The Rare 1968 Honda CB750 Prototype Sold for $285K in the US

Another historic and rare motorbike has recently been sold at a huge price. This iconic bike is none other than the 1968 Honda CB750 Prototype. The bike was sold in the U.S. at an auction at a price of $285,000. It wasn’t just any old bike; it was the machine that marked a revolution, a bike that changed the biking world, and altered our perception of bikes forever.

The Honda CB750 was a breakthrough when it was introduced in 1969. However, this particular bike is even more special. It is one of the early test bikes that were built by Honda prior to the final one made. It was the first-ever Honda CB750 model that arrived in the USA.

This Honda CB750 Prototype was built in late 1968 and was immediately delivered to the US. Do not confuse it with the four Honda CB750 sample models sent to the US in 1969. They are often mistakenly termed as the prototype bike. However, the original prototype of the Honda CB750 was sent to the US in 1968.

This rare 1968 Honda CB750 Prototype was directly sent to Bob Hansen, who was Honda’s most notable dealer in the US and a race promoter. It was sent to him by Soichiro Honda, the founder of the Honda company.

According to the Mecum Auctions:

The 1968 Honda CB750 was among the best designs that turned out to be the best seller. This particular prototype CB750 model was completely built by hand. Most of the bikes produced before the CB750 were simple machines. They were noisy, they spilled oil, and they required a lot of care.

Honda desired to create something great, a bike that was quick, smooth, and easy to own. The 1968 CB750 Prototype assisted Honda in determining how to do so. The Honda team tested new ideas with bikes such as this one to resolve problems prior to the release of the bike into the market. The test rides were all lessons for them. Every innovation made the bike superior.

This Honda CB750 was later acquired by Vic World in the 1990s for restoration. To make it look new, the restoration process was done in San Bruno, California, at the World Motorcycles shop.

In 1969, Honda stunned the biking community when it introduced the CB750. Below are the reasons riders and makers were taken aback:

• The Honda CB750 contained four cylinders when most bikes only had one or two. This ensured that it rode smoother than any other bike on the road. The 736cc four-cylinder engine was so smooth that you could place a coin on the running engine and it would not fall.

• The CB750 featured a 295 mm single front disc brake, which was uncommon at the time. Drum brakes that were not as powerful or reliable remained common on most bikes.

• The disc brake provided greater control to riders and made the bike safer to ride.

• The CB750 was also quite fast. It was able to achieve speeds that were previously only possible on race bikes. However, in comparison with such race bikes, you could ride the CB750 on a daily basis without any complications.

• It was, perhaps, the most important of all, reliable. Honda built the CB750 to last. Riders did not have to be mechanics to own one. They could just ride and enjoy.

• The bike also featured a 5-speed gearbox and a telescopic front fork.

So, why should one spend $285K on this old bike? To the collectors, the 1968 Honda CB750 Prototype is about owning a major, notable piece of history. This is one of the few prototypes that have been preserved today. Above all, it is the bike that started it all.

The Honda CB750 revolutionized the motorcycle world. When Honda showed what could be done, all other bike makers were forced to raise their standards. British bikes, which had long dominated the market, suddenly seemed old-school. The Japanese bikes became the new standard.

The 1968 CB750 Prototype narrates that entire story. It shows the effort and cleverness that went into producing the CB750. All the scratches and marks on it are a part of that story.

The 1968 Honda CB750 Prototype, which sold for $285,000 at Mecum Auction, shows the extent of people’s attachment to motorcycle history. It also shows that the CB750 has a safe spot in the bike culture. People are still concerned about this bike and its meaning even after 55 years.

Young riders and new collectors should be reminded to take care of iconic bikes that helped shape the motorcycle industry. Who knows, the bikes we are riding today may be selling for a fortune in 50 years. It is the bike that wrote the rules that modern bikes still adhere to today. It is worth being viewed and respected.