An ultra rare Honda CB750 ‘Sandcast’ is set to sell at the Mecum Auctions in Las Vegas next month.
What makes this CB750 so special, is that it was built in the first year of production when sand casting was still used for the crankcases.
Once Honda realised the demand for the then-big four-cylinder, the Japanese brand realised it would have to instead utilise metal die-casting, as sand casting was too expensive for mass production.
Just about any CB750 in reasonable condition is highly sought after now, but this being one of the first, makes it all the more valuable.
This example is stamped number #1484, and wears the Candy Ruby Red paint scheme. It was restored in the 1990s, and has travelled approximately 650 kilometres since then.
The CB750 is often referred to as the world’s first superbike. It entered the primarily American and English motorcycle market of the late-60s, and soon dominated.
It was offered at a fraction of the cost of comparable models from Triumph, Norton, BSA, Harley-Davidson and BMW, and was reported to be much more reliable.
It came standard with an electric starter, and utilised a horizontally split crankcase, an overhead cam, and a consistent electrical system.
Soon after Honda entered the scene did other Japanese bikemakers follow suit, with Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki offering their own large-capacity four pots before too long.
To find out more about the 1969 Honda CB750 Sandcast that is for sale, click here.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
