Topic: SOHC HONDA'S Whats the deal?

[dhall57]

 All the opinion's and remarks are fantastic. Keep them coming
The style, the look, the stance, the quality, the sound, and the simplicity of these SOHC machine's just stirs up excitement in my opinion. Maybe with us middle aged guys and gals it takes us back to a better and a more simple time in our life, our youth. In the early 70's I was a young teen and amazed when I saw These machines sitting shinning and new in the dealerships showrooms, I have had a soft place in my heart for them every since, the 750's being my favorite. You didn't have to see or here them run you could tell they were fast and powerful just by the look of these bikes. The styling still impresses me to this day. My youngest son was born in 1988 ten years after the last SOHC 750 was built. When he first saw my 1976 CB750 that I bought last year he looked at me and smiled and said Dad that's one bad looking bike. And he's already let me know that if I ever sell it he wants it. His statement pretty much says it all. My K6 was built 12 years before he was born and it still got his attention. What else needs to be said, nothing I don't think.
dhall

[MCRider]

dont forget that sohc4s are just one angle of the classic bike scene, the same question could be asked also about vincents, triumphs, big guzzis, cammy norton, big zeds, bevel ducs. I am into air-oil GSXRs as into sohc's.

Youll get attached to any bike you build from the ground up, my G80S matchless, Norton M18, Ariel NG, GSXR1100 are just as dear to me as my CB500/4 racer

variety is the spice of life

TG

I understand what you're saying. But i started on a 67 Bonneville, went thru every nut and bolt on that thing, and have no desire to go back.  If I were doing an academic study and spending time on all the other sites I may be more objective, and have a different outlook. Sure many have multiple passions.

But i can't help but wonder and deep down think its true that the passion for SOHCs is deeper and broader than the other marques mentioned.

[nancy]

Me too MCRIDER. I had a '67 Bonneville. I loved it - for about 6 months, till I worked out it was a dog. Wallowing rear suspension, bastard to kick it to start. A dangerable nutcatcher luggage rack on the fuel tank, oil leaks (well that's not new), slow and the electrics were always going on the blink. Oh - and no indicators. It was a manly thing though - one didn't have winkers on a brit bike. The Trumpet was just another loud twin. Just like people are starting to become bored with Hayley Davidson V-twin boom boxes. Inline 4 was new, proud, loud and innovative and I loved it in 1970 when I 1st saw one and it took me till 2008 to get around to buying one.
Likewise - I have a similar passion for other Jap fantastics such as the Kwaka triples of the 70's. They too are unique and sound unique.

[phrige]

I think they are some of the nicest looking bikes around. Certainly stand out from stuff today. I gatta agree with SRUST saying once the 80's came around all things started to blend together in style. Sure there are some minor differences but if you look into each motorcycle class be it touring, sport etc. They all find one style they revolve around. With a new headlight or a new type of saddlebag being the selling point. Yet white these Honda's and other "Standards" do the same thing, nobody makes 'standards' anymore. Not true blue ones here in the U.S., Let me make it as gaudy as I want. I don't want the factory 'tricked' style. It's like bragging about factory installed Euro Lights on your car. Not so cool anymore. (The veracity of their original coolness was questionable as is.)

The simplicity of the bike and the nice people who love these bikes. Between this board and the Do The Ton board, i've had immense help. I'm new to all things mechanical and its the feeling of repairing something, the accomplishment and problem solving skills. Getting that confidence to dig deeper.
The bikes really welcome our tinkering, and have a high tolerance for stupid mistakes. And they NEED ME when they get their oil leaks and hiccups.

The availability of parts certainly helps too  

Did I mention they one of the nicest looking bikes around. The engines look well crafted. And compared to 60's-70's Ducati's this is a bike i can actually afford.

[apex_seeking]

I realized the other day after looking at some guy flying past me on his "rocket" that its the personality of the bikes that I like. Just like an old house, it has style, plus you have all the little things like the floor squeaks over here or how the pipes bang when you turn on the hot water. These bikes may not be perfect but they always have style and personality.

[drillzzz]

This bike makes me feel like a man!! haha Thats coming from a relatively young person in his 20s and who has owned a sports bike and thought it couldnt get any better. Now i look at those people and smile becuase I have found a better niche.

These bikes are just unique and pertain a lot of character. When you look at one theres a strange feeling that comes out of nowhere. Funny thing is that I see other people looking at the bike and I can see it in their faces too... they don't even know what a cb750 is or that it even ever existed. I come to notice that people who own these bikes or who have owned one before are great people who are more than willing to lend an ear and some advice as well.

[1974CB750rider]

It all started for me in the mid 80's when I fell in love with the 82 750f. I started hunting for one about 6 years ago but no luck. A relative had this old 74 Honda K4. It didn't run but it didn't need a lot. It has been passed around a few family members but always ended up back with the origional seller/owner. He sold it to me and after I got it running and riding nice I told him he wouldn't be getting it back this time. I love the bike and am slowly getting it to look like I want it to. I plan on getting my head gasket replaced this winter and probably will put new rings in it then as well. Since I'm building a garage now I'll be able to paint it as well. The bike runs great but its had the classic 750 oil leak since I've had it. I still may end up with a 79-82 750F one day but my K4 is here to stay, besides its showing 47000 miles and it'll still hit 110mph + if I want to and thats when it sounds so nice with the 4 into 1.

