Honda CB750 - The Birth of the Superbike

A Candy Gold Honda CB750 rides through Brighton, where the original prototype was first shown in Europe in 1969. The Honda CB750 was the bike that changed everything. It was light years ahead of everyone else and contributed to the fall of the once great British motorcycle industry.
The CB750 was considered by many to be the first superbike and you can see why - it offers proper performance, refinement and pure class. Experience this incredible classic machine, with its trademark 750cc four-cylinder engine and fantastic sound and see why it was the motorcycle of choice for generations of riders..
Shot with James Harrington and Paul Brace at Proper Bikes: properbikes.co.uk
A Brightside Media production: brightside-medi...

[@BrightsideMedia]

New film out now! The story of the two-stroke Suzuki GT750: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaHSXpWNi7Gkpbs

[@robertkman7857]

I went through a Honda 750 four craze a few years back. I had at one time every color they made. Needless to say wife was having a break down because I owned over 18 bikes at one time. Women!!!! Love their sound and everything about them.

[@harryviking6347]

Lol! I guess you ment you loved the sound and everything about the BIKES!! ---and not the women???

[@derekbond3512]

@@harryviking6347 Haha my thoughts exactly.

[@thra5herxb12s]

And not one video. Dream on 🤣

[@hook86]

Hope she let you keep at least one!

[@Grandmasterkiller]

Too bad you sold every one of them 😢

[@felineth56]

One of the most beautiful bike ever made!....Also, one of the best sounding bike engine ever made!

[@BrightsideMedia]

Couldn't agree more!

[@yonniboy1]

I remember how in awe of the CB750 I was when I first saw it as a 13 year old, suddenly the Norton Commando and the Bonnie were old hat, it's the reason we've got all the litre 4s today.

[@SwiftEagleOne]

This was a motorcyclist's prayers and dreams both materialising in one shot. A motorcyclist first dreamt this bike (his girlfriend trailing in the sequence). It was a stellar thriller separating motorcyclists from the "men." Never before in the history of civilisation did motorcyclists owe so much to just one - the Honda CB 750 Four! The legend for superbikes was just born before '70s came along sending HD's whimpering to their barns. In the annals of motorcycles history will be classified as the CB 750 Four and other "lesser machines."

[@BrightsideMedia]

Absolutely. It's still crazy to think about the sheer impact the CB750 had. A true one off.

[@lancelot1953]

I still remember when the Honda CB-750 was unveiled at the "Salon International de la Motocyclette" in Montreal, Québec, Canada, in 1969. We drove from the Northeast USA (across the border) to attend - what a surprise. The demo involved putting a glass on the gas tank and revving the engine - the cup in place. I picked all the information I could get on it. After the mandatory one year less-than-100cc-riding-experience on a 90 cc Honda (parents' rule), I bought a 1971 red Honda Four... and brought it to 102,000+ miles over the next ten years. I just did regular maintenance (batteries, brakes, clutch cables, tires, one muffler punctured, chain and changed the valve cover gasket once.) The only other superbike that got near me was Kawasaki's Z-1! Fifty years later, I am still riding vintage Hondas. The seventies would be for me the golden age of Japanese bikes - the designs and models they pioneered back then brought motorcycling decades forward. Ride safe, see you on two wheels, Ciao, L (Maine, USA & Québec, Canada)

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks for sharing your story :-) And we're glad to hear you had so much fun with your CB750. We just made a film about the Z1, it's been uploaded today so have a look if you like.

[@lancelot1953]

@@BrightsideMedia Hi Brightside Media, thank you for your answer - I will post my comments and experience on your Z1 video, keep them coming and thank you for bringing me back to a time of innocence and peace - Ciao, L

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks :-) Hope you enjoy the film. We're really happy our work brings back some good memories!

[@kimhorton6109]

I remember swimming in a stream in Japan just East of Iwakuni where I was stationed when I heard this four cylinder coming up the canyon. I couldn’t believe the sound. Down the canyon we saw this gold tanked bike with the wide engine and the noise was gorgeous. This was in 1971 and I had been riding bikes for five years having had a Norton 750 Atlas, Triumph Cub, a 47 Knuckle and a couple of step thru 50-75cc two strokes. Nothing sounded like this thing. The guy driving was about 5’5”, wearing sandals, jeans and a tshirt. I’ll never forget that day.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Wow, great story. And it really puts the impact the CB750 had into perspective. Hope you're still riding today :-)

[@NRUN65]

This is a wonderful video - thank you for posting it! I absolutely loved my 1970 CB-750 - I’d love to have another one. The exhaust note was absolute music to listen to. The bike was not so heavy that it couldn’t be physically man-handled and the relatively short wheelbase made it very maneuverable - without my fairing it felt much like a 350. When maneuvering It felt like bike and rider were one, which hasn’t been my experience with some longer wheelbase “cruisers”. The ground clearance was high enough to do limited (or sometimes not so limited) trail riding and that ground clearance combined with the exhausts and foot pegs sitting high along the side made grounding them out in an excessive lean-angle almost impossible. The bike’s extreme lean angle saved my rear on one occasion. The seat was very comfortable and many times I chalked-up 600+ miles on it on one-day rides. On my bike the engine was absolutely glass-smooth right up to 70 mph and above that there was just a hint of high frequency vibration buzzing noticeable in the handlebars and mirrors. It had enough horsepower to easily buck 30 MPH - gusting to 50 MPH winds while climbing mountain passes as I found out one day on a 300 mile ride, and the engine had surprising low-end torque for the aforementioned “limited” trail riding. What a bike!!

