Topic: Awkward first date.

[vrm]

Did you ever see that girl, or guy that looked like someone that you would like to get to know but never connected with? Then you finally do go out and you see that you don't really have anything in common. The conversation dies and nothing happens. The person is fine but there is no spark. That's what happened to me with the CB750. I saw my first one in 1970 when I was 9 and I was smitten. I never had one until earlier this year. It needed plenty of TLC. I found this very helpful form, read up and got her running great. I haven't posted here much but I read many helpful threads that saved me a lot of trouble. The only problem was that I decided that it wasn't for me. After years of happily riding Vespas I am used to lighter bikes. My GTS250 does all I need. Cruises great on the interstate. I've put 25K on it and did the Iron Butt saddle sore ride. The CB is a great bike, just not my style. The upshot is that I sold the Honda and am going stick with my scooters. You all have been very kind and helpful and I thank you. I'll probably check in now and again. Maybe a smaller SOHC4 would suit me better.

[LesterPiglet]

Maybe a smaller one would be better.
I love my 550 but think the 750's are too cumbersome. That's me.
Good luck whatever you ride.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

To each their own.  I love my 550 (first bike) and my 750 (connection to older family members who rode 'em).  And I can understand your connection with throwing around on smaller bikes too as I also ride a CM250C (precursor to the Rebel).  But I'd have to say that 7 times out of 10, when the choice of rides doesn't matter, I throw my leg over the saddle of my sidecar rig.

[Bankerdanny]

I recently sold my GL1000. Even though I liked riding it and it performed fantastic during my 1,000+ mile stage of this year's Relay Rally, I never warmed up to it like I did my CB550 I sold to buy it. It was ponderous around town, a serious pain in the ass to get up on the center stand when parking, and only got high 30's MPG wise.

I'm a big guy (~6-4, 225lbs), but for me the 550 was a perfect fit (once I removed the center strap from the seat). It was light and agile and a great city bike, but it also was plenty fast and comfortable for a 6 day 1,400 mile trip (Relay Rally #1) and consistently got 45-50 mpg. Should you decide to one day look for another SOHC4 I would definitely recommend a CB500 or CB550.

[Stev-o]

Years ago, a 550F was my first SOHC and liked it but thought it was not heavy enough for the highway. Sold it and bought my 750 K4 and love it but missed the nimble 550 and bought another [kept the K4].

Maybe a CB350 would suit you?

[cheftuskey121]

I am a small guy. 5'5 175lbs. Very short legs. I have never ridden or owned a motorcycle before and I got a cb750. I have no basis of comparison, haha. It's a bit big for me. A bit heavy too. But I make it happen it's nice to know the power is there. More than I need anyway. I would like to try a 550 sometime though to see....

[Stev-o]

I am a small guy. 5'5 175lbs. Very short legs. I have never ridden or owned a motorcycle before and I got a cb750. I have no basis of comparison, haha. It's a bit big for me. A bit heavy too. But I make it happen it's nice to know the power is there. More than I need anyway. I would like to try a 550 sometime though to see....

You're a freak, Chef!  [meant in a good way]  For a guy that never owned or wrenched a bike and rebuilt Yolanda into that beautiful beast is truly amazing. You should be very proud.

[cheftuskey121]

I'm just stubborn stevo instead of finding the bike that fits me I just make me fit the bike. I am very proud. Excited to get finished rebuilding here and get onto the F! I'll stop hijacking though. Sorry to hear the 750 wasn't a good fit. Hope you can find a vintage bike to wrench on!

[dhall57]

Here's my 2 cents on the 550. My last sohc4 bike that I bought in the 70's was a 1976 CB550. Loved that bike, this seems to be the general opinion here on this bike. And it would run, it would rev toward 9500 red line(I think) faster than you could say lickety split and being around 18 at the time I stayed in that zone 99.9% of the time. This is one bike I wish I had held on to and I would take another one for sure.

But for the life of me I just can't figure out why vrm would rather ride a scooter than a CB750 Why would you want to ride this when you could ride this
vespa getting on highway 427

HONDA　CB750　K-0　JAPAN

[70CB750]

I wonder if Vespa has that power kick around 4000 or so - I would not ride without it 

[bjatwood]

I started off riding Trail 70 Honda's, got a 900F in the mid 80's, raised the kids with NO bike, got the 750 4 years ago, Love it. But was not big enough for two up riding. So we bought a Wing for 2 up riding. And let me tell ya, you think a 750 is "big" ride, hop on a Wing around and then hop on a 750, it feels like a light weight fighter bike! I have all the bikes listed above with the exception of the 900F Custom. Would like to buy another one, but am feeling the tug for a bike I never had, a V65. Most good examples (with a good 2nd gear) can be had now for less than 3K. 

