1979 Honda CB

RC042010380

This auction is for my restored 1979 Honda CB750F Supersport motorcycle, which I've owned since 2008. As you may know, this was the first year Honda introduced the new dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine for its Supersport bikes and other CB models manufactured for that year. The new engine gave the CB750F impressive horsepower (75 BHP @ 9,000 RPM) and torque (45 ft-lbs @ 8,000 RPM), pretty good numbers for the time, given that the bike weighed only 507 lbs. (dry). Thus, with this horsepower, the CB750F had a fantastic Power to Weight ratio of 6.76 lbs/HP (remember—this is 1979, decades before 150+ HP sport bikes became the norm). In addition, as some motorcycle magazine reviewers concluded, the CB750F heralded Japan's first successfully mass-produced bike that finally provided handling to match the DOHC engine's power output with a solid, fade-free, 3-disc braking system, a sturdy chassis design, and excellent suspension. Honda manufactured the CB750F Supersport only from 1979 through 1982. When the '79 model was introduced, it was sold out well before the next year's model was planned on being introduced, reportedly much to the surprise of Honda executives who did not expect such an overwhelming response. As a result, Honda decided to sell the 1980 CB750F model in July 1979, several months earlier than the usual September new model year roll-out. Honda introduced a slightly bored out, larger displacement Supersport--the CB900F--for the 1981 and 1982 model years. But Honda replaced both the 750F and 900F models in 1983 with the 1100F--a one year model run only. In 1984 and thereafter, other Honda models, such as the Nighthawk, sought to emulate the excitement and speed of the Supersport models. But in my view, it was the introduction of the DOHC CB750F in 1979 that stole the show. Some motorcycle magazines have even considered the CB750F to have created the Sport bike category, which later came to dominate the biking scene for years to come. The bike had 20,850 original miles on it when I bought it in September 2008 from the second owner. (Note: When I restored the bike the first year I owned it, I replaced the gauge housing, which included the original odometer, with a nicer unit that had only about 19,000 miles on it. This is why one of the pictures shows an odometer reading of 19,117. But I still have the Craigslist description the second owner provided documenting the 20,850 original miles. For a 30-year old bike, that equates to an average of less than 700 miles per year.) The second owner bought it in 2005, but didn’t get a chance to ride it much due to having to undergo heart surgery in 2006, and his doctor having then ordered him to stop riding. The bike now has 22,569 miles. Thus, since I’ve owned the bike, I’ve put only about 3,000 miles on it. Here are the specs for the 1979 Honda CB750F Supersport, which I took from Honda's officially published information: · Engine type: Air-cooled, 4-stroke, Dual Overhead Camshaft, transverse-mounted inline four · Bore and stroke: 2.44 x 2.44 inches (62.0 x 62.0 mm) · Displacement: 749cc · Compression ratio: 9.0:1 · Maximum horsepower: 75 BHP @ 9,000 RPM · Maximum torque: 44.8 ft-lb @ 8,000 RPM · Carburetion: 4 Keihin, constant velocity with accelerator pump (#2 carb), #VB42B · Ignition: Capacitor discharge ignition · Lubrication: Wet-sump, filter, oil pump · Clutch: Wet, multi-plate (7) · Transmission: 5-speed, constant velocity · Starting system: Electric starter · Alternator: 3-phase AC, 260 watts @ 5,000 rpm · Wheelbase: 59.8 in. · Seat height: 31.9 in. · Foot peg height: 13.8 in. · Ground clearance: 5.5 in. · Steering head angle: 27 deg., 30 min. · Trail: 4.8 in. · Overall length: 86.4 in. · Overall width: 34.1 in. · Overall height: 44.9 in. · Fuel capacity: 5.3 U.S. gal. · Fuel reserve capacity: 1.2 U.S. gal. · Oil capacity: 3.7 qt. · Weight (dry): 507 lb. (230 kg) · Weight (wet): 539 lbs (244 kg) · Front double disc brakes: 300 sq. cm each x 2 · Rear single disc brake: 328 sq. cm. · Fuel efficiency: 38 mpg (actual observed: 39-45 mpg) Here’s a list of the restoration work (I have receipts for all): · New Dunlop 404 tires--front (100/90-19); rear (110/90-8) (still have the nubs and have about 