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14 of 48 lots
Lot 14
1973 Egli-Honda 750
Estimate:
$30,000 - $50,000
Sold for:
$27,000
Timed Auction
Geared Online | December
Description
Without Reserve

Chassis: Frame No. EVH 750 342 E
Engine: CB750E-2015785

Purchased by Adam Lindemann Directly from Egli Motorradtechnik
Restored from 2012 to 2013 and Shown in 2017 at the Prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Features Yoshimura Engine Tuning and an Egli Magnesium Timing Case Cover
Fitted with Aluminum Fuel Tank, Egli Racing Fork, 4-2-1 Exhaust, and Marzocchi Suspension
An Exotic ’70s Superbike Accompanied by Egli Service Book, Letter of Authenticity, and Documentation File

836 CC SOHC Inline 4-Cylinder 4-Stroke Engine
Four Keihin Carburetors
Estimated 80 BHP at 8,000 RPM
5-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front and Rear Disc Brakes
Front Telescopic Fork Suspension
Rear Swing-Arm Suspension with Twin Hydraulic Shock Absorbers

“Few seem to know that Swiss race preparer Fritz Egli made several bikes besides the famed Egli-Vincent. This Egli-Honda 750 was shown at Villa d’Este and features countless fascinating high performance parts.” -Adam Lindemann

Born in Zurich in 1937, Fritz Egli was a motorcycle racer and engineer who founded his own tuning shop in the early 1960s. He began racing a Vincent Rapide in the Swiss Hillclimb Championship and after two seasons of ongoing bike modifications without a race victory, he realized something more drastic was in order. The Vincent’s frame was hopelessly outdated compared with the benchmark Norton Manx, so in the winter of 1967 Egli designed a new frame and promptly won the championship in 1968. The frame’s secret was a large-diameter tubular spine that employed the engine as a stressed member and also doubled as the oil tank, saving space and weight.

Egli became famous for his Vincent specials, and they are highly prized and collectible to this day. However, Egli was also hugely successful with his frames and parts for the Japanese four-cylinder motorcycles of the 1970s and 1980s. The original frame design was retained, but the firm also developed its own racing forks, braced swing-arms, clip-on handlebars, exhausts, and magnesium wheels. An Egli-Kawasaki won at the legendary Bol d’Or 24-hour endurance race in 1974, cementing the company’s name as one of the all-time greats. Egli continues to build frames, parts, and motorcycles for the discerning racers and collectors to this day, unlike many specialist manufacturers who closed their doors in the 1970s and 1980s. This stunning Egli-Honda 750 was purchased in 2018 directly from Egli Motorradtechnik AG by Adam Lindemann while he was at Le Mans. According to correspondence with Egli Motorradtechnik on file, this bike was sold in Switzerland in 1973, likely as a frame kit, and it later changed hands to another Swiss collector. Egli notes that the bike was completely restored and rebuilt by a talented customer of theirs in close cooperation with their factory in Switzerland from 2012 to 2013. After the restoration was completed, Egli bought the bike back for its own collection and it was exhibited at the Egli Museum in Bettwil, Switzerland. In 2017, it was presented at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este where it was awarded Third in Class.

This impressive machine features an extensive array of exotic, high-end components, including an Egli 4-2-1 exhaust, magnesium timing case cover, racing fork, and wheels. It also features a bored out, 836 cc engine with Yoshimura tuning, an aluminum fuel tank, and Marzocchi suspension. The Egli is accompanied by a wealth of documentation, including an Egli service book, letter of authenticity, and correspondence. Making an absolutely stunning presentation, this Egli-Honda is a fascinating and potent embodiment of Fritz Egli’s engineering genius.