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1974 750 K4 Restoration

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71 V12:
Some time since I last posted so thought I would give a quick update of progress on my K4 restoration. Original bike as bought is the usual US import, left outside in albeit a "dry" climate but weather seized and surface on all chrome parts.

Soaked the cylinders in Diesel for a week (got to do something with the demon stuff now it been condemned), after gentle rocking back and fro the engine freed off. New coils, cleaned carbs, new points and remote fuel, she started and ran well. The noise really pissed of the miserable woman next door which was also fun.

Nonetheless the kick start return spring wasn't returning and given the state of the rest of the bike an engine strip would be in order.

By and large anything electrical needs replacing or restoring. I am going to powder coat switches and see if I can restore them. Calliper and master cylinder seized. But all in all it more or less complete and a good challenge.

Hopefully the video loads?

71 V12:
So that was where I was.
Since then good progress on all fronts.

 - Frame blasted and powder coated frame, swing arm brackets etc.
 - Wheels stripped. rims re chrome plated, hubs polished and rebuilt with new stainless steel spokes and fitted with new conti tyres.
 - Headlamp shell painted, all missing parts sourced and new halogen unit fitted.
 - Good used original taillight sourced and fitted to re-chromed bracket.

More to follow -

Kevin

MCTID:
Good work Kevin.

Congratulations on two fronts......one for having an even 'ropier' looking K4 than my wreck.....and secondly for making yours look much shinier than mine is now.

Looking forward to seeing yours finished (it might spur me on with mine).

Rob62:
Nice one, looking good.

I am also doing a USA K4 but mine already runs and is generally only in need of a clean and re-commission... however as such it will not be as shiny as yours when its finished... :o

71 V12:
As mentioned despite the engine seeming to run well albeit in a static situation, I decided to completely strip the engine given it was weather seized and the kick start spring required replacing. Strip down was straight forward, but having only previous experience of old Triumphs I was impressed by the quality of the engineering, materials and maching. OK the bike had just 5k on the clock, but no wear to any of the bearings.

No wonder the Japanese killed the British motorcycle industry. My 67 Bonnie was really 1940's technology. The only real advance over a near 30 year period was to make the engine a unit design which stopped one source of oil leaks!

One issue that came to light though was corrosion to one of the inlet valves on no 1 cylinder. I guess the bike had been parked up on the side stand and no 1 inlet was closed, some corrosion to the seat but nowhere near as bad. Seat cleaned up with a seat cutter borrowed from work and a new valve bought.

Cases have been soda blast cleaned and repainted with rattle can engine paint. The finish is satin so quite subtle. pretty much a case of reassembly with new seals and gaskets and fingers crossed I have not missed anything during the reassembly.

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