Topic: 1975 Amen Chopper

[Don R]

  The best and worst thing about SOHC 750's is the parts interchangeability. My brother was picking up 750's for a hundred each, combining multiple bikes to make one and selling for a few hundred. His behind the garage cleanup is what got me into 750's again.

[BenelliSEI]

It’s in the air!

[BenelliSEI]

M-B........ Thanks for all this fascinating info. Definitely Carlini tank and front end.

“I’m expecting it has a carlini hardhead! I’m almost positive that is a carlini tank as well! Gary littlejohn made the tanks, btw. That bikes got a great stance!”

Here’s a picture of the head stock. What are the identifiers of a “Carlini Hardhead”? Appears to be very close to 45 degree rake and massively reinforced. The smoothing of every weld is amazing. Did they skim with Bondo?

[Shtonecb500]

im jelly of that front brake set up.

[BenelliSEI]

im jelly of that front brake set up.

It looks great, but needs a bit more. The disc is only running on about 75% of the pad. Either the disc needs to be slightly large diameter, or the caliper should be closer to the wheel centre. Having said that, there is so little weight on that skinny front tire I suspect it will lock easily, just the way it is!

[BenelliSEI]

1020792 must be jan/feb?  That's cool.

Interesting. My Diecast ‘70 K0 is an early one. I’ll compare the numbers tomorrow. Interesting.....
The motor was built for the chopper in 1975, by a performance shop, around the corner from Carlini Cycle Creations. The original owner thought it was called “Hendley or Henley Performance”.

Checked my 3/70 K0 today and the engine number is a significantly higher number than the one in the Chopper. It may even be a late’69. ......Interesting.

[Don R]

 My 14,100 was 11/69.

[BenelliSEI]

My 14,100 was 11/69.

Thanks Don.....I’ll do an estimate.

[Tom]

John I recently picked up this rolling Amen and would like to get going soon my wife Lara has taken a shine to it, which is cool as I also have a Santee swing arm chopper too, my old back is not happy on a rigid anymore. Cheers Tom

[BenelliSEI]

Tom..... Nice find! Approximately what angle is on the headstock? Another forum member has suggested my frame was modified (“Carlini Hardhead”). It’s kicked out to about +45 degrees. I’m curious what a stock one is? Thanks!

[Medyo Bastos]

Yes, that really does appear to have a carlini hardhead, especially with its history given by the previous owner. I got your messages, and am trying to find some old articles to give you some reference.


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[Just John]

Frank..... putting the chopper up on a table today. If the AMEN frame has a number, where might it be?? Thanks!

I do believe that is a Carlini modified frame.  The rake is the key indicator.  The stock AMEN frames were very close to stock Honda rake.  They were designed to be able to use a stock length fork.  Only the later production frames had serial numbers.  The early frames may or may not have an H750 stamped on the right side of the neck.  Sometime before 1977 the Government mandated a serial number system must be maintained by vehicle product manufacturers.  The frame I pictured had a serial number H750XXXX and I've had a couple since then with serial numbers.  The numbers are on the right side (sitting on the bike) very near where the neck and frame tubes are welded to each other. 

[Medyo Bastos]

Amen also put numbers near the sidestand lug.


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[Medyo Bastos]

Here is his famous Black Bart. I don’t know if this is the original, or the redo by his son.


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[BenelliSEI]

Yes, that really does appear to have a carlini hardhead, especially with its history given by the previous owner. I got your messages, and am trying to find some old articles to give you some reference.


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Thanks for all the great information! I’ll search for the number, haven’t seen one yet.

[754]

 Carlini was a Builder,  not a manufacturer in the  Honda days.
 He did however re rake frames , like Black Bart , and the red one in this thread.
 Standard  Amen rake and on most frames is 8 or 10 degrees more than stock.

 A hardhead is a frame section that replace the front part of a frame , and includes neck, part of backbone and downtubes.... much in the manner of a hardball..  one replaces the HEAD  end, the other the TAIL end.

 IF YOU CHANGE THE RAKE ANGLE of a stock or custom frame it I s called a re raked frame. In this case its a frame raked by Carlini.

 Don't get surprised if you find no numbers,  most places you get a number assigned by motor vehicles, that is Then affixed  or stamped into the frame.

[754]

19, 000 , and some of the  20 K range if not all should be late 69..

[BenelliSEI]

Frank..... Thanks for the info. I’ve looked in all the suggested areas and can’t find a number. In fact, the Ontario Registration that I transferred to my name, lists the bike’s vin as the cb750E- of the engine.

[754]

Wel, iv your province goes by motor number even easier.

[BenelliSEI]

Wel, iv your province goes by motor number even easier.

They usually don’t. But this one has been registered this way since 1975 (always in ON). I didn’t ask! Paid and took my paperwork home, in my name.

[Tom]

Cb750-101921x was already 1/70 here is one of mine first twenty or so of the gold ones. So if it’s 20k would be 1970.

[BenelliSEI]

Cb750-101921x was already 1/70 here is one of mine first twenty or so of the gold ones. So if it’s 20k would be 1970.

Tom..... thanks for the detail!  Definitely Jan (or Feb)’70.

[StockRider]

Cb750-101921x was already 1/70 here is one of mine first twenty or so of the gold ones. So if it’s 20k would be 1970.

Tom..... thanks for the detail!  Definitely Jan (or Feb)’70.

Just to add more data to the conversation..., my 2/70 K0 frame is CB750-1024XXX, engine is CB750E-1023XXX

[BenelliSEI]

Cb750-101921x was already 1/70 here is one of mine first twenty or so of the gold ones. So if it’s 20k would be 1970.

Tom..... thanks for the detail!  Definitely Jan (or Feb)’70.

Just to add more data to the conversation..., my 2/70 K0 frame is CB750-1024XXX, engine is CB750E-1023XXX

Thanks S/R! Pretty safe to estimate mine is Jan/70. Much appreciated.

[BenelliSEI]

Tore the foot boards off today, and the exhaust system. Fabricated small pegs to stop the original, chrome AMEN foot pegs from rotating when installed. Going to weld them to the large tabs that hold the tailpipes on both sides, so the foot pegs latch to them. Working out well and the bike looks much cleaner. Removing this stuff has exposed lots of cleaning, polishing and touch up paint opportunities!

The oil tank has a mass of crusty “shiet” in the bottom. Oddly, no drain plug. It will have to come out and get scrubbed before fresh oil and filter. One thing leads to another! Left a mess and forgot pictures. Next time.