First off, I gotta say it’s a damn good looking build in spite of it being based around an ubiquitous CB 750 inline four cylinder engine. And, if you’re any student of history, you know that there were at least as many Honda choppers around back in the day as Harleys so it has some street cred. Maybe the fact that there were so many of these around led to their big chopper numbers more than anything, but back then you chopped what you rode.
Anyway, Lester’s “Less Is More” approach shows the guy was really thinking out of the box when he decided to build this absolute one-off chop. Not only did he pick a CB, but he picked one of the rarest CBs ever, a CB750A, the “A” standing for automatic. I doubt that most people have ever seen one or even heard of one as they were a slow seller for their three-year life span starting back in 1976. Actually, this was not just a regular old 750 with a two-speed auto, but a completely redesigned engine that probably had some of the features Lester was looking for in his Less Is More mantra. The engine was now a wet sump design so there was no external oil tank and attendant plumbing leading to less to deal with. Score one for Lester.
Lester also cleaned things up a bit with a magneto handling sparking duties and led to his removal of the electric starter motor and the need for a battery too. Luckily for him, the Honda was built during the transition period when kickstarters were being kinda eliminated, but Honda supplied one under the seat as a safety blanket that could be bolted on if really needed. Now it’s no longer under the seat, but permanently in place (with a familiar looking pedal rubber) on the left side of the bike and I’m sure it works just peachy. He also simplified things by bolting on a set of 2-into1 intake manifolds to mount twin carbs with velocity stacks where four once lived connected to a big airbox. Less Is More. He also built a wild collector header that swoops to the right before swirling down under the front mounted spin-on oil filter which replaced the messy stock cartridge unit before dumping out just before the left footpeg (making a ride-side side stand necessary). A cool solution with a tough as nails look.
The beautifully finished four was stuffed into a long, open hardtail frame that totally defines a motorcycle as being an engine, frame and two wheels. There’s more open space here than Montana, but it doesn’t look empty or missing something, it just looks right. By the way, this engine has to be the most accessible unit to work on I’ve ever, ever seen. Nothing’s in the way ─ it’s almost like working on one on a bench.
Less Is More continues with the MIA front brake and all braking handled by the solo disc out back controlled by a foot pedal. Obviously this leaves nothing on the dead straight drag bars except a pair of sparkly grips and a simple Magura-style throttle housing. Less Is More once more. By the way, the two-speed has a torque converter and no clutch at all so there’s three manual shift positions on the tranny ─ low (good for 50-60), high (good for up to 105 or so) and neutral. The original bike had a parking brake button as this bike could roll away without it, but I assume Lester parks carefully or just uses the nearest chock rock.
Classic laced wheels blend in nicely especially with the vintage Firestone square tread tires looking appropriately butch. I’m not sure what the fork is, but it’s a clean, simple good looking unit fork nobody probably cares much anyway. The Mustang-style tank is a great choice and doesn’t fight for attention while the aluminum rear fender with a bit of a flip at he back looks simply lovely as is and compliments the aluminum sprung seat with Lester’s name and mantra etched into it. Topping of the deal is tidy black finish on the frame with a black tank base featuring heavy flake silver scallops and red striping.
All In all, it’s an innovative, clean and shockingly together overall look on an unusual choice of power. Obviously you are not going to be seeing another one of these coming down the road soon so for Lester’s thought, time, and effort put into this unique build, Less Is More.