Rick Ha's 1972 Honda CB750

Rick Ha's 1972 Honda CB750

Here at Dime City Cycles, we love all things vintage motorcycle, but the Honda CB holds a special place in our heart, as represented by our inventory and well-documented DCC builds. You would be hard-pressed to find a more iconic motorcycle from the vintage Japanese era than the Honda CB750 Four. It made a big splash back on its release in 1969 and remains super cool today, some 50 years later. Honda changed very little from 1969 to 1972, with the most significant changes being the color of the headlight assembly and dropping the color-keyed fork ears for chrome ones. DCC customer Rick Ha elected to change more than the color of his "Four", rebuilding it into a mean, lean speed machine.

"I've been riding for about 20 years, mainly modern sport bikes and I always loved the look and mystique of cafe racers," says Rick. "Canyon and track riding were what kept me sane during my medical school years and residency. About 7 years ago, after having finished my surgery residency, I set out to do a complete build of a cafe racer and had the time and financial resources to [finally] do so."

Rick found this non-running, broken down 1972 CB750 about 40 minutes away from his home in the high desert of Southern California and bought it for $600. "It was originally registered in Wyoming and somewhere along the line, it was raked out into a chopper, complete with a cigarette lighter". So down the "rabbit hole", he went...

"I’ve done routine maintenance on bikes and had to put back together my nearly totaled 1998 ZX7R, but this was a whole different level", Rick admits. He learned to MIG weld to modify the frame, completely rebuild the engine, planned and wired the electronics, comprehended and applied the mysterious art of carburetor tuning. The color scheme was inspired by a few sources, but it originated from the yellow from the ignition coil wires. Simple, yet awesome. "Online sources like YouTube, forum.sohc4.net, and vendors with how-to videos have made the dream of building these bikes more tangible." Rick knew it was a lot of work but "never looked back and never regretted it, even in the most frustrating hours of the build."

After seven years she was completed, hence the number 7 on the tank. Rick explains the name of the build and the meaning behind it. "

"The bike is named “Satmui”, meaning “seventh sister” in Mandarin. The number 7 is also an homage to my wife, who is the seventh child in her family for giving me time and space away from our limited family time to devote to my new passion.

THANKS FOR ALL THE PARTS AND HELP, DIME CITY!"

Thank YOU for choosing Dime City Cycles to assist with the resurrection of this classic ride. Excellent job!

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DCC PARTS

• 016-3050: Keihin Roundslide "CR31" Sidedraft Racing Carburetors
• AG-801: 9.7 AMP Hour 240 CCA Antigravity 8-Cell Battery
• 717-654G: Retro 7/8" Nissin Hydraulic Front Brake Master Cylinder
• 4002040: MotoGadget M-Unit Blue (Digital Control and Fuse Box)
• 60-0380: 3" Rotational Folding Bar-end Mirror Set - (Brushed Aluminum)
• 16-6118: Complete Engine Gasket Set - (Fits: CB750K 1970-73)
• 25-1090: 35mm Chrome Clip-On 7/8" Handlebars
• 864218: Regulator / Rectifier - (Fits: CB350F, CB400F, CB500K, CB550F/K & CB750K)
• 20-0062: OE Honda Style Starter Solenoid
• 66-3590: 7" Gloss Black Modern British Style Headlight Assembly
• IM-750S-03A: Polished Stainless Steel Allen Head Bolt Kit - (Fits: CB450, CL450 & CB500T)
• 03-0744: 60mm Chrome Mini MPH Speedometer with White Face
• 15-0033W: 2.5" Chrome Mini Tachometer w/ White Face- (1:4 Ratio)
• 901109: Black Fiberglass Exhaust/Header Wrap - (2" Wide x 65' Roll)
• 14-9852: UNI UP-103 Crankcase Breather Filter
• 20-5000: Retro Black "Slim" Barrel Style Grips
• 27-1095: Fork Gaiter - 35mm Norton Commando Style