Author Topic: What year is my CB750?!  (Read 2465 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
What year is my CB750?!
« on: November 06, 2014, 06:03:12 PM »
I bought this CB750 being told it is a 1973 which the title show in picture 2. Picture 3 is my vin which is CB750-2012451. As i've been taking the bike apart to replace some parts i've been told its a 72. I know some of you on here have also. I called the local Honda shop and they said based on the VIN it is a 72. I guess I'm just trying to double check that it is a 72 and know what I have here. Its not one of those 1972.5/1973 deals is it?






1972 CB750

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2014, 06:14:54 PM »
72,  where in PA are you?   welcome...Larry

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2014, 06:32:01 PM »
72,  where in PA are you?   welcome...Larry

Thanks, I'm in Lancaster
1972 CB750

Offline kmb69

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,041
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2014, 06:43:03 PM »
No, it's not a 72.5-73 deal. It was common back in that time frame to title these bikes in the year they were sold not necessarily based on their production year model. Not sure what year they began putting tags on them identifying the actual year model of the bike.

However, hate to be the one breaking the news but that frame has been restamped. The VIN stamp is not the original Honda font. Why? Wreck replacement? Who knows?

What is the engine number? Might shed some clues about why it was restamped.

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 34,480
  • Central Texas
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2014, 06:44:50 PM »
It was most likely bought and titled in '73, hence the 1973 on the title.  This was very common back then.
What's your plan for a seat?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2014, 06:48:43 PM »
No, it's not a 72.5-73 deal. It was common back in that time frame to title these bikes in the year they were sold not necessarily based on their production year model. Not sure what year they began putting tags on them identifying the actual year model of the bike.

However, hate to be the one breaking the news but that frame has been restamped. The VIN stamp is not the original Honda font. Why? Wreck replacement? Who knows?

What is the engine number? Might shed some clues about why it was restamped.


Ah now thats not something I want to hear. The bike is at my garage a few minutes from my house so i'll get back to you this weekend with the engine number. I did repaint the frame, could that be why it looks different?

Thanks a lot for the first bit about year info.
1972 CB750

Offline goldarrow

  • one day, i'll be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,361
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2014, 06:50:48 PM »
My 75 550 is titled 74 cuz the dmv didn't know better
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2014, 06:57:47 PM »
It was most likely bought and titled in '73, hence the 1973 on the title.  This was very common back then.
What's your plan for a seat?

Actually my buddy and I made one a few weeks ago out of an extra seat I got when I bought it. I'm having it wrapped now. Should have it back in a couple weeks. Not sure if i'm going to use it yet but it bolts right up to the stock mounts so its a really convenient "custom cafe style" seat.

1972 CB750

Offline kmb69

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,041
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2014, 07:02:53 PM »
100% positive it is not the Honda font. I saw it was repainted but the number 4 just jumped out and made me look closer. Honda's 4 is open at the top. Honda's zeros have a vertical split and so on.

Post a picture of the engine number when you can. If it is original and falls in the 72 range, it could be as simple as a replacement frame. Is there an aluminum tag on the other side of the frame neck?

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 34,480
  • Central Texas
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2014, 07:07:37 PM »
It was most likely bought and titled in '73, hence the 1973 on the title.  This was very common back then.
What's your plan for a seat?

Actually my buddy and I made one a few weeks ago out of an extra seat I got when I bought it. I'm having it wrapped now. Should have it back in a couple weeks. Not sure if i'm going to use it yet but it bolts right up to the stock mounts so its a really convenient "custom cafe style" seat.



Looks good.  So, you formed your own team?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2014, 07:22:55 PM »
72,  where in PA are you?   welcome...Larry

Thanks, I'm in Lancaster



I am Gap, right at the intersection of 30 and 41.   kmb69 is right-frame is a restamp but as long as the title is valid there isn't any problem in PA...Larry

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2014, 07:35:43 PM »
It was most likely bought and titled in '73, hence the 1973 on the title.  This was very common back then.
What's your plan for a seat?

Actually my buddy and I made one a few weeks ago out of an extra seat I got when I bought it. I'm having it wrapped now. Should have it back in a couple weeks. Not sure if i'm going to use it yet but it bolts right up to the stock mounts so its a really convenient "custom cafe style" seat.



