Highlights

Rare US CB750C Custom trim specification
Same ownership in the UK since 1993
Just over 4 thousand miles displayed

The Appeal

By the early 1980s the Honda CB750 range had built itself up quite the reputation. From introduction in the late 1960s the esteemed model had dominated the market, referred to by Cycle magazine as “the most sophisticated production bike ever”, it had revolutionised the bike world, being leaps ahead of its European counterparts at an entirely reasonable price point. There was no other way to describe it, the CB750 was a superbike.

At this point in production Honda decided to introduce a trim level with a healthy dose of American influence, giving buyers a taste of the exuberant Harley Davidson aesthetic and comfort with the ever legendary blend of Honda performance and reliability. Produced for only a handful of years, the CB750C Custom as it was coined, stands today as an exceptionally rare bike, especially here in the UK as it was entirely marketed as a US bike.

The 1981 example we have here therefore, is an incredibly rare bike to find, and having been under the same ownership since the early 1990s, with just over 4 thousand miles displayed, must surely be one of the most interesting and best preserved examples on the market today.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in the United States in 1981
As we understand, this bike resided in Wisconsin originally
US licence plate still present with the bike, indicating a last US registration valid into 1992
Brought into the UK in the early 1990s as part of a bulk load of motorbikes destined to be parted out by an importer
However once the importer found this bike in the container, with just 600 miles on the clock they realised it was too good to break and it was instead sold on
The bike was purchased by the current owner directly from the importer who has owned it ever since
It was used for a few years in the mid 1990s and then kept in dry storage ever since, hence the low mileage we find displayed on the clock
The bike was brought back out for an MOT in 2017, with the mileage indicated at 4076, which it still sits at today, having seen no use since
Accompanied by an invoice for some work done by an independent specialist around a similar time in 2017
Fully UK registered with V5 registration document present
The bike is now both tax and MOT exempt due to its historic status and age

The Condition

Nicely presented, honest original bike
Two tone red and burgundy paintwork with subtle gold embellishments
The paint itself is in a good presentable state with a quality, deep finish to the red
Fuel tank exhibits with a gentle patina, with some blemishing and chips to be seen in places
CB750 Custom side plating is present on one side but is missing from the other
Diamond stitched factory “cruiser” style seat, in exceptional clean order, with good quality upholstery and minimal signs of wear or use
Neat and simple gauge cluster in good form
Handlebars, grips and surrounding controls present well and are all understood to be working
Missing one side mirror
Vendor informs that the bike sits on the original tyres
High quality chrome trim used throughout, notably lacking in wear or pitting
Light lenses all appear to be of a good clean quality
Chrome finish mudguards front and rear
Resides on what we understand are the original wheels, in great shape

The Mechanics

Excellent four cylinder, 750cc four cylinder engine
The CB750 was the first mainstream production bike to be fitted with a four cylinder engine
In good overall mechanical order having only covered an indicated 4076 miles in its lifetime
Quad chrome exhaust manifold morphing into two twin chrome rear cans
The vendor advises the following tasks have been completed under their ownership
- Brand new battery
- Tank cleaned and liner added
- In line fuel filter added
- Replacement carburettors
- New fork seals
- Front brakes overhauled
- New spark plugs
Vendor advises that the new replacement carbs may benefit from some fine tuning
Original carbs are still present and will accompany the bike on sale

Summary

The question is, where would you find another like it?

The CB750C Custom was a rare bike in its day, with production spanning a limited number of years. The chances of finding one in any quality here in the UK are slim, and the chances of finding one that's been under the same ownership since the early 1990s and has covered an indicated 4076 miles likely boils down to just this very bike.

For the avid classic bike enthusiast this certainly isn't one to miss, with some light fettling it could be made into a real showpiece but presents exceedingly well in its current state in good, honest, highly original form.

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