Japanese-Italian Love Story from Jerem Motorcycles…
At the 1978 Cologne Motorcycle Show, Honda unveiled their new 16-valve DOHC CB750, the much-anticipated successor to the “Original Superbike,” the SOHC CB750. The new 743cc dual-cam four-cylinder was based on the company’s RCB943 and RCB997 endurance racers and boasted 78 horsepower at 9000 rpm — good for quarter-mile runs in the 12.5-sec range and top speeds of ~125 mph.
The new 750 Fours featured triple disc brakes, a transistorized ignition, and a choice between the more sporty F-model Super Sport and the roadster/cruiser-style CB750K(Z). Barring some stylistic quibbles, Cycle World was well pleased with the new 750:
“In sum, the substance is better than the style… The important things, the engineering, are pure Honda. The engine is terrific. The frame and suspension are balanced and engineered for each other and the engine. Just about every detail has been done correctly and the competence of the men who did it shines through.”
Our friend Jeremie Duchampt of Jerem Motorcycles — one of the world’s most popular and prolific custom-builders — recently picked up a 1980 CB750KZ basket case. The donor was little more than a bunch of spare parts, completely disassembled, and would have been consigned to oblivion had the ace French builder not decided to raise a new bike from the scattered remains.
Jeremie knew he wanted to build something of a cafe racer, and the vision for the build began with one small detail:
“I wanted to make a red fork, and it all started from there.”
Those forks would come courtesy of a Ducati ST3 sport-tourer, anodized red of course. The same Ducati also provided the tri-spoke mag wheels, rear swingarm, and single rear shock. As you can see from the photos, it was a significant fabrication and engineering challenge to adapt the mono-shock suspension to the 44-year-old Honda. Jeremie says it’s the part of the build in which he takes the most pride.
The Ducati brakes were upgraded with a Nissin master cylinder, new discs, red-painted Brembo calipers, and Exact brand custom lines.
The ST3 also donated the upper fork yoke and clip-on handlebars, and the cockpit and lighting were decked out with Daytona components: speedometer, LED headlight and mounting brackets, indicators, grips, mirrors, and even USB support. A Solise lithium battery replaces the heavy OEM unit, and the bike now boasts keyless start.
Jeremie modified the rear of the frame to accommodate the new tail cafe-style tail section, and the custom leather seat with red stitching was upholstered by Yaya Brush Sellerie — a trusted partner of his.
The bodywork was painted in a blend of gloss and satin black, with a subtle shadow of the original Honda logo across the tank.
The engine received plenty of love as well. It was completely rebuilt, repainted in satin-black and textured red high-temp paint, filled with premium fluids, and matched with DNA air filters and a custom 4-into-1 stainless exhaust capped with an IXRace silencer.
With the gorgeous blend of black and red, Jeremie decided to christen this Honda the “Ladybird” — another word for ladybug. We love the blend of Honda heritage and Ducati prowess, and kudos to Jeremie bringing this old machine back from the dead!
Build Sheet
HONDA CB750 KZ
Chassis
- Reconditioned and red anodized Ducati ST3 fork
- New steering bearings
- New brake discs
- Ducati Monster front mudguard
- Rims repainted in the oven in black
- New Dunlop tires (180/55/17 AR and 120/70/17 AV)
- Reconditioned ST3 rear shock absorber and custom adaptation
- Exact custom brake lines
- Custom rear license plate holder + mudguard
- Ducati ST3 clip-on bars
- Complete cleaning of the cycle part and epoxy painting
- Modification of the frame to accommodate the custom rear shell
- Nissin brake master cylinder + clutch
- ST3 upper yoke
- Reconditioned and repainted front and rear brake calipers.
Electronics
- New custom right and left switch harnesses
- Daytona vintage LED headlight + custom CNC aluminum brackets
- Daytona LED rear light/Stop/indicator integrated into the rear hull
- Daytona LED front indicators
- Daytona LED license plate lighting
- SOLISE battery support modification
- Keyless start management box (KAIROS RFID)
- Daytona vintage meter
- Daytona USB support
Engine
- Air box removed to integrate DNA filters
- Engines repainted in satin black and vermiculated red high temperature paint
- Custom 4in1 stainless steel exhaust modification with IXrace stainless steel silencer
- Draining of various fluids (Brakes, 10W-40 Repsol engine oil, oil filters)
- Modified manual starter location)
- Engine redone as well as the timing chains, valves, etc.
- Complete engine and carburetor tuning.
- Red cylinder head with vermiculated paint
Aesthetics
- Custom rear shell
- Custom leather saddle with stitching (YAYA-BRUSH-SELLERIE)
- Glossy black paint with a satin part
- Daytona grips
- Daytona mirrors
- Custom license plate
Paint
- Glossy black paint with a satin part
- Brake calipers and rear shock absorber spring painted in red
- Frame and swingarm in black epoxy
- Engine repainted in satin epoxy black and vermiculated red
- Fork legs, satin black epoxy
Builder Thanks
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Nicely done! I love the red and black theme. As the “Brits” say, ” that rear shock is the business!” Took some cyphering I’m sure. I saw pictures of your other work which are also very nice! Keep enjoying what you do and it will never seem like work.