Topic: Hishiki-Sumiya CR750, end of an era...

[lordmoonpie]

Ten years ago I started looking at building a CR750, purely it has to be said because a bike mechanic told me they were nicer than my Black Bomber racer and you couldn't build a works replica these days. Ten years later and I think I did the CR750's heritage justice with my 1969 Suzuka winning Hishiki Sumiya replica.

Having paraded it in the Isle of Man, the other dream of riding at Daytona was always only ever going to be a dream for me as the necessary talent and money both elude me. With my wife about to lose her job, a victim of the global recession, I put the bike up for sale.

Today, I loaded the bike into a van and sadly watched her be driven off on the long journey to her new owner in Seattle, USA. It's a bitter sweet experience; ten years of development and production of a SOHC engine running a full DOHC crank means that the external cases are the only original SOHC parts in the engine. It's been a massive challenge and voyage of discovery, helped in no small part by the members of this forum,their knowledge, passion and love for the mighty Honda cb750. I thank you all for helping me on that journey and your kind words that started on the Ultimate Engine thread.

The sweet part comes with the new owner's plans. He is a racer and that is what the bike was built for, out and out racing. He plans to take it to Miller, Barber and with a bit of luck....Daytona. I sincerely hope he makes it there, I'd love to know my creation made a run around the hallowed banking, it would be a crowning glory for me. So, you lucky guys in the US might get a chance to see and more importantly hear my old girl before long. If you do see her, drop me a line and tell me oh she is and how she does, tell her I love her....

Bye-bye Baby.....

http://www.moonpie.co.uk/CR750_002.jpg

[bwaller]

It must have been tough to decide to part with this bike, it's an awesome piece of machinery, be proud.

Seattle's across the continent, but I'll keep an eye out...

[simon#42]

you created a nice bike there , always liked the fact that you dared to be different and didnt just paint it red .
anyway with luck there should be a bit of spare cash left over for another one of your mad projects !

[Retro Rocket]

That is one beautiful bike LMP, you should be very proud....

[BLUE71TURBO]

 It's always a sad day when a loved one leaves the nest....


                         

[MRieck]

Someone else may own it now Simon but it will always be your creation.  I am glad to have been part of the journey.

[bj]

That's one beautiful bike. Very nice work.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

There is ALWAYS the next project 

I watched the Bonneville GP at Millers this past Labor Day. There was but one CB750 running from a club out of Portland, OR (next to Seattle, WA) and it wasn't nearly as nice or recognizable as your's. Here's to hoping the paint scheme remains the same so it will be recognizable in the winners circle.

If you stay in touch with the new owner please keep us informed of it's whereabouts. Perhaps he will join us here.

[JohnN]

Simon:
 I was disappointed when you said you might sell, but as a racer in Seattle I look forward to seeing your beautiful creation! I'll be looking for it at the track next April and will keep you posted.
John

[Doctor_D]

Sad day indeed, but at least someone who lives in a proper city is buying it. 

Hopefully we'll see her down at the track.  In any case, I'll keep an eye on her for ya.

[Stev-o]

Well written farewell, I feel your sorrow.

[bear]

I hope the bastard can ride.

Cheers,
Brian

[Old Scrambler]

Very nicely said..........and we all know its YOUR BABY

I'm sure it will be seen on the circuit Personally, I would like to see it on the long straights at Road America.

[lordmoonpie]

Thanks for the supportive comments guys, they should have a "like" button on here same as Facebook!

I'll have to ask if New Owner is a member here or not and whether he is going to keep the '69 paint scheme or not.

No new mad projects for me though, got to save the pennies until we know what the prospects are for my wife getting work after May next year. Well I did say no 'new' projects

I have 95% of the next project under the bench already as you might expect from a serial tinkerer! Engine build is underway, I've taken a Ducati 999 engine, lopped off the rear cylinder and a going to build a road legal supermono. I know Britaliamoto have and can build road legal replicas but I want to build one that's my interpretation of what I think would be a more modern version of the 90's super rare racer.

Should I put the build up in the projects section do you think or is it three too few jugs for you guys ;-)

[Stev-o]

Please do post that build, Lord, we would like to see it. 

[lordmoonpie]

Please do post that build, Lord, we would like to see it.

OK Stev-o will do. It could be along drawn out affair though....not like me at all is it

Anyway the good news is the CR750's new owner plans to keep the colour scheme the same so you guys have no excuse not to recognise my old girl. He knows a few of you and will be joining here soon I hope so he too can benefit from the many years of wisdom and experience you all bring to the party....as oppose to Sam who only brings Boddingtons to the party

I'll let him do his own introductions all in good time, don't want to be too presumptuous on his behalf...

[nortryder]

Oo, oo, A Supermono? Now THAT would be impressive, (and a hoot to ride)

[Retro Rocket]

Oo, oo, A Supermono? Now THAT would be impressive, (and a hoot to ride)

I always wanted to build a super mono for the street....

[lordmoonpie]

Well the supermono project is underway, I really should post some pictures In the project section shouldn't I? It'll get to rolling state pretty quick I think but it'll be the electrics and bodywork that slows me down as the electrics will need to be non-standard and the bodywork I want to make in carbon fibre....gonna have a go at vacuum bagging myself. Should be an expensive way to have fun I suspect... :-)

Cr750 is in the USA now but as far as I'm aware still sat in a crate waiting to be picked up....hopefully it's survived in one piece!

[Doctor_D]

Happy to retrieve and inspect as needed.   

All kidding aside, please let the new owner know that I'm available to help in any way, be it fettling (is that how you Pommies spell it?) with the CR's or more mundane tasks.

[turboguzzi]

congrats of sorts.... hope it's in good hands now.

keep us updated on the Supermono thing.

BTW, if i was you, would really leave alone self producing CF parts, the stuff is not fun to work with at all, super expensive diamond tooling to cut it, never mind the carciogenic dust/fibres. a mild diet should make up for the few kg difference of a fairing in glass fibre.

I am back to finsihing my own SM project after some personal issues slowed me down.

[MRieck]

Happy to retrieve and inspect as needed.   

All kidding aside, please let the new owner know that I'm available to help in any way, be it fettling (is that how you Pommies spell it?) with the CR's or more mundane tasks.

Couldn't hope for a more qualified person.

[nortryder]

 Turboguzzi, Any pix or posts of your sm?

[turboguzzi]

Turboguzzi, Any pix or posts of your sm?

dont want to kidnap the thread, you can follow here

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Super-Emmo/334019393364811

[Old Scrambler]

Ahhhhhhhhhh...........the joys of discovery among the PO's junk

Your venture is quite similar to how we build a competitive chassis for land-speed records by selecting the appropriate pieces from a 15-acre bone-yard scattered with Japanese metal. Its amazing how many hours can be invested to make a bike track correctly after someone else 'bent' all of the pieces.