Nothing says Rocker like an old cafe racer, the right paint and parts, proper seat, suspension tweaks and engine tuning, all for the purpose of joining the Ton-Up club and looking good while doing it! Some of the old British bikes were classic cafes but here’s one guy that thinks the perfect cafe begins with a Honda CB750.
Steve Carpenter has been reworking CB750s for quite a while and a couple of his creations won 1st and 2nd place at the Grand National Roadster Show. These bikes definitely look the part and the video on his site shows they sound pretty good, too.
His creations are shipped all over the world and he’ll build one for you, if you’re so inclined. Some of the bikes on his sites have photos showing the build from stock bike to finished cafe so you can get an idea of how it all comes about. He sells a few parts to help you create your own CB750 cafe, like a proper seat, gauge faces, decal kits and other odd bits. Nice bikes!
Links: Steve Carpenter’s CB750 Cafe Racers
via Cycle World
aaron says
bah. the perfect (japanese four cylinder) cafe racer starts with a cb400f. kinda like the accesible performance thread, with an added dash of sexy pipes.
(and the fact I’m working on one right now. gonna have to see what ideas I can steal from this guy.)
dave says
HA! the reason 750’s are better for this, is there is a MILLION of em around! I can’t remember that last time I saw a 400f… oh, wait.. there’s one rusting out in the boneyard by my house.. They were cool little bikes, but not as plentiful as the 750’s.. or the 350 twins for that matter.
Carpy builds some cool bikes. Besides, what better bike to caff than the one japanese bike that brought english bikes to thier knees…
aaron says
LALALALALALA I can’t hear you!
points conceded, but the 750 is too heavy for me.
hey, you want to see if that boneyard bike has sidecovers? bah, never mind. it’s gonna be a cafe. that means a set of numberplates will be able to make do instead!
todd says
or you can just buy a GB500…
aaron says
the gb500 didn’t look right to me… (enginewise)
I like the looks of the sr500, and if I can get over the twin exhaust single cylinder thing, the srx-6 is nice too.
in all honesty though, if the gb500 prices were more realistic, it would become a contender. last one I saw the guy wanted $5500 (cdn) and it wasn’t even mint or low miles, about a 7/10 w/ 20,000km on it
how about a CBX?
Ton Up says
Awesome! It’s great to see someone make a living from a life long passion. Cafe Racers are awesome. Ducati and Triumph have already caught on to this with some of their latest models.
Rob says
Cafe Racers are European bikes not Japanese. Not even Harley who produced a model called the Cafe Racer is a true Cafe Racer. BMW is more authentic in this respect. What kind of clown would ride this thing, it isn’t even built in the true spirit of the Cafe Racer.
Mr. Fro says
I think there is room for japanese bikes in the cafe racer genre. this style of motorcycle seems all about evolution. In fact personally I like the look of the inline fours almost as much as the euro classics. Sure it’s not quite authentic 50’s-60’s “cafe” Maybe if you want to be particular about the euro-ness of the “cafe” name just call it a cafe street fighter.
just my $.02
Jevfro
William Lott says
Cafe racers are the coolest bikes of all, regardless of country of origin!
I’m a young guy(27) and am currently building 2 “vintage” japanese cafe
racers, a ’79 kawKZ 750 and an ’80 CB-400f.I hope to have both up and running before Christmas!!
Also in the shop:
Norton P-11 Drag bike
Johnny Irish says
I’ve had the pleasure of talkin’ with Carpy about the 750 cafe’s He’s a great guy who has a passion for Cafe Racers. From the first time I contacted him he’s treated me as if we were pals from days past….as for the jap cafe bikes, well, I’ve owned several different makes and models (brit,deutsch, and jap) they all have their plus and minuses but the CB750 is by far my fav. As this trend seems to be catching on we must remember that it’s more about the spirit of a stripped down runner than a “make and model” party….lets not shame the cafe “scene” (if you will) like the Harley Davidson diehards have done to choppers. It all boils down to who can get back to the cafe first, right?
steve says
if your lucky enough to find a vintage75 or 76 honda cj360, it’s cafe from the factory, only made a couple of years. 750’s are to heavy and big although they to were cafe straight from the factory check out the 1976 honda super sport and you will see what i mean. say no the chrome, flat black that rat.
just an old timer steppen in.
Skylar says
Hey Rob-
The original cafe racers were really using Brit bikes only. The Rockers in the UK in the 50’s and 60’s who pioneered the style were modifying Triumphs, Nortons, BSAs, Ariels, Vincents, and Royal Enfields.
As far as your ignorant and ill-informed take on the “true cafe spirit”, well, BMW wasn’t even in the cafe arena. neither were the italian bikes. None of those kids were riding anything but Brit bikes. So quit talking out of your ass and do your homework on the subject next time.
Today those cafes are pretty much all closed and those racers are old men. Now people the world over are building cafe-style street bikes out of every marque, and I’d wager the majority of them are JAPANESE since the bikes seem to have aged well and are very affordable. Plus you can even get new or period cafe parts for them.
As far as Carpy goes, the dude lives for the cafe racer and spirit is something none of his customs lack.
So bring your BMW if you have one or whatever else you’re riding, and wheel it up next to one of Carpy’s raging 750 Cafe monsters, and I’d bet the farm that his bike is the one built in that true Cafe spirit.
Rapidrik says
quote “The original cafe racers were really using Brit bikes only. The Rockers in the UK in the 50’s and 60’s who pioneered the style were modifying Triumphs, Nortons, BSAs, Ariels, Vincents, and Royal Enfields.” UNQUOTE.
IN the 50’s and 60’s Brit bikes were the fastest bikes available. Building a cafe racer with a Honda engine is evolution of the species. I am in the process of building a bike in that style from a GS1100 arguably one of the strongest engines ever built. The speeds modern bikes can achieve means that bodywork makes them faster so is a turbo’ed Hayabusa a cafe racer? If it RACES between CAFE’S then yes. Basically EVERY cafe racer has emulated the race bikes of their era. Lets face it, the fact that modern production bikes look like race bikes just means that it took the factorys 35 years to realise what their customers wanted. Rik out.
Dirk Laguna says
Sure the cafe’ scene started in Britain, but just like the chopper, a cafe is a STYLE of bike, not a specific make or model. There are those narrow minded folks who say a chopper can ONLY be a V-Twin, but what about the earliest Triumph choppers? Same with the cafe’, I would love to have a real Triton in a feather bed frame, but due to cost/availability, that just ain’t happening. The Rice-Burners provide a great, reliable and cost effective base to build a kickin’ cafe racer. Is it a REAL cafe? I guess that would be up for debate…but is it a great cafe’? No doubt!
