Topic: Do you ride your SOHC4 for speed, style, soul, or something else?

[50words]

As I may have mentioned before now, I just started riding this year. I think it was the week after Easter when I finally figured out that first gear was down, not up.  Now I have taken the Basic Rider Course, I am fully licensed and insured, and I have a couple months of riding under my belt. I have been wrenching on my bike the whole time, and I hope a couple more tune-up items will have the engine purring smoothly so I can move on to suspension.

I love riding. I love the kick in the ass when I open up the throttle, the growl of my engine through the ineffective Kerker muffler, the feel of the wind rushing past my helmet, the smell of my leather jacket, the way my bike squats down and grabs the pavement when I accelerate out of a turn. I love the hunt for problems and parts to fix those problems, and the relaxation that is working on my bike.

But as much as I love my bike, I can't help thinking I want something faster. I don't necessarily want to cruise at 150 mph all day, but being able to blast off from a stop or out of a corner is so thrilling. I don't want a liter bike or anything, but I'm starting to look for a 600cc sportbike to feed my addiction. (And I'm well aware that I still need to take it easy or I'll kill myself quickly.)

I'll keep my bike because 1977 is the year I was born, because I get compliments on it everywhere I go, because I want a project, because it's still a fun city bike, and because I love owning classics. But I don't think it's my ideal riding machine. Too much vibration and shudder on the highway, and too heavy for really flicking into turns. And too leaky for taking to the track, at least at this point.

So why do you ride your Honda SOHC4 instead of something faster, flashier, or whateverer?

[dusterdude]

ive had the urge for a sohc 750 since i was in high school.i finally got around to buying mine this past november and i like it a lot.as far as why i wanted it,i guess i like the looks and the sound.

[migopod]

I started out with a '72 honda 450 dohc twin, (which looked a lot like the '70s sohc fours in style), and
had a friend who was into the '70s sohc supersports.  About 10 years ago, i found a nicely maintained
'76 550f, and have been riding and fixing it up ever since.  I was once asked by a co-worker who was
trying to sell me on Amway using the "what would you buy if money was no object" angle, and when he
asked me what it would be riding i thought about it and replied '76 cb550f supersport, but maybe
with out the frozen bleeder on the brake caliper."

He gave up on me soon after that

now, several years later, i still feel the same way about it, although maybe a mid '70s 750 four and
maybe some more 550s if i get enough garage space... oh yeah... and a black bomber!

[Bobby]

50, I have run the entire gamut of motorcycling.  Check my little bike page (always in dire need of updating) http://members.cox.net/robert3442/bikes.html

I found my current CB750 at a Yard Sale in early 2004.  I hotrodded it and road the pants off it until late fall.  I took it off the road and lost my mind.  You can tell by my profile pic that, yes, I have lost my mind.

As for your question, " Do you ride for speed, style, soul, or something else?"  It's definitely "Something esle".  Not sure what it is but I'll try to reply later after I contimplate...

[schneider419]

the guy across the road from me gave me a 73 350/f with no titl, that needs restored. i found a rebuilt one at the local bike shop and have enjoy it the whole time i have had it. ( two months now) i have never had a road bike before. i guess i like to own a machine that is not so common and is a little different.
                                                                      schneider 419

[Uncle Ernie]

I like my 400 because it's light and quick and unmacho- just FUN. With the individual air filters, it sounds like a baby tiger growling. It takes itself more seriously than I do, but I love it's pretensions- little bike/big heart. I guess 25% style, 75% something else.

[Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8"]

When I was twenty I sat on a CB750k8 in the showroom and dreamed.  Now I sit on it and live that dream.  Yes it shakes rattles and rolls but if I wanted comfort i would get in the car.  My kids love it and I love the way it makes my son smile,  I like the worried look Doris gives me when I say "I be right back".  I see bikes every day but I won't see one like mine this year.

[pmpski_1]

I didn't have the money or space for an old car hobby, so I got an old bike hobby instead. I chose a 74 CB550 for a couple of reasons:

1. I wanted a "smaller" bike 'cause I had never ridden before
2. Bike is the same age as me
3. Bike is easy enough to work on
4. I love the cafe racer look, so a SOHC Four is a natural

The first time I took the bike out in "public", I stopped in a parking lot.  I didn't even have my helmet off before a guy ran up to me and started talking about my bike and the 350F he had 10 years ago. I've also noticed a LOT of people checking the bike out, giving the nod of approval.

