The hunt for the forgotten Honda
Chasing an old dream when it comes to motorcycles is something many of us can identify with. For Bjørn Tore Faalund, the hunt paid off when an old Honda CB750F2 from 1982 appeared in his sights.
0/0
When Bjørn Tore turned 16, his mobility was provided by a Suzuki GT100, until one day it stopped working. The engine had pretty much given out. This is how his career on two wheels began, but Bjørn Tore speaks warmly of the Suzuki despite the accident. “It was the most powerful 100cc bike, but the quality wasn’t entirely convincing,” he adds. When he turned 18, the time for lightweights was definitely over, and a large, heavy Honda was brought home. The 77 model was one of the last vintages with the old 750 engine with a single overhead camshaft. The bike was partly in parts, but Bjørn Tore managed to get what was missing, and so he was on the road. This was in 1982, and Bjørn Tore’s 750 was about to expire.
CB750F2
Honda's new 750cc F2 was now on sale, and he will never forget the first one he saw, painted in Candy blue with white stripes. The model had a modern and stylish design where the fuel tank, side covers and fastback formed a continuous line. The rims were modern, the brakes were the same, and last but not least the engine had been heavily upgraded with double overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder and electronic ignition. A slightly upturned chrome exhaust system with 2 pipes gave the bike a sporty look. Bjørn Tore decided that one day he would own a Honda in this very color.
Wrong color
Bjørn Tore lives in Ski, just south of Oslo, and the place has a rich motorcycle community. Many of his friends belong to the Classic Honda Club, and several of the guys in Follo have imported classics from Sweden. Bjørn Tore's Honda came through this network, and in 2016 his dream came true. The bike was in good condition, with a few exceptions. The engine was only running on 2 cylinders, and the color was wrong. "Black with orange stripes was fine," says Bjørn Tore, but since the "dream" back in 1982 was originally Candy Blue, he had it painted in this color. White stripes were ordered from the USA, and with that he was almost there. After replacing some parts in the ignition system, the four fired on all four cylinders, and he was there. Bjørn Tore uses the bike mostly for short trips, and since Tyrigrava is not far away, he often stops by there on Wednesdays, on the dream that is now a reality.
Technical data Honda CB750F2, 1982 model:
Engine: 4-cylinder 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve
Displacement: 748 cc
Carburettors: 4 x Keihin 32 mm
Power: 78 hp at 9000 rpm.
No. of gears: 5
Electrical system: 12 volts
Front brakes: dual discs
Rear brakes: single disc
Front tires: 100/90 x 18
Rear tires: 130/80 x 18
Tank: 20 liters
Weight: 230 kg (dry)
Top speed: 200 km/h
