Honda CL750 Scrambler based on 755cc twin

Japanese magazine Autoby fueled the speculation when it published the presentation of a possible Honda GB750 on January 5, 2023. Following the debut of the Honda CB750 Hornet and XL 750 Transalp, rumors from Europe suggested that the new 755cc parallel twin would also power the retro roadster. Using the legendary CB/GB line, digital artist Shinji Miyakubo reimagines Honda’s historic makeup and personality.

One design exercise apparently wasn’t enough for publication, as Miyakubo returns for a double dose of nostalgia with the CL750 concept. The digital design is based on Honda’s CL racing family and features the same round light, round display and fork fairings that replaced the front end of the GB750 Concept. The saddle, similar to the one in the GB version, also adds to the classic CL silhouette.

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While most classic CLs used knee-hole gas tanks, Miyakubo prefers a round tank to distinguish the racer from the street. Like the recently launched 2023 Honda CL500, the high-profile exhaust system sweeps under the liquid-cooled twin before stopping near the rear fender. The artist modified the side panel of the CL750 Concept accordingly, resulting in a raised triangular shape.

In addition to the CL500 influence, Miyakubo takes the swingarm and twin rear shocks from the Rebel scrambler. Parts compatibility between the CMX/CL and CB/XL systems may not allow for such a setup, but the copy-and-paste function helps Honda fans envision a future design.

As with Autoby’s GB750 Concept, the evidence for today’s CL750 is paper thin. We’d need to see patents, trademarks or spy shots before we can confirm that Honda is considering a middleweight contender. But there’s no denying that Miyakubo’s work has us excited about the potential of Honda’s new 755cc engine.