Leave the exclusivity to the V-Twin loyalist and let the rest of us chop/build/ride/customize awesome bikes for 1/4 the cost….
superman says
A lively debate! i love it , Just an old codger here in the midwest USA, riding 38 years… In my garage right now?… 3 cafe’ style cb 750 ( the toecutter, night rider, & red rider) kz1000, (stock), CBX mild cafe’ style, shovelhead HD dresser(170,000 miles), super-low-severely raked sportster, Tracy bodied cb750, Bobber style xs650(flat black of course), GSXR1000 full custom, and that’s just one stall. Gentlemen, I have alsways believed that Cafe’ is a feel, an attitude, a statement of style, loud, fast, ridden hard and put away for another day, when the coppers ain’t lookin. Take it from an old flat tracker, drag racer and self proclaimed wild man. Run watcha brung, if you got rules, they only apply to you! Don’t let those rules hold you back…………you’ll be sorry someday! Is your bike fun? fast? loud? low? does it piss off your neighbors when you warm it up? Well come on in….welcome to hell.
hoyt says
rob must not wave to cafe bikes made with engines outside of the UK
superman says
English bikes are cool, but if you only recognize UK bikes, then you don’t see much, sure they are light fast and fun, easy to throw around out on the twisties and they sound GRRRREAT. But we’ve all seen the T-shirt
RIDE * WRENCH * REPEAT
My old Harleys are the same way, but I am sure havin a ball on the ol’ jap bikes!
Anybody can buy one of “theirs”, I say borrow elements from everything you see, and some stuff you’ve only heard of, make it yours, show some style, then go out and ride the miracle mile.
c.smallman says
working on a cb 750 p2 77. x aussie police bike. do not no?should cafe it or not? these bikes sure r cool. where do i get a set of bars and, seat, rear glass tail light? your help is wanted. my engine is now out to 836{wiesco} + barrnett clutch, magnetic ign, 32 mil crbs+ for into one with 9″ hot dog.new seals in forks new rear shocks and springs.new wiring harness thanks to cms in netherlands internet.
Tim says
I own a 71 cb750.4in1 header,straight bars ,emblems removed ,no stickers.Is it a caff,in my mind yes .Its stripped down and made to have fun and go fast.you guys that say britt bikes are the only cafe bikes sound like harley owners saying harleys are the only bikes to own! If its got two wheels looks cool and your happy with it then ride on.
superman says
Good for you guys, I say if you like it, then good, cuz you got it! Plenty of folks in this world don’t want what they got, and want something they’ll never have… When i ride up and some J/O says “what is that?” I say well thats my bike… “why do you wanna ride some japcrap?”… Cuz that’s what I got, hey I didn’t build this bike so that some jackoff would go “wow that’s just like them there OCC bikes” I built it cause I had this bike and I had some ideas,… where did you BUY yours? I guess they just want to be “different,…Like everybody else”.
jordan says
i am a loyal brit bike fan but when it comes to racing or just haulin ass why not run the faster motor? a honda cafe-d up can more than certainly run faster than a brit bike, i know because i own a triumph race bike and a honda race bike and guess which goes faster. like the wiser of the folks in this debate are saying, cafe is a style not a brand
T.H.C. says
actually the term cafe racer started after world war two-young,italian toughs on stripped for speed motorbikes and scooters would cruise the outdoor cafes looking for loose handbags dangling on chairs,rrrip and ride to the next cafe.At least they didn`t need to mug anyone.
Kim from Tassie says
I’m putting together my first cafe racer based on a BMW R45. I check out anything I can find and then go and do what I can and with the bits I can afford – best if it’s free or off something else. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time – cant wait to get home from work or out of bed in the morning and every new change gets lots of pictures taken and a frenzied attack on the next bit. The box of redundant parts is getting heavier and the day I wheel this beast out and fire up is getting closer. Can’t wait. Should really piss the neighbours off.
AquaJet100 says
I think Carpy would build a hammer no matter what marque you put in front of him. Just look at his machines. There’s a reason those bikes went 1st and 2nd. So what if he choses to use a Japanese platform for a style that originated (as did he) in Brittain? It’s smart, efficient and cost effective. I’d buy one of his creations before I hopped on a new Thruxton 900 or Sport Classic; that’s for sure!
I have 3 CB bikes. They are all cafe racers. I also have a lil’ 67 Yamaha YL-1E tracker that I ‘race’ a few blocks each day (to avoid cops since it isn’t street legal) to get my morning cup of joe. So it’s a cafe racer too.
Just my 2 strokes worth
Dan says
All arguments aside.There is no finer bike to build a cafe racer than The CB750.Excellent frame that adapts easily.Power to spare.An unlimited parts supply.Im building 2 right now and its easy to become sidetracked by fresh ideas that pop up during the build.
dave says
Uh-oh..
resurrecting an old thread… hehe!
maybe Paul can re-visit this whole thing. I’ve got a shop full of 750’s right now. My personal bike is also currently going through some changes (1000cc conversion) and some new wheels, brakes… maybe we can post up some project pics?
dave
scott says
Met a guy at a cafe in Minneapolis once who didn’t have a bike, but swore if he did it would only be a Black Shadow! Maybe he and Rob should hook up and scoff together. By the way Rob, are you riding a Triumph or a Norton? I’ve been workin on a CB750 cafe for a while. It’s a daily rider/racer. Since the day I got it, it’s never failed…never. Right now it sports rear sets, dual front discs, clubmans, a custom seat, a pair of sweet alum rims and four big chrome Dunstalls (because I love shiney things). When I light it up, babies all over the city start crying! I love the 70’s Ducatis too, so this winter it’s getting clip-ons and a 74 Duc 750SS fairing (lot of work, but why not?) When I’m done I’ll send before and after pics to Carpy
I dig all bikes, but mine’s a CB750!
Brad says
It has been said before its not what you ride its that you ride. I have had brits now have some old japs ridden beemers and harley fergason. I prefer to ride cheap and fast and often with the money saved going to gas oil and beer. I do my own work and modify for handling. I race TT (tavern to tavern) and have gone over 500 miles one way for coffee ( 1145 miles one day ) so that must make them cafe racers as well. My leather jacket is 35 years old and I have ridden about 3 years longer as I didn’t start till in my teens. Two wheels keep us young and 100 years from now no one will care, so RIDE ON.
Chris says
Hey guys. Glad to see so many people interested in cafe racers. I’m currently building a ’75 CB400F. Fast and reliable. I think this makes a much better cafe racer than the CB750. Lighter, 10,000 RPM redline, stock 6 speed tranny. Not to mention due to the popularity of cafe racers these days, plenty of parts. The 750 is cool, but it’s too heavy, which equals slower. I regularly blow by bigger (and supposedly faster) bikes in the canyons on my STOCK CB400F. As soon as I build the motor and shave some weight, I defy anyone to keep up. Next up, AHRMA! Kaz would be proud!
dave says
The issue of weight comes up all the time…
let’s see: Cb750 (per factory manuals) is 517lbs.
having taken mine apart, and in the interest of information, weighed components- engine 172 lbs, frame 38lbs, front suspension 43lbs, rims 14lbs front, 20lbs rear. Misc. garbage (oil tank, electrics, etc..) 50lbs +/-
I’m running in the 350lbs neighborhood.
