1/6 Tamiya Honda CB750 Kit Collectors Guide

This is a long overdue addition to the 1/6th series of "Big Scale" guides. The series was created to assist Collectors and Builders of these large Automotive and Motorcycle plastic model kits. I've collected "Big Plastic" as a side hobby of my Automotive interests for many years, and have amassed a substantial amount of knowledge along the way. Most of the kits in these guides are the earliest examples. This Honda CB750 guide is special because the kit was Tamiya's first 1/6 Motorcycle and was the first "Big Scale" Motorcycle made by any manufacturer in this scale. The guide will concentrate on Kit Identification, History, Features, ect. Less information is given for the actual build due to kit rarity. Feel free to email with comments, corrections, or additional information.

** The Original 1/6th Tamiya Big Scale Kit #1, Honda CB750 **

IDENTIFICATION; This guide will assist with details on how to identify Tamiya's first 1/6th "Big Scale" Motorcycle kit. This milestone kit has been in production for almost 40 years, and changes have been made over the long production run. Identifying a first issue, or an early release is relatively easy. A first issue kit will have a box with stapled corners. Later issues will have glued corners on the box. Also, look for the Black "Model Racing Classic" emblem on the front of the box. This "MRC" emblem was deleted on modern re-issues. Additionally, The kit number on the end of the box will be BS0601. Any 4 digit number after the kit number will be the kit's price (in Japanese Yen) when the kit was new. Later re-issues had the kit number changed to 16001. An original kit will have different colored lettering on the box than those found on later kits. You'll notice in the photos the "1:6 Scale & Big Scale 1" are printed in Blue. Re-issues have Black Lettering. Keep in mind that Tamiya made 3 Honda CB750 kits that all shared the basic parts molds (i.e; Frame, Engine, ect). Those first 3 kits are shown below;

BS0601                                        BS0603                                   BS0604

At the core of these kits is the original CB750, number BS0601. The CB750 Racing Type kit, number BS0603 was the trimmed down Competition Bike with a full fairing. That kit changed the Gas Tank, Seat, Tires (unique to the Racing Bike), Exhaust, Handlebars, ect. The original Racing Type CB750 did have the individual link chain option. The CB750 Police Type, kit number BS0604, added quite a few parts trees for the Police accessories, Molded the frame in White, White Fenders, Off White Solo Seat, but did not have an individual link chain option. Opening the Honda CB750 box, you will find a Classic Vintage kit that has over 400 parts. See photos below;

The reference kit pictured has mint sealed parts and is one of two in my collection. It is a very early kit from October of 1973. The other kit in the collection  is a first release from 1970 but has minor assembly and hardened tires (it is pictured above with all 3 Honda CB750 kits). The only internal difference between the kits is the parts blister(s). A first release has (2) blisters; One blister is on a Geen Card contains the Tires and the Seat, and the other is Blue containing the remainder of the hardware. The kit released in '73 has (1) blister with the Tires and all hardware on one card (the Seat is packed loose). Otherwise, contents are identical as well as the boxes. The significance of identifying an early kit is that the originals have a Multi-Link Chain option. You can build the kit like later re-issues with a plastic molded chain found in all other 1/6 Tamiya Motorcycle kits, or, you can assemble a Very realistic multi-link chain with metal links. The chain option added well over 100 tiny link parts. The well illustrated instructions are written in English. The address on the instructions will be 50-1, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan. This was Tamiya's address from 1969 to 1974. The small Decal sheet is printed on White paper, and in the reference kit, carries a date code of 10 '73 (October 1973) on the rear. Watch for age degradation with decals. Replacements are very difficult (near impossible) to obtain. Parts are molded in Metallic Bronze, Black, Chrome, Silver, Clear, Clear Amber, and Clear Red. Only the Bronze parts tree in this 1973 kit has a paper "Honda CB750" paper label on the parts bag. As with all vintage Tamiya kits, beware of rubber tire degradation. Even if well stored in sealed packaging, some tires will "melt" or become hard. It is hit-or-miss when you open an old kit , but keep in mind that replacement tires are very difficult to replace. Building this kit is a challenge due to the very high parts count. Many vintage kits will be found in various stages of build due to complexity. It is most common to find an original kit that has been partially built, abandoned, re-discovered, and then sold. Rarely will all of those tiny parts be accounted for. Original unbuilt kits are very scarce, and if complete with good tires will demand premium prices. An original first issue of this kit is a definite keeper for any kit collection.

