Finding a solid honda 750 gas tank is usually the biggest hurdle when you're resurrecting one of these classic machines from a pile of parts in a garage. Whether you're working on a legendary CB750 SOHC or a later-model Shadow 750, the tank is the literal centerpiece of the motorcycle. It's the first thing people see, and if it's full of rust or has a massive dent from a 1984 mishap, it's going to ruin the whole vibe of your build.
The thing about these tanks is that they aren't just containers for fuel; they define the silhouette of the bike. If you've ever seen a bare frame of a Honda 750, it looks a bit skeletal and awkward. But the moment you drop that tank onto the rubber pucks, the bike suddenly has a "face" and a personality.
Why Finding a Good Tank is Getting Harder
Let's be real for a second: most of the original steel out there is getting old. If you're hunting for a vintage honda 750 gas tank on the used market, you're likely going to find one of two things. Either it's a "survivor" that costs more than the rest of the bike combined, or it's a "barn find" that looks like it spent the last thirty years underwater.
Rust is the absolute nemesis here. Because these tanks were made of relatively thin steel, moisture loves to settle in the bottom corners near the petcock. Over time, that moisture turns into pinholes. You might think you've found a beautiful tank with original paint, only to fill it with gas and watch it start "sweating" fuel from the bottom seams. It's heartbreaking, but it's the reality of dealing with 40 or 50-year-old metal.
The Different Flavors of 750 Tanks
Not every Honda 750 is the same, and neither are their tanks. You have to be really careful about fitment because Honda loved to tweak things every couple of years.
The Iconic CB750 SOHC Tanks
The "Single Over Head Cam" era (1969-1978) is what most people think of when they hear "Honda 750." The early K0 and K1 tanks are the holy grails. They have a specific shape and a latching gas cap that just screams vintage cool. As the years went on, the tanks got a bit bulkier. By the time you get to the "F" models (the Super Sports), the tanks became longer and sleeker to match the cafe racer aesthetic that was popular in the late 70s. You can't always just swap a K tank onto an F frame without some bracket gymnastics, so definitely check your mounting points before you click "buy" on eBay.
The Nighthawk and DOHC Era
In the late 70s and early 80s, Honda switched to the Double Over Head Cam engine. These bikes, like the CB750 Custom or the Nighthawk, moved away from the classic "jellybean" look toward a more angular or "teardrop" cruiser style. A honda 750 gas tank from a 1981 Custom is going to look very different from a 1975 K5. They usually have a wider tunnel to accommodate the different frame rails, so keep that in mind if you're trying to mix and match parts for a custom project.
The Shadow 750 Cruiser Tanks
If you're riding a Shadow, you're looking at a completely different animal. These tanks are usually wider and sit lower on the frame to give that V-twin cruiser look. They often feature a top-mounted speedometer or a chrome "dash" panel. If you're replacing one of these, you aren't just looking for a fuel vessel; you're looking for a piece of the bike's instrument cluster housing too.
Aftermarket vs. Original Steel
When your original honda 750 gas tank is too far gone, you have to make a choice: do you spend a fortune on a NOS (New Old Stock) tank, or do you go aftermarket?
There are some great reproduction tanks out there these days. A few companies have started stamping out brand-new steel tanks for the CB750 that are almost identical to the originals. The benefit is obvious—no rust, no old fuel gumming up your carbs, and no hidden pinholes. The downside is that they sometimes lack the "soul" or the perfect fitment of an original Honda part. Sometimes the seams are a little thicker, or the petcock threads aren't quite as crisp.
Then there's the custom route. If you're building a cafe racer or a chopper, you might not even want a stock tank. A lot of guys will grab a generic "peanut" tank or a "Wassell" style tank and weld on new tabs to make it fit the Honda frame. It's a lot of work, but it gives the bike a totally unique profile.
Dealing with the "Gunk" Inside
If you manage to score a vintage honda 750 gas tank that's structurally sound but dirty inside, don't panic. You don't necessarily need a new one. I've had great luck using the "nuts and bolts" method—basically dumping a handful of hardware into the tank with some degreaser and shaking it like a madman to knock the loose scale off.
Some people swear by white vinegar, letting it sit for a few days to eat the rust. It works, but you have to be ready to neutralize it and seal it immediately, or it'll flash-rust before you can even get the cap back on. If the tank is really sketchy, a liner kit like Caswell or POR-15 can save it. Just follow the instructions to the letter, because if you mess up a tank liner, you've basically just created a 20-pound paperweight.
Identifying Your Tank's Petcock and Cap
One thing that trips up a lot of builders is the hardware. Not every honda 750 gas tank uses the same petcock. Some have a 16mm thread, some have a 20mm, and some use a dual-outlet setup for bikes with four carburetors that need a lot of thirsty fuel flow.
The gas caps changed a lot too. The early 70s bikes had those beautiful flip-top latches. Later on, for safety reasons (and to prevent leaks during a tip-over), they moved to the twist-off locking caps. If you buy a bare tank, make sure you know which cap it takes, because finding a vintage locking cap with a working key can be another scavenger hunt entirely.
Making It Look Good
Once you've got a tank that doesn't leak, the fun part starts: paint. The Honda 750 is famous for some of its "Candy" paint jobs—Candy Antares Red, Candy Gold, Planet Blue Metallic. These weren't just flat colors; they were multi-stage processes with a silver or gold base coat and a translucent colored top coat.
If you're trying to restore a honda 750 gas tank to its former glory, hiring a pro who knows how to shoot candy paint is worth the money. If you're on a budget, a nice solid color with some replica decals can still look amazing. Just remember that gasoline is basically paint stripper. If you're doing a DIY paint job, make sure your clear coat is "2K" (two-part) so it's chemical resistant. There's nothing worse than spilling a drop of gas at the pump and watching your new paint job wrinkle up like a prune.
Final Thoughts on the Hunt
At the end of the day, the honda 750 gas tank is more than just a part. It's the soul of the machine. It's where your knees grip when you're leaning into a corner and where you rest your helmet when you're parked at a coffee shop.
Whether you're scouring swap meets for an original 1969 sandcast tank or just buying a clean aftermarket unit to get your daily rider back on the road, take your time. Check the seams, look inside with a flashlight, and make sure the mounting brackets match your frame. A good tank makes the bike, and once you have it sitting right, everything else just seems to fall into place.
It might take some time to find the perfect one, but once you're cruising down the road with the sun reflecting off that chrome gas cap, you'll know it was worth the effort. These bikes have been around for over half a century, and with the right tank, they'll probably be around for another fifty years. Happy hunting!