Cb400 (per manual) is 373lbs. Now, not having one here to weigh, (but having done them before) I would say that’s fairly accurate.
Now, yes, the 400 will spin faster (10k vs. 9500) and has a 6th speed. Does that really make a difference? When you’re talking about 68bhp stock for a 750, and probably close to 48 bhp for the 400 (per cycleworld articles of the day)
Now consider that not one cafe’d 750 is stock, but most 400’s are stock (mostly unavailable speed parts) where’s the argument?
I love the little 400’s too, don’t get me wrong, but the blanket statement of the 400 being “lighter” and “faster” is a bit of a stretch.
anyway, just adding to the discussion….
dave
Sean says
Well, I’m 16 and fell in love with cafe racers due to my dads Guzzi Le Mans Mk II 850, which had a Ducati style fairing, was painted red and black with gold pin stripes and when that V twin started up… I still remember hanging on desperately to his jacket, with my seven year old legs barely touching the foot pegs, and loving every minute of it.
So, when I bought my first bike, a Honda CBX 250, had electrical troubles, ripped the fairing off… There was a cafe racer staring me in the face. It already had an aftermarket chrome exhaust, I’d replaced the famous japanese elbow detectors with chrome bar-ends, all it needed was a new headlight and I was set.
Cue big, chrome headlight, faux chrome indicators and lovely chrome brackets to hold it all. As you may have guessed, I like shiny bits. I’ve spent nearly five hundred bucks NZ on it, going to spend another 400 or so on the single seat and tail lights, and then maybe I’ll slow down. Start saving up for the next bike. Another cafe, I think.
To everybody who says that it has to be euro to be a cafe, I think your logic is slightly flawed. As some have said, it’s not what you ride, or how you ride, it’s that you ride. I don’t care if you love Harleys, Dukes, or 250 screamers. Two wheels, heaps of fun, and almost endless personality come whatever you ride. I mean, who wants yet another Subaru Legacy when you have something that can be yours for half the price?
I’m just starting out, and I’m only 16. But I love riding like nothing else, and what is the internet for, if not to voice your opinions?
Tom Ceruzzi says
Well, I’ve been looking for a mid 70’s CB750 near me for awhile (Daytona,Fla)w/o any luck. Not looking for a show winner, just one preferably running and ready to become a cafe’. If anyone has a line on one near me that isn’t trying to fetch 2-3k, let me know at tceruzzi@aol.com. BTW, Carpy is an awesome guy, responds to anybody’s e-mail regarding CB’s and cafe’s even if you’re not buying from him. He truly seems to just love anything to do with the genre.
D'Arcy says
Hey Everyone!
I have been recently become interested in building a cafe racer. I own a 1980 cb 650 and I am wondering why I can’t seem to find any info on people building these bikes into cafes. I seems logical though because of the lighter weight compared to the 750’s. It seems your much more likely to find any other size of honda modified to a cafe then a 650. I’m curious to know if this is a result of the relative rarity of the first 650’s or as a result of a superficially un-cafe look of these bikes.
Anyhoo A friend of mine has an old 78 cb 400 f that i think i might grab off of him for 200 bucks and just cafe it to the nuts for racing around town and save the 650 for longer trips. I’d appreciate any thoughts.
roger says
hi these cafe look alikes are pretty cool i tink its realy seet to biuld what i would call a VINTAGE STREET FIGHTER in my own words. i lovem for i am into the stuntin nd drag rcing he newer crotch rockets.
I just picked up a 1979 cb750k 10th anniversary limited edition with 6K original miles garage kept ALL of its life with 900 bore kit cams, pistons, k&N air filter,4to1 mac header and muffler for 300 hundred friggen bucks with title.
and im going to biuld a cafe out of it since it has the engine work done the engin work was done at 4500miles so i figure it should scream for a VINTAGE STREET FIGHTER
if anyone has info on where i can buy the handle bars for this biuld EMAIL ME AT zx9rupon1wheel@aol.com
Zooks says
Hey there,
I love Cafe bikes and am of the opinion that just about any bike can be ‘Cafed’.
My passion is Suzuki 4’s. I have a ’82 GS550 Katana and a ’77 GS750 – both are slowly becoming Cafe’s.
The fun is in the build and the pride when someone says “Nice bike”.
Who cares what the ‘wet blankets’ say – Enjoy!
Cheers
Dave
(Sydney, Australia)
James says
Hey all,
I’m looking at some prospective bikes for a cafe re-build and found a CB550 nearby. My question is, does anybody know the relative size of the 550 to the 750’S? I’m almost 6’3″ so “leg room” is an issue!
Matt says
James,
I’m 6’2 and owned a 1976 honda CB550F for two years. I never had a problem with leg room. the difference in size from the 550 to a 750 maybe only and inch or so in hight. I had converted it into a cafe and had a shortned fiberglass seat too. So I was right up on the tank.
Matt
Dave says
I had a cj360t when I was young and would like to have one like my original 1st street bike back. Id like to make a CAFE out of it. Any Sugestions?
Thanks
jared says
Just throwing this out there. I’ve seen some pics of the 59 club from the late 60’s. There were more Honda’s than you could shake a stick at. So the notion that “you can’t have a jap cafe racer” is just stupid. (my .02) I’m working on a GS550 in the cafe’ style. It’s the most fun i’ve ever had. Get a lot of strage looks from the Harley guys at work too.
Marty says
I have a 76′ CB750 K and am currently doing a total Cafe explosion on it. I talked to Carpy the other day and told him that this was my first venture into doing anything like this and was inspired by his website to do it. He gave me his number and said if I ever have a question to give him a call and he would walk me through it. Now tell me this……..would you have done the same? This guy is one of the coolest guys I have talked to in years and I have talked to him once on the phone. He treated me as if we were old Navy buddies or something. Personally I know very little about the history of all these bikes and lack in the mechanical knowledge but I could care less. I will have a Bitchin’ Cafe and it will be a CB750. Don’t like it…………..Try and catch it!
McDanger says
Hey, D’Arcy, I just bought a cb650 and plan to cafe it real soon. I hear yah though, I can’t seem to find any info about 650 cafe racers. I saw a couple pics of two really nice 650s but they looked to be 78-79. Mines a 1982. It doesn’t have the cafe look to it yet but it just needs some clip-ons a longer tank and a seat and it will look great. If anyone knows of some cb650 pics I’d love to see em.
kris says
Does anyone know the difference between a standard cb750 and a Super Sport. I am deciding right now between a 77 cb750k and a 1980 cb750SS.
dave says
Kris:
the ’77 is going to have an SOHC motor, the ’80 has a dual-cam. More parts available for the SOHC.
