Bill, your ears did not miss-lead you back then. A stock Kaw 900 would let a CB750 get into 2nd gear before launching and still take it in the quarter - or so the rumors were circulated. I think I saw that in one of the magazine articles of the time.
I'd riden my room mate's 1976 KZ900 back and forth to school almost daily of my first year in college. His had the K&N's and a Kerker 4/1. I just remember that bike being stupid fast 32 years ago. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I rode my first one in 30 years - the one I bought off EBay. After a thorough tune-up, new stock 630 chain, sprockets, and cleaning - I rode it to the redline a few times. It made me smile - it was obvious that I'd done a fantastic job on the CB750 K4's modifications. The 900 was no match - not even close. I know the 900's can be made to make serious power, but the little 836cc CB Honda looks so tame and so meek beside the big, legendary Kaw.
Noone would suspect the little Honda to be the big bad wolf of the two.
Go little Honda, go little Honda, go...........
Gordon
Here is a pic from last week's VJMC show. A good friend of mine is about to take the KZ900 for a "first ride" - his first ever on a 900. He came back wanting one of his own. He just could not get over the smoothness. His response later that afternoon when he came back on the CB was Holy - $hit! I never, ever expected that!
A good running 836 with porting, good cam, and well tuned is the perfect sleeper. Yes, I'm a real Honda CB750 fan - these babies can bring home the bacon.
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