1971 Honda CR750 Race Replica

Based on the CB750KO street machine. the CR750 was referred to as a 'Kit Bike'.
The American Honda Motor Co. published a comprehensive list of high performance parts that would convert a stock CB750K road bike into a very competitive racing machine. These kits were only available to a few selective dealers; indeed one such CR750 took first place in the Daytona 200 race in 1970. Honda returned to the track for the 1970 Daytona meeting with a machine which. to conform to the prevailing rules. was based on their newly introduced CB750 Four. Success at Daytona offered huge benefits for the company in terms of promoting the Honda CB750 and consequently Honda signed up Dick Mann. Ralph Bryans and Tommy Robb to spearhead the assault. During the race. Mann rode conservatively. preserving his machine. whilst his major competitors retired with various problems. resulting in Mann taking victory. In recent years the ready availability of CB750's and the existence of a number of different race series for which CR750 replicas are eligible has prompted a number of companies into producing items that enable the conversion of the CB into a CR replica.
The standard frame was modified to a similar pattern as that employed by the original CR750. incorporating extra bracing and fabricated footrest hangers. mounting works pattern cast alloy footrests and a cast alloy rear brake lever. The CR750 type alloy fuel tank is equipped with a flip up fuel cap (with a titanium lever) Honda fuel tap and is complimented by an alloy oil tank with an anti-froth system. a race seat and a copy of the CR750 fairing.
The four pipe exhaust replicates the original CR750 system but. fortunately. incorporates internal baffling. Based on a 1971 CB750 this CR750 Race Replica has never turned a wheel in anger and looks fantastic in its race colours. having been dry stored as part of a large static collection since its creation for the vendor. Pete Rhodes of Honda Racing Services. Originally approached by the vendor to create a 'Dick Mann replica' Rhodes created two bespoke bikes and fitted this bike with a big bore 915cc Wiseco kit. an Italian-made duplicate of the works magnesium-hub. twin-leading shoe rear drumbrake. uprated suspension and a Pete Gibson reproduction of the four-into-four exhaust system.
The engine was built with the same attention to detail as the rest of the machine. featuring the correct sand-cast engine block and also benefits from new paintwork in the Honda race livery of red with a silver fairing.
A truly unique bike originally built for the vendor and having won many admirers when completed back in 1997 at the Stafford international Motorcycle show.