Topic: Roadracing Panther Framed CB750

[736cc]

Anybody ever heard of a Panther frame? I got a lead on a cb750 vintage roadracer in a Panther frame.

[Sam Green Racing]

Unless it is an aftermarket frame, it's nothing to get excited about.
Panther was a British bike that died out in the early 60s, nobody in their right mind would put a CB750 motor in one. Have you no picture or other details?

Sam.

[Sam Green Racing]

I've just checked on Axls site to see if it is listed as an after market frame, it's not in there of the 30 listed.

Custom chassis
Bakker
Bimota
Chatelard
Cordier
Corki
Curtis
Dholda
Dresda
Eckert
Egli
EML
Foale
Guedon
Harris
Janton
Japauto
Martin
North
P&M
PEM
Rau
Rickman
Seeley
Segoni
Spiess
Von Ow
Walther
Zabrocky
Zerchot
UFOs

Sam.

[754]

Isit from West Coast Canada?
 Panther racing was making some parts and I believe frames, and I believe they had worked with Denis Curtis. I think it was run by Led Cmek (spelling?)

[736cc]

Only info I got was bike came out of Yoshimura New Jersey in circa 1970ish, qualified Daytona w/ John Fuchs riding more than once. I'm just a little distracted as it sounds very interesting and very cool build/restoration. I'm dreaming of riding it on the street as a cafe racer, imagine that fantasy!

[736cc]

only pic available, anybody recognize it?

[kos]

That looks to be the bike, named "Big Grizzly" owned and raced form 1970 to 2000 by owner Randy Carabelli. It was raced in the 70's in AMA competition and then later from 1997 to 2000 in AHRMA Vintage events. Rob North framed with snowflake Kimtab wheels. It is still owned by Randy, who lives in Atlanta area.

KOS

[736cc]

From the scant info I'm gathering from a 3rd party friend of the owner, Mr Carabelli's backup bike is the machine (not the one in the pic) I've been promised. Story goes it was bought in New Jersey in 1970 and taken right off the dealer floor and turned into a racebike by Yoshimura.

[kos]

The bike pictured is the Rob North Framed bike. Send me the picture of the bike you have questions about. Any bike raced in America that was to be a CR750 I have history on.

KOS

[736cc]

Here's link to where I got that pic. I think its from 10 years ago (no dates).
 http://historicmotogranprix.com/news/08-0501release.html

Can anybody read the signature on the fairing? John Fuchs was 1 rider who raced it at Daytona in early mid 1970's. Will Harding raced it at vintage events late 1990's.

If it has a Rob North frame, does that mean no title (and impossible to be street legal)?

[Lil Grizz]

These pictures were taken around 76-78 and show the two different frames.

[Sam Green Racing]

First time poster and pictures as well congratulations, you passed the first test without the question being asked.
Welcome Grizz

Sam.

[bwaller]

Yep he arrived with treats for everyone, well done and welcome.

[Lil Grizz]

Thanks for the welcome!

If its pictures you want, I have several hundred as well own both of the bikes you guys are talking about.

This is the "Panther" frame bike last week:

[voxonda]

Warm welcome and a great bike!

Cheers, Rob

[kos]

Yep, Tell us more. Thats the bike we raced against, circa 1997-200 in AHRMA events. Even went to the UK with them.

KOS

[Big Bob]

Yeah, I've got a question for you.  Why aren't you guys racing these things next season?

Not that I really need another bike riding away from me at the start.  But it would be fun to listen to as it laps me.

[Lil Grizz]

My father Randy Carabelli passed away recently from the health issues that forced him to retire from the vintage class in 2000. Thats the main reason why, money is the other. hah.

KOS, are you Mark M?

Heres John Fuchs riding the production frame, Daytona 1975. B/W photo

John on the Panther frame Grizzly sometime between 77-80. (#1 plate)

Yeah, I've got a question for you.  Why aren't you guys racing these things next season?

Not that I really need another bike riding away from me at the start.  But it would be fun to listen to as it laps me.

