General Category > French Sandcasts

Old member from France

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philcad750:
I asked pics to members of the Club. One of them owns 3 sandcasts over 7414: two bikes and one motor. I'll post them in the new topic 'french sandcasts' when received.

You know guys, I always been told that the 1000 first CB750 have been built in California by Honda America in 68/69. This is the reason why the numbers (frame and motors) start at 1000001 in the USA. However, french dealers and other dealers in Europe I guess, have received these early bikes (one per dealer) for demo purpose. I personally know one of this sandcast bike in France, given to Michel Rougerie (the pilot who won the first new Bol d'Or race in 69) by JAPAUTO (a famous dealer in Paris). The engine number is 1000313. The frame was interesting because we can see a steering damper fixation above the horn. The steering damper has finally never been installed by Honda on the CB750s. 

According the parts list information, France received sandcasts from the frame number 1003495 in august/September 69. 543 sandcasts have been sold in 69. I suppose all the CB750 sold in France in 69 were sandcast models. I don't know when the first die cast has been sold.
       

kp:
Phil,
Very good feedback. We need to have the sandcast CB750 fraternity from all over the world engaged in these topics as the information provided from all countries is invaluable to help us develop our knowledge of what occurred back in 1969. For example, I know Tom Courtney from Australia has provided valuable information to our forum on a range of topics. My understanding from Tom is that a number of bikes with numbers in the 15XX were delivered to Australia for demonstration/sales purposes and these bikes remained in the country so the delivery of the bikes numbered 5130 may be the official line but this would seem to bear no fact to reality. There was a green or gold sandcast bike floating around the UK but they say no sandcast was seen in the UK at all. Thus, we are bound to look elsewhere for the unofficial official information. Indeed, if we look at the official record, the production of sandcast cases ceased at 7414. My personal view is that the "French Sandcast" is real and a fact. Some will of course disagree as the record states otherwise.
Please keep the dialogue going as I and others are excited at what you have to share  :) KP

Steve Swan:
Phil, perhaps you've heard of Bob Jameson and Bob Hansen.  Some information on these two mens' involvement with the CB750 beginning 1967, can be found in the website under the "2009 Meet" section.

Bob Hansen sent Bob Jameson and Bob Young to Japan in 1968.  At the 2009 meet, a number of us SOOC members met personally Bob Jameson (then age 80) and Bob Hansen (then age 90.)  Bob Hansen's association with Honda began 1959.  Bob H was invited to visit Honda Japan in 1967 and during his visit, while at dinner, gave Sochiro Honda the idea to build a 4 cyl, not a 650cc 2 cyl as was being planned.  

While in Japan, during March 1969, Bob Jameson watched and was present when the #1 machine was built, not on an assembly line, but on the floor by a very excited group of Japanese engineers.  Bob J was in Japan for more than 30 days, test rode the #1 bike (among others.)  Bob J had very interesting stories of seeing the manufacture of parts and the building of motorcycles following the #1 CB750.  I've not had the privilege of meeting Bob Young who was in Japan during that period for over 6 months.  

Somewhere in the website and/or on youtube, there is a link to the one hour presentation these men gave on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the meet.

I talked with with Bob Jameson and Bob Hansen as much as i could over the 3 days of the meet.  They both said every CB750 was built in Japan, not in the USA.

That steering damper gusseting is certainly interesting, it's on a number of members early vins.

philcad750:
Steve, thanks for the information regarding the fact that every CB750 has been built in Japan. I have to check this with the guy who told me the first CB750s were manually built in California.

You mentioned Bob Hansen in your mail. Do you know the story of the CR750 which won Daytona race drived by Dick Mann in '70 ? In 2003, it seems Bob has confirmed that this CR, located in France where it has been restored is the right one. But there is still a lot of discussion about it. Frame and many parts will be the good ones, not all of them. See the following link : http://www.daytona70.com/English/history.htm  

Regarding the sandcast numbers over 7414, please have a look on these 3 pics :

1 bike : Frame #1017272 - Engine #1017417
1 bike : Frame #1017109 - Engine #1014170
1 engine #1017135  

Digits types are the same on the three engines. So it seems these numbers have been engraved in the Honda factory.  

Steve Swan:
Phil, thanks for sharing those Evins.  Indeed, they ARE impressive.  The font certainly appears Honda !

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