Topic: Sandcast #97 restoration

[markb]

I’m going to sell #97. I’ve had it almost 10 years and have had a ton of fun with it but priorities are changing and it's time. Besides I have at least three other projects I’m working on.

Most of you guys know about the bike, but to the best of my ability I have put together a summary here. I’ve probably missed something but everything thing else is in this thread. For all that I have put into it I would like to see it go to a good home so I’m reluctant to put it on eBay, although maybe that would be just fine. But if anyone here is interested I would like to give you a shot.

I’m trying to come up with a price and I’ll be checking out the Mecum Auction in Las Vegas (maybe this isn’t the best timing). I will say I don’t want to give it away. It’s pretty special and very correct. There are maybe 15 2-digit sandcasts in the world (probably less than half that number in the U.S.) and only a few as nice as #97. If I get the right offer it’s gone. If anyone is interested reply here or PM me.

History
•   Had been parked in 1979 in Texas
•   Attempted startup in 1986 but supposedly couldn’t get carbs right
•   Parked again until bought in spring of 2010 in Oklahoma
•   On loan for display at the Petersen Automotive museum from December, 2015 to March, 2017
•   On display at the Minneapolis Motorcycle Show February 1-3, 2019
•   June 14-15, 2019 motorcycle show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds VJMC Best in Show, AMCA Junior First Award with 100 points
•   Featured in the AMCA magazine August/September 2019 and AMCA 2019 calendar for August

General
•   VIN CB750-1000097
•   Titled in Minnesota
•   Original red color paint done by Blake Conway (Vic World’s painter)
•   Everything works and it runs - 2.4 miles on the odometer

Engine
•   Original crankcases engine number CB750E-1000100
•   No casting date on upper case
•   Original crankshaft with 10mm rotor bolt (up to engine 1080)
•   Original R1 camshaft
•   Original sandcast cam holders
•   M8 x 80 mm long rear crankcase bolt (up to engine 140)
•   Correct original 9-hole clutch cover
•   Thin-lipped, smooth Honda logo alternator cover
•   Smaller diameter front oil gallery plug (up to engine 219)
•   Sandcast chain tensioner body
•   Rear cylinder head bolt, special
•   Sandcast oil pump, gear shaft housing
•   Correct 3-piece sandcast clutch center (up to engine 1759)
•   Smooth correct oil filter cover
•   14mm hex oil filter bolt
•   16-tooth drive sprocket
•   New correct rubber spacers between fins
•   Original valve cover with internal waffle pattern
•   Original cylinders (resleeved to stock bore)
•   Original head with two spot-faced holes under cam towers (up to engine 563)
•   Correct twin lock washer on transmission linkage
•   Original early countershaft bearing holder (rare)
•   Correct “8” bolts everywhere
•   All new O-rings, seals and ball bearings
•   Original smooth rubber oil lines with smooth crimped ferrules (rare)

Frame
•   Adhesive tag on RH steering head, no build date
•   Yamiya 10 hole seat with orange foam
•   No diagonal brace on center stand
•   Correct early “8” bolts everywhere
•   Original battery box
•   Original top fork clamp
•   LH horn with grey sheath
•   No tach cable guide on horn
•   -050 wire harness installed

Carbs
•   Restored to pre recall (as left factory) condition
•   Honda “28” carburetor caps
•   Short carb springs – repros
•   Short throttle slides
•   5mm throttle cables and adjusters (repros)
•   Correct short cross tube on T-joints
•   Horizontal brass carburetor vents (super rare)
•   66 mm long choke arm
•   Correct nickel chrome plated carb clamps

Gas tank
•   Original 19 liter gas tank
•   Decals used for stripes
•   Short neck petcock
•   Needs correct fuel lines

Side covers and air box
•   Correct small side cover grommets
•   Correct Honda 2-hole air box – not repro
•   Correct Honda side covers – not repro
•   No rubber cushions for air box mounts
•   No reliefs on upper corners of air box
•   Smooth air box boots
•   Correct zinc plated clamps

Front wheel
•   Double-cut front fender
•   Correct refurbished front brake disc, repainted and reground with radial grind marks
•   Honda NOS fork tubes
•   12mm hex for front axle clamp nuts
•   Correct yellow zinc spoke nipples with turned down ends
•   Period correct Bridgestone Super Speed 3.25 x 19 tire (used, show only)

Front brake
•   Tokiko 1 brake caliper
•   Knurled socket head cap screws on brake caliper
•   No guide lugs on junction for top brake hose
•   Short neck brake hoses
•   “8” bolts on master cylinder clamps
•   Upper brake hose steel neck fitting straight
•   No level ring on master cylinder (rare)
•   Chrome brake line bolts
•   No rubber boot on fitting to master cylinder
•   Machined master cylinder cap

Rear wheel
•   Rolled rear rim
•   Correct short chain guard
•   Original correct rear brake panel
•   No hole hub (super rare)
•   No holes in ends of symmetrical rear wheel cushion rubbers (rare)
•    “8” original bolts on sprocket hub
•   Original 2-hole rear fender
•   Correct yellow zinc spoke nipples with turned down ends
•   Period correct Bridgestone Super Speed 4.00 x 18 tire (used, show only)

