Topic: Cycle World, January 1969, CB750 Intro

[Magpie]

A friend just sent me this magazine. I thought you may find the cover interesting. i had to wait until August, 1969 to buy mine but it didn't look like this one.
Cliff.

[Bob Wessner]

Cliff,

Pretty interesting. The side cover badges and tank molding appear different for sure. Any chance you could repost a larger image dimensionally? Might be able to make out more detail.

[Magpie]

I'll see how large I can get it.

[Bob Wessner]

That's good. Looks like they made a last minute decision to anodize the switch assemblies on the bar and the brake M/C as well. Interesting. Thanks for posting this.

[Magpie]

Check out the clutch, carbs and steering dampner too. Lots of changes from your K0.
Cliff.

[Glenn Stauffer]

I have a copy of that magazine.  When I get a chance to dig it out of the box its in, I'll scan it for the site.  If I haven't already...  Check on www.sohc4.net, this might already be there.  I can put up a larger image file if there is interest.

--Glenn

[Bob Wessner]

I can put up a larger image file if there is interest.

I'd be interested.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Looks like a prototype for sure.  Push-Pull throttle must mean that it has a K1-style linkage.  Didn't Ted Nomura say that the bikes originally had a K1 style linkage on the prototypes, but to save money the factory went with the 4 cables on the production CB750. (He might get pissed if I say K0.) 

That picture is VERY interesting.

[Bob Wessner]

Magpie,

If it's OK, I went ahead and uploaded it to the Gallery in the Ads & Brochures

http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/literature/?g2_fromNavId=x997fa0d8

[seaweb11]

50 cents for a magazine, hard to imagine

My bike must be worth $20,000.00 easy

[Magpie]

Bob, that's great - glad I can contribute.
What a great place to be a part of!
Cheers,
Cliff. 

[Ted Nomura]

Looks like a prototype for sure.  Push-Pull throttle must mean that it has a K1-style linkage.  Didn't Ted Nomura say that the bikes originally had a K1 style linkage on the prototypes, but to save money the factory went with the 4 cables on the production CB750. (He might get pissed if I say K0.) 

That picture is VERY interesting.

I have that same magazine. Note the right sidecover is shrouding the air cleaner. On a March 1969 issue of Cycle Guide, the same bike (I assume) now have the right sidecover cut off at the air cleaner area, presumely to aid servicing (they left the left one alone, giving the unbalanced look) and became standard on the production CB750s. Also note the oil cap dent on the sidecover is much smaller and canted inward, along with different side vents. The Honda emblem on the gas tank is also higher. On the December 1968 issue of Cycle World, it shows what claimed to be the CB750 prototype with CB450K1 type gas tank and drum brakes, actually that was the first running 750cc Four experimental "proof-of-concept" demonstrator, using the first generation (Type 1) CB750 engine with CB450 alternator, mounted on a modified CB450 frame and a CL450 front end (note the rubber boots). The CB750 prototype on the cover of January 1969 issue of Cycle World is a Type 3 CB750 engine (note the CB500 Four type clutch housing and various other detail differences). Early 1968 CB750 prototypes, along with the original "demontrator" had the forward flip seat. Since I publish comics, I'm seriously thinking about a dedicated Early CB750 identification guide. I did a dedicated CB750 issue back in the early 1990s in the Tigers of Terra Series II Issue #4. You can check Google but I think that issue is sold out (Hey, I just checked Ebay and you can see the cover). I did another CB750 related issue (showing the same CB750 prototype on the January 1969 Cycle World cover) in my Angels 750 Issue #1 cover, but the editors mistakenly made the bike red rather than the original teal color that I drew. That issue is still available, you can check the Antarctic Press site. Of course, the best issue that shows the CB750 prototype I've seen in detail is the March 1969 issue of Cycle Guide.

[Raul CB750K1]

Make an eBay search on Cycle World, Cycle Guide, Motorcycle Mechanics from 1968 to 1970 and you will find all the period articles about the CB750. I think I have them all.

Raul

[Bob Wessner]

I'm seriously thinking about a dedicated Early CB750 identification guide.

I hope you do, would love to have such a guide.

[Ted Nomura]

I'm seriously thinking about a dedicated Early CB750 identification guide.

I hope you do, would love to have such a guide.

In my Tigers of Terra V2#4 (just checked Ebay and saw one for sale), it include my first part of the CB750 identification guide. Part of it was reprinted in Angels 750 series. Of course I'm planning a much improved version, something like Squadron's "In Action" series except in comic book format and price. We'll see.