** 1/6 Tamiya Honda CB750 Kit History **

When Tamiya released the Huge 1/6th Scale Honda CB750 kit in the late 1960's, it was a one-of-a-kind. Not only was it the first Motorcycle kit manufactured by anyone in this scale, but the world have never seen anything like it. There are quite a few 1/6 scale Motorcycle kits available today, but this Honda CB750 from Tamiya was the first. Not only the size of the kit was impressive. Detail was of a level never seen before (and rarely since) and the kit was loaded with features. Most significant was the 74 individual metal link link chain option. The kit also included a very detailed working front suspension with metal tubing, springs, rubber dust boots, and a removable front tire. Rear suspension is also very scale and operates via working coil-over shock absorbers. The rear tire can also be unbolted and removed after assembly. Rear brake lever is spring loaded and works, as well as both kick stands. Seat flips up, and the Gas Tank, as well as both side covers are removable. An added feature is that the completed Engine can be unbolted and displayed separately on an included display stand. The Front fender is made from Chromed Metal, and the Front Forks turn. The kit also includes Black and Clear vinyl tubing for most hoses and wires. The kit has remained in almost constant production since the late 1960's, and to this day, still stands as a landmark kit. It builds to an incredible display right out of the box, but with minimal added detail, it is an over-the-top kit. 

      This 1/6th scale Tamiya kit depicts the original 1969 Honda CB750. This bike is today considered the world's first "Superbike". When introduced in '69, the CB750 changed all motorcycles forever. It was the first production bike with and Overhead Cam Inline 4 Cylinder Engine. Four Carburetors, Electric Start, Dry Sump Oil System, and 68 horsepower. The well balanced inline 4 engine was so smooth that Honda Salesmen would stand a Nickel on edge atop a running engine and it would not fall over. More importantly, the engine did not leak oil. Other features of the bike were; A Front Disc Brake, 5 Gallon Gas Tank, Full Gauges with Tach, 4 Individual Exhaust Pipes, and High Speed Tires. Overnight, the CB750 destroyed the market for British Imports, and drove Harley-Davidson to the brink of bankruptcy. In retrospect, the one complaint that surfaces is that the CB750 did everything so well that it became "Boring". Honda had checked all the boxes when developing the CB. The bike had everything riders wanted and more, but in the process some of the "romance" had been lost. Anyone could get on this bike, and ride it anywhere. Today, the CB750 is still a very contemporary bike, but in it's day it was revolutionary. All Modern Motorcycle designs can be traced directly back to this bike. The Collectors market is very strong for original CB's, especially for the earliest "Sand Cast" bikes. When Honda first developed this motorcycle, they were uncertain of how it would be received. As a result, the first few thousand production bikes had engine cases that were sand cast, rather than die cast. Die Casting molds would have required a greater expense, and Honda was uncertain that the bike would be a sales success. It was clear right after the bikes American debut in June of 1969, that Honda had a runaway success, and tooling was changed for greater sales volume. These early Sand Cast bikes are now coveted collector bikes. It is appropriate that Tamiya's (first) 1/6 Big Scale kit #1, and the first of what is today a line of almost 30 kits, was the 1969 Honda CB750. It is currently available New, which is remarkable when you consider the kit is now 39 years old. New kits currently price in the $100.00 range plus shipping. Vintage "Chain" kits are scarce. If one is located in minty unbuilt condition, prices are at a premium. A must have milestone kit for the collection.

** Kit Features (Vintage)**

** Over 400 parts Molded in 4 Colors

** A Multi-Link Chain Option

** Scale Working Front Forks

** Working Rear Coil-Over Shocks and Suspension

** Rubber Like Tires with Realistic Tread Patterns

** Removable Engine, Side Covers, Gas Tank, and Wheels/Tires

** Spring Loaded Functioning Kick Stands (2)

** Flip Up Seat

** Engine Can Be Displayed On Separate Stand

** Kit Pros And Cons **

Pros. A landmark kit (of a landmark bike) in 1/6th Scale from Tamiya. A very high parts count with all contents of a very high quality. This is the only 1/6 scale kit of this motorcycle ever manufactured. Scale of the kit appears to be very accurate. One of only two kits made by Tamiya with the Individual Link Chain option. Still in production as of 2008. A definite kit for the Big Scale Collector.

Cons. A vintage kit that is now 39 years old. Locating unbuilt original kits is very difficult. Early Tamiya models with Rubber Like Tires are susceptible to deterioration. This CB750 kit is highly likely to have tire problems. Replacement Tires have been found in Japan, but prices are high. Decals are likely to be degraded by age as well, with replacements being very difficult to locate. High prices for Vintage unbuilt kits make building one prohibitive.

I hope you have found this guide informative. If so, take a moment to give it a vote. There are many more Big Scale guides in the works, so check back often. There are many more rare kits to be written up......