Topic: Is there a "better" year for 750's ?

[Mateen]

I've decided to get back into riding bikes after 10yrs of non riding.  My last bike was a Suzuki GS1100.  I like the looks of the older Hondas with the spoke wheels and classic bike design.  Is there a particular year that is more sought after due to better engine design, brakes etc I used to own a '71 VW bus and 1971 was the most sought after because it was the last year with the simple type1 engine and the first year that the bus came with disk brakes.  Is there a similar thing with 750's? 

[chrometank]

mate there all good !

[SteveD CB500F]

As with anything (and I'm only familiar with the 500s), the later models had certain refinements and engine upgrades - but the earlier ones had more charisma!

I like riding my '72 more than the '77 even though the '77 is definately a "better" bike (faster, better mpg, nicer instruments etc)

Buy one first, then another and you can have the best of both worlds (and a full garage)

[Steelo]

As Chrome Tank said "They're all good!"

I've found the best ones are the ones owned by little old ladies that have done 1000km, on sale for $500 or even given away to clean out the shed. You often find these bikes at the same time you see a flock of pigs fly by.

The best bike is the one that gives lots of pleasure as you ride along enjoying life and the fact that no idiot has just nearly totalled you in the last hour!!

[Jonesy]

As with anything (and I'm only familiar with the 500s), the later models had certain refinements and engine upgrades - but the earlier ones had more charisma!

I agree. It depends on how you mean "better"... In terms of technical refinement, the later models would be what you are looking for. But, as the years progressed, exhausts became more restrictive, carbs were jetted leaner, gear ratios were changed, engine redlines lowered...  In terms of sheer power, you'd want an earlier one. (My vote!)

[Bobby]

The earliest models, '69-'73 are the rarest, '74-'76 are the most plentiful and the '77-'78 are kind of the ugliest (no offense).  Basically, if you find a safe vintage CB750, regardless of the year, you'll enjoy a 'blast from the past' that just keeps on giving.  Happy Hunting!

[Jonesy]

I thought '73 was the best-selling year (in terms of # of units sold) for the 750...? 

(I could be wrong... wouldn't be the first time!)

[eldar]

I like the 77-78 years. They dont have the huge wrap-around front fenders with the butt-ugly TWO support arms. The 77-78 have greater mpg and a larger tank. I personally like having a 630 chain and unless they stop making them, will never drop to a 530. Power is just as good as you can still do anything with these carbs as you could with the earlier years, just in different ways. As for exhaust, half these bikes will not have the original anymore unless you want to stuff almost a grand into new pipes. The later engines are more durable and have less problems since they were worked out from the earlier years.
I also think the later years look nicer but I suppose it depends on your tastes.

[Ted Nomura]

I've decided to get back into riding bikes after 10yrs of non riding.  My last bike was a Suzuki GS1100.  I like the looks of the older Hondas with the spoke wheels and classic bike design.  Is there a particular year that is more sought after due to better engine design, brakes etc I used to own a '71 VW bus and 1971 was the most sought after because it was the last year with the simple type1 engine and the first year that the bus came with disk brakes.  Is there a similar thing with 750's? 

Personally, I thought the 1971 CB750K1 was the best, it fixed most of the problems that the original CB750 suffered, some due to Honda's attempt to keep the cost down but when CB750 became a success, they added more expensive parts that the original prototype had on the K1. Since 1972 CB750K2 had more restrictive HM341 pipes, the K1 with HM300 pipes performed better too, though later DOHC CB750 Nighthawks of the 1990s are faster, easier to ride and safer due to many improved features but it has none of the classic looks of the original CB750.

[Bob Wessner]

it fixed most of the problems that the original CB750 suffered, some due to Honda's attempt to keep the cost down

Could you elaborate on these?

[dusterdude]

I like the 77-78 years. They dont have the huge wrap-around front fenders with the butt-ugly TWO support arms. The 77-78 have greater mpg and a larger tank. I personally like having a 630 chain and unless they stop making them, will never drop to a 530. Power is just as good as you can still do anything with these carbs as you could with the earlier years, just in different ways. As for exhaust, half these bikes will not have the original anymore unless you want to stuff almost a grand into new pipes. The later engines are more durable and have less problems since they were worked out from the earlier years.
I also think the later years look nicer but I suppose it depends on your tastes.

i knew eldar would chime in with his k8 propoganda.

[6pkrunner]

As they all have their little quirks, they also have their super strong points. The bike is a very good machine so it pretty much boils down to personal perference. You can bust anything by leaning on it hard enough, but the CB750s stand up to an incredible amount of abuse.
 I prefer the K1s to K3s myself, but that's just a preference based on looks and memories.

[eldar]

My propaganda was from months ago. Everyone by now knows of the K8 superiority!

[dusterdude]

hahahahahaha 

[Ted Nomura]

it fixed most of the problems that the original CB750 suffered, some due to Honda's attempt to keep the cost down

Could you elaborate on these?

When the original production Honda CB750 was released to the public in 1969, many were surprised at the low price of less than $1400, which undercut the Triumph 750 Trident and BSA 750 Rocket III by several hundred dollars, which was Honda's intention. But in order to achieve this, many features that appeared in the 1968 CB750 prototype at the Tokyo motorshow was changed with cheaper items, like simpler side cover badges, less fancy chrome gas tank strip and most important, switch from the duel throttle cable system of the prototype with a cheaper single cable unit with cheaper carburetors, along with many other small items. But when CB750 became a success, many features that originally appeared in the prototype reappeared in their new and improved 1971 CB750K1 model, but the carburetor type didn't change until the 1977 model run. Early production CB750 suffered delays due to labor strikes back in Japan at the time so the original release date of April 1969 was pushed back to June 1969 and even then dealers had a hard time getting CB750. As a result, some parts to complete about 20 CB750s were shipped to the United States earlier so they were assembled by Japanese and Americans so some can be registered in April 1969, some even made it to Canada. None of the 1969 CB750 made it to England but when they were introduced at the English motorshow in April 1969, it was a pre-production model that featured the production engine, side cover with emblems and seat but also had the same front end and gas tank from the 1968 Tokyo prototype. Honda made many recalls to improve their early Honda CB750s. Early Honda "sandcasts" suffered from destroyed cases due to main drive chain damage and original smooth oil filter cap was changed to more rugged finned version because people kept over-torquing them. The best improvement list can be found on My. John Wyatt's excellent Original CB750 book, even though his information on the prototypes are little inaccurate but then without Honda's original documents, it's hard to be certain because Honda of Japan kept dark about the prototypes even to the American Honda.

[supersport_CB400F]

They're all fine ...but not a patch on the 400F's 

[Bob Wessner]

and most important, switch from the duel throttle cable system of the prototype with a cheaper single cable unit with cheaper carburetors, along with many other small items.

But those carbs are the fun part on mine. 

Thanks for all the detail, guess I will just have to continue my love/hate relationship with mine. 

[GroovieGhoulie]

Would love a K0.  Prefer sandcast, but would take diecast (still with the early sandcast features) for practicality.

[free_spirit_rider]

I agree...ALL model years were Great!   If that was not the case...there wouldn't be so many 'out there' still runnin' like bats outa hell!  
Now...How many of you know the production figures of the particular model/years that you own??
I belong to the CB750A (Hondamatic) club and it's a fact that my CB750A is one of only 1500 built/sold