[Bob Wessner]

except in comic book format and price.

That would make all the more unique.

[Ted Nomura]

Until I can publish my own CB750 Identification Guide in inexpensive comic book format, I highly recommend John Wyatt's ORIGINAL HONDA CB750 book. I was lucky enough to find a copy for $20 at used book store and the information inside is almost worth its weight in Candy Gold! Along with many excellent color pictures, his book lists all the mid-production changes made on early CB750 by frame and engine serial numbers. The only limited parts are the prototype information, something not really his fault since information on the prototypes are scarce, even by American Honda. I saw the interview section given by the people who created the CB750 in SOHC4.net web but it's not much more than what I already learned earlier. Interestingly many of the prototype information I learned from two Japanese gentlemen that I met decades ago proved to be correct in later years so until Honda of Japan can give more accurate information, I'm can only go by what I know.
On a related note, I wonder if Mr. Bob Hansen who had three of his first CB750 prototype (the silver one with a drum brake) pictures published have more in hand, and I'm sure the old Cycle Guide staff have more of the second prototype (the blue one) pictures that they took. Maybe Mr. Buzz Walneck can find out. I need to thank him for the nice review he gave on my Angels 750s series last year.

[Bob Wessner]

I highly recommend John Wyatt's ORIGINAL HONDA CB750 book.

I keep a lookout for this from time to time, but they seem to be quite rare. Last one I saw on eBay went for $75 or so.

[Ted Nomura]

I highly recommend John Wyatt's ORIGINAL HONDA CB750 book.

I keep a lookout for this from time to time, but they seem to be quite rare. Last one I saw on eBay went for $75 or so.

$75 is way too high, but for some, I'm sure it's worth it. Mine was bought mint for $17.50 when I was visiting San Antonio last year, which was half-price of the original retail price of $35. You might want to check Amazon. I use this book as a guide to restore all my five early CB750s.

[Ted Nomura]

I also noticed in one of my early CB750 Owners Manual (printed in February 1970), showing many rare photos of the 1968 prototype displayed in that January 1969 Cycle World issue with a touch-up side cover drawing depicting the production model. It's also little humorous to see a funny looking kill switch drawn in (the prototype had no kill switch) that don't look anything like the production version. It's important to note that both CB750 demonstrator (shown in December 1968 Cycle World) and the first prototype CB750 (shown in Motorcycle Collector Magazine V1#4), both with CB450 drum brakes, had single throttle cable while the second CB750 prototype shown in 1968 Tokyo motor show, then in March 1969 issue of Cycle Guide, had dual throttle cables, but the first pre-production CB750, shown in England in April 1969, with prototype front disc unit, reverted back to the cheaper single throttle cable system.

[Bob Wessner]

reverted back to the cheaper single throttle cable system.

Some of us prefer to think of it as more cost affective. 

[Ted Nomura]

reverted back to the cheaper single throttle cable system.

Some of us prefer to think of it as more cost affective. 

I realize that us Honda owners don't like to use the term "cheap" (me being the full-blooded Isei Japanese know better) but the original retail price of $1295 was cheap! Thanks to the then 360 yen=1 dollar exchange rate.

[6pkrunner]

Some of us prefer to think of it as more cost affective. 

-and that's not a used car, it's pre-owned. (one of my favorites)

[Bob Wessner]

Ted,

Been wondering about one other item in the cost affective  area. It would seem the earlier brass carb float assemblies, with all the soldering, would be more labor intensive to fabricate than the later plastic floats. Why did they use these? Was this another case of, "..well, we aren't sure how popular these bikes are going to be, so lets not go through the trouble of developing a more efficient fabrication process just yet."

[Ted Nomura]

Ted,

Been wondering about one other item in the cost affective  area. It would seem the earlier brass carb float assemblies, with all the soldering, would be more labor intensive to fabricate than the later plastic floats. Why did they use these? Was this another case of, "..well, we aren't sure how popular these bikes are going to be, so lets not go through the trouble of developing a more efficient fabrication process just yet."

In the good 'ol days (my years), use of plastics on motorcycles were very limited. Honda started to use plastic side covers on their CB350s in 1968 while their older CB450s had steel covers. I didn't even know that they use plastic floats now since I haven't disassembled late model bikes lately. I still remember the big hoohah when 1973 Honda XL250 came with plastic fenders. I guess they used brass floats during the early years, not because it was less cost effective but plastics were still a risk. Plastic technology came a long way.