Exhaust
•   No number pipes with Lotus Root baffles (repro)
•   Exhaust spigots with radiuses on diagonal sides
•   5mm thick flanges on exhaust spigots
•   Fat fin exhaust clamps
•   Short pillion/muffler bolts 126 mm long

Handlebar & controls
•   No Off-On-Off markings on RH switch body (rare)
•   No ribs on speedo/tach rubbers
•   Pointer-less kill switch knob
•   11mm mirror stems (repros)
•   19 mm hex on blinker stems
•   Rearview mirrors with patent number
•   Round hole in speedo/tach mounting rings
•   Repro tach and speedo cables with short knurled nuts (pretty good)
•   Original gauges – refurbished by Marcel (Lecram)

[MauiK3]

Best of luck finding a good home for it. Would be a shame for it to be abused, it's such a rare bike. Your restoration thread should be mandatory reading for those wishing to take one of these on, it was great.

[JamesH]

Good luck with the sale Mark. Surely there can’t be many better more desirable Sandcasts than this.


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[34barab]

Gorgeous bike!  I've read bits and pieces of the thread, and it's clear that you've put blood, sweat, and tears and love into 97.  Best of luck.

[markb]

Thanks for the compliments and the well wishes guys. 

[markb]

I have finally decided on a price. After seeing the results at the Mecum auction and talking to several knowledgeable people I have decided on $69,000. I know some people may think I'm crazy but that's what I'm asking. If you're interested please contact me.

[HondaMan]

Personally, I don't see why that price would be considered unreasonable! This one is a gem.

[greenjeans]

Seeing that restoration, and the absolutely fantastic job you did on it, $69k doesn't seem out of line at all.  It is an investment quality bike.  Probably wouldn't ever see any miles.  You could put alot of eyes on it at Barber Vintage Fest.   Does Jay Leno have a sandcast 750 ?

I still would love to see that one in person.  Bring it to Barber pretty please.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Another good guidepost would be what Vic World charges for building a CB750 from NOS parts.  I believe Honda purchased one for its own museum in Japan.

[MauiK3]

#97 is pretty special, there may be some good sand-cast K0’s out there, including Vic Worlds that he puts together but #97 is now so well documented I think it rises above all but the famous candy blue green pre production one that sold for way more but it was one of a kind (or maybe two).
Some well healed collector needs to snap this up and keep it for posterity.
Best of luck.

[markb]

Does Jay Leno have a sandcast 750 ?

That's funny. When the bike was at the Petersen I actually thought to myself what if Jay Leno happens to see it and wants to buy it. 

Another good guidepost would be what Vic World charges for building a CB750 from NOS parts.

I checked Vic's web page and he will put together a VIN 1000-1700 for $42,500. Under 1000 you have to call for a price.

The 3-digit sandcast at the Vegas Mecum auction went for $40,700. That was a Vic World bike.

It was tough to come up with a price. Who knows, maybe I'm low but I can't go up now. Of course it hasn't actually sold yet either. Thanks for the nice comments.

[markb]

After the recent eBay auction for a 2-digit sandcast I’m lowering my expectations for what I would like to get for #97. I started high for probably obvious reasons but I am lowering the price to $60,000. I will consider offers. I have three people that have expressed interest but no offers yet. If anyone is interested feel free to contact me.

[MauiK3]

Best of luck, Leno needs this bike in his collection!!

[markb]

  I'll have my people call his people. 

[754]

Don't go any lower,  not many 2 digit ones out there.,

[markb]

She gone!  #97 is sold and I got what I needed. It sold to a local collector which I feel good about. Also I didn’t have to mess with crating, shipping, etc. Wasn’t sure how I would feel but I can say now I’m relieved. Don’t have to worry about taking care of it. Now or later. I would have expected she would be hauled away in something a bit more befitting, but it was fine. 

[fastbroshi]

As much as I think that bike cost, why would the new owner transport it in the back of an old Dodge?  I mean, have some respect ya know?  There's more engineering wizardry in that bike's fuel cap than there is in that whole truck!      I hope it gets ridden

[754]

 Congrats on the sale... no more having to babysit your bike..  it's a large part of the decision , in why I decided to let mine go to a new owner..  plus I could use the money at that time..
 Not sure what the fuss is with that truck... I delivered mine to the border in my Hundred Bucks Truck..

[HondaMan]

At least it gave the truck some class!
Mark, I'm gonna miss the thread of you loving on it. Wonderful job!

[Prospect]

I had a great time watching the restoration.  I learned a lot and understand the reluctance to sell but sometimes it's for the best.  I still remember all the bikes I sold over the years. 

Did you buy it from the original owners family? If not, how did it end up in Oklahoma?

[MauiK3]

Congratulations
I loved that thread, have read it several times.
I hope you do another at some point.