Description
Please note: This bike does not run. As such, there is no cold start video.
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1974 Honda CB750.
Honda had already established themselves as a premier manufacturer of small bikes in the US by the mid 60s thanks to their 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. A senior engineer named Yoshiro Harada toured the US in 1967 with the intent of getting dealers to shift more CB450s, but 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.”
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.
By 1974, the K4 model had become the best selling motorcycle in America with some 60,000 units leaving dealer showrooms annually. Although, not the most powerful “superbike” on the market, the small refinements, improved fuel efficiency, and various color options made the bike immensely popular with riders across the country.
Manufactured January 1974, this example is VIN: CB7502339464. The seller states, “I purchased the CB750 from a gentleman in Nipomo, CA in 2010, unrestored and in rideable condition. It had roughly 16,000 original miles and I rode it in that condition for a couple years before it developed a cylinder head gasket leak, a common issue with the CB750. To get the motor out of the frame you pretty much need to disassemble the entire bike so it went from a simple cylinder head gasket replacement to a full blow “well, while I’m in there, I might as well…” So, I took note of every mechanical issue it had, plus I wanted to modernize it a bit so it would be reliable as a daily rider. I replaced almost every bushing, bearing, grommet, grip, worn part and so on. The motor was torn down to the bottom end (no bottom end work done) and I had Foreign Machine Service in Pasadena, CA hone the cylinders, skim the head and cylinder block to ensure they were level, install bronze valve guides and do a 3 angle cut on the valve seats and stock valves. It was reassembled with all new rings (stop pistons and stock bore size) gaskets and seals. I installed a 4 into 1 exhaust and electronic ignition to replace the stock points. I installed new spark plugs and caps at this time and rejetted the carbs to match the modifications, which also included venting the stock air box and installing a K&N filter. The stock rear swing arm bushings are fiber material so I replaced them with bronze bushings. The brakes and all control cables were rebuilt or replaced. The electrical system was gone through and I replaced any corroded connectors, installed an aftermarket regulator and rectifier and an LED headlight from Trucklite. After a few months riding around CA to get it all sorted I decided I wanted to ride the bike across the country. I spent 4 months and 10,000 miles riding the bike through the Southern US to New York and back. Never had a single issue on that trip! After returning I continued to commute and ride it nearly every weekend until the primary chain issue arose. The bike now has roughly 58,000 miles on it (40k ish since the rebuild.) and has been in storage since 2019. With a little love it will make an awesome example once again!”
During his ownership, the seller has covered approximately 40,000 miles. The odometer shows 58,018 miles.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “It has not run since 2019. It will need a full recommissioning with the carbs, tires, tubes, battery, fluids, etc all gone through. It was taken off the road after an oil change revealed some glitter in the oil. At that point I parked it. I have nearly every part needed to get it back on the road and looking nice again included in the sale, plus parts to rebuild the front forks and other assorted spares.”
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: DRY SUMP, NEED TO RUN TO CHECK
Engine Oil Quality: AGE UNKNOWN
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A, Air Cooled
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: FAIL, > 3% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A, Drum Brake
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A, Cable Clutch
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: NO CHAIN INSTALLED
Headlight High Beam: NOT WORKING
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: NOT WORKING
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): NOT WORKING
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: WORKS INTERMITTENTLY
Kill Switch: UNKNOWN
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: Drum
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 51/14
Tire Date Code Rear: 27/15
Tire % Remaining Front: 70%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 30%
Tire Press. Front: 33 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 33 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 300mV
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: UNKNOWN
Running Condition: Not Attempted
Test Ride Completed: None Taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
-Slightly rusty exhaust
-Moderate signs of oxidation on handlebars
-Missing LH engine cover (included in box of parts)
*Spare box of parts included with bike
-We did not attempt to run bike, per customer’s concern
Modifications:
“Jetted carbs for vented air box with K&N filter, replaced points with an electronic ignition, 3 angle valve job with new bronze guides and seals. This was done at roughly 16,000 miles.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires with date codes of 5114 and 2715.
The sale includes two keys, handlebars, mirrors, gaskets, fork seals, taillight, hardware, and various parts.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, this Honda is offered on a clean California title. Have any CB750 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
