This 1974 Honda CB750 is described as a specimen in “…great condition,” with under 10,000 original miles. Not much else is shared, but enthusiasts know the CB750 is a bit of a legend in the bike community, and one that was seemingly spared heavy use is worth a closer look. Bidding is currently a hair above $2,300 with no reserve, and is listed here on eBay with just under two days left.
I like seeing details like the original dealer plate frame, as that speaks to the level that this bike has simply been left alone. Now, there’s a few different schools of thoughts on the low mileage condition, as some would find it worrisome because it invites the possibility the bike wasn’t properly stored, or left outside with old fluids. This one looks nice enough cosmetically that I’m sure it was parked indoors, but no word on if it was stored properly.
Gauges look nice and clear and frankly, all of the details look quite nice. The chrome on the handlebars is nicely preserved as well, and the odometer confirms mileage is under the magical 10K mark. The CB750 is one of those bikes that should be a collectible model given it stood the industry on its head when in introduced, and finding one now in condition like this seems like the kind of investment you can enjoy while it appreciates.
The seller’s lack of details is disappointing, but perhaps he thinks the reputation of the CB750 should let it stand all on its own. The package made superbike-level performance accessible in a relatively affordable package, all while offering industry-leading features like electronic ignition and disc brakes. This bike is a fan favorite, and it looks like someone is going to get a bargain if bidding stays low.
The paint’s not original nor is the seat cover. Also it’s missing one of the sidecovers and the airbox looks super crusty. If the mileage is accurate I would say it was stored poorly at some point. At under $3,000 it would be well bought. Those exhausts aren’t cheap and that one looks to be in good shape.
I’m thinking the airbox is in fact gone and there are some K and N’s on there, but I can’t tell for sure.
This is pretty cool too. It was the bike that changed history. By 1974, the other bike makers ( except Harley) caught up to the 750 Honda, but make no mistake, when it came out,in ’69, it was a big deal. This is a great example, but like Alex points out, good luck with parts, and that exhaust is bad, in the rear photo, you can see the baffles are gone, and there’s a hole in the bottom pipe, very common. I would like a vintage Honda, but again, parts, mostly from internet, will cost you plenty. Electrics were shoddy in these, and good luck finding something like a lighting coil. I read,even NOS, ages and probably no good. Still, it’s no ’54 Panhead, but will start everytime, won’t leak oil, and cruise like the wind, AND still have enough left over for wifey’s bathroom she’s been nagging you about. Everybody happy. Great find, I’d love to have it.
Not to brag but my dad has a 1975 CB750 that exact color with only 1,300 miles it was only registered in 75 and never again , unfortunately it’s not anywhere near pristine tho
I had a Honda 550K back in the day and the advertising brochure claimed that it was “Built to run with the Big Boys” and so it was. An absolutely fantastic bike. I only sold it because I very nearly hit a pedestrian crossing the freeway while I was doing just under 200kph. I traded it in on a 350/4 which turned out to be a bad idea as it was an absolute gutless wonder and chewed gasoline. The 400/4 was a vast improvement.
You got rid of the 750 because YOU were speeding? I have a 1974 750 and a 350/4. Great little bike if you remember its a 350?
Not quite right Mike. Mine was a 550, and yes, I was speeding and because it was so close to killing somebody I changed it for the 350. They were great little bikes, I had two, but my friend’s 195cc Yamaha made it look like it was standing still from the lights.
I had a 350/4 for a few years, owned 2 CL350’s at the same time. They were actually more powerful and drivable than the 4 cylinder, it had no torque, but it did look good. The paint color was called ‘Glory Blue-Black metallic’, awesome in the sunlight. Took me a year to find a 4 piece NOS exhaust system for it, from 3 different old dealers all over the country. 750’s are iconic, wonder how many are sitting in barns and garages all over the country, they made lots of them.
