After having bought a set for my CB750/836 and comparing them to stock - I was impressed and started appreciating why their cost was so high. First, they are special. The stock K0~K8 series rod bolts get tightened to 14 lbs. The Carillos get tightened until the bolt is stretched to a specific length, mine took 43/44 foot lbs! The carton had 317 stamped onto the end and I had no clue as to what that was until I open each of the 4 boxes inside - each had 317 printed too. This was 317 grams, what is amazing is that all 4 (with their special wave bolts) were within
.3 gram (3/10's of 1 gram) of each other. Here are photos of 2 different C-rods and then the fat, heavy stocker at 355 grams. There was more that 2.0 grams difference in the 4 stockers when compared to each other. The precise, exact wrist pins varied more in weights than did the entire C-rods.
The question you'd have to ask yourself is whether you need them. Are the other components going to support the added rpm? Are you doing extreme porting, adding cam lift and timing, springs, and valve work to change the output design of that engine to the point the expense is justified? The CB750 needs them if the engine is going to exceed stock rpm levels. The stockers won't live in the 10,000 range for long. To get the 750 to go there requires a lot of work/expense to add porting along with components that will allow it to make use of the added rpm. If the additional rpm and output of any Honda isn't going to change, then the stock rods have alway proved adequate. For me, it was absolutely required - I would definitely lose a rod and destroy a big investment, then run the risk of dumping 3 quarts of oil in front of my rear tire at speed in a corner. I ride in the mountains and curves are an everyday privalage.
Works of art in my opinion, too bad they can't be seen. They are the best piece of "bling" I've installed on this old Honda.... Gordon
