Big Dreams: Honda CB750K “54th Anniversary Edition”

Resto-modded CB750K from Big Dream Motorcycles… 

In 1967, American Honda’s national service manager, Bob Hansen, was visiting Honda’s Wako Research & Development facility in Japan when Soichiro Honda himself joined his group for lunch. Up until that point, Honda had only produced smaller displacement bikes. Mr. Honda leaned over to Hansen during the meal:

“Mr. Hansen, we are hard at work on a new motorcycle, a big motorcycle, the King of Motorcycles.” –Motorcyclist

As the story goes, Hansen told Mr. Honda such a kingly motorcycle would need to be a four-cylinder, not a twin. A year later, Honda R&D sent Hansen a letter that would hang framed on his office wall for the rest of his career:

“Because it was your idea to Mr. Honda to build the four cylinder CB750, we are sending you the very first pictures of the production version.”

At the 1968 Tokyo Show, the CB750 broke cover, and the motorcycling world changed forever. The CB750K was hailed as a “masterpiece” (Cycle World), “the most sophisticated production bike ever” (Cycle), and most famously the “Original Superbike.” The CB750F appeared in 1975 with slightly sportier aesthetics and performance enhancements, but for many enthusiasts, the charm of the early K models remains unparalleled.

This ’78 CB750K comes to us from Matt Wieckowski of Ontario’s Big Dream Motorcycles, a second-generation motorcycle mechanic who started working with his old man when he was 10 years old and never looked back.

“Building custom bikes has been a great creative outlet for me and is something I’ve been doing my whole career. Now, with my own shop, I’m getting the opportunity to do this for customers, which is amazing.”

Matt’s customer and friend Mackenzie was looking to upgrade from his ’76 CB350 when he picked up this ’78 750K. The duo soon hatched a plan to create a “CB750K 54th Anniversary Edition.”

“We came up with the concept of taking different parts from earlier models while also upgrading some of the parts (like the front end and wheels).”

The bike and engine were completely stripped. The engine was rebuilt with higher compression pistons and a Dyna electronic ignition, and now breathes through K&N pods and a Hindle/Ripple Rock Racers stainless exhaust system.

Up front, there’s a set of ’99 Yamaha R6 conventional forks with dual disc brakes, and the bike now rolls on 17-inch Excel rims laced to Cognito Moto hubs, allowing the bike to run modern sport rubber.

Matt then worked to turn back the clock on the bike’s aesthetics, incorporating many of the iconic design features of the early K models.

“We built our own colour matching headlight ears, as well as fitting a 1975 K model tank with similar era sidecovers. A lot of original parts were modified and used to keep the look we were after.”

With so many CB’s given modern inverted forks and mono-shock conversions, it’s refreshing to see a build that seeks to capture and maintain the style and charisma of the original, while updating the performance with some more modern tech.

“The fact that were able to upgrade the ride of the bike while stay true to the look and style of the original CB’s is definitely something I’m particularly proud of. It was our goal going into this build and I think we achieved it.”

We certainly agree, Matt — bravo! Below is our full uncut interview with Matt around the build, along with more detail shots of the bike. We look forward to seeing what rolls out of Big Dream Motorcycles next!

Big Dream CB750K: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

My name is Matt Wieckowski and I own Big Dream Motorcycles. I am a second-generation motorcycle mechanic. My dad, Andy, started his first bike shop in the mid 70’s. I started working with him when I was around 10 years old and haven’t looked back since. I opened Big Dream Motorcycles in 2021 after working for some different shops (in addition to my dad’s). Building custom bikes has been a great creative outlet for me and is something I’ve been doing my whole career. Now, with my own shop, I’m getting the opportunity to do this for customers, which is amazing.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

1978 Honda CB750K.

• Why was this bike built?

This was built for a customer.

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

The CB750 (K models in particular) were such an iconic bike, especially the early-year models with their fantastic colours and matching painted parts (headlight ears, etc.). My customer and friend, Mackenzie, was looking to upgrade from his 1976 CB360 and we discussed what his options were.

Him being a fan of vintage bikes and bike history we decided on a CB750. He picked up a ’78 for a pretty good deal and we then came up with the concept of taking different parts from earlier models while also upgrading some of the parts (like the front end and wheels).

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The bike was completely stripped down, engine included. The engine was rebuilt to basically stock with the exception of higher compression pistons and an upgrade to the stock ignition with a Dyna ignition.

K&N pod filters and a Hindle/Ripple Rock Racers complete stainless exhaust system gives it a great sound.

A 1999 Yamaha R6 front was fit and installed along with Excel rims built onto Cognito Moto wheel hubs to be able to run 17” sportbike tire sizes.

We built our own colour matching headlight ears, as well as fitting a 1975 K model tank with similar era sidecovers. A lot of original parts were modified and used to keep the look we were after.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

CB750K 54th Anniversary Edition.

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

The bike rides very nice. It has all the advantages of a more modern sport bike while still maintaining a comfortable riding position.

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

The fact that were able to upgrade the ride of the bike while stay true to the look and style of the original CB’s is definitely something I’m particularly proud of. It was our goal going into this build and I think we achieved it.

Follow the Builder

Facebook: @bigdreammotorcycles
Instagram: @bigdreammotorcycles
Photo credits: Red Button Photography