Aug 27 2010
The Honda CB750 – A Modern Classic Japanese Motorbike
Until 1968, the large capacity motorcycle industry was the preserve of British, European and American manufacturers.
However, since the late 1940s, Japanese manufacturers had been enjoying ever increasing popularity in their smaller capacity machines.
However, in 1968, everything changed. No one had really seen it coming. It may have been complacency when the British motorcycle industry decided that the Japanese would never enter the big bike scene.
October of 1968 was a momentous year in motorcycle manufacture. Triumph had in the early part of the year, launched their new big bike – the 750 Trident. Despite this, the end of the year would be a body blow for Triumph, something that they just did not see coming.
The 1968 Tokyo bike show was the curtain raiser for Honda’s new CB750. A four cylinder, 750cc machine with four exhaust pipes and a host of modern features was launched. No more kick starting – electric start was standard, as were fore and aft disc brakes.
Honda had wanted to design a bike “the bigger the better”. Huge amounts of research were directed at getting the engine right in both size and configuration, the goal being low vibration and suitable for long journeys.
To reduce vibration levels, Honda had to design a completely new engine, as anything over 500cc in traditional parallel twin format was far to “buzzy”. After testing a range of configurations, the in line 4 was settled on, and formed the basis of superbike manufacturing for many years.
This was one of the first bikes to lose “character”, in that improved seals meant no more leaking oil! It was an instant success, indeed the first batch to be imported to the UK were all sold before arriving in Britain. Honda engineers had achieved what they had set out to do, a modern, reliable and good looking bike that revolutionized biking.
The CB750 was an instant hit, and paved the way for massive change within the motorcycling manufacturing industry. This was the dawn of the superbike.
Motorcycles are Zac’s first love. He enjoys nothing more than riding, cleaning and maintaining his collection of bikes, and understands how vital it is to store them correctly. He uses genuine Harley Davidson motorcycle covers. For more information and fantastic deals on bike covers, visit www.harleydavidsonmotorcyclecovers.net.