1969 Honda CB750 Sandcast Restoration Timelapse

Answers to a few common questions:

1. Indeed, I did use the original pistons. They were undamaged and showed no signs of abuse. They were easily within spec too. I cleaned them gently, installed fresh rings, honed the cylinders and ended up with a fantastic engine. Granted, they aren't shiny, but I try not to replace original Honda components when I don't have to.

2. The red paint inside the engine cases is Glyptol. Its an engine epoxy that is used to seal the engine (sandcasts have been known to leak through the porous walls). Glyptol also speeds up the flow of oil which makes the engine run cooler. Got the tip from Vic World many years ago. I've done this on many engines and never had an issue.

3. The cost to restore a bike like this really depends on how much you can do yourself. I was going for a show-level restoration and I am able to do almost all of the work myself (not metal plating or machine work). Depending on the condition of the bike being restored, I would say a restoration like this costs between $10k to $25k. Not including labor :)

4. This is indeed the bike that won Best of Show at the 2019 Quail Motorcycle Gathering. I'm still in shock!

5. Though I will sell the bike someday, it is not currently for sale.

[mitzyismad]

Rode the Brit Triumphs for years and a can still remember the day in 1970 when I first got the keys to a K1. The quantum step up was exhilarating and the ride, the controls, the sound and the acceleration are imprinted on my mind. I road them on country and city roads in hot and cold, wet and dry, and they never let me down, and I never lost my love for these machines. Many years and many cars and bikes later, on retirement, I picked up a roughy and did the same as above. It never goes away. Great video.

[garyhuempfner]

This video is the best one on YouTube. There is something truly gratifying about watching a professional restore a forgotten jem from the past. I tooled my girlfriend Sue around Rifle Gap on a Honda CB350 in '76. I miss her. And the bike.

[rankoutsider]

Nice to see another classic brought back to its original glory. Well done!

[aitken]

The most perfect motorcycle ever built in this guy’s opinion. I am so impressed, and SO jealous!!

[apetor]

It’s so amazing to watch how skilled some people are.

[cedricletourneur]

Toujours "la plus belle moto du monde". Quelle magnifique restauration. Merci Mr Roberts!!!

[cuzimaluzer]

Wish it would have been a 10 minute video, the replay was just a little too fast to see everything. Almost a little bit dizzying but I'm still thankful for the video. Top notch.

[t-roy]

That just about brought a tear to my eye, such a beautiful rebirth of a classic bike.
Kudos and keep on keeping on!

[ericsxr]

Sam, you are a true inspiration to all of the home mechanics out there! This was a beautiful video and this bike turned out great! Thanks for sharing this with the rest of the world.

[Ansmo]

One of the very best time lapse restoration videos I’ve ever seen - likes the way each restoration stage was titled.

[MrHatetheplayer]

the mechanical and editing skills are so high i couldn't even pretend to imagine how the hell you executed this video so perfectly

[motley]

C'mon man! That is a work of art and should sit in a museum. So gorgeous.

[fzlsalim]

Those posters, that motorcycle, takes me back to the life in yesteryears. Even though I never owned one, I could feel how a owner must have felt when he rode one! Wonderful video, much obliged for making this!

[rupertmittelstaedt]

Sam Roberts, you are a master. I take a deep bow... this is such a beautiful machine with a complete second life

[fidelcatsro]

Wow thats not restoration, thats a 2nd manufacturing resurrection of the bike!!
Wish i had the means to do this on my Suzuki Bandit!

[vincebrewer]

Very nice to see this machine being restored with integrity. Inspiring work, and by the looks of it, within the means of any competent and diligent home-builder. An elegant video too. Somewhere, an electric bike designer is probably imagining causing a modern motorcycling earthquake with a radical machine that changes the world the way this one did, half a century ago.

[KARMAkazeMoto]

Before anyone turns one of these into a chopped up, stripped down, cafe racer... they need to watch this video. I love that you're focusing on these specifically. Find something you love and be the best at it! 👍🍻

[zebby]

Results are amazing when there are skilled, talented, passionate, high standards people. What a bloody re manufacture job that was. Gorgeous bike and equally important to preserve such heritage rich and vintage motorcycle. I bow to all involved.

[Pileits]

I had one in 1970. Mine was factory bought. yours is MUCH cooler being a "survivor" as they call it.

[jstn]

Damn mister, that's the sharpest restoration I've ever seen.

Also putting the engine on its side and slipping it into the frame is genius.