Topic: The Very First CB750 in the United States

[Wingnut74]

I was on a ride the other day and saddled up next to an older guy/veteran at the front window seats of a diner, really nice guy, and he asks about my 74CB360 build that was parked out front. We get to talking and this guy who has rebuilt his CB750  couple of times eventually says that he has the very first CB750 that was sold in the United States. I asked him if he would ever sell it, I am not sure he would, not sure he wouldn't. That is pretty incredible, he said his VIN ends 00000001. What do you think that baby is worth? A lot of miles - maybe(two rebuilds) , but gotta be well cared for - that is some History right there.

[goldarrow]

If that's true,....very interesting.....

I recall the prototype was sold over $140K on eBay while back

[two40]

That is pretty incredible, he said his VIN ends 00000001.

I would have thought the early VIN numbers were prototypes, crash tested, and designated for marketing purposes (as they are with many manufacturers) and do not make it to the general public...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

A picture of that VIN would be nice. Did you get any info on him?

[kmb69]

I would have thought the early VIN numbers were prototypes, crash tested, and designated for marketing purposes (as they are with many manufacturers) and do not make it to the general public...

Actually, the prototypes had a very different VIN scheme than the production models. Certainly would be interesting if it's truly numero uno.

[Old Scrambler]

Did the gentleman move from the LA area?  Supposedly the first few dozen (maybe hundreds) of bikes were shipped to American Honda for final assembly because HONDA did not have shipping crates. Several of the LA dealers helped with the assembly.

[kmb69]

Did the gentleman move from the LA area?  Supposedly the first few dozen (maybe hundreds) of bikes were shipped to American Honda for final assembly because HONDA did not have shipping crates. Several of the LA dealers helped with the assembly.

That is a total myth. Never happened. Whole thread on this subject here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152313.0.html

[Don R]

 You never know, could be true or not. I have the first one sold at our local shop, it's probably the only sandcast that mead it here because the second one is blue green and is a high 9,000 number diecast. I know the guy that assembled them both in Dec 69/ Jan 70. He still owns the diecast too.

[kmb69]

I was a Honda mechanic at Pasadena Honda in 1969. I assembled the first and several after that. The first one was a 2 digit VIN and it definitely came in a crate from Japan.

[MRieck]

 I think the original poster was talking to someone at Bettencourt Honda in W Bridgewater MA. That is where that prototype 750 Vic World sold came from.

[Stev-o]

Cool story but I'm a skeptical guy.   Pics or it's not #1!

[Wingnut74]

Mrieck is close to correct - he was not associated with that dealership, but the guy said years ago "old man Bettencourt" who owned that dealership offered him a new bike in exchange for his bike. But he declined. I know you never really know if someone is exaggerating, but this guy was a pretty cool older veteran guy without much to prove to anyone - kind of doubt he was making stuff up. Knew a lot about CBs for sure.

[Powderman]

Cool story but I'm a skeptical guy.   Pics or it's not #1!

I'm with you on this one. I'd like to buy it and put it next to my Mona Lisa. No you can't see a pic of it.

[MRieck]

Mrieck is close to correct - he was not associated with that dealership, but the guy said years ago "old man Bettencourt" who owned that dealership offered him a new bike in exchange for his bike. But he declined. I know you never really know if someone is exaggerating, but this guy was a pretty cool older veteran guy without much to prove to anyone - kind of doubt he was making stuff up. Knew a lot about CBs for sure.

Was the fella you were speaking with named Leon?

[Tews19]

Come on man! Pics pics pics! Please

[754]

Next ask how many miles, if he has rebuilt a few times..

 Hope its true, but once in a while you will run into a fellow that spins a clever tale , A..to see how much you know..and B.. To watch you go into paplipatations while trying to maintain your composure, if you know how rare the described beast is....

[Prospect]

This is from the sandcast only website

This writing is intended largely to address machines only available to the retail buyer, beginning with CB750 100001. The assumption is being made, CB750 1000001 was actually available and actually delivered to a retail buyer. In order to address these production machines, the reader must, at times, consider the machines Honda produced prior to the CB750 becoming available to the retail buyer.