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing your story. We hope the film brought back some good memories of the bike. It certainly had the ability to 'shrink' around you, that's for sure.

[@austinroberts4008]

I remember going to the Honda shop in Kansas City and seeing rows of CB 750s lined up in the shop . It was an amazing sight , just as it would be 50 years later !

[@JackF99]

When I was growing up and that bike came to America it was commonly referred to as the "Honda Four". It was years later when other models we're introduced came to be referred to as the CB750.

[@roderickrayrutledge2740]

My dad worked at a motorcycle shop in Oklahoma and brought on of these home one weekend while my mom and sister were visiting grandma. We drove it to Dallas and back overnight.

[@stevestikihutable]

My all time favorite sound. The first time I saw one was in Topanga Canyon, when one passed my Porsche, on the outside of a tight turn then proceeded to pull away like I was standing still. Listen to this video with headphones! Thanks!

[@BrightsideMedia]

It makes a great noise, doesn't it. Although your Porsche couldn't have been too bad either. Good recommendation to listen with headphones :-)

[@DoctorAkikoFukuwara]

This was my first bike back in Japan. Loved it so many memories of running wild thru Tokyo on it 😂 Wish I had one over here in Scotland. Currently on Harley FXDB Street Bob but changing soon to a Yamaha XV1900 - cant wait!

[@BrightsideMedia]

That must have been amazing! What a great first bike to have too. Cheers!

[@ajax700]

First bike? Man, you were lucky! My first is a 125 yamaha haha. What can you tell us about this bike?

[@Gr8Layks]

It's a masterpiece. As a seven year old boy, I would sit on my neighbor's 750 Four and practice clutching/shifting. I have an Indian and 3 BMWs today. My first bike was a Honda VF-700F "tariff bike." Not a great bike (electrical issues on mine), but I do miss that awesome wide blue/white tank with the gold wing logo and the big petcock dial.

[@Gr8Layks]

Correction: my first *street* bike--my first bike was a Yamaha 125 IT.

[@Spartansrule118]

Is it easy to handle as a beginner rider?

[@peterjones4621]

I absolutely love this bike, I own one and I will NEVER sell it. When I pass I will donate it to a motorcycle museum NEVER to be sold. This is one of the top 5 motorcycles ever made. I'm in the process of making it look better than new. I will be chroming everything and making every detail of the bike absolutely perfect as possible. It is my life project and when I die it will live forever, preserved in the safety of the museum.

[@melfox6179]

In LA I had a very early blue CB750 and truly was king of the road. It completely wrecked every other bike in terms of performance, beauty and reliability. When parked it drew small groups of everyday people, marvelling at the sight of my four cylinder rocket(WOW! FOUR CYLINDERS!). Then there were the heavenly rides early mornings through the beautiful Malibu Canyon Road to US1 and on to Zuma Beach, BIG ETC. Will be getting an 1100EX soon and ordering the blue parts separately from Japan, not enough time left to fiddle with/restore an old one.

[@melfox6179]

Pulled the baffles(5min and richened main jets slightly(2hrs),some improvement

[@melfox6179]

In LA pulled up on my early blue CB750 next to a beat up, dirty brown station wagon, middle aged driver looking tired and beatdown. When he rolled down his widow(yep, no pw) , he said in a ragged voice, "Beautiful bike, where you goin'?" I replied that I didn't know. And as we began to go our own ways, he roared hoarsely, "Take me with you!"

[@BrightsideMedia]

Great story! Thanks for sharing that. The CB must've looked so cool in California in the 70s. Yet we reckon it would still draw a crowd now, so that says a lot about its appeal. Happy riding from rainy Europe :-)

[@peterweise3836]

Ride a CB1100 out of 2013 for nearly 8 years and 70.000km. I see it as a logical evolution of the CB750, which I like and saw the first time in gold in the neighbourhood as a young teenager. I always remembered this beautiful bike and still feel it when riding my CB. Some people think InLine Fours are boring. If they are like the engine of the CB aircooled with enough power and very good looks I like them and find it a pleasure to go out on a ride with my motorbike. In my opinion Kawasakis relative new Z900 line has not much in common with the their legendary superbike. They only try to sell the name. Some other manufactorers do the same like Suzuki with the Katana. A CB is still a CB, wether old or new. Honda did much more with it than only changing some parts of a motorcycle that was already part of their programm. That's the difference. A very big one.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Evolution rather than revolution, that's a good way of looking at it and keeping to a formula that works.

[@iamrichrocker]

still love the look..and colors of the 70s bikes...one thing i would change on your channel...ditch the music when the sound of the bike would be better sounding to my ears..

[@winkeemanley1820]

Miss my 1970 K0. Brought me much joy, many miles of happy motoring and good memories.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Many miles of happy motoring is what the CB750 is all about :-) Hope the video brought back some of those good memories!

