BOLT #008: 1995 Honda CB750 Café Racer

By the mid 1990s, the Honda CB750 — aka the Nighthawk 750 — had morphed into a retro-style UJM with twin shocks and an air-cooled DOHC inline-four with 75 ponies at the ready. At the time, the standard “Universal Japanese Motorcycles” of the 1970s had diverged into specialized superbikes, cruisers, tourers, etc. 

“Problem was a lot of riders liked those UJMs. The do-it-all character suited their riding plans perfectly, and the in-line four looked, worked and sounded the way they wanted an engine to. When the Japanese motorcycle makers realized they were deserting their roots, the pendulum began to swing back.”

These bikes weren’t especially fancy, but there affordable, quick, and built to last. With hydraulic valve-lash and cam-chain adjusters, many went their whole lives without their valve cover ever being removed, and the steel double-cradle frame looked right out of the late 1960s. 

“A shining example of how good an honest, no-frills motorcycle could be.” –Motorcyclist

Fast forward more than 30 years from the introduction of the 1990s CB750, and those same ingredients make the bike a great candidate for customization. This 1995 example comes from our friends at BOLT Motor Company in Valencia, Spain:

“Every project is designed and built entirely in-house, from mechanical restoration to fabrication, paint, upholstery and final assembly. Rather than building motorcycles to follow trends, we build timeless machines that feel as if they could have existed that way from the beginning.”

We’ve featured a slew of builds from this Spanish workshop, including everything from six-cylinder CBX cafe racers to 500cc Yamaha two-strokes and their recent Kawasaki ZRX1200. But this ’95 CB750 is one of their most representative and iconic machines:

“This was built as a BOLT project to reinterpret one of Honda’s greatest classics through our own design philosophy.”

They went for a “low, wide, and aggressive” silhouette, and the modifications were extensive. The tank is an original CB750 K2 unit, while the fiberglass tail section was handcrafted to match it. 

The engine was completely rebuilt, the exhaust built in-house, and the suspension upgraded at both ends. A waterproof seat keeps the rider’s bum dry in inclement weather, while Biltwell and Highsider components round out the cockpit.

The silver and red paint scheme is inspired by the liveries of McLaren Formula 1 cars of the West and Vodafone eras — a scheme that many F1 fans wish would return.

This is a build that was widely copied in the customs world, and remains one of the more well-known machines in BOLT’s vast two-wheeled portfolio. 

“Despite its aggressive appearance, the motorcycle remains balanced and surprisingly comfortable. The rebuilt engine delivers smooth, responsive power, while the revised suspension makes the bike feel considerably more precise than the original CB750.”

Below is our full interview with the BOLT team about the build, along with more photos and a list of modifications. Stay tuned for more builds from this Spanish workshop.

Nighthawk 750 Café Racer: Builder Interview

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

BOLT Motor Company is an automotive atelier based in Valencia, Spain. We specialize in complete motorcycle, classic car and Land Rover Defender restorations and reinterpretations, always following the same philosophy: engineering first, craftsmanship second.

Every project is designed and built entirely in-house, from mechanical restoration to fabrication, paint, upholstery and final assembly. Rather than building motorcycles to follow trends, we build timeless machines that feel as if they could have existed that way from the beginning.

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

Honda CB750 (1995).

• Why was this bike built?

This was built as a BOLT project to reinterpret one of Honda’s greatest classics through our own design philosophy. It later became one of our most representative motorcycles, featured on the cover of Fuel Magazine and awarded at several Café Racer events.

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

The objective was to create a very low, wide, and aggressive café racer while respecting the DNA of the CB750. We combined the classic Honda K2 fuel tank with our own handcrafted fiberglass tail section and a McLaren-inspired paint scheme to create a cleaner, more purposeful silhouette. Every modification was made to simplify the bike visually while improving its proportions.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

• Complete engine rebuild.
• Original Honda CB750 K2 fuel tank.
• Handcrafted fiberglass tail section by BOLT.
• Complete Motogadget electronics.
• Handcrafted exhaust by BOLT.
• McLaren-inspired custom paint.
• Modified front and rear suspension.
• Custom waterproof seat.
• Biltwell grips.
• HIGHSIDER mirrors.
• Fully road legal, homologated and MOT approved.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

BOLT #008.

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

We do not have verified horsepower or weight figures for this build, so we prefer not to publish estimated numbers.

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

Despite its aggressive appearance, the motorcycle remains balanced and surprisingly comfortable. The rebuilt engine delivers smooth, responsive power, while the revised suspension makes the bike feel considerably more precise than the original CB750.

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

We’re especially proud of the overall balance of the project. Nothing was added purely for decoration. Every component works together as a single design, making this one of the motorcycles that best represents the BOLT philosophy.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

We’d like to thank the owner for trusting us with complete creative freedom and everyone involved in bringing the project to life.

Follow the Builder

• Website:  www.boltracer.com
• Instagram @boltmotorcompany
• Facebook: boltmotorcompany

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