2021, 01:33:33 PM
I’m sure you’re right, he’s a genius! Super meticulous about every little detail. It doesn’t get much better. Just wish we could all get out more.Yes, it's been difficult but hopefully we will all get a lot more mileage done this year.
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Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on January 02, 2021, 01:34:22 PM
Those UK K0s are indeed gorgeous.
Mine’s an import (via James) but does have square cases (and a J plate)
Maybe I need one of each?
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Post by: triplE675 on January 02, 2021, 01:39:58 PM
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 02, 2021, 01:55:29 PM
I didn't realize you sold your KO ash?
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I haven't .. mine is a USA bike anyway ..one of 1st 1000 3/71.
Wonder what happened to this UK one (or Europe import) .. same colour as mine.
[attachimg=1]
Full article here:-
[attachurl=2]
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 02, 2021, 02:06:21 PM
The world of the proper UK 500 K0's is very, very small Ash and Graham has had his hands on a majority of them now in one way or another 😊😊
[/quote]
Two for sale on eBay at the moment .. ;)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1972-HONDA-CB500-KO/124476957001?hash=item1cfb67a149:g:tH8AAOSw101fz6it
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB500-FOUR-K0-1972/293906152440?hash=item446e2bfbf8:g:cE8AAOSwNkRfx9RL
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 02, 2021, 02:16:54 PM
The world of the proper UK 500 K0's is very, very small Ash and Graham has had his hands on a majority of them now in one way or another 😊😊
Two for sale on eBay at the moment .. ;)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1972-HONDA-CB500-KO/124476957001?hash=item1cfb67a149:g:tH8AAOSw101fz6it
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB500-FOUR-K0-1972/293906152440?hash=item446e2bfbf8:g:cE8AAOSwNkRfx9RL
[/quote]
Indeed there are Ash. The Gold one looks a bright bike but everytime I see the pics of it, I see it has the Honda Motor company sticker only on one side panel and the black tank panel is far too short, the Honda badge is almost overhanging the black and going into the gold 😊😊😊
Post by: 1234pot on January 02, 2021, 02:29:12 PM
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Post by: Bryanj on January 02, 2021, 02:33:29 PM
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 02, 2021, 02:42:08 PM
Not sure how a 72 can be K0 as they started in 71 as both ash and i know, may have all the K0 parts but would love to know the frame numbers and how they fit in my list
I think most UK's are 1972 registered Bryan ... Trigg will know
Post by: 1234pot on January 02, 2021, 02:43:43 PM
So a K really?
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 02, 2021, 02:50:25 PM
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1970-1-Classic-Honda-CB500-Four-UK-model-in-amazing-condition-overall/124497482326?hash=item1cfca0d256:g:D0sAAOSw0Ztf4gjy
Post by: Trigger on January 02, 2021, 03:09:26 PM
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 02, 2021, 03:26:28 PM
The black one on ebay is not a UK K0 , take a look at the pilot lights Ash. Looks to be a german import trying to look like a UK unit ;)
I think it's the one where the original owner filled the exhausts with oil after every season. I guess many of the so called 'UK bikes' will be European imports brought in by dealers /individuals who couldn't wait.
I guess Honda UK were initially reluctant to import the 500/4. as there had been a Class Action lawsuit in the States against Honda over the early, square crankcase, gearbox failures and trying to palm off unmodified bikes in USA dealers showrooms.
Post by: Bryanj on January 02, 2021, 03:43:25 PM
Post by: triplE675 on January 02, 2021, 04:35:37 PM
My K0 has frame No 1043899
Engine No 1044119
Can you give manufactured date from your
Iñfo ?
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Post by: Bryanj on January 02, 2021, 04:59:24 PM
Post by: Trigger on January 02, 2021, 06:30:54 PM
Hi Bryan,
My K0 has frame No 1043899
Engine No 1044119
Can you give manufactured date from your
Iñfo ?
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Yours should show the build date on the VIN plate as, it is a USA unit.
Post by: triplE675 on January 02, 2021, 11:38:53 PM
Everyday is a learning day
So parallel imports happened back in the 70's .Honda UK made an error in not bringing the cb 500 KO in when they were launched in 1971. Thanks for the history lesson. On the black KO You don't get many 49 year old bikes cherished from day 1.
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 03, 2021, 12:18:54 AM
Honda UK made an error in not bringing the cb 500 KO in when they were launched in 1971.
Not sure about that .. there were a lot of major gearbox issues with the 1st 500's in the USA so Honda UK may have made a shrewd move ...only importing it officially when the gremlins had been ironed out.
Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2021, 08:20:15 AM
The UK wiring diagram does not show the extra HI-LO switch wiring on the L/H handlebar but, the Holland wiring diagram does. The one i have now has the R/H handlebar switch from the 750K1 which matches the UK wiring diagram ;)
The German Honda owners club has the same problem as the UK, half the owners saying that the 500K0 was sold in Germany and the other half of the owners recon that theirs are from Holland and first registered in Germany.
The truth is out there but, Honda will not confirm in anyway whatsoever. If paperwork and documents were not transferred to a computer they seem to be lost forever.
The UK 500K0 gold press bike, reg number GTT 131K was photographed and tested at Shoreham airfield in early 1972.
Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2021, 08:58:38 AM
I have one. Recently back from the dead!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c65c7456621608ee1dd982777f322a9a.jpg)
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Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC.
You have one very beautiful bike. I wish my next one i build comes out as good as your ;)
Post by: 1234pot on January 03, 2021, 08:59:30 AM
I don’t know exactly what!
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Post by: 1234pot on January 03, 2021, 09:02:27 AM
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Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2021, 09:15:05 AM
I wish I had the know how to achieve this level of perfection myself. I’m hoping to find a way to undertake a classic mechanics course when all this madness is over....Any suggestions?
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I think that you would need a time machine to go back to 1970 to do a mechanics course on one of these old girls.. You can get all the information you will ever need from this forum ;)
Post by: 1234pot on January 03, 2021, 09:22:06 AM
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 03, 2021, 10:00:18 AM
I wish I had the know how to achieve this level of perfection myself. I’m hoping to find a way to undertake a classic mechanics course when all this madness is over....Any suggestions?
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1234pot ...Welcome from me too. :)
Here is a good start frm my Dropbox links on here.
HONDA CB500 CB550 FOUR
CB500 / 550 F SHOP MANUAL
https://www.dropbox.com/s/88zdzlj8olqi8pl/CB500-550_Manual.pdf?dl=0
CB500F K0/K1 PARTS MANUAL I believe originally scanned by Bryan Jones before it did the rounds on the Internet
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5jfzpdcvxnahso4/Honda%20CB500%20CB%20500%20Four%20K0%20K1%20Parts%20List%20Diagram%20Manual%201971%201972.pdf?dl=0
March 1971 (3/71) CB500K0 PARTS MANUAL Courtesy BRYAN JONES
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jw783apfka1vkna/CB500K0%20JDM%20Manual.pdf?dl=0
Also for CB500K2
http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb500
https://www.dropbox.com/s/daizzh89pzezphs/CB500%20K2%20Parts%20List.pdf?dl=0
CB550 PARTS MANUAL
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wwtfuqz1tbgj5m1/CB550_Parts.pdf?
CB550K3 Parts Book (Thanks to Ken Oddjob for letting us scan his copy)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fk9l07zhkoxqhvk/CB550K3%20Parts%20Book.pdf?dl=0
CB550F2 Parts book (Massive thanks to Ken AKA ODDJOB)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h7tm19y5fy27vvd/CB550F2_PartsBook.pdf?dl=0
CB500/4 Service Bulletins .. MASSIVE THANKS TO BRYAN JONES FOR COLLECTING THESE AND LOANING FOR ME TO SCAN
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z8s0vpxu8niqva3/AAC1D8GaKGw_tvX0y2-CTcHaa?dl=0
CB500K0 Dealer set Up Instructions (Thanks Deltarider for link)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/55kkbjdz9nfcfuf/CB500_set-up_man.pdf?dl=0
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 03, 2021, 10:21:50 AM
This link below is also very useful for engine strip/rebuild.
Trigger ...is that a genuine UK 500K0 in the 1988 Classic Mechanics strip?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/czobu24604mdiiv/Classic%20Mechanics%20%26%20MCM%20500-4%20Rebuild.pdf?dl=0
Post by: 1234pot on January 03, 2021, 10:25:50 AM
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 03, 2021, 10:46:24 AM
Thanks Ash. Truly amazing!
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I merely scanned some of it and stored it, as I hate it when people try to charge you for literature pdf's.
Most of the stuff on the 500 originally came from BryanJ on here, as he had the foresight to keep all of the literature from when he worked at dealers back in the day. Plus other members have contributed too. Oddjob on here ... another Honda mechanic back in the day (Ken) let me dissect his 550 manuals to scan.
Post by: Laverda Dave on January 03, 2021, 11:17:02 AM
I have one. Recently back from the dead!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c65c7456621608ee1dd982777f322a9a.jpg)
Welcome to the forum. A fine looking machine you have there. The location appears to be Sawyers Hill in Richmond? I was there last week 'taking covid allowed exercise'.