[@bigdavefastball5952]

My uncle bought one in 1970 and I was 5 yrs old when he took me for my first ride around the block. I remember holding on to his belt loops and that was the start. I have a garage full of Honda inline 4's starting with the early 80s F bikes. Just the sound of the red one in film brings back a flood of memories. Thanks and great job!

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks for watching :-) That first ride around the block kicked it all off then? It's a great image to think of holding on just by belt loops.

[@bigdavefastball5952]

@@BrightsideMedia Same uncle bought me my first motorcyle for my sixteenth b-day. And yeah, it was a Honda!

[@billh.1940]

I had a 1980 750 f what's bike, great handling, fast! Forerunner of modern super sport bike! Mine was silver!

[@joshuabarlow9373]

Just got my grandpas 1978 cb750k running hasn’t ran in 20+ years super excited great bike im going to keep it all original as much as possible

[@BrightsideMedia]

That is awesome! Keep it original and it will thank you for it :-)

[@ribalderr6052]

that was the most beautiful red I had ever seen. bought that thing on the spot way back when. so smooth, so fast.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Yeah, it's pretty special, isn't it?

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

I’ve had a 72 K2, 76 F1 and a 77 K7 and i really miss them all 😅 Maybe it’s about time to find “the final one”. Living without a CB 750 is hard.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Sounds like a plan!

[@benwallace2539]

I bought a '79 CB750 a few months ago, which I have been stripping down and rebuilding into a custom bike. So excited to start riding it!

[@BrightsideMedia]

You've got a lot to look forward to! Post a pic on the community tab when you're finished with it :-)

[@robertplant55]

CB750K0: DIE REVOLUTION Sensationelles Debüt auf der Tokio Motor Show Die spannende Vorstellung des Prototyps der CB750Four auf der 1968er Tokio Motor Show war ein herausragendes Ereignis in Hondas Firmengeschichte. So wurde das erste Japanische Bike der 750er-Klasse - atemberaubend ausgestellt auf einem Drehteller inmitten des Honda Messestandes - das populärste seiner Art. Die Messebesucher kamen nicht umhin von dieser Präsentation sehr beeindruckt zu sein. Die CB750Four sprengte die bisherigen Standards existierender Motorräder in jeder Beziehung. Mit einem luftgekühlten Viertakt-SOHC 4-Zylinder Motor in Hondas erstem Doppelschleifenrohrrahmen, einer hydraulischen Vorderradscheibenbremse und einem selten langen Radstand von 1.480mm, war sie ungleich allem was vorher existierte, in Japan oder auch irgendwo anders. Es gab zwar vorher andere 4-Zylinder Maschinen, z.B. die 600cm3 MV Agusta aus Italien oder die deutsche 1000cm3 Münch mit einem NSU Automotor angetrieben, aber jene Maschinen waren nur in winzigen Stückzahlen hergestellt und verkauft worden. In der Szene dieser Zeit wurde die in Serie produzierte CB750 nicht nur von Honda Fans begrüßt: ihr vernünftiger Preis und die hervorragende Qualität machte sie zum Thema #1 unter den Motorradfreunden weltweit. Die Serienversion tauchte in den Medien auf und wurde zeitgleich im April 1969 auf Hondas Arakawa Teststrecke in Japan, der Britischen Brighton Show, dem Nürburgring in Deutschland und Le Mans in Frankreich, der Öffentlichkeit vorgestellt. Überall war das Lob auf die CB750 beispiellos.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Genau so war es :-)

[@noirceur_]

Mate, this is simply another amazing documentary coming from you. I know it's been a while since you had put anything out but when I saw this notification I smiled wide like a kid with $50 in a candy store. I just want you to know that your videos/documentaries are why I ride a road motorcycle today. Your videos, information, and passion had that big of an impact on me. Thank you for producing this content, especially in these difficult times. I wish you, your crew (if there is one) and your family the best, stay safe, stay healthy.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thank you so much for the kind words :-) It's feedback like this that makes me keep making these films. I wish I had the time and budget to do more. It takes a lot of work. But hopefully the channel will grow and I can do this much more often. All the best to you too mate. Stay safe and healthy and ride well once we're allowed out on the roads again!

[@noirceur_]

@@BrightsideMedia Absolutely sir, you deserve all of the praise. You have the passion that needed to succeed on this platform and in life. If you are able to devote that passion and time to this channel, it will be a guaranteed success. Thank you for the kinds wishes as well, I think we all are looking forward to the day our thumping or smooth exhaust echos through the back roads once again. 👍😊

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thank you so much. Making these films is much more personally rewarding than a lot of other work. And as the channel continues to pick up I'll be able to do more for it. As soon as things calm down the first thing I'm going to do is line up as many films as possible! Haha, yeah. How I miss the sound of an exhaust on the roads now.

[@noirceur_]

@@BrightsideMedia Well sir, I can tell you that all of your fans here will be waiting patiently for your next release. If you ever need more financial support from your videos, Patreon is a great option and I know I'd be willing to give monthly to help someone make YT videos of this quality, as their full-time dream. You just do you and we'll still be here 😊

[@BrightsideMedia]

I'm really happy to have fans like this :-) Makes it all worthwhile. And it's also about making quality films rather than just knocking them out. Patreon is a good option and I'll look into that. Thanks mate. BTW, is that an f10 in your profile pic?

