Honda-SOHC

Put a multimeter (on a 10A scale) in series (ie between) the battery +ve post and it’s lead. With engine off, you should see -ve amps with electrics on (eg brake light), and with engine running a charge (+ amps).

Multimeters can be cheaply found eBay etc, be sure to get one with a 10A scale.

You’ll have a better idea of how to proceed once known, and said multimeter can be further used to troubleshoot wire continuities etc.

I assume the bike has a magneto? Just sold a Fizzy with magneto / 6v system… you almost had to choose between head, brake… indicators as having all on together was a big ask 😂.

Thanks Ash, hadn’t considered that as to my knowledge it’s a new unit, tho’ did appreciate the needle is effectively being dragged by the cup (assumed congealed oil etc). Will open it up; have done a few gauges myself and indeed grateful of no crimp ring.

Obviously a plug socket bar, with 8mm jaws added on - probably to adjust the throttle cable adjuster barrel which is about the only 8mm piece on the bike. (talking CB750 in this case)

We’ve had threads here discussing preserving tank / exhaust / valves etc and often adding some form of oil to the fuel is recommended….

Q - what if the car / bike has a catalytic converter - is a 100:1 eg 2T addition going to damage the CAT? And does ethanol have any adverse effects upon it. And if a CAT is damaged, will running be obviously affected?

I dunno Julie, further to Ken’s comment I too checked the parts book and note the K2 badges as 341s, and with no accompanying area codes. This puts them as dimpled White-on-black. Notably the Preserve Nature stickers (same parts page ) do have specific area codes…

You’re quite right in that my K2 was bought (2012) with black dimpled badges. That said it’s tank was an odd shade of Ruby Red (ie had been repainted); and indeed the whole bike was very dubious throughout in terms of Uk accuracy. Bottom line I have no faith in those ‘badges being original, & I spent an awful lot getting it back to almost-original parts-wise, including ordering new (Uk spec I believed) badges from DSS - which are the current 341 dimpled white.

The pics you supplied above are K0s - I’m quite prepared to believe they had black badgings.

Honestly, I don’t know what to believe: I simply can’t find any ‘official’ publications to suggest these 1973 K2 (UK) badgings were black. Don’t mean to imply any mistrust - you are indeed a go-to source / guru - I’m just bloody confused 🙁.

Hi Julie,
From the websites I see the black badges were on the earlier K2s, and mine was first registered June ‘73 (UK) - so somewhat a bit confused!

My mum and dad always blamed me on lousy latex… hmm.

Anyways, just this week restored a couple of 750 Tank badges, and because I wanted to use particular UV resistant spray paints, decided to try liquid latex for blanking.

Initially, stripped the badges of old paint in the ultrasonic cleaner using hot water & a strong detergent. After a few passes they were down to bare metal.

Then sprayed them satin black, after which I brushed the liquid latex onto the HONDA surrounding area. It is like painting with cows milk, quite easy, but soon dries clear. Worst of all is brush clogging as it dries, though this is easily kept at bay by simply pulling the globule out as you go along.

Next sprayed them gloss white, and once dry 1200 grit sanded the high point / lettering outlines clear of all paint. After that 2000 grit and a bit of polishing paste (on the metal lettering borders)

Came out rather well, tho’ tbh a bit work intensive.