This bike could be a nice unit to have. I echo the comments about finding certain parts. The powers that be were not that keen on fixing your old bike; replacing it instead. And yet if you have a Hawk/Super Hawk, or a 250/305 Scrambler, parts are fairly easy. I do admit that if I had a choice between a 750 or a Super Hawk, the Super Hawk would be the one I rode away on…
I’m blown away at seeing this 750; so many memories. My family rode with a group of General Telephone employees on weekend cruises. Lots of fun. My folks had a Kawasaki 900 Z1, I had a Yamaha 650, with a Hooker header. Our friend, Floyd, had a Honda 750. Floyd & I were feeling a bit frisky one afternoon, and had a “throw down” @ around 55 mph. I dropped down to 3rd gear and gave ‘er the juice. Left that 750 in the dust, with me doing 132 mph in 4th. I was 16 at the time. Mom took away my keys for a week. I drove that 750 one time. The engine was silky smooth, and handled like a dream. Really nice bike !
So I guess I not getting it. The 350/4 would kill same as a 750?
Of course it could but it wouldn’t get anywhere near as fast so I figured I might just not kill myself, or hopefully, nobody else.
The original airbox IS in place, rare as they were a PIA and many swapped them out for pod filters or K&Ns, The seller says he has the side cover, OEM exhausts are hard to find so the originals on here are worth refurbishing. Many swapped them out for aftermarket exhaust systems, And Yoshimura got his start making exhausts for these bikes, now a well known name.
I have had several of these, still have a 73, Also a CB500/4 (made only 2 years) and a 350/4. I plan to sell off the 350 and 500 as I am downsizing, But parts availibility is pretty decent but not cheap. The value of these bikes has climbed and I used to consider them throw-away bikes and often loaned out some of mine to friends for rides/events because I didnt care. But now the values especially the early Sandcasts but any pre 75 are now worth bank and often rival Triumph Bonneville prices to the distress of many Brit bikes owners. (I have a lot of British too)
The markets weird as of last 2-3 years but generally thats a $5,000 bike in most places,, especially big cities. Theres a few tips and tricks on these, & a interesting story about why Triumph initially dismissed the CB750 threat. I have also a CB750 motor with a big bore kit, cam and different carbs for a Triumph Quadrant project/resto which is a story in itself. My Friend Sir Eddy built the Horton as well, He felt the Honda frames were junk but the motors brilliant, but the Nortons motors were not so great so in 1974 he combined the 2 and with a big bore kit, cam and bits as he said “It went like the clappers” We took it to some Norton rallies to mixed reviews. The US fair spares rep thought it was brilliant though and felt Eddy should have gone into production building them. (Honda CB750 in a Norton Commando chassis). Many in Asia and Europe buy these up in the US and ship them overseas,, they command even more money there, but you wont find many barn find Hondas like this anymore. Too many pickers and wheeler dealers. Same with the Kaw KZ900s & 2 stroke triples.
mine’s da kz750B, ridden as often as possible (~3K/yr) as we get 45 inches rain/sno here…
I’ve been riding my 77 gold wing with side car for the last five years it’s my favourite toy. Just keeps going and going.
Better than a junk Harley in all respects. And nice and quiet. Correct exhaust impossible to find.
I have to disagree with you, George. The Honda 750 served a purpose for some riders but it wasn’t the supreme endall to the motorcycling world. I knew lots of guys who had them and enjoyed them which was fine with me. One guy rode to Sturgis with us on a chopped 750. No problems but our HDs and Brits (and one Indian) didn’t act up either. My ’81 Shovelhead served me well for over 70K miles before it let me down (broke the front exh. rocker arm). I sold it at 75K miles and it served the next guy well for another 10K miles when the front exh. valve guide went. He brought it back to me for a top end. Did valves and guides. Cylinders were good but the ring lands were bad so honed the cylinders with a good Sunnen hone and replaced the pistons and rings with stock units. Last time I saw the bike was five years ago. It had over 100K miles and the guy was headed for a new post in the oil patch in Eastern MT.