Other than that, the k model is going to be more of a “standard” bike, where the SS is kinda sporty, with a tail section, and lower bars (if stock)
If it were me, the ’77 would be my choice. But, of course, ’78 is my personal cut-off for old CB series bikes.
I have been getting into the ’80s bikes a little recently, and there is some cool ones to play with, but the parts availability for the ’80s is rough. Simple things are hard to get, but can be swapped with newer parts if you knw what you’re looking for. Honda, in particular was pretty good about making the same thing over and over…
Anyone have any questions, you can ask me… or Carpy for that matter.
dave
Geoff says
I’ll be in receipt of my brother in laws CB750 K5 (with a new K7 engine) in about 2 weeks time.
Its beautiful and immaculate. As a Brit I lament the passing of the English m/c industry though Triumph is now very successful. It was the result of a dominant industry that becoming lax and constricted by trade union activity that lost many their jobs.
The Honda is a revalation – reliable, powerful and fast.
Cant wait to ride to to ACE Cafe in London for a cup of tea, a bacon sandwich and put a quid in the jukebox.
Kelly Mishak says
Ive had several Triumphs, tiger and bonnies, a BSA, all harley mill configureations from 1942 through 1989. But my heart has always been and will always be with my 1972 CB750K. Cheifly because it was the first bike I ever got a ride on. It was with my uncle when I was 7 years old on a orange 1973 CB750four. I am proud to say I have been the proud owner of that very same bike for the last 8 years, having inherited it from my uncle. I currently have a 1961 Harley Sportster XLCH and a 1981 FHL80 Classic. But I ride the CB750 to work every day, rain or shine, 60 miles round trip, 65-70mph the whole way with bursts of up to 100 on ocassion. It sports clubmans, a 16″ rear Harley rim, 4 to 2 shorty headers, and a modified airbox. Im finally in a position to add the lil’ bits Ive been dreaming of. Like everybody else, I love Carpy’s work and he is an inspiration to me.
I like the vintage cafe style and its history is a link across the pond for all us bikers. I like to think that the Boozefighters and the Rockers would have made great mates and may have ruled the world had they been thrown in together!!! Shoot, theres a good chance some of them may have fought shoulder to shoulder (or wing to wing) in WWII. At the moment, I have a good set of pics of the Dunstall rearsets and I know I can build them with some needed improvements. Lots to decide, where do I start? A Rickman seat and relocate the tail light and turn signals, new guage faces, oil pressure guage, Accel coils, electronic ignition, filter pods and rejet, Some of Carpys decals and Ill be set. The cammed 836 kit will be done this winter. I have a good 1972 parts bike and thats the motor Im running now while the Big motor is being built. She wont be the Quality of Carpy’s bikes, but she’s mine. She gets me to work everyday rain or shine, and is an on going project.
I cant begin to say how much I have enjoyed reading all your comments. Lots of talent out there, hope you all grow to be gray haired old bikers turnin’ heads in the future. Thanks again
Joe says
I bought a 78 CB750K in Las Vegas for $500 two years ago. It ran great but looked terrible. I later moved to California and found Carpy’s web site. After a few email exchanges with him this year I put my bike on the trailer and dropped it off at his shop. What a cool dude, it was really fun talking to him and checking out his shop and bikes in person. Now I can’t wait to get my CB back in Cafe style!
Doc says
Great bikes, CB 750 was my second Jap bike that I got in 1973. I installed clip-on’s , punched out to 836 with Daytona Yosh cam and an Dunstall half fairing. Painted it all black (no badges), stock pipes with no baffles, and CB headlight from France. Took it to Germany and had to leave it there. I didn’t realize I was so far ahead of my time….. My second Cafe was a Suzuki GT 750. Idid the same thing to it that I did to the Honda. Now that thing was a screamer. However I love what Carpy has done. If I was close and had the money….but I aint and dont so I’ll just have to keep plugging along with the 1973 I have in the garage. One of these days I just might finish it. But until then I’ll be forced to ride my RD200 Cafe to get my fix…Get the Picture!!! Some people build Cafe’s, other’s build coppers. Plus I don’t think you can buy either at the Honda dealer.
Italian Coffee says
Heya guys,a café racer is a tuned bike,no matter the make,the model,the year … (around ’70 ofc) … i’m gonna get a “little” 350F ….
What I wanna explain is that a café racer was a bike made to run around a café,it was a tuned bike…and alla the ’70 bikes can be tuned so every ’70 bike is a potential café racer … if someone had a norton and installed a truxton engine he made it only with the fine to race,not to stay in line with a style…
excuse me if I made some grammatical horrors,but i’m only an Italian 17 guy with a big passion for café racers ! 😀
neville thomas says
the cafe(ed) CB750 looks fab – old Honda reliability plus bags of character…. hang on! Honda did that with their Hornets
Josh says
Whats up everyone, I just bought my first cafe project its a 75 cb750. My last project was a cbr929rr street fighter, and before that was my first bike I got when I was in high school it was a 93GIXXER 750 with a 1100 motor in it. The motor was already built by yoshimura and it had a NOS kit. But now saddly my gixxer and 929 have been smashed beyond repair (sold for parts). I wrecked both of them up on Death highway(Ortega highway 74 SO.CAL).The cafe bike for me is something I can build and respect opposed to build and destroy and they dont drain my wallet as much as my other bikes(yet).
shocktek says
screw anybody who thinks there rules for a cafe are in stone. Make a cafe however and whatever year you want. The bike reflects you no matter what some of these idiots say. Build it in the true spirit of riding and as long and you love it and call it a cafe racer it is. As far as brit bikes though personally i would rather be riding my jap bike than working on a brit bike for the 3rd time.
buckjagger says
The whole idea is to take what you can buy from the local bike shop and turn it into somthing you can be proud to beat your buddies on.
When I was young (17) all I could afford to beat my buddies on was a 72 cb450-well massaged mind you. And now that I’m “old” (27) I do the same thing on my 06 speed triple-also well massaged. The speed triple has been renamed Triple LaTe. Both bikes are stripped down, put on a diet and have lost thier baby bars.
Just to add, if I see you on the streets of Salt Lake and I’m one of my bikes, I’ll race you to the cafe, the spirit of cafe is in the rider more than than the birth county of the bike.