[@stevecuthbert8856]

The CB750 was my first bike. It was red. The only thing I didn't like about it was you had to synchronize the four carburetors because the throttle had four cables run into the top of them. Later they used a linkage system that tied them together which kept the in tune better.

[@BrightsideMedia]

They’re not easy to synchronize it’s true. Great first bike to have. And we like your choice of colour 😉

[@jesterokjones4954]

Man, it sounds so good! Beefy little 4 banger on that bike! And reliability for millenia....

[@Sidnair510]

Mate your channel and it’s content are the best. It’s through your channel that me and my friends came to know that most of those bikes existed. I’ve watched most of your videos over and over again and I am eagerly waiting for new videos from you. You’re one of those true collectors who’ve brought to us the real feel of those motorcycles from another era. Please bring more content and videos for your channel fans.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks for the kind words :-) Glad you like the films and enjoy them. We'll be making new ones as soon as we can get out on the road again, don't worry.

[@thorick590]

golden days and a golden bike. thanks for the memories...

[@BrightsideMedia]

We're happy your enjoyed it :-) Thanks for watching!

[@hauer54]

Wish Honda would consider bringing back a 2022/23 version of the CB750 (classic model)!

[@Handskemager]

My bonus dad have a 1976 CB750F1 custom painted in 2003 in a beautiful vibrant electric blue, that is one amazing bike

[@badenpascoe3976]

Still a stunning looking bike.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Yes, agreed.

[@redflame44]

love it.... i've had my 76' CB750F Super Sport for 36 yrs..... i got it restored about 6 years.... and it runs fantastic :)

[@BrightsideMedia]

Very nice!

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Great video even better sound. Ive got two of these a Red K0 1970 ive had for 40 years and done 120,000 miles on its a 3 owner UK bike now 180,000 miles. The fist owner was Honda UK of .Power Road London, it was their rolling test bed fitted with all the tuning bits as they came on the market like high comp pistons, high lift cam etc......it flys! The second was a genuine 14,000 mile USA import 1970 KO in the same gold as the video bike. It needed refurbishing but is like new now and thats quick too. The sound of the early bikes up to K1 is unique and addictive, they are plenty quick enough, yes they will go to 125mph! Id go on a 2,000 tour with either of mine tomorrow not bad for a 50 year old machines, you can still get many spares and a lot have even been re manufactured using original tooling, these 750s are going to outlive us all. Ive got other bikes but when the sun is out and the roads deserted its got to be done on a Honda 4

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks :-) Really glad you like it. And we always try to capture the sound as best we can, so happy to hear it works for you. Wow! You (like your bike) are a lifer! That's impressive mileage. Though not surprising at all. Are you planning on keeping both? They will outlive us all, as will many of the other bikes we feature. There'll be loads more this year, so please subscribe if you like :-)

[@annbullock7622]

Honda made 750 four and it was large leap in technology and reliability. I remember seeing these early 750s , fast forward to 1985 I picked up a second hand gold wing it turned out to be 1975 KO only a few where made so i'm lucky to have one, bike magazines did not now what too make of it back then.

[@dubbeljubobby]

Talk about a trip through memory lane. Great videography, thanks for putting together! 👍🏼

[@BrightsideMedia]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you :-)

[@SergeyKarpenkov]

It's an utter delight to twist that throttle. It's confidence, simplicity and comfort - be it travel or commute.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Yes, you're absolutely right. And with that kind of power and ability you could even use it every day. It'd be a bit of a shame though...

[@scottouellette9411]

I own a 1970 CB-750 14,000 original miles metallic green. Still polishes nicely no rust no nicks dents.I am second owner I have owned it 22yrs.Starts up everytime flies when it has too. Cruises all day at 80mph great in city traffic. Can take a 500mile day trip and never worry about breaking down .

[@BrightsideMedia]

The other launch bike in Brighton was actually green. Although its whereabouts are currently unknown sadly. Maybe it's happily cruising around somewhere doing what a CB750 does best :-)

[@ajax700]

👏👏👏 More of this please! More videos, more often!

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks :-) Glad you like it.

[@ColinVanderheide]

Fantastic Bike had one from 1976 - 1979 in Australia ...... and they had a nice sound 👍👍👍👍

[@BrightsideMedia]

Absolutely, they sound great :-)

[@rishavganguly1687]

Although these gems are out of reach for the common man now, still I can proudly say I own a 2022 Honda CB350 (marketed in India as the Highness 350) which is somewhat of a toned down spiritual descendant of this legendary CB750! Love the Hondas!❤

[@fodank]

Came here to hear the sound of the engine. Had one from 70-72, put over 50,000 mile on it. Beautiful bike. Thanks for this trip down memory lane. (Cost me $1,450 back then. Can't buy a decent bicycle for that now. Cheers, D.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jesterokjones4954]

Great production, great video, great content and just all around good vibes!