[Stev-o]

But for the life of me I just can't figure out why vrm would rather ride a scooter than a CB750

Ha!  Me either, but to each his own.  Maybe 'cause he hasn't ridden a CB550?

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yeah, I would say try a 550 if a 750 is too bookoo for you. If you think the 550 is too big then you probably need to stick to scooters and Kick 'n Go's.

[flatlander]

If you think the 550 is too big then you probably need to stick to scooters and Kick 'n Go's.

... or go one size smaller, to the 400F. could be a good alternative to a scooter, and much more?

[Bankerdanny]

VRM lives in a smallish (about 19,000 people) city in Kansas. If he uses his scooter mostly to get around town then I can see where it would be a better option over the larger and much heavier CB750. The Vespa is easy to ride in traffic, agile, has more than enough power to move smartly away from a light and will get about double the gas mileage. I totally get why he might opt to sell the 750 and ride only the Vespa.

I had a similar feeling about my recently sold Goldwing. It was a fantastic highway bike, but so big and heavy that I avoided using it for short trip around town because I just didn't want to deal with the bulk. That is one of the main reasons I went looking for a 550 project earlier this year. I wanted another smaller bike for everyday use. And knowing from past experience how versatile the 550 is, I felt comfortable selling the Wing because I know that when it is done this Spring I will be able to use the 550 for everything I need, including the occasional long trip.

[vrm]

I commute 30 Miles to work each way on my Vespa and as I said I put on 25,000 mostly interstate miles including the Iron Butt ride which, in case you don't know is 1000 miles in less than 24 hours. (I did it in 19). So I'm not a complete stranger to the highway even though I have practically no experience compared to most of you. I would not hesitate to ride it anywhere. The scooter does all that I need. Plus Vespa is pretty much top dog in the world of scooters. Big fish in a small pond. I am not soured on SOHC4s. Someday I might try a  4-500cc. I started riding on a CB125S, which was great but obviously not big enough for the interstate. Speaking of side cars I also have a vintage Vespa with one. It's been a blast to ride once I got the handle of making right turns. The CB750 is a great bike and if my garage were bigger I would have one. I will check in here and probably post once in a while. You are a great bunch of people. Thanks again.

Matthew

[Bankerdanny]

I love the Vespa sidecar rigs. There are usually several at the Chicago Mods vs Rockers event every year.

If you decide to take the plunge again, think 550. Physically it is identical to the 500, but it has an upgraded transmission and clutch setup.

[Bankerdanny]

This one was at the 2013 event

[bjbuchanan]

I would have been amazed if you had gone from a scooter to a 750 and been happy. They are such totally different animals that I'm surprised no one tried to persuade you not to?

I would check out a 400f. Small, nimble, revvy and fun. Maybe a big twin?

[dhall57]

I guess its all what you get use to. Im 5'9 185lbs and I think my CB750's are a perfect fit for me. To me they never feel bulky, or top heavy, etc. It doesn't matter if Im out on the interstate or riding around town. But when I got my first 750 in 2009 after riding a HD Wide Glide for 10 years the Honda felt almost like a scooter for a while. My 77 GW just like bjat says, and you ride a Wing and than jump on my KO or K6 and at first I feel like just threw my leg over my SL175 that I rode back in the early 70's.

[Bailgang]

I would have been amazed if you had gone from a scooter to a 750 and been happy. They are such totally different animals that I'm surprised no one tried to persuade you not to?

I would check out a 400f. Small, nimble, revvy and fun. Maybe a big twin?

+1, I agree going from a scooter to a cb750 would be a big jump. It took a bit to get used to riding my 750 for the first time after riding my 550 for as long as I did, I can only imagine the diff between being used to riding a scooter then hopping on a 750 for the first time.

[Don R]

 We never thought you were good enough to date our girl anyway.

[youn6372]

Funny how different we all are here.  I went from a 900SS/SP and a Hayabusa to a CB750K3.  I love the 750 but it feels like a scooter to me!   

[70CB750]

We never thought you were good enough to date our girl anyway.

 

[heffay]

If you like Vespas, you'll love a 350f.
That is all.