Jamie says
Lets put this entire debate into perspective: The Honda cb750 is still around and getting more collectable by the month because they were made in massive numbers, and designed and built to run better than Swiss watches. The engineering was close to perfection, sure they had to cut some corners in order to make it profitable for them, so we can put on new pipes, repaint the things, add wider tires, etc., to make it our own. This is what Harley riders do! (Or just keep in original) We should appreciate all bikes made by all nations and stop the name the calling!
blazer says
well i agree with jamie
iam a harley guy and will always be, but i can appreciate a cafe racer. no matter the birth place of the bike, its all about ridin, a biker with a harley is not necessary the baddest, as the rocker with a brit bike can not be nessesary the fastest. sure i prefer brit for cafe racer but when it come time to comment a bike, i look the work done on it, not just whats written on the gaz tank
tearsstreamingback says
I just bought a 1980 CB650 for $140 and I want to freak it cafe style. It’s pretty ratty and has no title. Anybody have an idea how much time and money I should expect to spend before it looks as good as I will feel riding it?
Bill says
There was a 500 or 550 Honda four in Cycle magazine (I think) that had an article written about it.
It was called “The Mantlepiece” . It was, to this day, the single most beautiful bike I’ve seen and it was a cafe bike. The style is motorcyclings essence.
I hope I can get my ZRX1200 into nearly as fine a shape!
George II says
I love this thread! Dad bought a Royal Enfield Intercepter new in 1964 cuz he couldnt afford a new Harley. Guess what I’m fretting over: to cafe or to rehab this cool 750 twin! Been on this bike since I was three, rode to the road races with dad way back when and ride it weekly now. This may be hard to understand for the guys that grew up on cb’s but 85 is really really fast on an old brit bike.
Cheers from a California transplant to Nashville
superman says
OOhh Yeah! i’m keepin’ my eye on this thread, it gives me hope….We are on this thread, and on these bikes because we are non-conformists. Just as soon as some a-hole sets a rule in stone, we are looking for a way around it. That is why we are on these bikes, i wanna have fun for under $20K, i currently have 18 bikes, and I seriously doubt whether I have $20K in all of them, yes all of them can run and on any day, i can start at least 12 by just turning the key, and kicking two or three times..The others are a little tempermental, and require some massaging (foreplay, if you will). One of my favorites has under $600.00 total in it, runs good, and is a riot to ride! I love my Cb 750’s and my harleys, I spend most of my time and money with them, but my xs650 yamaha is a spectacular ride! you can still buy one cheap, they made a million of them, and they are a riot to ride even stock, sound like a brit, ride like a jap, this is a win-win. You young guys that are starting out, don’t overlook them.
Reggie says
I don’t think the scales that indicated a CB750 engine only weighs 170 are even close to right. 240 is much closer to reality. A 500 Triumph twin weighs 140, 650 about 155, Trident weighs 170ish. A CB750 engine is much heavier than any of those brit engines.
superman says
Nah, I can lift a cb750 out of the frame by myself on the floor, no way it weighs over 200, as a matter of fact, I have a complete engine sitting on my bench right now. It is cold here in Illinois, and 12″ of snow fell last night, but I’ll get out there and weigh it in the next couple of days….My whole cb 750 doesn’t weigh 425, two guys can lift the whole bike. Granted the engine is big, and pretty tight in the frame, but even when I was young and they were new, I could sit on the floor and slide it back, tip it forward and slide it out onto my lap. ( Don’t try this if you are not a pretty big guy) Now that I am old and work smarter, I have a lift..Who gives a sh!t what it weighs anyway, if you want to go crazy fast there are plenty of those. Get out there and have some fun.
Nicolas says
For you guys who like the cafe racer spirit, I recommend the JOE BAR TEAM. Check this out :
http://www.comicsworld.co.uk/JoeBar/Albums.aspx
Daniel says
I honestly think any 70’s inline twin can make an awesome Cafe. I personally own a 1977 Kawasaki KX750 LTD Twin that is made into a Cafe racer with a little flat tracker style added in. running the single guage with a MAJOR wire tuck and clean of ANY cover and empty center section. All I think I am lacking is a set of IIRC race shocks with external resivior.
Gavin says
I live in Norfolk, England & have riden most makes & styles of bike, but you can’t beat roaring along narrow country lanes, with your backside in the air on a bike you built yourself from the parts the other bikers threw away. I’m currently building a Cafe Racer based on a ’82 Z750 four, Simple, basic & fast, Thats the way. The exhaust note is the key, If it doesn’t sound right, it ain’t right. I enjoyed reading your comments & may steal a few of your ideas.
momentum says
Can’t believe I never found this thread before! My
’70 CB450 was sort of cafe’d in the ’70s, CL350 “scrambler” tank and pipes, clipons, bored out, cams, etc. Hasn’t run for 20+ years, last time I put the engine back together I got the valve timing wrong (DOHC), couldn’t find the book. Kinda top-heavy, really have to drag it back upright after a turn, but plenty of power. Used to hit Gessner on Hammerly going 90mph, 4-foot rise, perfect ramp. Could fly almost to the U-Totem, now you know where I’m from! Where can I get CB450 parts?
Josh says
last time I wrote in was august when I bought my 1975 cb750 since then I have put a cafe tail on it, clubman bars, hot rod tail light,4 into 2 cb chopper exaust, and a cool head light from Steve Carpenter. And since then I have polished my forks, all the brake components, brake lever, throtle body, clutch lever, next to be polished will be the motor, hubs, and rear brakes.I learned how to polish at my last job I used to work at a plating shop. I have painted the tank and tail flat black with flat white scalups. Anyone who is thinking about building a cafe bike should check out Steven Carpenter’s stuff at cb750cafe.com his bikes and parts are really cool and he ships his parts quick. I ride in so’cal and I am looking for meets that are mostly cafe racer like the mods vs. ROCKERS rides if anyone knows please share thanks.
Jeremy says
30,000.00 and 30 miles does not constitute you being a biker……………..I cannot stand people who go out and buy the next fandangoed custom motorcycle and automatically brag about being a biker, or those that buy or rent a trailer and take thier bike to these great biker events and get a hotel room 25 miles away then ride in to the event and talk about this long ride they made to show up to the event, whatta bunch of crap…………but that said………as long as your on two wheels and enjoy what it is all about then who am I to say. just my 3 cents.
mike says
I’m looking at a 1978 Honda CB 750 F Super Sport.
The current owner says that it has been sitting for 8 months. He charged the battery and it won’t start. He is asking $1200.00. I would be interested in any comments regarding this bike. He says, that it is a classic. Thanks for any help.
Loomis says
to: comment 67 mike
The dual overhead cam 750 bikes are not the classics that are in high demand. The older single overhead cam bikes are the ones in demand. I personally wouldn’t call the 750 supersport a classic. But It is getting old now and maybe some people are calling it a classic. But don’t expect it to appreciate in value. As I remember, it was never a very popular bike. If it runs good and everything works, I’d call that a fair price.