[@Sidnair510]

This motorcycle is a real unique piece of art. Can’t believe that there are these people who ruin these machines converting it into cafe racers. Even though cafe racers like Triumph Thruxton, R.E Continental GT, MotoGuzzis and Norton Cammondos are real legends, still people convert these iconic bikes into cafe racers.

[@BrightsideMedia]

We like them original :-)

[@daxchenier3491]

My dad had CB 750 k when I was a kid and latter on I got my self a Cbx and it's still a joy to ride thanks for the video

[@BrightsideMedia]

No worries :-) Thanks for watching

[@Tuukkis]

CBX? You mean the beast 6-cylinder or the "regular" smaller displacement model? Either way, awesome! I have a CB750KZ 1981

[@joechadwick4681]

Brightside Media, Compulsory viewing for men of a certain age , Great times .

[@the_hippykiller22]

I'm really warming up to the idea of putting my dad's '76 K7 back on the road. It's been sitting in a shed for 10 years and it breaks my heart as I've known this bike for basically my whole life. I think I'll ask it as a gift for my birthday and have it restored at least partially so I can finally ride it.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Do it! Who knows how much longer we'll be able to enjoy these kinds of machines, after all?

[@bonsaibean2971]

I had a CB 750F for several years. What a great bike!

[@BrightsideMedia]

It sure is!

[@yuvrajdeopa3369]

The yt channel I was looking for over these years

[@BrightsideMedia]

We're glad you found it :-) Feel free to subscribe if you like!

[@archerblacksmen3320]

I have a 1971 cb750 four for five years now i still ride it i have a 4into1 mag exhaust it's loud i love it!

[@josephcurry4891]

I love mine. The person I bought it from had stock chopper dreams but I’m slowly getting it back to stock

[@BrightsideMedia]

Original is definitely better :-)

[@ajax700]

What a disgrace to turn this bike into a chopper! haha. As this is the bike that transformed all the Harleys into bad-boy-poser bikes, as Japan now was not afraid to manufacture big bikes, at a much better price.

[@kriskringle6631]

When working at honda dealer in the 70s I chopped a lot of these that was the styling that people wanted

[@melfox6179]

Chop up the previous owner!

[@johnrestaurador]

Amazing, perfect bike and perfect 4 minuts film. Thanks from Brazil

[@BrightsideMedia]

Glad you liked it!

[@fonziebulldog5786]

Still looks like a super bike today and imagine what they thought back in 1969. 😱

[@BrightsideMedia]

If you think about it, that must have been like seeing something from another planet

[@fonziebulldog5786]

@@BrightsideMedia 😄👍

[@stevensmith743]

I owned a 1977 CB 750 I bought used in 1980. It had a Windjammer after-market fairing but was otherwise stock. The 750s were wonderfully forgiving bikes and all-around fun rides. Sold it for a 1982 Suzuki GS 1100,E, the only bike better than it until the very late 80s.

[@Nigel58]

Another great video. Thank you! Worth noting the original had four cables to the four carbs. In some the induction vacuum caused the slides to rise and accelerate the bike unbidden. Later models, certainly my K2's, had single push-pull cables and combined lever-operated slides. Positively closing them. Much safer. Absolutely lovely bikes though. Just the right size and fast enough. 👍

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thank you :-) Good point about the cables to carbs, thanks for sharing that. There's obviously so much more that can be said about the CB750.

[@melfox6179]

Yep, my blue one had the separate carb cables, but I never had a problem with them.

[@shardbeard8279]

How have I not known about this channel before. Brilliant!

[@BrightsideMedia]

Glad you found us :-) Subscribe if you like.

[@Nepbor]

I like the color and originality in details of this motorcycle. Cool 😉👍🏻

[@ramishrambarran3998]

Wonderful doc. A sound like no other ! Trinidad & Tobago.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks :-) Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Evolution_Kills]

Would love to get one of these, cause they still hold up. I've owned two Nighthawks (84' CB700S, 93' CB750), and I now own a 17' CB1100EX. I love UJM's, and I hope we will always have a few rolling around.

[@BrightsideMedia]

They really do still hold up. And we reckon they get better looking with age. We're also sure there will always be some around - fewer and more expensive with time - but always :-)

[@kriskringle6631]

That was quality back then

[@richardwarner746]

Sounds like you need a CBX!! I have a silver'79...needs a new valve oil seal on #4..other than that, I still get a lot of compliments, even if it does look like a destroyer laying a smoke screen!!

[@siberwolf33]

Half a century since its inception and still the greatest, most beautiful bike on the road, at least in my eyes. That's saying something.

[@BrightsideMedia]

It absolutely is. And we'd argue it will continue to age very well indeed.

[@denniskelly2177]

I bought a new 1975 750 Honda and it was a very nice bike.

[@rumi9005]

I remember first seeing this bike around 1970. A group of us went to 'Santa Pod'. That was the UK's attempt at drag racing venue. Held in Podington (hence Santa Pod). It was mostly motorcycles. And one event always sticks in my mind. Someone had put a Jaguar 6 cylinder engine on two wheels. It was a ridiculously unwieldy creation but what the heck. The competition was a real surprise - a brand new Honda 4 cylinder PRODUCTION motorcycle. The guy had ridden it to the venue. The Jaguar engine monstrosity had to be started with a car engine attached to a pair of rollers to turn the rear wheel. It took them several minutes to get the bike started and running cleanly. But eventually the rider wheeled his noisy creation up to the starting line, where the Honda was waiting. The Honda rider simply pressed his electric starter. Then the flag dropped and the pair set off down the quarter mile. By the time they were half way down the Honda had already left the other bike in the dust. And it sped across the finish line seconds ahead of the competition.

