The CB750F was Honda’s effort to regain the supremacy of their original CB750 Four superbike. In 1980, Cycle Guide claimed the new 77-hp DOHC 750 could “accelerate with the fury of a one-liter hyperbike” and possessed “magical cornering qualities never before found on a four-cylinder street bike.” They went on to test the CB750F Super Sport against a Ducati 900SS.
Enter Josh Beloit, a former US Navy sailor and current construction manager in the Seattle area. Like so many of us, Josh has found that working on his bike for an hour or two is the perfect way to clear his head. He bought this 1980 CB750F for $400 from a friend whose project had stalled. The bike had not run in years. After getting the old CB running, Josh reached out to Jason Green of Classic Moto Works for help in completing the build.
Below, we get the full story on the build, along with some beautiful shots from Terri Beloit Photography.
Honda CB750F Cafe Racer: In the Builder’s Words
I am construction manager in the ever growing Seattle area. In my younger years I was a US Navy sailor where I traveled the world and experienced enough for two lifetimes, which I kind of based my bike’s build on (if that makes sense). My life is quite hectic between work and my young growing family (baby on the way). Still, I find every opportunity to go get lost for an hour or two to clear my head and get back to center.
I started admiring motorcycles when I was very young and a teacher of mine had her son stop by and show the class his GP style race bike. I remember it was unlike anything I had ever seen and it sparked my interest in motorcycles. My cafe is only the second bike I have owned and the first one that I had the time and money to create a custom running bike. Thanks to this bike it forced me to go get my license finally. At this point I have only been riding for about 4 months and around 2,000 miles, but hey, everyone needs to start time time and why not do it on your custom Cafe.
Even though this is my first true bike, it most certainly will not be my last. Especially for custom bikes, I already have a couple ideas for my next build! I am excited to be apart of the custom bike / cafe / motorcycle world and regret not starting years ago. Regardless I am hooked and won’t turn back.
About the Bike
Well about my bike… It started out in my friend’s garage where he started the build and just didn’t have time. He took it from a stock CB750F, removed the plastics, cut the tail, replaced the rear sprocket, and replaced the chain. At that point he didn’t have time and had to make room in the garage so I purchased it for $400. I was stoked to get a build in my garage and that’s the state it sat in for several months. During that time I would stare at it every day, coming up with ideas, parts to buy, and sketching out overall designs.
This past February I decided I had to have it ready to ride this summer so I started working on it. After a couple hours of wrench time between my buddy (who I bought the bike from) and me we got the bike running, which it had not in years. After firing the throttle was stuck open and spraying fuel out of the carbs. At that point I decided to find a custom shop that could build my vision and get it done way faster than I could. I eventually came across Jason Green, owner of Classic Moto Works in Federal Way, WA. He was the perfect guy to work with and help with the build. Over the next couple months, tons of research, countless hours, and a large amount of online shopping, the cafe racer known as Lainey was born. This bike brings and extreme about of joy and usually draws a crowd where ever I stop. Following is a breakdown of the build.
Engine:
-Complete carb rebuild
-Dynojet stage 1 & 3 jet kit & tune
-Mild gasket replacement
-Individual carb pods
-4into1 headers to a cone tip (so loud, but in a good way)
-Good old fashion pressure wash
Electrical:
-Completely new wiring with larger gauge wiring
-New amber 7″ headlight with rock guard
-Eagle eye turn signals front and back
-Side mount “Brake” light & license plate holder
-Ballistic Performance EVO3 Lithium-ion battery
-(2) 3 button handle bar controls
-Motogadget m.ride blue controller (best money spent ever)
-Acewell speedo and tach
Body:
-Custom Tuffside seat & cowl
-Custom paint
-Modified front fender
-Custom rear sets and bracket (coginito Moto)
-Custom battery box mounted under rear swingarm
-rebuilt front forks
-RCY rear shocks
-7/8 clipons
-Custom top triple tree
-Modified tank
-New Bridgestone Battlax tires
-GSXR 750 front master cylinder
-Goodridge steel braided brake lines
-GSXR 750 rear brake master cylinder (GP like)
-Motogadget rubber grips
-Adjustable levers
-Bar-end mirrors
I’m sure I am forgetting items but that’s is the gist of it. On a future note, this winter I am planning to replace the front forks with GSXR forks, new spoke front and rear wheels, fitting a rear mono shock, replacing the speedo with a Motogadget motoscope pro, custom triple tree, and upgraded front and rear brakes.
Follow the Builder / Photographer
- Terri Beloit Photography: Facebook | Instagram | Web
- Josh Beloit: @bel_wa
- Classic Moto Works
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