Built to Surpass ’80s Engineering with a Modern Edge: HONDA CBX750F Custom by Team CB’s

• CBX750F

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Team CB's CBX750F

Released by Honda in 1984 as the successor to the CB750F, the CBX750F was an ambitious machine for its time. Its bold design featured twin square headlights, and it came equipped with advanced components such as a rear monoshock and a hydraulic valve clearance adjustment system. The bike featured here is a customized version of the CBX750F built by its current owner.

"I also own a CB-F and had some spare parts lying around. Then I came across this CBX. The engine started, but the gears wouldn’t engage. I bought it for roughly 50,000 yen. When I opened up the engine, I found the shifter was broken. But it was only a few thousand yen to replace the part, so I thought I might as well start putting in the parts I already had—and that's how the project began," says the owner of this bike.

The parts he already had included items like the swingarm from a CBR1100XX and the front forks from a Ducati Multistrada. Normally, one might think that with some modification, these could be installed without too much trouble.

"However, the CBX750F's pivot is narrow, and the pivot shaft is thin—making it impossible to fit the parts directly. I decided to modify the swingarm to make it work,” the owner explains. “But to enlarge the pivot, I needed a large milling machine. So I asked a friend to help with the machining so that the swingarm could be installed, and I also fabricated a custom upper shock mount."

"From there, it was nothing but challenges," he laughs. "I did manage to get everything in place, but the shock movement and linkage ratio were all wrong. I tried three different rear shocks and kept remaking the link plates, testing and adjusting after every ride." He also received valuable advice from Mr. Ichimoto of Team CB’s (who sadly passed away in 2023), and relied on friends for welding and lathe work—just like he had for the milling.

"It felt fine while riding, but when I stopped, the suspension wouldn't compress, so I couldn't put my feet down. And when I started riding, the shock would just sink without actually working. After a lot of trial and error, I finally landed on a setup that worked."

As for the front end, the stem shaft from the Multistrada was too thick, so larger diameter bearings were used to make it fit. This gave the front end a planted, reinforced feel. The result was a modern 17-inch setup that could handle track riding with confidence.

That said, the CBX's stock tail was too long, so after completing the suspension upgrades, the owner shortened the seat rails and seat to balance the bike's silhouette. The CBX has many unique quirks typical of bikes from the '80s—features that seem a bit peculiar by today's standards—but he worked through all of that and brought it together. It must be satisfying to see how far the bike has come.

Electrical

The gauges are set into a one-off carbon panel, with an AUTO GAUGE tachometer in the center and a DAYTONA speedometer on the right. An oil temperature meter and voltmeter are mounted on the left. A USB socket is also equipped.

Bodyworks

The bodywork is mostly stock CBX750F, but the stock twin square headlights have been replaced with a single round unit. Both the clutch and brake master cylinders are NISSIN radial types.

To better balance the overall appearance of the bike, both the seat and seat rails were cut by about 7cm midway and then rejoined.

The color scheme features the same orange as the owner’s other CB-F, while retaining the original stripes from the CBX750F.

Engine

The air-cooled DOHC 4-valve 747cc inline-four engine, newly developed at the time, remains stock. While inspecting the gearbox issue present at the time of purchase, the owner discovered that the cam chain tensioner had been replaced with one from an RC42 model, indicating the engine had been opened before. The shifting problem was resolved by replacing the shifter, and the bike has run smoothly ever since. As for the carburetor, with no dedicated aftermarket options available, a FCR φ35mm carb custom-ordered by Mr. Ichimoto for the CB750 (RC42) was sourced and installed.

Chassis

The front forks are inverted from the Ducati Multistrada, and the frame was modified by increasing the bearing diameter of the head pipe, converting the entire stem. The braking system incorporates components from the CBR1100XX, including the discs. Increasing the axle diameter to 25mm and enlarging the stem bearings had a reinforcing effect similar to that of strengthening the frame.

The swingarm is from the CBR1100XX and has been modified. The wheels have been changed from the original 16/18-inch setup to 3.50-17/5.50-17 wheels, also for the CBR1100XX.

The rear suspension link was completed after multiple prototypes and test rides.

Gallery

Specifications

Part	Details
Carb / Intake	KEIHIN FCRφ35mm
Brake	NISSIN Radial Brake Master Cylinder, Standard Lever, Vertical Type Φ19 BREMBO Axial 4P Calipers NISSIN Rear Master Cylinder ARASHI Rear Disc
Suspension	OHLINS Mono Shock
Drive System	D.I.D 530VX3 Drive Chain
Handle / Steering	NISSIN Radial Clutch Master Cylinder Kit [Vertical Φ19 Radial Pump Clutch Master] AUTO GAUGE Tachometer AUTO GAUGE Oil Temperature Meter AUTO GAUGE Volt Meter DAYTONA VELONA Electric Type Speedometer Φ48 200km/h
Oil Cooler	ACTIVE Oil Cooler Kit, Round
Electrical	AS Uotani SPII Full Power Kit

Original Source of this Article

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