So I guess style would be a bit of it, but the biggest reason goes back to a love for things with wheels, the smell of gas and oil, and the sound and feeling of an engine that you take care of.

Brian

[Japbikemike]

From the too much information file:

It's the bike I would have had in high school if I had different parents.

Simple tech. that even I can understand (most of the time).

Cafe Racer

It was built the month and year I, uh, became sexually active (with others).

[oldbiker]

I ride my cb400f for the thrill. At nearly 77 years of age, it's the only thrill I'm allowed!!!

[Chris Liston]

At first I got the bike because my cousin said you have to have a rocket and and old bike.  Well, since then the 01' R6 has been sold and now I just have my 76' CB550F.  I love the way it rides, handles and looks.  Its different than 95% of the bikes on the road.  Its got soul to it and I've come to enjoy riding it very much.  Its just plain cool and thats that

[jgary]

I had my first SOHC4 in high school.  My dad bought it from a guy he worked with.  In 1984, that 1976 Antares Red CB750 was pretty cool, and pretty fast.  I had two bikes between then & last year, one a CB550, and one a Suzuki GS500.  I was talking to my wife about this weird idea I had that at some point I'd like to tear apart and restore cars.  She observed that there was no room anywhere in our house already, and that a car filling the garage for years just would not do.  It hit me then that I could work on motorcycles-they're smaller, easier to get around on, less parts, etc.  So I went out and found a 1976 Antares Red CB750 that was in great cosmetic shape and pretty darned good mechanical shape.  Over last summer I did some work on it, and it turns heads everywhere I take it.  This past spring my neighbor gave me a 1972 CB750 that sat on his back patio for the last 4 years.  It's officially roadworthy now, and since it's not in as good cosmetic shape will be my daily rider.  Did I even answer the original question?

John.

[Glenn Stauffer]

My first bike ever was the 1977 CB550K that I bought off a friend in 1994.  Almost immediately, I fell into the SOHC/4 community as it was getting it's start on the usenet group, rec.motorcycles.  The bike needed work and I'd never worked on a bike before and the SOHC/4 group was invaluable in helping me get it sorted out and on the road.  I later added a 1975 750K and an RD400.  The RD is a neat bike to ride, but the Hondas are where my heart is.  They are fun to ride, easy to keep on the road, beautiful to look at, and have a great history.  And where else do you find a community of riders as great as this one?

[Harry]

As a 10 year old I had a poster of a six cylinder CBX on my wall, and would lie awake at night tracing the curves of those pipes with my eyes in the gloom. A few years later I saw for the first time the sweep of a bank of gleaming Honda pipes in the form of an SOHC four, and I was sold. Financial constraints dictated that my introduction to riding was in the form of a series of 125, 200 and 250 machines, but the dream smouldered on in the depths of my soul.

Increasing financial freedom allowed me, 20 years after the first infatuation, to realise my dream of owning an SOHC4. I was worried that the experience of the first ride would leave me dissapointed - they had to prise me off with a stick and smack my fingers with a wrench to make me let go! First, she was curvaceous, no sharp angles, fit like a glove and was "right" from the first moment. Second, she was so forgiving I could ride way past the limit on curves with full confidence. Third, the quality of the Honda powerhouse was still so apparent, 30 years later - they really DONT make em this way anymore. Everything felt overdimensioned and confidence inspiring. Of course, newer bikes accelarate faster, brake better etc etc.....but my bike makes me feel good before I ride her, when I ride her, and after I ride her! Oh, theres not much money tied up in her, so no bad conscience there, and parts are plentiful, so she can be used as Mr. Honda intended. I ride my SOHC4 for sheer, unadulterated, selfish enjoyment!

[eldar]

Well I got a 78 750K as my first roadbike. It is almost as old as I am! There are a number of reasons I like it. How mayny bikes have FOUR 4 exhaust pipes? I now others have gone to the 4 -2 or 4- 1 systems but I cant ever do that. The sound of 4 pipes is amazing. I also like to sit up on my bike instead of having to reach forward. Sure other bikes have better brakes and more power, but most are still almost just as heavy or even heavier. My bike can easily kick out the rear tire on corners. I also like having a bike that I can do the work on. Sure it is a pain in the ass sometimes(carbs ) but I dont not have to worry about a computer!
These bikes are a part of rolling history unlike so many of todays rides.

