Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1971 Honda CB750 Custom.
Honda had already established itself as a premier manufacturer of small bikes in the US by the mid-60s thanks to stellar reliability and ease of use – the “you meet the nicest people on a Honda” slogan didn’t hurt, either. But the biggest bike they made was the 450, and that wasn’t selling as well as Honda had hoped. Accordingly, a senior engineer named Yoshiro Harada toured the US in 1967 with the intent of getting dealers to shift more CB450s. However, he soon learned that American riders were clamoring for more displacement. So he went back home and the Japanese firm started working on “the king of motorcycles.”
The following year, Honda introduced the world to the four-cylinder CB750 at the Tokyo Motor Show in October of 1968. Considered by many to be the first “superbike”, it was an absolute game-changer of a motorcycle.
Best of all, the CB750 didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Despite features like a 296mm front hydraulic disc brake, five-speed gearbox, quality lighting, electric starter, and industry-defining reliability, it was a shockingly economical bike. The CB also got a compact five-speed transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch, hydraulic fork, dual rear shocks, and a rear drum brake. Weighing in at 495 lbs, the CB750 and its tubular steel duplex frame wasn’t exactly light, but the powerful engine put down 67 hp at 8,500 rpm and was capable of reaching speeds of up to 125 mph.
The original CB750 was succeeded in 1971 with the K1 model. It was highly successful (Honda sold approximately 77,000 of them) and had several cosmetic updates as well a two-cable throttle system which made throttle action much lighter and smoother.
This example is VIN: CB7501080435. The seller purchased the bike 12 years ago from Kott Motorcycles and states, “Bike was customized for me by Dustin Kott. I had a collection of cars and motorcycles during ownership, so rode the bike sparingly. I went to Kott Motorcycles shop during the build to visit with Dustin and see the bike. I also traveled to the One Show and Handbuilt Show to see the bike on display. I rode with a Bell Bullitt helmet and Belstaff jacket in the Denver area. Love this bike.”
True mileage unknown. There is no odometer or speedometer, only a tachometer. Since the restoration, the seller has covered approximately 1,000 miles.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “Significant recent maintenance by Vanity Motorworks after storage of bike, including front brake bleed, new brake rotors and pads front and rear, clutch cable lube and adjust, complete carb rebuild, new tires, fuel tank drain and clean, new fuel lines, new petcock, new spark plugs, oil change, new battery.”
Modifications:
Details of this build can be viewed here. The seller notes, “Displacement increased to 820 during conversion to cafe racer. Has electric starter. Named “RH CB820″ by Kott. Customized by noted California cafe racer builder, Dustin Kott in 2014. Featured at the One Show in Portland and the Handbuilt Motorcycle show in Austin in 2014.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT-46 tires with date codes of 0223 and 3624.
There are no keys. The bike uses an on/off switch on the headlight and an electric starter on the handlebar.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“Paint and clear coat bubbling on top of gas tank (gas cap has escape for vapor). And blemish on rear cowl above tail light.”
Currently located in Englewood, Colorado this Honda is offered on a clean Colorado title. Have any CB750 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
