Motorcycle Repair: 1972 Honda CB750, 1974 honda cb750, cb750 k1

Question
QUESTION: I purchased a 1974 Honda CB750 that the owner said he had running a couple of years ago. When I went to start it I realized the bike had not been running for a lot more then 2 years ago. I started taking parts off that will fit my 1974 CB750 when I discovered the 1972 wiring harness had wire nuts throughout where someone tampered with the electrical system. That may explain why I had no spark. I stripped out the wiring harness and just want to jury rig it to see if the motor will run. How do you suggest that I proceed and how can I tell if my machine is a CB750 K1, K2, K3 etc? P.s. The final goal is a Rat Bike with not directionals etc. just the motor running and a kill/starter switch.

ANSWER: The simplest wiring is a wire from the battery to the black and white wire on the coils and along with the points wiring that will get the bike running.  You won't be able to shut the bike off or charge the battery but it will run.   You can get more elaborate from there.

It would take a pretty long e-mail to describe how to rewire the complete bike.

Regards
Rich


   



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Rich,how can I tell if my machine is a CB750 K1, K2, K3 etc?

Answer
On later models I think the letter designation is on the head stock data tag along with the model year.  The original 69s was a K0, The K1 series was in 71 and the models were updated on an annual basis.  There were some exceptions to this because some the the model carried over for a few months into the next year. For example the K6s was in 78. There are probably websites that will help you figure it out.  But if your's is a 72 it probably a K1 or K2. If the chain guard is metal it's a K2.   

Regards
Rich