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For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 4:31 pm
by RING_DING
The time has come for me to make room for my next project. As many of you know, I resurrected this rare (less than 1200 ever built) JDM B-4 from the grave (see my other posts) and she is running very well now. However, I am not a restorer so she needs to go to a new home where she will get the treatment she deserves.
I am not in a hurry and I really don't want to put her on eBay because I really care about where she will go from here. So I thought I would put the word out among fellow enthusiasts and see if there's any interest.
I will be taking her to Deals Gap on May 5th so if any of you are going to be there, you will see her in all her resurrected glory. She is completely original except for the speedometer, and all the parts I have replaced are genuine SGP with the exception of the chain (DID) and front sprocket (JT). I can supply a full list of all the parts I have replaced.
For a full restoration she will need a new paint job (frame, tank & side covers) and a lot of the chrome will need to be redone.
For more info about the JDM models, see Ian's Field Guide here:
http://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/fieldgu ... html#Japan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you are at all interested in "adopting" this rare beast and providing the home she needs, PM me. I can supply as much info & pics as you would like.
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:14 pm
by Suzukidave
Wouldnt it have a 2 piece head if it was a true B4 ?
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:33 pm
by RING_DING
IMG_0074.jpg
It's got this sticker on the right side of the frame underneath the seat. The frame and engine numbers match up to the B-4 range.
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:54 pm
by Suzukidave
Do you have a picture of the numbers stamped into the neck .. mine has the numbers stamped in ?
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:11 am
by oldjapanesebikes
Suzukidave wrote:Wouldnt it have a 2 piece head if it was a true B4 ?
Don't think so Dave, unless it was a very low number B4. B3 was supposedly the last split head year, with frame numbers between 13037 and 14512. I have the JDM parts manual on line
if you want to take a look at this link. Just click on the Split Head Cylinder link there.

Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:10 pm
by Suzukidave
My bad .. i was wrong thinking all the B models had the split head .
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:33 pm
by RING_DING
Dave, here you go. Picture is upside down for some reason but you can clearly see the GT750B prefix before the frame number.
photo-23.JPG
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 12:23 pm
by RING_DING
Leaving for Deals Gap tomorrow, but I won't taking this bike after all. The red M is the "chosen one" for this trip!
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 5:44 am
by RING_DING
Last minute change of plan and the JDM made the trip after all! Here she is in Deals Gap. We did 340 miles altogether and she never missed a beat. I do have someone very interested in buying her, but he wants to modify her quite heavily (GSXR forks, modified rear end, etc). I'd rather she went to someone who will keep her original.
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:17 pm
by Suzsmokeyallan
Since JDM models are a rarity would it not be easier to sell the red M model and take some of that money to fix the chrome on the B4 and keep it.
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 6:50 am
by RING_DING
Allan, I may just do that.....or hang on to both!
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 9:32 am
by oldjapanesebikes
Over on the GT750 Facebook page one of the members has posted a few photos of an NOS JDM set of gauges in KPH that he bought out of Asia. I've had an on-going email exchange with him and just this past week he finally confirmed that his speedo does in fact have the extra wires coming out of it for the 80 KPH warning circuit. As well, the face markings are in red from 80 KPH upwards which is another givaway. Just proves that they are still out there if you keep looking. I've attached a photo below of his set for reference if you do keep the bike, as you could have a KPH gauge restored with the correct markings at least if you wanted to do a full resto.

Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:15 am
by Suzsmokeyallan
As Ian and I discussed, that set of large instruments is not like the ones we all know for the 72s. Besides having other obvious markings, the internal faces are made of plastic with raised marking segments.
Come to think of it, its possible all of the JDM gauges are the plastic faced type and not the aluminum screen printed type.

Close up of a plastic faced tachometer showing the raised segments on the face, these instruments are also a backlight type..
Not for Sale any more: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:58 pm
by RING_DING
Have decided to go the resto route after all. My "next project" was right under my nose. Planning some custom mods to the red M so will have some better parts for the old girl.
Re: For Sale: Rare 1974 JDM B-4 Kettle
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:22 pm
by oldjapanesebikes