Designed and built by BGM Cafe Racers
It’s always nice to know one of our bikes is still being enjoyed, so it’s always a bit bittersweet when one comes back up for sale. In this case, the reason is simple. The current owner is leaving the country.
This RC42 was originally commissioned as a one-off build for its first owner before passing to its current keeper, who has looked after it exactly as we’d hoped. Now it’s ready for its next chapter.
If you’ve followed BGM over the years you’ll probably recognise it. Shortly after it was finished it appeared on the Built Magazine stand at Motorcycle Live, and it’s remained one of our favourite builds ever since.
The Build
The RC42 has always been one of those bikes that quietly gets on with the job. Honda built them properly, so there was never any desire to tear it apart just for the sake of it. The aim was to lose the bulk, tidy the proportions and improve the details while keeping the character that makes the RC42 such a good motorcycle. It still feels like a Honda. Just one that’s spent a little longer in the workshop.
Highlights:
Ducati Showa upside-down forks
Öhlins rear shocks
Hydraulic clutch conversion
Brembo masters and calipers
Motogadget electronics and instrumentation
Handmade in-house stainless exhaust
Bespoke monocoque tank/seat unit
In-house made tail light/ indicators unit
LED lighting
Fastec Racing custom CNC wheel hubs, top yoke, steering stem, rear brake carrier and sprocket carrier
One off stainless spokes and SM pro rims by CWC, Pirelli Angel GT2 tyres
One off in-house made wiring loom with Shorai lithium battery underneath the seat
Custom seat by Chris@Custom coach trimming
Custom metallic green paint inspired by a 1934 Ford COE truck by So-Cal Speed Shop by Derek Tooze
Engine fully rebuilt with new bearings, pistons etc, cerakoted in satin black
There are plenty of small details that don’t jump out in the photos. They’re the sort of things that only really become obvious when you’re standing next to the bike, and they’re probably the bits we’re proudest of.
On the Road:
This isn’t a bike that’s spent its life being wheeled on and off display stands. It was built to be used.
UK registered, V5 present. With only 300 miles since its full rebuild it’s barely run in. We’ve also just carried out a full service and it will come with 12 months MOT. It starts easily, pulls exactly as a CB750 should and rides with the sort of confidence that made these bikes famous in the first place.
There are no known faults apart from a couple of small blasters around the fuel cap
The Important Bit
Custom bikes are often full of compromises. This one isn’t. Check our web site for the full story.
It has the reliability of the Honda underneath with the attention to detail that comes from building one bike properly rather than a production line. If you’re looking for a CB750 that’s a little different, without losing everything that makes a CB750 worth owning, we’d love to hear from you.