Josh says
Hey Mike loomis wrote in telling you the dual overhead cam cb750(DOHC) is not worth as much as the single overhead cam cb750s(SOHC) and he is right but you said the bike you are looking to buy is a 1978 cb750f super sport. 1978 was the last year of the SOHC cb750 the DOHC cb750 came out in 1979. And if its a super sport you will have dual disc in the frount and a huge disc brake in the rear which in my opinion will be sweet you’ll have the cool SOHC 750 four with all those disc brakes.
mike says
Josh, thanks for the additional info. Definetly changes some things. I do like the sound of “all those disc brakes” I had done some research, and I thought that the ’78 was the last year for SOHC. I think I might have to get it! Thanks again!
Stever says
Great to see this 2 year old thread still running.
I just picked up my first bike and it’s a 1980 cb750. Previous owner was in the process of chopping it already but ended up abandoning the project and sold it as is for pretty cheap. In doing some research on the interweb i came across Carpy’s cafe racer website. Needless to say it has inspired me to Caff my new rat.
Carpy is definitely a great guy, emailed him to ask some questions and have been buying some parts off him. Gonna be a cool bike, even if its a DOHC.
I don’t think i could have picked a better bike for my first ride. Now i’m hooked on the cafe style.
Pics of my bike are here http://stever.ca/other-stuff/cool-cb750-cafe-racer/
Josh says
hey stever I checked out your bike on your web site I have to say that is one of the coolest DOCH cb750’s I’ve seen you dont see too many of the DOCH’s done in cafe, p.s. when you put the clubmans on post some pics I am interested in seeing what it will look like.
Nathan says
How does the 1980 cb750c handle as to an earlier cb750f/k/supersport? I am thinking about picking one up for a grand.
thanks nathan
1974 CB360T
1980 CM400T
robace1 says
CAFE RACERS ROCK WHATEVER THE MAKE IF ITS CAFE STYLE ITS COOL. I AM THE PROUD OWNER OF A 72 CB750
SOHC BUILT PIECE BY PIECE ALL FROM INTERNET AUCTION SITES FROM THE FRAME TO THE ENGINE. THE WIRING WAS A PAIN BUT CHECK OUT
HONDA CHOPPER.COM THEY HAVE A DIAGRAM FOR DUMMIES THAT TRUELY WORKS. GOOD JOB TO ALL CAFE IT UP
joel haynes says
i am 70yrs old and have been a fan of cafe racers since i saw the first pictures in cycle in 1954. i finnally built in 73 out of my cb750 with mail order parts and rode it to california from mich. isold it but kept the parts and made anotherone out of a cb 750 1973. i now own a cb400 supersport with 500 miles on it found in a g arage sale along with a 1978 750f and a vtr 1000 and nothing makes me madder than to hear them called crotch rockets
bob johnson says
Hey, All you guys are my favorite kinda folks! This whole thread been near bringin me to tears; remindin me of that day in 1971, at Bezerkeley Honda, my mom co-signed $1640 on my 1st bike, one of the 1st three Gold 1971 CB750s to hit the east bay! Since then I’ve had Victor(441), Kawi Mach 3,Tri TR6r, XLCH Sportys, n’ a 77 Wing that I beat 75,000 miles outta fer about1500 bucks not countin gas and oil over 8 yrs. But That Honda!! EVERYONE wanted to race the four-banger, Rice Grinder! That thing as fast as they say, Buddy? What’s the speed limit here, Mr. Honda?
To which I’d always reply “On this bike 129!”
Natur-lee the tickets started stalking me! In 6 months I had 37 moving violations, mostly 2 points each; hit the CA 4 point system so hard ‘n’ fast they couldn’t react! Stretched the chain over nine inches! Burned 23 sets of plugs(would not last 600 mi)Went to Salt Lake City, crossing Nevada at an AVERAGE speed of 110mph (no speed limit in 71!)
Dead stock that marvel of Japanese mechanical precision would win most of the chalenges it’s revolutionary nature inspired; set up like the cop-baiter at the other end of this thread, I wouldn’t have even stopped for the 20% of heat that I didn’t ditch, back in the day!
Rubber side goes down! GO FAST! GO HAPPY!AnteBob
J.T. says
I just got a 1978 CB750K for free. Been sitting outdoors for the last 8 years. Engine wont budge.
Stripped everything down to bare frame and engine but I cant get the engine out….already broke an exhaust stud (I cant get them out). So my Cafe project is on hold…till I figure this one out.
Josh says
Hey guys if you want to see some pics of my 1975 CB750k cafe racer project just go to myspace and type in josh magoffin I think you guys will really dig it:)
Steve R says
Hi
I just found this website. I am looking at a 76 CB750 Super Sport that has been sitting in a neighbor’s shed for 20 years. It has 6K on the odometer and the engine kicks over. I have only had a quick glance at it so far and just found out about it by chance. I was getting my 79 Yamaha XS 650 back into running shape after sitting for 4 years (I bought this bike new in 79) and my neighbor came over and told me about the Super Sport he had since new. I had no idea he even had a motorcycle. Anyway I asked if he wanted to sell it and he said sure. What would be a fair price? I am thinking $300-400 due to the work and $$$ to get it back into good running shape.
Chuck says
Great page!! Lots of attitudes (in a good way). I am more into the Kawasaki Z-1 but just could not cut one of mine up to make a Cafe Racer so the CB750 SOHC ended up getting cut up.
When we got our project the previous owner had already smashed the bike (at one year old) and it was really twisted up. The laundry list is as follows,
1. Morris Mags- Drum rear/Dual Drilled Disc front
2. Koni rear shocks
3. Big 4 single seat (cafe style)
4. New fuel tank (Honda)
5. Winnings Header
6. Racer One Fairing
7. Clubman Bars
8. Homemade rearsets
9. Newer honda forks (air assist)
I was going to go with the cb750 engine but have been thinking about going with a bigger, more powerful engine. Does anyone here know what other engine(s) will or may fit in this chassis? something along the lines of a 1000 would be great, I am happy with 120 to 150hp on a daily driver. If anyone has any thought on this please post it, it will be greatly appreciated,
Chuck
Josh says
Hey guys I am currently working on a 1975 cb 750 cafe racer project but I totally suck when it comes to electronics. When I bought the bike it had one stock coil and one dyan coil. so I changed them out for two stock ones with wires and plugs. But now everytime I turn the ignition to the ON position I blow the 15 amp fuse the one on the bottom of the three, I have no clue whats going on I know its probably something real stupid but when it comes to electronics my mind simply turns off. Any opions on whats going on or good web sites that can help will be greatly appreciated thanks.