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Post by: triplE675 on January 03, 2021, 11:29:23 AM
Welcome to the forum from me tooI have one. Recently back from the dead!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c65c7456621608ee1dd982777f322a9a.jpg)
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Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC.
You have one very beautiful bike. I wish my next one i build comes out as good as your ;)
If you have a trigger built K0 then that's an extremely rare bike that not only shows but goes too .
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Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2021, 11:45:03 AM
1234pot
This link below is also very useful for engine strip/rebuild.
Trigger ...is that a genuine UK 500K0 in the 1988 Classic Mechanics strip?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/czobu24604mdiiv/Classic%20Mechanics%20%26%20MCM%20500-4%20Rebuild.pdf?dl=0
Found that article confusing as, the engine being stripped looks to be a K1. Maybe the picture of the bike was only used as illustration purpose's. The reg number is first date of reg in the UK as Feb 72 but, the head is the later type ;)
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 03, 2021, 01:34:37 PM
[/quote]
Found that article confusing as, the engine being stripped looks to be a K1. Maybe the picture of the bike was only used as illustration purpose's. The reg number is first date of reg in the UK as Feb 72 but, the head is the later type ;)
[/quote]
Yea probably just a library shot .. still a useful article though
Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2021, 01:44:29 PM
Found that article confusing as, the engine being stripped looks to be a K1. Maybe the picture of the bike was only used as illustration purpose's. The reg number is first date of reg in the UK as Feb 72 but, the head is the later type ;)
[/quote]
Yea probably just a library shot .. still a useful article though
[/quote]
No use to me ::)
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 04, 2021, 07:34:49 AM
Post by: philward on January 04, 2021, 03:16:30 PM
I have one. Recently back from the dead!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c65c7456621608ee1dd982777f322a9a.jpg)
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Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC.
You have one very beautiful bike. I wish my next one i build comes out as good as your ;)
What a beautiful bike! My new August 1972 500k1 was black too - 40,000 fun and trouble free miles. I'm about to start my 500k2 engine rebuild having no experience of working on the 500 engine as it was so reliable! It was that good after 3 years that I only lost about £120 when part ex'ing for my Z1B (still got the receipt for the Z1 transaction upstairs)
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 04, 2021, 06:02:40 PM
I wonder if that's the K0 that my NOS exhausts went on?Nope, they went on Grahams gold UK 500 K0
Post by: 1234pot on January 04, 2021, 06:09:41 PM
Lockdown can be so cruel. It has reset itself I’m glad to say.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 04, 2021, 08:19:49 PM
Got to say the ripple in the seat cover would bug the hell out of me, OCD kicking in I suppose ;D ;D ;D
If it's the same bike I a thinking of it has a Genuine Honda NOS seat fitted.
I have seen a couple of Genuine NOS seats though and they don't seem to have the raised padding in the panels, like you particularly see on the early USA bikes, which is kind of surprising.
I got mine from David Silver and I think it was a dealer take off but it definitely looks different to the NOS 'spare part' ones I have seen.
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 04, 2021, 09:23:52 PM
I sold it 5½ hears ago Ken. We often still hear from the chap that bought it, he rides it very regularly and just loves it, he lives in Surrey .I wonder if that's the K0 that my NOS exhausts went on?Nope, they went on Grahams gold UK 500 K0
He still got it Julie or was it sold on?
Post by: Charliecharlcomb on January 10, 2021, 12:09:12 PM
I have one. Recently back from the dead!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210102/c65c7456621608ee1dd982777f322a9a.jpg)
Spookily I photographed mine in the same spot around 25 years ago. Made the cover of VJMC mag. Still got it.
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Post by: 1234pot on January 10, 2021, 12:13:01 PM
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Post by: 1234pot on January 10, 2021, 12:24:00 PM
You might be interested in a print I came across on eBay by Steve Dunn. He’s done an incredible range of bikes. He sells on eBay. Well worth a look.
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Post by: Bryanj on January 10, 2021, 03:31:58 PM
Post by: 1234pot on January 10, 2021, 04:28:34 PM
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Post by: 1234pot on January 19, 2021, 10:24:23 AM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/2cbe5e7842b4ba4a9a14771a8ab597d0.jpg)
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Post by: 1234pot on January 19, 2021, 10:24:55 AM
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Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on January 19, 2021, 11:37:13 AM
I have one of them on my wall.
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Post by: triplE675 on January 28, 2021, 08:01:42 PM
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Post by: Nurse Julie on January 28, 2021, 08:04:30 PM
Post by: 1234pot on January 28, 2021, 08:17:27 PM
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Post by: Nurse Julie on January 28, 2021, 08:21:08 PM
Do I spy a chrome kick stand?In that particular photo, yes, it was a chrome one.