[736cc]

  To me, a confirmed 750 Honda addict, nothing could be cooler than those BIG GRIZZLY bikes (and I thought I liked stock restorations until I took 1 look at these beasts). Kinda flew under the radar (how many of us have heard about them?) but musta really flew around the tracks! A quick check of AHRMA records shows 1st place for the Formula 750 National Series in 1996, 1997, and 1999 and included wins at superspeedway Talladega (which must've been a stupid-fast track). It had one of the very first Yoshimura built motors originating out of Wiggy's Honda in New Jersey 1971, and Randy Carrabelli was there.
Wonder what the motor cc's were? And what choice parts were used in these East Coast hot rods? I see a Yosh pipe on the #1 bike, and factory CR open megaphone pipes on the Panther framed restored bike, along w/ a Lockheed caliper and master at the rear.
  I got me a new desktop on my computer of that recent pic of the Panther framed machine

[Sam Green Racing]

My father Randy Carabelli passed away recently from the health issues that forced him to retire from the vintage class in 2000. Thats the main reason why, money is the other. hah.

KOS, are you Mark M?

Heres John Fuchs riding the production frame, Daytona 1975. B/W photo

John on the Panther frame Grizzly sometime between 77-80. (#1 plate)

Yeah, I've got a question for you.  Why aren't you guys racing these things next season?

Not that I really need another bike riding away from me at the start.  But it would be fun to listen to as it laps me.

WOW Lil Grizz, it must have felt strange for you to come on here and find people talking about your late father, God bless him and his bikes, sounds like he was hell of a good racer, you must be real proud.

What's your first name (can't keep calling you Grizz  ) and where are you in Atlanta, anywhere near Cumming?

Sam.

[Lil Grizz]

WOW Lil Grizz, it must have felt strange for you to come on here and find people talking about your late father, God bless him and his bikes, sounds like he was hell of a good racer, you must be real proud.

What's your first name (can't keep calling you Grizz  ) and where are you in Atlanta, anywhere near Cumming?

Sam.

My name is Marc, and I actually live in Cumming. You too?

It was strange at first seeing the talk about him here and elsewhere, but honestly its very comforting to see so many people express their respect and fond memories of him.

I'm also very glad forums like this exist. My dad kept most of the fine details in his head and although I'll probably never be able to retune the bike like he had it, from the info I'm finding here, I should at least be able to keep them running for a while longer... or find people who can help me out. I've been pretty worried that once the bikes started breaking I would have a tough time fixing them.

[voxonda]

Hello Marc,

No worries, there is enough knowledge here to keep these babies alive for a fair bit longer.

Rob

[Sam Green Racing]

WOW Lil Grizz, it must have felt strange for you to come on here and find people talking about your late father, God bless him and his bikes, sounds like he was hell of a good racer, you must be real proud.

What's your first name (can't keep calling you Grizz  ) and where are you in Atlanta, anywhere near Cumming?

Sam.

My name is Marc, and I actually live in Cumming. You too?

It was strange at first seeing the talk about him here and elsewhere, but honestly its very comforting to see so many people express their respect and fond memories of him.

I'm also very glad forums like this exist. My dad kept most of the fine details in his head and although I'll probably never be able to retune the bike like he had it, from the info I'm finding here, I should at least be able to keep them running for a while longer... or find people who can help me out. I've been pretty worried that once the bikes started breaking I would have a tough time fixing them.

I wish I did live in Cumming Marc, It would save me flying back and to across the Atlantic to go racing.
Our team is based there and if you ever want any help with your bikes, my team boss is your man.
He's magic on the old bikes and coupled to all the other guys on here, I'm sure you'll never be far from all the information and help you might need, this is more of a community than just another forum.

Sam.

[scunny]

watch out Marc, Sams after your goodies. 
welcome aboard.

[kos]

My father Randy Carabelli passed away recently from the health issues that forced him to retire from the vintage class in 2000. Thats the main reason why, money is the other. hah.

KOS, are you Mark M?

Heres John Fuchs riding the production frame, Daytona 1975. B/W photo

John on the Panther frame Grizzly sometime between 77-80. (#1 plate)

Yeah, I've got a question for you.  Why aren't you guys racing these things next season?

Not that I really need another bike riding away from me at the start.  But it would be fun to listen to as it laps me.

KOS "King of Speed" is Mark McGrew of M3 Racing.