superman says
Josh, One coil hooked up backwards? Finishing up on a 76 GL1000 Goldwing cafe, very nice, lots o fun too. My Last mail put my collection at 18 bikes, but now I’m up to 21. I’ve been busy. 6-8 weeks before we can ride here in illinois, but I’m getting ready. Will be bringing out the wing, another cb750, and we restored a 76 wing as well, I have a 79 wing i just bought, stripping it to make a clone of the cafe I am finishing, it will be just the opposite, red where this one is black, black where this one is red, shiny where this one is powder coated, powdercoated where this one is shiny, they’ll be like a negative of each other. drag em out, piece em together, and burn up some roadway! see you soon, look for my cb750’s and “hotwings” on the two laners of the midwest, they’re out there anytime the sun shines!
biggerstaff says
If you are complaining that a 750 is to large then stop riding street bikes.im a small dude and my 750 cafe is perfect size
Josh says
Thanks superman for the info. But I figured it out, it was one of my coil wires rubbed aginst its mount and was grounding out on the frame. Your bike’s sound sick, I’ve never seen a cafed goldwing. Do you have a web site I can check them out at? I ride highway 74 (DEATH HIGHWAY) in the Ortegas in southern Califofnia and Pacific Coast Highway all the time. So if your ever out in So.Cal look for a flat black cb750 cafe racer with white scallops and my side cover’s have #17 painted on them with gold pinstriping around it, you’ll know it if you see it. And once again thanks for the help.
750Rocker says
As an owner of a 1978 cb750f2 supersport i feel i should add that as opposed to a standard K model the ss comes with factory 4into1 different carbs & cam a boxier tank with gas cap enclosed for a smoother cafe look as well as the afformentioned 3 count em 3 disc brakes and comstar mag wheels and a longer wheel base… a stocker weighs a little over 500 pounds, but i wouldnt be surprised if 100 pounds could be shed by changing the seat and exhaust and losing all the unneeded electrical b.s. and getting rid of the 20 pound ugly rear fender
todd says
Chuck, are you happy with your Z1? Though it’s much less than what you want in a commuter (“120 to 150hp”) it’s still no slow poke with 82hp. The CB750 has 67HP which isn’t much less than your Z1. You can go with a big bore kit to get up to 850cc (or more with substantial extra work) to get even closer to your Z1. The CB1000 motors are entirely different, it may be easier to put a 100hp CBX1000-6 in there instead. Still, 120 to 150hp is a huge jump. You’re better off buying a CBR1100XX.
http://www.satanicmechanic.org/bigbore.shtml
-todd
billy says
im trying to turn a 71 cb 350 honda into a cafe racer am i waisting my time? speed is not a factor i want the look.
Josh says
Billy the 350 is a awesome cafe bike, so to answer your question??? HELL NO build that 350 up dude.
eric johnson says
eh gents, perhaps I can get some quick insite to base my decision on. Though i’m no noob to cafe’s, I’ve yet to play with the cb750 line, i’ve made two cafe’s out of old GS cycles, and a XS750. Last winter i picked up an old 74 cb750 barn fine for a hundred bucks. Cosmetics are good and chrome is nice, but exhaust mufflers themselves are shot. Motor freely turns. Other then that, havnt touched the bike, planned on it being my personal cafe once i completed some other bobber projects.
But today i just got a line on a 78 cb750 supersport, was running last year, now has clutch problems for 300 bucks. Overall body is pretty nice.
I’m not real sure what the difference is in years, if one has a more aggresive cam then the other, or if the supersport was merely just a cosmetic differences, I know this one has the dual disk front brakes and mine the single.
I’m curious which would make a better choice to keep and overall better final value. The 74 needs alot more work as it hasnt ran in years, and the 78 should be an easy clutch fix (I assume, i’ve done clutches on other bikes and it’s fast and simple, assuming same on these). I dont get into full customs and motor work and all, I’m mainly a cosmetic guy but can do the basics ya know. But if i’m going to keep one for myself and cafe out, which one would you guys prefer? A final value worth is also a concideration as I do change bikes often if i create something better i like.
Thanks for the input, i’m in upstate NY, please feel free to email me as i’m not sure when i’ll be checking back in with this. lostsoul74@yahoo.com
zack says
Hahaha… Awesome thread. its nice to know there are others out there that share the passion! 🙂
I started out with an ’80 cb650, then stepped up to an 80 cb750k, then to a 78 cb750f. The most I paid was $900 for the supersport (needed full brake/carb rebuild due to sitting for 10 years), which I rode to work today.
I am always stopped by older riders and constantly being complimented on the bike, and its pretty much stock with the exception of powdercoated stock headers, clubman bars and stainless steel brake lines (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!). The plan was origionally to turn this bike into a full custom cafe, but I just cant bear to bring myself to chop up such a cherry, so now the plan is to pick up a k model and do the 836 overbore kit. someday I may step up and buy a newer bike when I can afford it, but you can rest assured there will always be a SOHC 750 in my stable. 🙂
Greg says
This is an unbelievable thread, I cannot believe it has been added to for 3 years. I have a 1978 CB750F that I tore down completely and rebuilt as a cafe with a bunch of shiny parts from Steve “Carpy” Carpenter, four months of research and one stellar Ebay auction win for finned covers all the way around. I bought it for $850 and put 11 months and $3800 into it and it was worth every penny and busted knuckle. Aside from the way the motor looks, I’ve had many people ask if it was a ’60’s British bike. It tears up the blacktop like a rabid dog, takes everything I give it and then says thank you afterwards. These bikes are built so tough, (even when they’re leaking everywhere) and with the new set of Avon’s it handles corners like a true champion. I still need a few upgrades with suspension and exhaust, and I love it.
I wave to everyone even if they shrug me off (it’s called respect and admiration). My face hurts from smiling after bombing around town all day… I don’t give a s*** how tough you are, because I’m more fun than you may ever know… Keep up the good work everyone, and keep the spirit alive, no matter what brand you prefer.