400 miles on them now) · New chain (RK 630x90) · New front drive sprocket (15-tooth) and rear drive sprocket (38-tooth) · Replaced wiring loom · Replaced alternator stator and rotor · Replaced voltage regulator/rectifier · NOS front brake master cylinder reservoir and master cylinder components · Upgraded rubber brake hoses with stainless steel, braided hoses · Replaced spark plug advancer · Installed three new shims as part of valve adjustment (all others were within specs) · NOS Honda points cover · New decals on tank, side covers, and rear fender · New cylinder head valve cover gasket · New choke, carb push-pull, and clutch cables · Upgraded rear shocks with 1980 3-way adjustable ones (vast improvement over 1979 shocks) · Overhauled carbs—new floats, fuel valves, gaskets, O-rings, etc. · Replaced shifter pedal · New carb rubber holders (air filter side of carbs) · Replaced battery box · New brake and clutch levers · Replaced tool pouch and tools · Replaced spark units · Replaced seat with correct Supersport seat (some wear is occurring) · Replaced rear fender tail cowl · Installed Vetter Windjammer SS Fairing (includes correct and super rare Honda CB750F frame mounted bracket)--to replace the Vetter "Quicksilver" fairing that was designed only for smaller displacement bikes--see pictures of both fairings I took) · Installed engine guards · Installed highway pegs · Replaced odometer housing · New left control switch (lights, turn signal, horn) · Replaced tail light and bracket · Replaced front fender · Replaced turn signals and fork ear reflectors · New battery (Yuasa #1B14LA-2) (now 3 years old) · Professionally repainted tank, fenders, and side panels the stock Pleiades Silver color with a clear coat top coat The bike comes with a few extras: The Vetter Windjammer SS fairing and mounting bracket; the original stock headlight setup; and a motorcycle cover. If you don't want the Vetter Windjammer SS fairing and mounting bracket, I'll deduct $100 from the final winning bid cost. (Note: Some pictures show the previous Vetter Quicksilver fairing that I sold and replaced with the larger Vetter Windjammer fairing for better wind/weather protection.) I'll allow locals (Sacramento, California) to test drive the bike upon showing me a valid M1 license and cash in hand at the reserve amount or the current bid, whichever is higher. But I will not end the auction early to sell to any local cash offers since that would not be fair to bidders. I will assist the winning bidder by coordinating with the bidder's selected shipper, such as "Forward Air," but all shipping costs, of course, are the bidder's responsibility. A deposit of $500 via PayPal is due within 48 hours of auction close with remainder to be paid via cashier's check, personal check, or cash. Title will be transferred after check payments clear. On Aug-26-11 at 12:23:04 PDT, seller added the following information: I thought it would be helpful to provide website links to several motorcycle shippers. Since I haven't used any of them, however, I can't make any recommendations one way or the other. I suggest that in trying to figure out which shipper to use, you consider in addition to cost whether the shipper is licensed, bonded, and has good references. 1. http://www.motorcycleshippingsolutions.com/ 2. http://www.motorcycleshippers.com/ 3. http://www.haulbikes.com/ 4. http://www.freightcenter.com/motorcycle_shipping.aspx 5. http://motorcycleshipping.biz/ 6. http://www.1aamotorcycles.com/?gclid=CM3j7f_W7aoCFWQ0QgodIUqNdw 7. http://www.forwardair.com/prepaid/MCmainpage.jsp On Aug-28-11 at 11:43:02 PDT, seller added the following information: Forgot to add to the restoration work listed above that I also recently (within the last month) replaced the ignition switch since the original switch suddenly stopped working consistently--wouldn't start, then it did start, but without the running lights and turn signals working. (At least that happened when I was home and not 300 miles away in the Nevada desert.) As a result of all of the NOS, aftermarket, and/or good used parts I purchased and installed to restore the bike, I can confidently state that the bike has been completely (and I mean "completely) sorted out. Very, very reliable. A real blast to ride!