The impact of Honda’s first-generation CB750 cannot be overstated, having shaken the motorcycle industry to its core many decades ago. With so many copies rolling out of the factory in the 1970s, the model subsequently became virtually ubiquitous in used markets around the world. This, combined with its dependable nature and versatility, made it ripe for customization in the future.
And that was the status quo for a while, but well-maintained CB750s have become quite expensive these days and therefore less popular in the custom bike world. However, you will still see a tasty one-off pop up here and there, which brings us to this cute bobber from Australia. Built in 2021, it is the work of Giles Colliver and Andy Dorr, who operate as Sabotage Motorcycles from Sydney.
Together they have created some truly exceptional machines over the years and many of their best designs have been exhibited right here on self-evolution. Clearly, these Aussies know what it takes to build a world-class custom, whether they’re working with modern or classic donors. Sabotage has a particular interest in vintage Japanese machines, though, which becomes clear when scrolling through their extensive archive of builds.
Zooming in on this bobbed Honda CB750, it started life as a 1977 variant with a convoluted history. The bike spent its early life in the UK, before being converted into a chopper sometime in the late 1990s. Its inline-four engine was paired with a tapered Santee plunger frame, along with an assortment of custom parts befitting a quintessential chopper.
Eventually, the bike was imported to Australia by its current owner, who wanted to transform it into a classy bobber. First, he wanted to give it a more reasonable rake, so the frame was sent to a metalworking expert for the necessary modifications. However, it would take almost two decades for the owner's vision to fully materialize, as finding the right shop for the job was easier said than done.
Photo: Brent Lewin
The CB750 was still an unfinished mess after the frame modifications had been made, and most of the Sydney-area craftsmen wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. Luckily, Giles and Andy were more than happy to take on the challenge, taking custody of the old UJM and digging in. First up, its 18-inch front rim was swapped for a 21-inch one, laced to the wheel hub with new stainless steel spokes.
Some retro-looking Shinko rubber was then added to the mix at both ends, along with a pair of custom fenders and struts. The rear fender is much beefier than the front unit, supporting an LED taillight and a custom license plate holder. As for the striking fuel tank that sits center stage, it was already on the bike when it arrived at Sabotage HQ.
Giles and his teammate repositioned it to get the creature geometry just right, then proceeded to create a bobber-style seat base from scratch. Its rear rests on two chrome springs, and the seat itself is covered in black leather with contrasting white stitching. The machine was really starting to take shape with all these modifications done, so its cockpit was the next port of call.
Photo: Brent Lewin
A flat handlebar takes up most of the space in that area, with Posh switches, black rubber grips and a layer of chrome. Just behind the handlebar in the centre, we spot a Motoscope Mini digital dial from the Motogadget range, acting as the sole piece of instrumentation on this bobbed CB and keeping its cockpit free of any unwanted clutter.
Further up the road, there’s a vintage-style headlight set in a chrome housing, with discreet LED indicators fixed to the forks further down. As you might imagine, the Sabotage duo also got busy with the CB750’s four-cylinder engine, performing a full internal and external restoration. The oil is now stored in a custom-built tank, and the ignition hardware is housed in a very snazzy brass box.
Freshly rebuilt carburetors suck through a quartet of brass-plated intake tubes, while exhaust travels through a hand-built, ceramic-coated four-into-one system. Hints of brass plating have made their way onto various other bits and pieces, which brings us to the finishing touches that take this fabulous custom bobber over the finish line. We’re referring, of course, to the bike’s color scheme.
It’s not a traditional paint scheme per se, but rather a gorgeous blend of black paint, chrome and shiny metal. This combination couldn’t be more fitting for a one-off bobbed gem that oozes sixties vibes, and Sabotage Motorcycles have once again nailed the custom job in every way possible! Unsurprisingly, their client was over the moon to see his new bike, which was totally worth the long wait.