Roars Like a Lion: Honda CB750/R1 Retro Racer

HRC-Inspired Honda CB750/R1 from LBC Motorcycles… 

In 1979, Honda introduced the CB750 Custom (CB750C) to compete with rising tide of “custom” trim lines on the market. The other Japanese manufacturers would soon follow suit if they hadn’t already.

“There was nothing truly custom about it, but that name denoted Honda’s attempts to make these bikes resemble the American cruisers of Harley-Davidson. That meant chrome, a cruiser style seat, and a fancy two-tone paint job on the tank and side covers. The fundamental design of the bikes did not change.” –Ride Apart

Still, the CB750 Customs sold like hot cakes, selling out so fast the ’81 model went on sale in July 1980!

“In 1980 Honda sold twice as many Customs as K or F model 750s. They could have sold an even greater percentage of Customs if they had made more.” –Cycle World

Today, however, the slightly funky CB750C doesn’t shine as bright for collectors as the beloved K and F models, and isn’t worth nearly as much. That makes it the perfect candidate for a custom build like this one from our friend Juan Taurel of Argentina’s LBC Motorcycles. The donor came from one of his best clients, Pipe, who brought him an ’81 CB750C along with a set of Yamaha R1 wheels and inverted forks.

“He told me, ‘Do whatever you want, all I want is a racing style bike with a forward-leaning line.’ I made a render in Photoshop so Pipe could visualize my idea, and when he said OK, I started the most complicated project I have done to date.”

Juan is well-known for his retro-style builds, and this is certainly the biggest, baddest, and most extensive project we’ve featured from him to date. He says he only kept the gas tank, carbs, and main frame of the original bike — everything else has been swapped out, modified, or custom-made.

The Yamaha R1 fork and rims were adapted to the early 80s chassis, and Juan’s friend Omar Peralta built a custom stainless steel swingarm to accommodate the big 190 rear tire and monoshock suspension.

Of course the bike has a custom subframe and fiberglass tail section. The 4:1 stainless steel exhaust was built by Industria Chernobyl. The engine had to be rebuilt with parts from a disassembled CB750 motor that Omar happened to have, as getting parts from Japan to Argentina is a slow and expensive process.

 

 

Then there’s the HRC-style livery, designed by Juan and laid down by painter Alejandro Minissale. With the retro paint and big 16-valve DOHC engine, this “CB750/R1” oozes power and nostalgia.

“The job was a success and the bike roars like a lion… Maximum enjoyment is when the engine revolutions increase + the racing position, impossible not to accelerate and smile.”

Congratulations to Juan, Omar, Alejandro, Pipe, Tadeo, and everyone who had a hand in making this machine. Below is our full interview with Juan for anyone who wants to delve deeper into the build.

Honda CB750/R1: Builder Interview

• Why was this bike built?

I did this project for a client who already had other motorcycles of mine. In this case, Pipe brought to the garage a 1981 Honda CB750 Custom and a pair of Yamaha R1 wheels and front end, and he told me, “Do whatever you want, all I want is a racing style bike, with a forward-leaning line.” I made a render in Photoshop so Pipe can visualize my idea and when he said OK, I started the most complicated project I have done to date.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

As in all my projects, the retro look is present — in this case the front and wheels give it that modern touch but the rest of the concept is a retro racing motorcycle.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Everything. From the donor motorcycle I only kept the gas tank, the engine, carburetors and the front part of the chassis. We adapted the Yamaha R1 fork and rims. The swingarm of the Yamaha R1 was not suitable for the project because there was too much distance between the axles, so we manufactured a custom stainless steel swingarm to house a 190 tire and a monoshock. That work was carried out by Omar Peralta. Excellent result and the credit goes to him.

We manufactured a new sub chassis and a custom fiberglass seat, aluminum pedals, 4-to-1 stainless steel exhaust, custom electrical box, new lights, and an HRC style paint scheme, changing the white for metallic gray. I did the design in Photoshop for the client to approve and then Alejandro Minissale made it happen perfectly, as he does with all our projects.

The list continues with many custom-made parts, accessories, complete screws and intense mechanical work. The engine of the donor motorcycle turned out to be bad, and it happened that Omar had a CB750 that had been disassembled for a long time, with a new engine repaired. He sold it to Pipe and we used engine parts to repair the original engine, because bringing parts from Japan to Argentina is slow, expensive, and complicated. The job was a success and the bike roars like a lion.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

LBC | Honda CB750/R1.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

Fun, it has a beautiful sound, its maximum enjoyment is when the engine revolutions increase + the racing position, impossible not to accelerate and smile.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Well, the design in general is what makes me happy, being able to resolve the long list of modifications, adaptations, custom parts, and unforeseen events that arose during the project is what makes me proud today. During the project it was a mixture of headaches and comforting moments.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Mainly to Pipe and Tadeo, father and son respectively, owners of the motorcycle, for the great patience they had with me and for trusting in my work. Omar Peralta collaborated a lot on this project with the swingarm and other problems that he helped me solve, Alejandro Minissale with the painting of the tank and seat, Nomad Mechanics with the pegs, Industria Chernobyl with the exhaust, and Hernan Alco with some custom parts.

Follow the Builder

Instagram: @lbcmotorcycles / @jtaurel.

More LBC Builds

---