[@BrightsideMedia]

What a cool story! And what a sight that must have been :-D

[@batavicus]

A college sophomore in 1982, I bought a 1972 CB750K2 for $500. I drove it around town and around North America. It was still on the road in 2013 and had with 95,000 miles on it when I had it torn down to the frame and redone. I couldn't imagine parting with it.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Awesome! You got a bargain there. Hang on to it!

[@davidcaraway4505]

@@BrightsideMedia In the early 1980s, the single cam bikes were considered passe' and not worth bothering with--at least in my part of the US. My choice came down to the CB or a full dresser water buffalo Suzuki (which you've capably reviewed on your channel) for $700 (a semester's tuition). The Suzuki's tire went flat during the test ride and despite the owners' apologies and willingness to have it fixed straight away, it spooked me, so the Honda it was.

[@thedolphinDog]

Great editing.....really great bike....really great video

[@vincentbyron7086]

I had a K 5 in metallic blue..Beautiful machine .Never a problem or fault.

[@BrightsideMedia]

That's part of what made them so revolutionary - they worked.

[@michaelbell8347]

I have a 1978 cb750 F. Love it!

[@paulscountry456]

I love Honda, I ride a 98 vtr 1000 Superhawk....love it

[@BrightsideMedia]

Cool!

[@arthurpendragon7224]

Great video, not nearly long enough !!

[@BrightsideMedia]

There will be more, longer ones further down the line :-)

I still wonder how Honda did manage to blunder the "new retro" when it only had to do a 750cc version of the CB1100ex, put the price under 10K€ and used the 50 Years (not 60 as stated in the video) of the original bike that changed it all to sell it like hot cakes as a mkt effort. Even today, more CB750 are traded every day (second hand market) than the cb1100 ex. I want to love the cb1100ex as the "natural" evolution of this bike, but it is too much of a bike(pricewise, weight, size for commute), and really hard (and expensive) to change anything. Thank God RE is teaching the other guys as to pricepoints and engine sizes.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Yes, that would have been cool. We reckon the 900RS got it pretty right.

[@TheSpidey1969]

Great bike! I have a '77 F2! Amazing ride!

[@BrightsideMedia]

It really is an amazing ride :-)

[@janinsweden8559]

Such a beautiful bike! But I was too young and did not get my drivers license until 1982 and started with a 400cc Yamaha. Next bike was a 750 Bonneville. I regret that I didnt choose a CB 750 Honda instead as there were plenty of them available.

[@wilfriedwolff1849]

😍 my bike ! 1976-1986 !!

[@mikeymike3240]

I love you’re bikes and videos, especially the bikes. Loved the 250cc challenge for best daily ride, this GT250 Suzuki, cause I had the very first GT250K in April 73 on my birthday in the UK. Got another k model, just finished restoring it and am going to start building her up. Awesome video, love the early CB750s

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thank you :-) The little 250s were loads of fun and a great start before 'graduating' to something bigger.

[@mikecwrebster3178]

I'm 61 still own a 73 and 75 love my kids and love them

[@alpcns]

Gorgeous bike. I have one from '73, needs cosmetic restoration. Magnificent machine.

[@BrightsideMedia]

They're so good. Restore it, keep it original and it will be good to you :-)

[@marylouisemaher3501]

Had a red 750 k2 4 into ones magic,then a 750 1978 f2 wow love at first ride.

[@paulmason2375]

Stunning machine...let's go back to those day's.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Many would if they could ;-) It's an incredible machine

[@Mr75044]

Had one in 1984. Mirawaki 810 over bore. Compo clutch F1 box. Frame couldn't cope.. Cams picked up.. Common problems. Oil feeds to the head very small....frequently change the oil & filter folks.

[@phungcanhngo]

Best motorcycles from Japan.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Absolutely!

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

This is a wonderful piece. Bloody hell ! As a kid in the 1970's those CB Honda's were my daydreams. They were brillant. Let's hope Honda has one more trick up their sleeve. Would luv to hear what you think of the Honda CB-F prototype.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks :-) Glad you enjoyed it. We saw the CB-F concept. It's doesn't look quite so much like a 'retro' in the same way the Z900rs does. If they built it though, it would probably be a pretty cool bike though.

[@k-trailblazer]

Never fails to make me emotional as to think how those times were. Lucky generation I would say. Thanks for the video. What's the background music here?

[@BrightsideMedia]

That's a good point actually, that generation was truly lucky in that sense

[@spudboy56]

Excellent piece. Love hearing the exhaust rumble and the intake drone.

[@BrightsideMedia]

You and me both! It's not easy to get the sound right, but totally worth it.

[@kramrollin69]

@@BrightsideMedia Nah, its easy to get the sound right, just use the factory parts, filter box, HM300 pipes and there you go.

