Comments: 1-15, 16-23
The second day I had it I got rear ended at the Portsmouth traffic circle, which destroyed my mint rear fender along with the taillight assembley, and it also bruised my buddies fingers.
When I went to do an oil change I found the bolt on the oil filter cover had been rounded by the previous owner.
Also the neutral light blew recently.
Awesome bike, incredibly reliable and surprisingly fast for such an old machine. Both acceleration and braking are neck snapping. Me and my buddy timed it 0-60 and it only took 4 seconds with him on the back, considering that I weigh 190lbs and he weighs 140lbs, that's damn good.
The bikes handling is impresive, but I think that has a lot to do with the set of Avon semi-slicks the previous owner installed.
For a bike with only a single front disk and rear drums, braking is unbelievable, much better than any bike I've ever ridden from the seventies or even eighties for that matter.
Top speed is an indicated 138MPH, keep in mind that I'm 6'2" and 190lbs.
Reliability has been awesome, and besides the destruction of my rear fender by an idiotic motorist, I have had no real problems, and I ride pretty hard :).
Starts insanely fast in warm weather to the point where you literally just touch the starter, if you chose to kick it, it only takes a single kick no matter how cold the motor.
Wait at minute, are we talking about the same "Motorcyle of the Century" that I have owned for many years? My 1976 CB750K6 is typical of the breed I think. It is acknowledged by a vast number of Honda SOHC-4 owners that the legendary 4 cylinder bikes made between 1969 and 1981 are indeed incredibly reliable, but are among the coldest blooded machines you will find, typically taking 3-5 minutes to warm up enough not to stall if you goose them too soon. From a handling and braking point of view (with the exception of the later 1976-1979 F series with dual brakes) they are very primitive.
Upgrades that help include electronic ignition, roller bearing for the steering, progressive front springs and rear shocks (I bought mine from an English company called "Progressive"). You can also use the front forks from a Honda GL1000 of similar vintage for a really great improvement.
The later 1977-1979 versions benefit from different carb setup (with accelerator pumps) that help avoid the stalling/bogging that can result if you hit the throttle too soon. As for 0-60 in 4 seconds, sorry, not gonna happen, not even brand new were they that fast. If your bike is like mine, the speedometer spring has weakened so much that at 50MPH indicated speed, you are actually only doing about 40. Have someone follow you in a car at 60MPH and check it out! 0-60 will happen in about 7.8 seconds. Top end should be about 121MPH, depending on wind loading.
I also own a classic Honda 1975 CB400F, a really sweet little bike.
A wise man doesn't stick his head in a hungry lion's mouth. Riding your old bike at 138mph is like sticking your head in a hungry lion's mouth!
0-60MPH actually sounds about right to me, considering that when my CB750K3 was stock, it would cover the quarter in 13.1@104MPH. Though I do think 138MPH is a bit high, more like 130MPH if you've got the room.
And the brakes are quite good if you have ever ridden anything else from that time period.
Reliability of course, is typical Honda.
I ride a 1969 K0, I have also owned Fireblades, VTR100 etc. The old CB750 is still a usable classic. The brakes/performance do not compare to modern bikes, but if well bedded in, they are within the performance of the machine.
Electrics are superb, lights are great (fit a modern halogen headlamp).
I use a GPS, so I have my true top speed - 121mph. 0 to 60 is about 5 seconds, not bad for a 35 year machine. Obviously it's reliable and starting... what's the big deal? Just ride with the choke on for a bit, control the engine on the throttle, if it stalls pull the clutch/thumb the starter > keep rolling.
I can cover the same miles in a day on this as my Pan European or Fireblade, I can service it, it keeps up with almost anything on the road in the real world. It's no safer or more dangerous than todays machines, but a lot more satisfying to own.
I have to agree with the guy who wrote about the speedo cable being stretched. My 1974 CB750K is a full 20mph slower than the reading on the speedometer! It does haul A**. I'm 240# and the wife is about 160# (figure the actual weight boys). It still does a good job running through the mountains of Colorado. I love my 95% cherry CB.
Honda 750 will not do 138mph in stock form.
Reliability is good.
Got my 1974 CB750 this summer.. did about 2000 miles in 3 months. This bike is crazy nice!! I was planning on getting something else next year, but not gonna happen:) As far as speed; I got it up to 100 for a few seconds, but didn't dare to go any faster.
I'm 19 years old, and I bought my dad's old 1974 Honda CB750 off the guy he gave it to. The guy kept it outside uncovered for four years, only putting 71 miles on it. Before I bought it he threw on a new set of tires.
It has been bored to an 820, and for a old school 500 pounder that hasn't been run much in four years, she picks up and goes. I am very impressed with the performance of this bike; I was able to ride away on it with four year old gas, and thanks to the kick start, a dead battery.
I'm currently turning it into a cafe racer and can't wait to have it all together and in tip top shape next summer. Email me at travmx22@yahoo.com if you want to see some pics before and after, or chat with me about bikes.
I have been riding my rebuilt 78 CB750 for six months after having taken 14 months to rebuilt it. If I had known what I was getting into and what the end result would be, I would do it all over again.
The bike is very reliable and takes off like a bat out of h***. My top speed was about 120 mph, I got it there once and have never returned. Though I might upgrade the bike at some time, I will never get rid of my CB...
I just bought a 1974 CB 750.
The bike is in great condition, although it has been idle for months.
My problem is... The motor starts running, but after a few seconds it just stops, or if I rev it up, it also, chokes and stops.
I checked the gas tank - it has gas, not much, but still a bit.
Any idea on what might be wrong?
Thanks in advance for your help.
After reading all the positive comments of this classic bike, you have me drooling. How much would an old bloke like me expect to pay for one in very good/original condition? I would be looking for a 1974 CB750.
I've heard anywhere from $7,000 to $14,000.
I bought a '74 CB750 back in August, and while reading through all of this, a concern popped into my head. All of you are claiming a top speed of around 120mph... but my bike tops out at about 85mph (not that I'm complaining that much, it's a kick in the a** to ride up until that point, but a little disappointing once you get to that point).
The bike is stock to my knowledge besides lowered suspension, custom pipes, plus some cosmetic stuff... but that shouldn't really affect the performance of the bike. I'm not a big guy (6ft/150lbs) so weight bogging it down shouldn't be an issue. Any ideas as to what may be robbing the bike of its power?
I was given a 75' Honda 750 Four, and looking at the bike it is a DOHC, but I have searched the Internet over and cannot find anything stating that it was made in DOHC in 1975, only in SOHC. Have any of you guys ever heard of it in DOHC?
I picked up a 74 750 three years ago that was stored outside and not ridden or even started since 1982. It had been covered since the last time it was ridden here in Southern California, and had 20,000 miles on it. After cleaning out the gas tank, rebuilding the carbs, and replacing the battery, she fired right up. Since then I've replaced the tires and the seat. It runs and looks great! I just wish I could find the last of the four exhaust pipes at a reasonable price. The original owner put a header on the bike and lost one of the pipes.