Looks good.  So, you formed your own team?


I just realized that "cover" was on  :-\ Just a friend being stupid haha
1972 CB750

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2014, 07:41:44 PM »
72,  where in PA are you?   welcome...Larry

Thanks, I'm in Lancaster



I am Gap, right at the intersection of 30 and 41.   kmb69 is right-frame is a restamp but as long as the title is valid there isn't any problem in PA...Larry

Thats awesome! I actually in New Holland so i'm not far at all. I'll get more pictures this weekend to see if anything matches. I'm learning a lot which is great but why does this all sound like bad news??
1972 CB750

Offline calj737

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,100
  • I refuse...
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2014, 04:09:01 AM »
Depending upon why the frame is re-stamped is the issue. If the frame VIN has been altered, then you have a frame that was likely stolen or at least, not original. It's possible that someone used a fake VIN, got an out of state title or registration, then transferred it in state (many states are very lax about vintage vehicles) and now you have it.

Since you now have a valid registration/title, it's less of an option going forward for you, but, the origin of the alteration is cause for suspicion. Ideally, your engine serial number and frame vin would point to a common year model. They won't match each other, so no issue there. If the frame is a '75 and motor a '72 then you know they're not an original pair.

Many members here are very suspicious of Previous Owners, their tales of work done, their claims, and then many become victims of false claims and hack jobs. KMB is a rather knowledgable bloke, and when he saw the stamp, his radar went off. That's the back story.

VINs should never be altered, or if they are, ideally you'd want a documented and valid reason. That stamp completely impugns the originality of the frame. But as I said, you've now got a valid title, so as long as you have it, and a bill of sale/receipt from the Seller, I'd go forward with your plans.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2014, 04:55:50 PM »
72,  where in PA are you?   welcome...Larry

Thanks, I'm in Lancaster



I am Gap, right at the intersection of 30 and 41.   kmb69 is right-frame is a restamp but as long as the title is valid there isn't any problem in PA...Larry

Thats awesome! I actually in New Holland so i'm not far at all. I'll get more pictures this weekend to see if anything matches. I'm learning a lot which is great but why does this all sound like bad news??




You have a valid PA title so there is not any issue.   ..Larry

Offline kmb69

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,041
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #15 on: November 07, 2014, 06:34:15 PM »
No legal accusations made or implied by me, just noting that the frame was altered. He made comment on checking with the Honda shop, probably for parts. Most 750 parts will interchange but some are year specific. I am an anal Sandcast collector so my antennae are usually up.

Larry says it is not a problem in Pa, I would bet he's right.

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2014, 07:13:36 AM »
100% positive it is not the Honda font. I saw it was repainted but the number 4 just jumped out and made me look closer. Honda's 4 is open at the top. Honda's zeros have a vertical split and so on.

Post a picture of the engine number when you can. If it is original and falls in the 72 range, it could be as simple as a replacement frame. Is there an aluminum tag on the other side of the frame neck?





No tag on the frame....
1972 CB750

Offline kmb69

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,041
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2014, 07:32:35 AM »
Definitely a 1972, K2 engine with original Honda stamped number.

Hard to know why the frame was replaced over a 42 year period. It was relatively common to replace frames damaged in accidents and such. To my knowledge, Honda never supplied their factory stamps to dealers to re-stamp replacement frames. We always re-stamped replacement frames and engines cases with commonly available stamp sets.

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2014, 09:36:57 AM »
Definitely a 1972, K2 engine with original Honda stamped number.

Hard to know why the frame was replaced over a 42 year period. It was relatively common to replace frames damaged in accidents and such. To my knowledge, Honda never supplied their factory stamps to dealers to re-stamp replacement frames. We always re-stamped replacement frames and engines cases with commonly available stamp sets.




same here, every frame that was replaced at the shop was restamped with whatever font that was available.  With the original numbers of course....Larry

Offline nck_olson

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: What year is my CB750?!
« Reply #19 on: November 10, 2014, 02:45:32 PM »
Thank you everyone for your wisdom
1972 CB750