The elderly and quite eccentric collector who owned the bike for the last 30-some-odd years related to me that it was built on commission for a privateer race team that wanted to compete in the 1975 Bol d’Or 24 endurance race in France, as well as the Lemans 24 hour race. But the team’s efforts never materialized and the bike never went to Europe. Instead, the bike was immediately purchased by the aforementioned art collector and drained of all its fluids. It went directly into his extensive art collection and was stored in his living room as a prized piece for the next 3 decades. This is not a recent build from parts on ebay; its a one-of-a-kind time-capsule that has been flawlessly preserved. It was never a CB750 and rebuilt; it started from an absolute bare frame and assembled from there; just about everything else is custom-made or aftermarket from that period.
From what I was told, Yoshimura built the motor to their full race specs and fitted their aluminum racing tank and racing saddle. They equipped it with CR31 carburetors, and a CR750 tachometer. They fabricated a custom aluminum oil tank, used aircraft style oil lines and a heavy duty oil cooler, and fitted an ARD racing magneto. They chose Ceriani forks and triple trees up front, and a Dresda swingarm with Koni air shocks in the rear. The bike rides on amazing Kimtab magnesium wheels and Goodyear racing slicks. Stopping power is provided by Hunt plasma-cut triple discs. The bike is fitted with high powered Marchal headlamps, as well as a low-mounted Cibie spotlight on the right front fork. The fit and finish is exquisite, down to the perfectly braided safety wire on various nuts and fasteners.
The Goodyear racing slicks are hard as a rock, no longer race-worthy, but go with everything else. The ARD magneto eliminates the need for a battery and is set at full advance, and the CR31 carbs have no idle circuit- and yet there's never been a dead bug splattered on it! The tank hasn't had gas in it for many years. The bike is a testament not only to precision engineering but to careful preservation.
The bike was recently acquired by me, and I take good care of it. This motorcycle was shown to the public for the first time at the 2012 Mid-Ohio Vintage Motorcycle Days, where it won 1st Place in its class with motorcycle hall of famer Craig Vetter judging.
Every motorcycle in Bike of the Month is a winner.
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