[happyonthunder]

I ride for soul, and I ride almost everyday weather permiting.
I have a 1977 5504k, it is my everyday commuter bike.
It's fun to ride cheep to operate and fairly reliable.
If I want to go faster or farther I break out the Harley.

[Suke]

I'm very new to this since I just got my first biek this past weekend, and it's a '73 350F Four. It's older than I am, and I had to go through all the "hassles" of taking the MSF class, getting my license, insurance, etc. so I am not really sure what motivated me. Whatever it is, I look forward to seeing my bike every time I walk in the garage and it feels very good! It has to be "something else" because I can't explain it, and I'm glad to see there's others out there that feel the same way. 

[smithrelo]

I ride my bike because she is part of me!  It was just a matter of time until we found each other!!

In 1974, I was a starving student, working 2 jobs and didn't have 2 dimes to rub together.  I did have a 69/70/71 Yamaha 650 (? I think??) that was a good bike, but not a "looker".  And one day I saw a beautiful, shiny, sexy sounding 4 cylinder bike  on the road coming at me, and I just KNEW that someday, somehow, I was going to have me one of those!!  You know how you promise yourself things "when I can afford them, when I have a garage, when I'm rich, etc. etc. etc."  Well, this bike was a promise to me from myself.

Fast foward 30 years - 3 kids, at least 10 moves, and a constant niggling desire to "find one of those 4 cylinder bikes".  So when the last kid left for college, I announced that I was getting a bike "sometime" soon.  Note I didn't ASK, I simply said, "I've done my job, the kids are raised, I want a TOY for me!!!"

My Dear Hubby, who does NOT ride "those terrifying machines" said:  "OK."

So for the next year I lurked on e-bay, watched the classifieds and waited for that ONE bike that was made for me.  One day, in 2003, I noticed a photo of a lovely orange dream...with 4 cylinders FOR SALE at a building that I seldom visited.  I took the phone number, and called, and found that the owner of this bike was 67 and declaring himself ''too old to drive anymore" and was looking for "someone who will love this bike like I have for the past 29 years."  We hit it off fine, and a few weeks later I got to drive my orange dream bike.  She had less than 15,500 miles on her, I was on absolute tippy toes and it was love at first sight. About 4 weeks later, just before my 55th b-day, DH said, "soooo I guess you need that bike, huh?" 

And so, we brought her home in January of 2004.  I like to think the 67 year old previous owner was just keeping her until I could find her!

When I put her in my garage, I had a sign "Bronco Fan Parking ONLY" and so I tucked her into a corner of the garage and named her "Bronco Bike" and she's been the apple of my eye since.

And I love to park her anyplace, and come out to find people walking around her, shaking their heads and saying to me " Gosh, that reminds me of my_______ (first bike, 350, 750, 550) I had when....." immediately I've met a new friend!!

This bike is a rolling reminder of me, 30 years ago, and now I've given myself that part of me that makes me complete!

Linda

[Jonesy]

Linda, you inspired me to tell my story....

Before I laid eyes on the SOHC/4 I thought all bikes were Harleys and all other bikes looked like Harleys. That was my only concept of motorcycle design. Up until 2 years ago I was indifferent to motorcycles. Yeah, they were cool, but nothing inside me leapt and screamed "I gotta, GOTTA GOTTA have one!!!!" Then my uncle called one day to have me revive his CB750 that had been dormant in his garage for 14 years...

When I went over to his place to pick it up and haul it to my shop, I was taken with what I saw. 4 Cylinders? I thought only Goldwings had that many! (I didn't know much about bikes at the time) I also fell in love with it because of it's age. I'm into old mechanical stuff (I already had a collection of antique outboard motors and other various small engines) so this was right up my alley. As I worked on the bike and learned about the historical significance of it, I started to wonder.. what would it be like to ride one of these? Unfortunately, when the bike was finished, my uncle was reluctant to let me try, saying that a 750 was really too big a bike to learn on. I was crushed. When I learned there were smaller SOHC/4 bikes out there, I began looking for one, but my heart still belonged to the 750. After a few months a buddy at work told me his neighbor was selling a small motorcycle. It wasn't a Honda, but a "small" bike was supposedly my steppingstone to 750 ownership, so I was willing to have him look at it. As he left on Friday, he said he'd look it over and tell me about it Monday. He left me with some good advice, saying that I might as well buy the bike I really want, as that's what I will eventually get. That and what occurred the next day made up my mind.

