Description
A Honda CB175-K2 first registered September 1971.
The V5C (in my name) shows it to be registered as a historic vehicle and having 7 previous owners; the mileage shows 7005.
Little is known of it’s early history but the story we think we know starts with the owner before last. He restored the bike and had the cosmetics done. So from a bare frame it was stove enamelled, paint work resprayed, new seat, chrome redone or parts replaced, etc, basically all the stuff that would be done to restore the bike…. and it is a very nice job and it looks very, very nice.
However he was an enthusiast but not a mechanic and had a local mechanic do the electrics and oily bits. Then he put the bike in his conservatory and admired it, but did not use it in any serious manner.
The last owner bought it on impulse and never got around to riding it other than just up and down his street. He only kept it 3 months.
This is where I took over and although it went OK and everything worked it soon became apparent that the mechanic didn’t do the electrics and oily bits quite to the same standard as the cosmetics, so it was left for me to do. I have been restoring bikes for many years so apart from finding and paying for the parts it was not a great problem. So this is what I have done……..
The cylinder head had a broken fin (held on with epoxy) and oversize spark plug holes. The head has been replaced with a brand new one from CMSL in Holland. At the same time it had a rebore and new pistons, new cam chain, and advance retard unit. Trouble with the starter motor led to it also being replaced at vast expense with a new unit from David Silver and then the starter clutch was also replaced, not just the little springs and rollers but the whole thing. Obviously the plugs and points were refreshed. Brakes, wheel bearings and steering head bearings were all serviced. Carburettors were ultrasonically cleaned and a new fuel tap fitted. I even managed to track down old stock original Honda air filters.
For electrics the rectifier was faulty so a modern rectifier/ regulator has been fitted. The coil, although working, was pulling too much current so a new one has been fitted. The battery is a new heavy duty Motoblatt (they are excellent). And to be complete one indicator was replaced with a genuine Honda one, with a new neutral switch and a LED bulb fitted to the rear light.
I fitted new tyres and tubes, Dunlop K82. These have the same profile as the old TT100s and suit the bike very well.
The bike comes complete with a new old stock genuine Honda tool kit, (£100!). There is a Haynes manual, a Honda manual and a Honda parts book plus a bundle of receipts which tell of all the work done and which I can’t bring myself to tot up. There are a few spares, gaskets etc and also a box of the parts replaced on the bike, some still have some use and others shot but they do show what has been updated.
So after this two stage restoration the bike is in superb condition, starts easily and runs like a Honda. It is very lightweight and easy to ride. I have done 600 miles since the rebuild.
It always attract favourable attention and has even been awarded a ‘best in show’ cup!
As a historic vehicle it needs no tax or mot and I have it insured along with my other bikes, the point being that I am not desperate to sell it although I do need the space for my next project. The bike is in Halifax and can be viewed most any time.