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Post by: 1234pot on January 28, 2021, 08:34:34 PM
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Post by: 1234pot on January 28, 2021, 08:35:08 PM
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Post by: Nurse Julie on January 28, 2021, 08:50:03 PM
Also another couple of things done non standard, which TBH doesn’t bother me in the least. Can you spot them?Yes Ken, they were the NOS pipes Graham bought from you and the tank trim.
I gather those are my old NOS exhausts Julie and probably my old tank trim as well. Nice to see they went on a nice bike in the end, lovely job done by Graham there
Post by: daz on January 29, 2021, 11:05:29 PM
Think I have confirmed it myself registered new 01/06/1972 in the UK to the first owner. I am the second owner,
Originally used this to transfer my 550k0 1974 to make it tax free before the Government restarted the rolling Tax free again. I have since swapped it back to the 1974 frame as that is Tax free since 2014, Cheers Darren
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 29, 2021, 11:19:42 PM
Hi, not been on here for some time, I think I have a 500K0 or parts of one, frame number 1030582 can anyone confirm that, cheers Darren
USA import K0. Bryanj will confirm as he's the VIN numbers guru.
Post by: Bryanj on January 30, 2021, 03:10:39 AM
Post by: daz on January 30, 2021, 07:17:06 PM
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 30, 2021, 08:32:49 PM
So it is worth saving then if it's rare.As a USA model imported into UK its not particularly rare as they were a very popular model in USA, unlike the 1st registered UK 500/4 K0 models that were never officially in Hondas UK model line up.... They are the very, very rare ones we are discussing. JamesH has recently sold a very nice example of a USA K0, that will give you a guide to imported model prices. UK models can easily go for double that price due to rarety.
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,24625.0.html
Post by: daz on January 30, 2021, 08:45:38 PM
Does the frame number mean it was never ment for the UK? Cheers for any help
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 30, 2021, 08:56:24 PM
It's not showing imported on the V5C, it is showing it was registered in the UK in 1972.A VIN of 103*** fits in with the USA 500/4 K0's. Maybe yours was a UK model but has had a frame change for whatever reason and whoever did it used a USA frame.
Does the frame number mean it was never ment for the UK? Cheers for any help
Edit..... Is that your 500/4 in your Avatar?, if it is, it's definitely a USA model.
Post by: daz on January 30, 2021, 09:10:53 PM
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 30, 2021, 09:11:57 PM
No, that's my American import 550 k0👍👍👍
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 30, 2021, 10:36:52 PM
We do know dealers were bringing in loads of what we now know as 'grey import' K0's from Europe because Honda weren't supplying the K0 to UK but customers wanted them. They were imported and 1st registered in UK. Yours could well be one of those grey imports with the 103*** VIN. The very few proper UK 1st registered 500/4's don't have 103*** VIN numbers.
[attachimg=1]
Post by: daz on January 30, 2021, 10:59:29 PM
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 30, 2021, 11:03:56 PM
At Bonhams (Stafford Show) a few years back, the hype said that the UK, diecast, Press Bike (from 2nd UK batch) would top £35k and it reached £19k at the auction.
Talking of UK 750's .. did anyone see the one FreddyTheFatFrog was selling a week or so back boldly claiming in the listing title it was a genuine 1st batch 750 registered in December 1969 .... it was actually a 2nd batch registered in May 1970 (so really it was manufactured in 12/69) ... it's sold now ... so some mug is in for a surprise :( .
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 30, 2021, 11:13:56 PM
Post by: AshimotoK0 on January 30, 2021, 11:49:30 PM
Ash, I can show you the bill of sale for Triggers UK 500/4 K0 that I sold and I counted the £9250 of Her Majesties finest pounds that it sold for and that was 6 years ago 😊😊😊
I don't doubt you Julie but you are talking about a bike restored by a top restorer to a very high standard, fitted with NOS genuine pipes...which will always fetch a premium ... a USA K0 (particularly a square crankcase model) restored by him, to the same standard, would doubtless have fetched close to that IMHO .. there certainly would not have been a 50% premium because it was a UK bike .. more like a 20% figure, as I suggested.
Post by: 1234pot on February 01, 2021, 12:47:33 PM
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Post by: 1234pot on February 01, 2021, 12:47:59 PM
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Post by: AshimotoK0 on February 01, 2021, 12:52:26 PM
For instance the shop manual photos of engine strip are of an early squared off crankcase engine but this engine was only produced up to the mid 1st 2-3000 bikes
Post by: 1234pot on February 01, 2021, 01:37:56 PM
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