The 750 4 cyl. bikes set a precedence in the biker world back then but I would ride in front of just about anything back in the day with my 1982 CB 900 custom 4 cyl. and my one year only 1983 CB 1000 4 cyl. Ahead of there time and still are fast in todays cycle world. Why you ask ? These CB customs had triple disc brakes, Air ride adjustable suspension, Step seat; Padded back rest with Luggage carrier attached. shaft drive and a high/low 10 speed shift range. in regards to ken TilleyUK, What made you thin you couldn’t run over and kill somebody as quick with the 350 cc as with the 750 cc or any other bike including a moped going 25 MPH ??? Most of it depends on the motorcycle rider and his driving habits. You want to play ?, You sooner or later have to pay. In my 45 + years of riding, I guess I am lucky I had no major accidents but then again, I did not play speed king of the highway. At 73 Y O, I now have 2 Suzuki Intruders. An 2001 1400 cc. and I just bought a cherry 1998 800 CC 1 owner loaded with hard bags, National Cycle Enterprise windshield/ fairing, Engine guard with foot pegs, Front fog lights on a bar, New tires. Back rest with luggage rack, !4,000 miles, female owned always garaged. Well worth the $1,500.00 I payed for it.
The 750 4 cyl. Hondas set a precedence back then But I owned a 1982 CB 900 custom and a 1983 CB 1,000 custom Hondas. Those bikes were ahead of there time with triple disc brakes, Air ride suspension, Step seats with padded backrests and luggage carrier. They also had shaft drive with a Hi/Lo transmission range which in effect produced 10 gears. 5 low range, 5 high range. Those bikes would be fast for cruisers even by todays standards. In regards to Ken Tilley UK, What made you believe that 350 cc Honda could not kill anyone as the 750 cc could ??? Even a 50 cc moped going 25 MPH. could kill someone. I am 73 Y O now and been riding over 45 + years with no major accidents Thank God. I came mighty close a couple of times but swerved out of accidents. The bike is only as safe as the rider on it. If you play speed king of the highway, Sooner or later you will pay. I am still riding but now I own a 2001 1400 cc Suzuki Intruder and a low mileage 1998 Suzuki Intruder. Ride on and please be alert out there.
Hi James. I think you have all missed the point. The reason that I sold the 550 and bought the 350 was so that I wouldn’t be tempted to do the 200kph stunt ever again, so lowering the risk of killing somebody, myself included. I am coming up 81 next year and still riding my 1987 Honda Rebel 450cc and looking forward to riding my just re-restored 1933 Calthorpe Ivory Major 500cc Twin Port next summer. Keep it upright. Ken UK
Mort machine.
Cool little lb e bike. I would look like an elephant attacking a football if I were riding it, so not an option for me. But a cool bike none-the-less.
No need to bash Harley. I always TRY to be positive & not say anything negative or offend. I hope the guy that bashed Harley tries to do the same. Different strokes for different folks.
Hello all, I’m in Michigan. I found a one owner 1974 Honda 750 four, all original, it has been garage kept, only 3300 miles! Yes I said 3300! All chrome is excellent, seat and all is perfect. There’s only one flaw with this bike, it hasn’t been started for 30 + years. The owner has all the original paperwork from the Honda dealer he bought it from too,!. I can get this bike for very very little, no dents, scrapes or cosmetic flaws. Would like basic idea of what cost would be to have the engine rebuilt, and running properly. Any help is appreciated. I am buying the bike, want to do the motor, and then sell it! Thanks!! My name is Tim
Tim, I would say buy the bike for your very, very low price as getting the engine back to life won’t be anywhere near as costly as buying an original, garage kept bike. Go for it, and keep us in the loop as to how it turns out. In fact advertise it for sale here on Barn Finds!
Tim, why do you think it needs to be rebuilt? A lot depends on how it was stored, gas in tank and carbs? I have gotten engines running after 40 years in storage without a rebuild. If you wish, contact me directly at my email: durant28@yahoo.com and we can discuss…….buy it, sounds like no regrets in any event.