Casey says
Just found this thread and read it from start to finish. Great thread. Just bought a ’77 cb750. I’m working on turning it into a cafe racer. It was formally used as a dirt bike, so I got quite a lot of work to do. Always starts first kick though (almost). What I’m really curious about is what kind of tanks can fit on a totally stock frame, and of course gimmie that racer feel
Chuck says
My CB750K4 Cafe’ is bone-stock as far as the engine goes. Clubman bars, four-into-one Kerker exhaust, flyscreen, and a set of rear-sets scored off ebay a couple years ago. The rear-sets were made by either MC enterprise or RC enterprise – I can’t remember… They were boxed up and wrapped in 1974 LA Times newspaper!! The front fender is off of an old Sportster mounted to the center support from my original fender. The tank, side-panels, and front fender are rattle-can painted “satin” black and pin-striped with red and white flames in ala Van Dutch style by one of the local pin-striping guys. I’m still wanting to abreviate the rear fender and have a new seat with a bump-stop carved out for it. It’s still pretty fast (fast enough for me, anyway), quite comfortable, and extremely reliable – even with 58K miles on the clock. I’m a school counselor and ride to work everyday. I’m planning on pulling the motor to re-seal it this fall – it’s dripping enough oil on my shoes to keep them messy…
Emily says
This thread is totally awesome. I just got down to reading all the posts and I’m happy to see its still going. I just bought my first bike ever. It’s a 1976 or ’77 Honda CJ360T. It’s all stock but the exhaust (the guy I bought it from had a thing for late ’70’s stock Hondas.) The inside of the tank isn’t just a little rusty- it’s totally pitted. Sooo, my query is: 1. Should I even bother trying to blast out the rust and cream seal? 2. If I get a ‘new’ tank, can I use any 360 tank from that era? I am not committed to keeping it stock, I just want it to run and learn to ride before the New England winter sets in again. Then I’ll mess with it.
Peace out!
John says
Awesome thread!
I just bought a 78 CB750K that came with an extra rolling frame an extra engine and carbs. While I ride the first one, I am going to turn the other one into a cafe’ bike. The frame is what Carpey would call a “snotter” lol. But I already know what parts I’m going to use and what color sceme. I am photo documenting the whole thing. Should be ready by next riding season.
Bob Johnson says
As far as I remember 69s n’ 70s were fastest; in 72 the factory recalled 71s n’ 72s cause breaking chains had mangled n’ disfigured a disproportional number of folks, rumors of fatal incidents, you know-bad press , widow maker myth, killer rice burners bent on hiroshima vengence, yada, yada, yada! I steadfastly ignored all communication from Honda requiring 18 tooth frt sprocket to replace 14 tth original, 37t rear sprkt to replace 41tth original, soft cushy cush bumpers in rear hub…f**k em!
I beat that stocker to within an inch of its life! It took every thing I served= redline up and downshifts as quick as I could learn to slam em, taking missed shifts more times than I’ll cop to = loaning the bike to friends that could afford to help me on the maintenance n’ upkeep kept the machine guessing about rider skill level or lack of.
At 8000 mi I’d stretched the chain all of eight, most of nine inches. The pile of used spark plugs was 2 feet deep. At 22000 mi it was wore out, slip-shifty, still lose and fast, but sadly, dismantled to a basket-case in Stu’s shop by late 73.
When up from the ground come a bublin’ crude! Arlen, that is, Ness-essity!
Arlen Ness took that basket Honda, made it a chopper; rice crispy’s! Go Figger!
Turns out my good friend fr yrs Andy picked up an old chopped 750, rumored to be a Ness chopper unregisterred since 75! Guess what? That Nail been hammered, not Bent! My Old Gold 71 CB750 K-model, my first Bike had come found Me!!!
The Bay Area – I remember it bein’ a lot Bigger! Life rides by Fast!
Hankbilly says
love the ol japs. my CJ360 is an awesome little cafe bike and looks awesome to boot.who cares if its jap or or brit.
Garrett says
Hey all, 3 year thread thats crazy. Well Iv’e always loved cafe bikes and I finally talked my father in law out of his old 75 CB750. I will be headed out to Cali to get it in about a month. It will be cafe to the bone. I’m thinkin flat black frame with gloss black body maybe some chrome. Anybody know a good resource for parts? Anybody?
laurent says
Garrett,
There’s a great shop specialized in 70’ties Honda’s in San Francisco on 17th street # Van Ness.
Great parts bin last time I checked.
Best
John says
Hey Garrett,
The “Old Bike Barn” web site has a lot of oem type parts and some after market stuff for CB750s. Check em out.
john in SD says
’78 Honda 750 Super Sport is definately a SOHC motor. While the motor wasn’t new the styling was a cutting edge evolution at the time, the first year for the Comstar wheels among other improvements. I took a nearly brand new one out for a spin in early ’79, went like stink as they say, like two of my ’76 CB360’s crammed into one chassis. Just about the fastest thing on two wheels you could buy then. Twas a magnificent night, I was just 16 but had a few miles of experience already, even took it up a dirt road to a party on a mountain some friends were having. Only problem was this particular black beauty belonged to my juvenile probation officer, who was away on a fishing trip for the weekend.
When he got back he knew someone had taken out his shiny new bike, all that dust didn’t just blow off at 100 mph like I planned.
Oh well, was worth every day of the 3 mos. I spent locked up.
Couple years later I had my own, a CB750 Custom.
Surprised no talk about the 2 strokers, like the RD400’s, etc. While all the crotch rockets got bigger, faster, more generic, the little two strokers kept it small and real. What was the last year Yamaha made that?
James says
what’s the difference between a 1975 honda 500 twin and a 500 four? Besides the carbs of course.
Thanks James
Harvey says
Hi all, I got my first CB750 in 1971. It was a 1969 model year. I have love these bikes ever since. I have recently rebuilt one I got out of an old horse barn (no joking). It had been sitting for 15 years and was in horrible shape. Took me 10 years to redo it. Not professional but not to bad. I am still have carb problems but when I have time I’ll be that straightened out. Go to the following link to see the rebuild process.
http://s373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/grandpaslinger/CB%20750/
Pat Kaye says
Doesn’t matter which factory manufactured the bike…the original cafe racers were bikes made better by their owners. The cafe racer scene was probably in the same places then that the kids of today gather at…the Rock Store, Alice’s, the Sunday Morning Ride, etc.
Growing up in the 60’s in the Bay Area, I can tell you that you never saw bikes with fairings, rearsets, clip-ons, etc until a handfull of enthusiasts decided their bikes could handle a little better, stop a little faster, accelerate a little harder, etc. While the cafe racer scene began in England, it was alive and well all over the world in small pockets of society.
Today’s riders owe what they can buy from the factory today to the pioneering cafe racer crowd of 40+ years ago. One guy made a statement that the bikes have to be European to be considered a cafe racer…what a crock! Didn’t matter which bike you rode…all that mattered is how hard you rode it!
I used to run away from a lot of Triumphs and Nortons with my cafe’d Yamaha R5 350 (rearsets, RD350 gearbox, clubman bars, 1/4 fairing, inverted S&W shocks, air-assist forms, etc). Sure they had top end on me as I topped at about 110 mph but I could get up to 90 faster than they could, and the fact that it was light and nimble, it took them a while to get by me. I also owned a bunch of cool bikes including a bad ass Suzuki “water buffalo”. All you old timers out there probably remember the Rickman Kawasaki and Hondas. I had a buddy who had a real cool Dunstall Norton. The Honda at the top of the page reminds me of a bike built back in the early 70’s by a guy name Jewel Hendrick’s down in SoCal. How ’bout those way cool Bultaco Metrallas?