[@manure_the_bear]

As always, a pure pleasure to watch. Tasteful and informative. In fact, your channel was one of the things that influenced me to get a CB1100EX which is now a 'dream come true' for me. Thanks!

[@BrightsideMedia]

That's amazing. Thanks for the kind words. Really happy yo hear that you made your dream come true and that the films helped a little bit :-)

[@megcrust7327]

Thinking of that bike as an original work of art doesn't make the sale price seem too bad.

[@BrightsideMedia]

You’re actually absolutely right, in that case it’s a bargain 😊👍

[@gajendrasoni2853]

Honda CB 750 nice sound beautiful bike

[@BrightsideMedia]

It sure is!

[@TheSkylark16]

I own the 81 cb750 dohc, still dreaming one day I could ride on one of those K series

[@BrightsideMedia]

They're really cool, that's for sure :-)

[@cenchloraadums3143]

This engine sounds so amazing...!

[@BrightsideMedia]

It really does, doesn't it?

[@ajax700]

If Che Guevara really wanted a revolution he should have developed a better engine than the 1969 CB750 one. Because it truly revolutionized the world. It obliterated the english bikes, almost all of the companies went bust some time later. The Harleys became traditionalist gangs toys, also always on the verge of bankruptcy. From this bike on, japanese motorcycles were fearless to compete with anything. UK, Italy, USA, Germany. And above all, manufacturing in large quantities and at much more affordable prices. "It doesn't make noise, it doesn't vibrate!" some complained ha ha ha. Miura invented supercar, CB750 invented superbike!

[@BrightsideMedia]

You're right. As the story goes, they ran the engine at 8,000 RPM for 20 hours straight and you could still balance a coin on it without it falling over.

[@justaguy2365]

One of the best engines ever built

[@BrightsideMedia]

That's true

[@godwinflores4819]

Brightside Media hey sir may i know the song you used on 0:05 to 0:56? And how tall are you? I just bought a 1980 750c on tuesday

[@alejandrosienra2179]

Excellent moi!!🌠🏍️

[@BrightsideMedia]

Cheers!

[@joesantora8855]

As I wrote in on of your other pieses..While stationed in Japan I found one of the Honda "homo" 750s. A KO with sand cast cases. It wasn't until the '76 Kaw 750 came out that another 750 could match it. And mine was one of the gold tankers.

[@BrightsideMedia]

One of the first :-) Very nice and great colour as well. Must've been great to ride it in Japan back then.

[@joesantora8855]

@@BrightsideMedia Yahoo keeps rejecting my comment for a really stupid reason..... Anyway My 750 wasn't just any KO. It was one of the 200 that Honda built for the Daytona 200. Back in the day if a manufacture wanted to run a bike in the 200 it had to do it with a production bike. One that was off the assembly line and available for purchase AND the production run had to be over 200 units. Honda addressed the problem by making a run of 200ish KOs. And mine was one of them. It was a brute. I don't know (or remember) what the differences were.

[@jdsolberg7613]

My first bike was the 79 Honda CB750F DOHC. To me the DOHC was the big leap forward.

[@Jednoustopou]

Awesome video. Thank you so much!

[@BrightsideMedia]

Glad you liked it! Thank you :-)

[@i.r.wayright1457]

I could just scream. When I was fresh out of Vietnam in 1969, the first thing I did was trade in my black CA77 Dream for a shiny red CB750. It was the first one the dealer had gotten so we made the trade and I rode home on Serial Number 1001352. BTW, I was down to 115 pounds after the hardships of the tour of duty in a tropical clime, so needless to say, that fast bike was respected by the muscle car guys. I finished my remaining year and a half at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then removed the front wheel and drive chain and bolted the front axle to the rear bumper of my car to tow it back home 600 miles. I got a job as a motorcycle mechanic in 1979 and traded the CB in on a CX500, getting $900 for the 30,000 mile 750. There comes the scream when I hear what the early ones bring these days. But, I must say, I did not miss the 4 cylinder and was happy with the twin, but now days I have an ST1100 that they will probably have to pry from my cold, dead hands.

[@BrightsideMedia]

What a story, thank you so much for sharing. The early ones do fetch a pretty penny nowadays. But how could we have known? The important thing is that you got to put 30k miles on it and I'm sure you enjoyed every single one. That's what these bikes are for. It may sound silly, but sod the money as long as it made you smile!

[@i.r.wayright1457]

@@BrightsideMedia Yes it did, but it also made me worry every time I did the ton and above. Are the spokes tight enough, are the tires okay, will the chain break and punch a hole in the crank case? And, most important of all, will I get a ticket? In Kentucky I was running with friend with an X6 Hustler. We came down a hill and saw a long straight in front of us so I pinned the throttle and the Suzuki did a pretty good job of staying close behind. Just at the end of the straight we had a Mopar police car behind us with a 440 V8 in it. It so happened that we passed by the end of the cop's driveway just as he was coming off lunch break at his home. If we were over 100 mph, think how fast the police had to go to make that intercept. Boggles the mind. He did mention that at full throttle he could watch the fuel needle go down.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Of course. It's not just a 'run it up to top speed and forget about it' kind of ride. That's not even thinking about the law yet either ;-) Haha, the fuel needle on our camera car goes down when you floor it too!