Did Bob Hanses have a pre production bike that he used to train techs or was it a very early sandcast production bike?

[Don R]

I was a Honda mechanic at Pasadena Honda in 1969. I assembled the first and several after that. The first one was a 2 digit VIN and it definitely came in a crate from Japan.

A true eye witness, I think it's interesting to see when the first ones appeared and where. the first two here were 5511 and 90xx. sold around Christmas 1969. delivered in January.

[kmb69]

I was a Honda mechanic at Pasadena Honda in 1969. I assembled the first and several after that. The first one was a 2 digit VIN and it definitely came in a crate from Japan.

A true eye witness, I think it's interesting to see when the first ones appeared and where. the first two here were 5511 and 90xx. sold around Christmas 1969. delivered in January.

OK, I'm bragging a little. The first one we got was also the one I rode to Daytona and back in 1970 and got to see Dick Mann win the 200 in person.

[754]

What month did they arrive in Pasadena? 
An Alberta dealer rode his to California fall of 69 and only saw several others. He sold 60i believe, still has his with 100K on it.. I think his is a 900 serial number..
 I had one in the 500,s that I believe was sold near here, i think it hit the street by summer of 69..

[Don R]

I was a Honda mechanic at Pasadena Honda in 1969. I assembled the first and several after that. The first one was a 2 digit VIN and it definitely came in a crate from Japan.

A true eye witness, I think it's interesting to see when the first ones appeared and where. the first two here were 5511 and 90xx. sold around Christmas 1969. delivered in January.

OK, I'm bragging a little. The first one we got was also the one I rode to Daytona and back in 1970 and got to see Dick Mann win the 200 in person.

I don't think many of us (or any) can top that one. W0W.

[Retro Rocket]

I was a Honda mechanic at Pasadena Honda in 1969. I assembled the first and several after that. The first one was a 2 digit VIN and it definitely came in a crate from Japan.

A true eye witness, I think it's interesting to see when the first ones appeared and where. the first two here were 5511 and 90xx. sold around Christmas 1969. delivered in January.

OK, I'm bragging a little. The first one we got was also the one I rode to Daytona and back in 1970 and got to see Dick Mann win the 200 in person.

You old fart...   And I mean that in the nicest possible way...

[kmb69]

What month did they arrive in Pasadena? 
An Alberta dealer rode his to California fall of 69 and only saw several others. He sold 60i believe, still has his with 100K on it.. I think his is a 900 serial number..
 I had one in the 500,s that I believe was sold near here, i think it hit the street by summer of 69..

Frank, It was early-mid Summer but I do not remember exactly. I was 18 at the time and more interested in girls and avoiding getting drafted for Viet Nam. We knew these were special bikes but did not realize at the time, just how special. The term "Sandcast" was essentially unheard of until the K0's with "smooth" cases hit the scene. Most of us, at least speaking for myself, had no idea what the Hell was going on. 

[przjohn]

I was on a ride the other day and saddled up next to an older guy/veteran at the front window seats of a diner, really nice guy, and he asks about my 74CB360 build that was parked out front. We get to talking and this guy who has rebuilt his CB750  couple of times eventually says that he has the very first CB750 that was sold in the United States. I asked him if he would ever sell it, I am not sure he would, not sure he wouldn't. That is pretty incredible, he said his VIN ends 00000001. What do you think that baby is worth? A lot of miles - maybe(two rebuilds) , but gotta be well cared for - that is some History right there.

Could be true, but my bet is no. There are more than a few old timer story tellers out there looking for an ear. If he has that many miles on it and has rebuilt it twice, he has been around these bikes for many years and he damn sure knows what it is worth. I once had a seasoned fellow tell me a story about how his Indian broke down and they made a piston out of a coffee can. 

[Wingnut74]

Yeah - I really don't know now. It is amazing and cool that there are guys on this website that were actually the ones involved in assembling and riding the first of these. I don't know beans about any of this history but its pretty interesting stuff.  All I know is I have never ridden anything but dirt bikes and nothing bigger than a CB400 and I can't wait to get my 74 CB750  (231,000 bikes later?) rebuilt and on the road. This forum is awesome.