When Honda introduced the CB750K to the world in 1969, motorcycles were never to be the same again. Years of rumour about a 4-cylinder machine came to an end and the possibility of the man in the street actually being able to buy one became a reality. 

The first mass-produced 4-cylinder motorcycle complete with hydraulic disc brake was about to hit the road. Initial rumours said the bike, if it ever was produced would, be too heavy, too complicated, and way too expensive for the average motorcyclist. Honda dispelled all these rumours in one fell swoop, the bike weighed in at 480lbs. weighing less than most British twin cylinder machines that were its closest rivals, required less maintenance than most single cylinder bikes of the time, and above all, cost under £800.00 / $1500.00. 

This one motorcycle started a ‘war’ between manufacturers that still rages to this day and has not relented in over 30 years. An instant hit on both sides of the Atlantic, Honda’s formula of a large displacement, air-cooled 4-cylinder engine, hydraulic disc brake, low maintenance requirements, and affordability saw sales rocket. Honda USA sold nearly half a million CB750’s in a ten-year period, 60,000 in 1973 alone.

The engine is a 736cc inline, transversely mounted, 4-cylinder SOHC unit, with 2 valves per cylinder, 4 carburettors, and produced 67bhp giving it a top speed of 125mph. Very impressive figures for 1969 indeed. Words such as ‘magnificent’, ‘muscle bound’ and ‘the most sophisticated production bike ever’ were bandied about by the various press publications at the time. 

Honda’s reputation for reliability had been gained with bikes like the 305cc Dream, the 50cc Cub and the infamous Black Bomber, the CB450, all had sold in their thousands and had introduced a lot of people to motorcycling, so it was no wonder people were not afraid to buy the king of motorcycles, the CB750. 

The styling and quality of finish were like nothing seen before on a mass produced motorcycle, and a big "must have" selling point of the bike were the four into four chrome exhausts, they just screamed 'Big Bike'

This one model of motorcycle was probably responsible for sounding the death knell for the likes of Triumph and BSA motorcycles who just could not compete with the technology and speed of production that Honda had introduced.

Honda was unsure of the reception the CB750 would be given by the general public, and not knowing how many it would sell, did not initially invest in the proper dies for casting the engine casings on a huge scale, instead, they cast the first 7000 units in sand, later moving to the more efficient die casting.

It could be argued that the same model was responsible for numerous aftermarket accessory firms coming into existence, supplying fairings, screens, clip-ons and solo seats among other goodies, both for the road and the track.

The CB750 sold well up to 1978 when it had to relinquish its crown to Kawasaki’s 900cc Z1, but it will be for many, the original Superbike.

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Last updated 05/04/02