[MCRider]

Grreat stories!

[anders288]

I enlisted in the Army Jan 1970 I was 17 and they couldn't send me to Vietnam so they sent me to Germany and I bought a K1 loved that bike. I pick up three parts bike this summer to make one runner. One of my fondest memory's is warming my hand on the valve cover down the road. I still don't know how I made it home alive 3 year and no speed limits 

[jneuf]

Only got the bike bug a couple of months ago...no question, there was no way I was going to buy a new bike....the cool factor of the SOHC 4's drew me right in...(not to mention my wife loved them!).

Anyway, I was going to buy one bike...I wound up with three...and find myself checking the classifieds everyday just to see what else pops up...

The sound of these engines is just wild...the 4-4 exhaust on my CB550K at 7500+ RPMs is pretty awesome! 

[madmtnmotors]

Bought my 750 K8 back in 1986. Had my tax return in my pocket and I wanted a bike! Found mine in the classifieds for $850.00, figured the minimal upfront investment qualified the 750 as a "Trainer" and if I tore it up then no big deal. Well... twenty-four years later this bike has taken everthing I've thrown at it and begs for more. From my "Noob" no-brainers to the recently established tradition (three years running) of my pilgramage to the burn-out pit at the Iron Horse Saloon for Daytona Bike Week (the Iron Horse is just a little north in Ormond Beach) where I bake-er till she pops! Roll it out, change the wheel (I've fashioned a spare wheel carrier on the luggage rack), ride it back home! My buddies with big-dollar Harleys are always blown away by the attention my bike recieves from other riders. People can walk past miles of custom Harleys parked handlebar to handlebar and stop in their tracks to give mine a second look.

       Simple, reliable, hard to kill, timeless functional styling. Form ahead of function is highly overrated.

[scottly]

For me, it's the sound: the shrieking exhaust at 9K+ RPM of 836cc, coupled with the wail of the Webers. I've always said this bike is the closest thing to a Ferrari I will ever own.... I was hooked from the moment I screwed the throttle on the test ride before I bought it! 

[Brown Bomber]

     For me the 750K is one of the best looking bikes ever built. A classy, but stout, no-nonsense look. Hell, the thing almost looks like it's proud of it's self. You can't help but stare at that engine, but you know it's not all looks.
     I love seeing all the hop ups on these bikes, but you have to admit, a stock 750 is an impressive engine all on it's own. Not the most powerful, but there's plenty of punch when you get into it. You grab a fist full of throttle on anything else and it's either too much, or not enough, the throttle response on a 750 is perfect.
     The suspension is a cold reminder that your on a classic, but that seems to fade in to the background as the sounds from beneath you tell everybody in earshot that this is what a motorcycle should sound like.

Yeah, there's something about owning a bike that changed the way motorcycles are made.

[fastbroshi]

   I've come to like how versatile these old bikes can be, not to mention how simple they are to work on.   I setup my bike with fancy shocks and clubmans, but I'm still taking it to Barber's in October.   Some universal type saddlebags and a tankbag should do nicely.   I could easily make it more comfortable for the long trip with some more upright bars, it looks good either way. 

[dhall57]

     For me the 750K is one of the best looking bikes ever built. A classy, but stout, no-nonsense look. Hell, the thing almost looks like it's proud of it's self. You can't help but stare at that engine, but you know it's not all looks.
     I love seeing all the hop ups on these bikes, but you have to admit, a stock 750 is an impressive engine all on it's own. Not the most powerful, but there's plenty of punch when you get into it. You grab a fist full of throttle on anything else and it's either too much, or not enough, the throttle response on a 750 is perfect.
     The suspension is a cold reminder that your on a classic, but that seems to fade in to the background as the sounds from beneath you tell everybody in earshot that this is what a motorcycle should sound like.

Yeah, there's something about owning a bike that changed the way motorcycles are made.

Spoke like a true SOHC fan. I second that motion Brown Bomber!

[totty]

They look like the bikes I drew as a kid when I was supposed to be doing maths or geography, possibly influenced by Mad Max. My 550 was registered 3 months after I was born, my car a Reliant Scimitar was also built in 79. They both just feel right to me, they've evolved far enough to be comfortable, practical and reliable enough to use everyday but they haven't yet developed either the twitchy overly on edge sporty feel or the everything connected by rubber bands luxury/touring feel.

[Tripps]

Hi, folks, new member, new rider, first post here. I made it to 53, never owned a bike or had a motorcycle license. This spring I saw a bike for sale by the side of the road, I can't describe it, but I 'knew" the bike, can't even remember who I knew that had one, but I never saw a bike that looked so "familiar". I stopped and it turned out the guy selling it and I used to work together, he let me have it for $850, a 1978 CB750K with 11,000 miles on it. It's in great shape, needs mufflers but the headers are good, only thing wrong was cracked and many times glued side case covers, only one registered owner, though it changed hands a couple times after the original owner, but nobody ever put it on the road. Really hooked me on riding, any morning it was 33 F or above, I was out there in my Carharts and ski gloves riding it, LOL. I've since picked up a 94 Dynaglide and a 2010 Triumph Rocket III, but I'll never get rid of my 750, it's the pure essence of a motorcycle, plain and simple.

As a previous poster said, I get more comments on it than any of my Harley owning buddies, with brand new Road Kings with $5000 in extra chrome, do.