[@RecoilAddict88]

My dad owns a turquoise Honda CB750. It is still in a mint condition.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Lovely :-) It's great to hear about people who keep them in great condition.

[@sicks6six]

Remember seeing my first one in kens motorcycles newcastle.soon they were everywhere and the end of bsa.norton.triumph was here.some this bike did that but it was the whole Japanese bike makers the Z kwaka Suzi GT and RDs were just around the corner the super six SUZUKI was before this bike and that was the real deal changer IMO.

[@benpar8120]

The Original CB 750 from the Launch sold for over £160,000? Mine's THE same colour. It's currently being restored back to original. (save it from the Cafe Racer graveyard!! Once I can get the rear exhausts for a decent amount of £££, (anyone selling them for a REASONABLE amount?) ....I'll be riding it down to Brighton, then The CB 550....;-)

[@BrightsideMedia]

Back to original is definitely the way to go :-)

[@benpar8120]

@@BrightsideMedia I suggest that you make a video about the CB 550 next

[@boredloner2609]

Honda should bring back this style. Even if it’s just a 500cc.

[@michaelvachon1334]

What a coincidence! I happen to have a Candy Gold and a Candy Red CB750 as well. Both are 1971 K1(USA) models. The gold one was purchased new in early 1971 by my Dad, who had gotten into motorcycling just a couple years before that. I grew up with that bike and I took it over as a regular ride in the late '70s. I moved on to more modern bikes (regular mounts now include a '99 Valkyrie Interstate and a 2014 CB1100), but knew I would never part with the CB750. I finally restored that one in 2006 (video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIKnqndqorJ5aMk). After many inquiries about selling the gold 750 (it will NEVER be for sale), I decided to restore another one that, if pressed hard enough, I would consider selling. That bike was restored in 2014. There is nothing like getting off a modern bike and then jumping on one of these CB750s. Although the power is there, it is still a more visceral experience because of the lack of modern touches, like ABS, fuel injection, or slipper clutch. 50 years later, they are still awesome motorcycles!

[@BrightsideMedia]

Thanks for sharing the story. They're not just amazing in terms of the engineering, but also in how they make us feel.

[@kramrollin69]

Lucky guy. I agree though. I have a restored (by myself) Aussie 1971 K1, that still has the Japanese 80kph warning light between the gauges. When you ride it, you ARE transported back to 1971, the sound the feel, the handling (I used a original type ribbed tyre on the front...what fun). With the original Hm300 pipes, as you know, it sounds exactly like the gold bike in this video. Im temped to sell it, as I lo9ok like Magilla Gorilla sitting on it, but I have a CBX to play with......and a 74 Trident. 😊

[@JETZcorp]

If you go back and read magazine tests of the CB750, they are indeed very impressed with how versatile and competent the bike is. No question on that. But if you wanted a fast bike, it was actually edged out by the Trident/Rocket and by the Kawasaki H1 triple. Handling was okay, but certainly heavy and not up there with British twins like the Bonneville or the Nortons. Although it's very popular to say that the term "superbike" was coined for the CB750, you see "superbike shootouts" from the time with 5 or 6 bikes competing for the favor of the editors. The Honda was typically upper- to mid-pack in every category, whereas most of the other bikes excelled in one category but tended to be quite bad in others. The Honda was, and still is today, a very sensible bike that will do what you want it to, but probably won't make you giggle very much. It has what all the new bikes have, and a bit less than you might want of what the old bikes, even ones 10 years newer than the CB, had. But hey, I'm a Kawasaki Triple guy, so I'm obviously biased. You've got to respect the Honda, even if it doesn't stimulate your dangly parts.

[@BrightsideMedia]

The Honda was the whole package. A harmonious all-rounder. And quite the revelation in terms of reliability. There's a story that Honda would run the engine up to 6000 rpm for 200 hours and then up to the redline at 8500 rpm for 20 hours in development. And even after that you could balance a coin on the engine casing and it wouldn't fall over.

[@JETZcorp]

@@BrightsideMedia BMW reliability but at an affordable price! I can definitely see the appeal, as compared to a big four-stroke twin that vibrates and leaks and is always either too hot or too cold. But the 2-strokes always have my loyalty. In my experience they've been extremely smooth, civilized, and reliable, whilst also being exciting and easy to maintain too. I wish I could have a 2-stroke in my car.

[@BrightsideMedia]

Fair point. The R90S (which we covered in a film as well on this channel) cost bucketloads more and had similar performance to the CB750. The 2 strokes are a different kettle of fish (we've covered the RD350 and the 250s in different films too) - you're right that if they're well maintained, they're excellent and there's none of that cloud of smoke thing either.

[@JETZcorp]

@@BrightsideMedia I think most of the "reputation" for 2-strokes came from people who were completely unfamiliar. Service departments saw tons of "engine seized, full injector tank, empty injector lines". They didn't want to tell the customers they ran it out of oil like an idiot, but the fact is they ran it out of oil like an idiot - A LOT.

[@BrightsideMedia]

You're right - it's all about setting them up and running them correctly.

[@brendandrury2177]

I love that bike