Licks Cycles: Honda CB750 Chopper

Honda CB750 “ChopRR” by JP Managa…

In 1969, the Honda CB750 revolutionized the world of two wheels, incomes its title because the “Unique Superbike.” Earlier than lengthy, this sporting SOHC four-cylinder machine had develop into a darling of each the racing and {custom} scenes.

In California, a drag racer named Russ Collins started to achieve nationwide consideration together with his highly-modified Honda CB750-based drag bikes. In 1971, he constructed a 400-hp, supercharged, fuel-injected drag bike known as the “Murderer,” which dominated its class.

Two years later, his triple-engine “Atchison” grew to become the primary motorbike to interrupt the seven-second barrier on the 1973 NHRA Supernationals.

“Collins was a little bit of a radical in drag racing circles. Initially, he was going in opposition to the grain of the conventional British or American-made drag bike of the time and was racing the brand new Japanese machines. And as a substitute of carrying the usual all-black leathers, Collins confirmed up sporting colourful pink, white and blue leathers.” –AMA Corridor of Fame

“Atchinson” was destroyed in an accident that just about killed Collins, however he managed to show the setback right into a stepping stone to higher NHRA heights.

“Whereas recuperating, he dreamed up his subsequent monster creation — The Sorcerer, that includes twin Honda 1,000cc engines. This bike ran a record-setting 7.30, 199.55-mph run that stood for 11 years.” –My Life at Pace

Terry Vance and Byron Hines of Vance & Hines each labored for Collins at RC Engineering earlier than branching out on their very own. Collins, who later turned to racing High Gasoline vehicles, was inducted into the AMA Motorbike Corridor of Fame in 1999, and handed away in 2014.

Enter our new buddy JP Managa, who grew up within the Philippines and now lives in Portland, Oregon. He acquired his first bike about 10 years in the past whereas dwelling in New Jersey, and taking to 2 wheels was nothing in need of a revelation for him.

“I’ve taken public transportation for many of my life and once I lastly acquired a bike it felt like my world shifted.”

The bike you see right here is JP’s private trip, a 1973 Honda CB750 that’s been by means of a number of iterations as his type, abilities, and desires advanced. We love when somebody takes inspiration from an sudden supply, particularly one as worthy as Russ Collins. Says JP:

“I seemed on the race builds of Russ Collins and wished to deliver a few of that essence on a hardtail chopper. I wished the bike to really feel traditional, sound quick, and look powerful.”

We’ve seen CB750 choppers up to now, however JP’s construct strikes us as distinctive. Russ Collins’s creations put their mechanical workings on full show, their large engines barely contained in metal skeletons and streamlined bodywork. JP’s chopper manages to seize that very same racy, function-first perspective with a {custom} single downtube body, narrowed and streamlined OEM tank, open-belt magneto drive, classic 4:1 headers with a Kerker tailpipe, and way more.

JP thanks not solely his companion, Emily, for supporting his “sick dependancy” to bikes, but in addition the buddies who helped him with varied elements of the construct: Riegel Punla (@ClienteleCoatings) for the powder coating, Nathan Sykes (@nathantsykes) for the paint, and Alan Stedman (@cave.mfg) for the seat.

JP nicknamed the bike “Agent Orange” after the favored tune by Filipino metallic band SlapShock — a well-liked turn-of-the-Twenty first-century anthem that referenced the notorious defoliation agent utilized in Vietnam.

JP says it’s a particular feeling to trip one thing he remodeled from a mere imaginative and prescient in his head right into a bodily actuality, and the uncooked mechanical sensations of driving a four-cylinder chopper solely add to the expertise:

“There’s actually nothing like driving a inflexible chopper, makes you are feeling alive.”

Beneath, we speak to JP for extra particulars on this 750 Honda chopper.

Honda CB750 “ChopRR”: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

My identify is JP, I used to be born and raised within the Philippines and presently dwell in Portland, OR. The very first reminiscence I’ve with bikes was once I was dwelling within the Philippines and my Tito Sam put me on the again of a motorbike and took me across the block. I don’t keep in mind what sort of bike it was — in all probability a Yamaha or a Honda — I simply keep in mind it feeling actually quick.

I acquired my first bike a couple of decade in the past once I was dwelling in New Jersey. I’ve taken public transportation for many of my life and once I lastly acquired a bike it felt like my world shifted.

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?

This chopper construct began off as a 1973 Honda CB750k.

• Why was this bike constructed?

That is my private bike. After I moved to Oregon, I offered my first bike to get one thing barely greater to accommodate the open roads. The bike has gone by means of 4 to five totally different iterations since then. After a number of years of proudly owning the bike and studying extra in regards to the platform, I used to be capable of piece collectively the perfect setup that I believed can be my model of a Honda chopper.

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

My idea for this construct to create a Honda Efficiency Chopper. I seemed on the race builds of Russ Collins and wished to deliver a few of that essence on a hardtail chopper. I wished the bike to really feel traditional, sound quick, and look powerful.

• What {custom} work was accomplished to the bike?

I began rebuilding this bike through the pandemic. Each a part of this bike has been custom-made to a level. Customized single downtube body (4″ up, 0″ out, with a 2” stretch on the rear).

Customized open belt magneto drive (impressed by ARD), custom-laced 21” entrance & 18” rear wrapped in Firestones, OEM Honda tank that was narrowed and shallowed to suit the proportions and contours, classic 4 into 1 headers with a Z1 Kerker muffler, and the checklist goes on!

• Does the bike have a nickname?

I named this bike “Agent Orange.” The inspiration comes from a tune by the band SlapShock — a Filipino band from the 2000’s. I used to be nonetheless within the Philippines after they began getting huge and one in all my favourite songs was Agent Orange (RIP Jamir).

My good buddy Riegel Punla of Clientele Coatings (@ClienteleCoatings) did the entire powder coating on this bike and Nathan Sykes (@nathantsykes) of Sykes Customs painted the tins. The seat was {custom} made by my pricey buddy Alan Stedman (@cave.mfg).

• Any thought of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?

It’s a inventory 750cc engine. I feel it’s gradual to at this time’s requirements, but it surely’s enjoyable and exhilarating to trip. There’s actually nothing like driving a inflexible chopper, makes you are feeling alive.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to trip this bike?

Using one thing you constructed out of your thoughts to the bodily world is a particular feeling. The bike feels nimble, the engine sounds nice, and the view from the cockpit is otherworldly. It’s inflexible with a pleasant driving place, the stance sits greater than the place it initially was, and the contemporary high finish on a 50 12 months outdated engine is a pleasant bonus.

• Was there something accomplished throughout this construct that you’re notably pleased with?

I’m pleased with with the ability to keep true to what I wished with out compromising. I’ve discovered alongside the way in which that the cooler it’s, the extra headache it comes with to make it work.

With the ability to work out the {custom} magneto setup was an accomplishment that retains on giving each time anyone asks me what the open belt is for.