Topic: CB750 frame question - Sandcast? Import?

[Just John]

This past weekend I saw a CB750 frame with what appears to be a very early VIN.  Certainly in the 69-70 range and maybe into sandcast territory.  This frame has a couple of oddities that made me wonder about its origin.  There is a keyed neck lock directly into the side of frame neck and just below the stamped VIN.  It looks factory!  The other odd thing is the build tag is riveted to one of the frame rails directly below the neck.  It too looks factory.  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures but will in a week or two.  Anyone seen a frame like this?
Regards,
John

[754]

Never seen built in lock on cb 750.
 Early ones did not have build tag, but they did start before end of 69... probably  still during the sandcast run.
 Early sandcast  had horn on left side..

 And France and other variants , I thimk started around serial # 5000.

[69cb750]

Anyone seen a frame like this?

Fork lock is in the lower tree.
They lost the key and installed a new fork lock.
Post photos and vin.

[Just John]

Never seen built in lock on cb 750.
 Early ones did not have build tag, but they did start before end of 69... probably  still during the sandcast run.
 Early sandcast  had horn on left side..

 And France and other variants , I thimk started around serial # 5000.

Horn is on the left side.  I thought the same about France and other countries but the Sandcast folks have been discussing 100 VIN numbers popping up in France.  This lock system really reminds me of a European motorcycle locking system.  It may have been added, if so it looked to be an excellent job.  When I get back from delivering Terry's 71 frame to Florida, I'll try to get pictures.

[Just John]

Anyone seen a frame like this?

Fork lock is in the lower tree.
They lost the key and installed a new fork lock.
Post photos and vin.

Highly possible!  I am headed to Florida to drop Terry's frame for shipment to Australia.  When I get back I'll try to get photos and VIN info.  It belongs to a friend.  He told me it came from an old motorcycle shop in Alabama and was in a pile of 10-20 frames when he bought it.  Sure is interesting!

[754]

Lock built in was commo  on Euro bikes.
 Dont have my partsbooks handy, not sure if frames for some countries differed.  Ligjting did.

[bryanj]

You may find it says cb750g with a low number making it a european F2

[Just John]

Mystery partially solved.  We dug it from under 20 or so 750 frames, honeysuckle vines, two copperheads and knee high weeds.  It is an F frame, has the fork lock in the neck and the vin tag is riveted to the frame rail and not the neck.  I thought the horn mount was on the left but it is on the right.  The object I thought was the horn is actually an electrical connection box.  Stock or owner added I am not sure.  I think this might be a French import.  Here's a few pictures taken when I was dodging a really upset copperhead.

[bryanj]

The plastic box is standard on an f as they fitted a smaller headlamp shell so all the connection had to go elswhere.
Probably not a US  bike as they required build date on the tag

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

That is NOT a US F model. The serial number is higher than FO 1975 US bikes and 76 started with 200xxxx. I have never seen the tag on a cross rail either, just on the neck and it does NOT look anything like a US tag

[69cb750]

That is NOT a US F model.

True

The serial number is higher than FO 1975 US bikes and 76 started with 200xxxx.

True

I have never seen the tag on a cross rail either, just on the neck and it does NOT look anything like a US tag

It is a French frame cadre(french) = frame (usa)

Are these photos from France ?

[69cb750]

Le problème est vraiment assez simple, le cadre dman est français.

[Just John]

Are these photos from France ?

The frame is in Atlanta, GA.  It came from a closed Honda dealership in near Birmingham, Alabama.
No record of how it got to the US. 

[Just John]

The plastic box is standard on an f as they fitted a smaller headlamp shell so all the connection had to go elswhere.
Probably not a US  bike as they required build date on the tag

Thanks for the info on the plastic box.  I had no idea! 

[Stev-o]

Le problème est vraiment assez simple, le cadre dman est français.

Comment le cadre pourrait-il être français?!!

[69cb750]

Vous voyez, les Japonais voulaient vendre des motos partout sur la terre verte de Dieu, alors ils ont fait tout ce que les gouvernements demandaient.
Les Français voulaient des verrous de fourche loufoques et différentes étiquettes de cadre.

[Stev-o]

Vous voyez, les Japonais voulaient vendre des motos partout sur la terre verte de Dieu, alors ils ont fait tout ce que les gouvernements demandaient.
Les Français voulaient des verrous de fourche loufoques et différentes étiquettes de cadre.

Vissez les Français! Ils pensent qu'ils sont tellement meilleurs que le reste du monde avec leur nourriture foo foo chic et leur vin Français!

[ekpent]

 What you talkin bout --

[RAFster122s]

Could have been an American serviceman's bike he bought while stationed abroad and brought back when he returned.

My 11/69 build S90 is that way. It has several layers of US Air Force stickers on it and it is later than Honda was supposed to be making the S90. It also has a headstock data plate identifying the build month and year which no other S90 had.

[Just John]

Could have been an American serviceman's bike he bought while stationed abroad and brought back when he returned.

My 11/69 build S90 is that way. It has several layers of US Air Force stickers on it and it is later than Honda was supposed to be making the S90. It also has a headstock data plate identifying the build month and year which no other S90 had.

That is very likely!  The forks are missing so no military base stickers or inspection stickers.  I'm drawn to things that are unusual so I made a deal to buy this frame.  When I get it home I'll look it over for more clues.   Does your S90 have the US pattern fenders?  I saw a couple of S90s in Europe in the 80s that had longer fenders with deeper  side walls and flared ends which I assume were mandated by law.         

[RAFster122s]

Yes,US fenders and chromed like the last year of production with plastic chain guard and turn signals. Plate indicates it is compliant with US EPA regs in effect at date of build.