I was out driving around (I forget why) but I drove past a house that had two motorcycles out in the front yard for sale. You guessed it, one was a '73 CB750. I looked it over, being now well-knowledged in every bolt of those bikes and decided she was the one. It needed lots of help, as it had been badly customized and ran on 3 cylinders, but the compression was good and all essential components were intact and in decent shape. I luckily had a friend repay me some money he owed me the day before, so I had a cash deposit. After picking up the bike a few days later and getting it home, the 3-month task of locating parts and fixing it up began. I loved the look of the stock bikes, so I had plenty to do! But, I finally got it roadworthy, got my cycle endorsement and the fun began! I've had it for just over a year now, I have loved every minute!

It's not the fastest, but fast enough for me. Stylistically, it's simple, has clean lines and classic flair. I enjoy the mix of sounds the bike makes, with the rustling of the 4 pipes at idle that build to a full roar at speed, intermixed with the ZZzzzZZzzzZZZzzz of the chain-driven internals. I also like the WOW factor I get from it as well, with people stopping to ask about it. I think this quote sums it up the best: "She's not the youngest girl at the party, but she turns the most heads!"

[dusterdude]

jonesdp,do you still have that header?

[rpyles]

The heck with the headers - where'd you get those beautiful 4-into-4's?
Richard

[Bob Wessner]

I have to admit, my introduction to my K0 was more prosaic. My first bike was a CB350 twin. I learned to ride on it and it was fun. Also took my first (and hopefully only) spill on it. It really was way too small for me. I'm 6'4" and even then was close to 200 lbs. I really took an interest in touring so I knew I wanted something larger/stronger of motor.. smoother sounded good also, the twin could give you a good case of the buzzbies. Happened upon a 750 for sale. Mind you at the time the distinction between models was lost on me. And as for sandcast? Well, not that it mattered with mine any way, but I didn't know sandcast from sand castles.

The looks and lines grew on me I guess. I rode it for many years and did the routine maint. work myself. I've had pretty much crisscrossed the eastern U.S., as far east as the eastern tip of Long Island and down through the Smokies.

Somewhere along the way things got pretty hectic. I put her up one winter and there she remained for 22 years. I even recall thinking a couple of times that, though it was a shame to let it happen, that thing is taking up room in the garage, getting worse every year, and probably beyond hope, maybe I should just get rid of it it, as in junk her. In my usual and characteristic manner of letting things slide, I never did.

When I retired and finally had some time, I took the cover off and thought, hmm, maybe it can be salvaged. So, about a year ago, I started to try, on a part time basis. Despite my moaning about certian aspects (tire changing, carbs) I have to admit, I have had fun. She is close, real close to being back on the road with a LOT of help from folks here. When I get to that final point, I hope to take a pic of her in the same spot I took one 22 years ago (yup, still living in the same house) to see if there is much difference.

There is a heft to her, and I just like the side view, unit contsruction of the engine and transmission and love those lines, four exhaust and all!

[smithrelo]

"She's not the youngest girl at the party, but she turns the most heads!"

Jonesdp - you said it ALL!!

Linda

[Jonesy]

jonesdp,do you still have that header?

Nope, gave it to my uncle to put on his bike, since his 4-1 pipes were almost completely disintegrated. That header was a bit snotty itself, as it was once chrome and somebody painted it with barbeque grill paint... yuck! He's not as particular about the looks as I am, he just wanted something functional and since those pipes were taking up space in the garage....

The heck with the headers - where'd you get those beautiful 4-into-4's?
Richard

I got them from a guy in Colorado on eBay. They had a little pinhole rusting along the bottoms and a small hole punched in the back of one of the pipes. Also, I had to locate the exhaust spigots, finned clamps, etc. and they didn't come with heat shields, couplers or diffusers. Still, I spent much less than I would have if I'd bought a set of OEM pipes (I would have bought new ones for what I originally paid for the bike!).

[Raul CB750K1]

That raises a question. I know OEM pipes can go from 500 to 800 $. That's a big money. But if you buy those pinholed exhaust, and all the shipping and time employed on the chase, is it worth in the end? I mean, you save money but your pipes doesn't have all their lives left. A new set will last longer, so probably you will save in the long run.

Or not?


Raul