Topic: SOHC Trivia Challenge

[DH]

What was the code name used by Honda for the cb750 project in the very late 60's?

"300"

[Prospect]

Correct DH

[DH]

The account I read about, where Mr. Honda made the decision to build the 750, was during a visit by Bob Hansen at the factory/headquarters in Japan. A discussion during a luncheon between Mr. Hansen and Mr. Honda took place concerning the "new bike"
that the company was developing. Mr. hansen, in a slightly brash tone replied that
he "Hoped it was more than a two cylinder". Mr. Honda, caught off guard somewhat, asked "And why do you say that?". Mr. Hansen then went on explain that the next bike should be designed to better compete with the competition, making reference to  Triumph and their new triple design. As the discussion progressed the subject of a multi cylinder design came up., and Mr. Honda's remark based on prior racing successes
was, "Why yes, we have much experience with four cylinders". And the project, which was already in R&D at that time, changed direction.  That information was obtained from the book "Honda Motorcycles", by Aaron Frank. An excellent read
if anyone can still find it.

[736cc]

You learn something new everyday; I don't recall reading in motorcycle history books that "300" was used as a secret code for the CB750 before it was introduced to a bedazzled audience in the Spring of 1969. I do recall reading what "New York Steak" was code for around the same time (not a Honda but a big rival).

So what's the next SOHC4 trivia question?

[Old Scrambler]

Who put the most miles on a new 1969 CB750 by October of 1970?  This is based on American Honda reports and the memory of Bob Jamison (with help).

[754]

Dennis, how many 69 750,s do you figure you laid eyes on..?
How many times did you see Steve McQueen on one?

[736cc]

I'm just guessing...Bob Greene

[seanbarney41]

Who put the most miles on a new 1969 CB750 by October of 1970?  This is based on American Honda reports and the memory of Bob Jamison (with help).

Wasn't it you?

[Johnie]

Agree with Sean...it was old scrambler. And Honda wanted it to do some research...come on Dennis...tell the story like you told it during the GZ tour ride.

[Stev-o]

You learn something new everyday; I don't recall reading in motorcycle history books that "300" was used as a secret code for the CB750 before it was introduced to a bedazzled audience in the Spring of 1969. I do recall reading what "New York Steak" was code for around the same time (not a Honda but a big rival).

So what's the next SOHC4 trivia question?

What motorcycle prototype was disguised as a CB750 during road testing in America?

[Retro Rocket]

You learn something new everyday; I don't recall reading in motorcycle history books that "300" was used as a secret code for the CB750 before it was introduced to a bedazzled audience in the Spring of 1969. I do recall reading what "New York Steak" was code for around the same time (not a Honda but a big rival).

So what's the next SOHC4 trivia question?

What motorcycle prototype was disguised as a CB750 during road testing in America?

Thats an easy one Steve....Z1 900   

[Stev-o]

You learn something new everyday; I don't recall reading in motorcycle history books that "300" was used as a secret code for the CB750 before it was introduced to a bedazzled audience in the Spring of 1969. I do recall reading what "New York Steak" was code for around the same time (not a Honda but a big rival).

So what's the next SOHC4 trivia question?

What motorcycle prototype was disguised as a CB750 during road testing in America?

Thats an easy one Steve....Z1 900   

It was for you, Mick.  And New York Steak was code name for the Z1 during R&D. I don't know why though, you??

[Retro Rocket]

You learn something new everyday; I don't recall reading in motorcycle history books that "300" was used as a secret code for the CB750 before it was introduced to a bedazzled audience in the Spring of 1969. I do recall reading what "New York Steak" was code for around the same time (not a Honda but a big rival).

So what's the next SOHC4 trivia question?

What motorcycle prototype was disguised as a CB750 during road testing in America?

Thats an easy one Steve....Z1 900   

It was for you, Mick.  And New York Steak was code name for the Z1 during R&D. I don't know why though, you??

No idea on the New York steak Steve, I've seen it mentioned in many an article but never followed up with an explanation... Would love to know though..

[Tews19]

Most miles is Dennis! Tell the story. It is really interesting as some of us were privileged to have been told it.......

Dennis, Dennis, now you have to share!

[Old Scrambler]

Sean & Nick have it...................Short Version...........I bought a new CB750 in Milwaukee in August of 1969; rode it to LA along Route 66 in November of 1969; rode it back to Wisconsin in June of '70 and was on my way to Atlanta when the chain put a big hole in the cases near Ft. Wayne, Ind.  Honda paid for all repairs; I rode the bike back to LA in August of '70. It was October or November of '70 when I detected a ticking sound coming from the out-put shaft bearing area and took in to a dealer near my apartment in Inglewood. The service manager saw the mileage........about 18,000.......and asked if I could bring the bike back on the following day because he knew they were looking for high-mileage bikes. When I returned, a rep from American Honda was waiting with a pick-up truck. He listened to the bike, wrote down the mileage and my info, proceeded to thrash the hell out of the bike in the back alley. After a couple of wheelies.........the out-put shaft failed and broke the cases. He said he was aware of the faulty casting in the cases and would return the bike in a week or so.  About 10 days later I got the bike back and it ran smoother and was more powerful than ever. The rep told me that when they replaced the faulty cases (air-shipped to Ft. Wayne from Japan) they also measured every part for wear and replaced anything that was out of spec.  I told this little story to Bob Jamison at the VMD in Ohio a few years ago and he immediately smiled and said he recalled that event.

A few months later (about February of '71) I took a sales job with Thrifty-Lad Honda in Santa Monica and used my bike as a 'start-up' demonstration. I would balance a nickle on the case ID-plate and ask the question or take bets on when would the coin fall-over. I must have done it a few hundred times with the same result..........at 5000 rpms while on the center stand. Somewhere about that time Cycle Magazine published a similar story...............hmmm..............maybe someone told me about it............but I didn't see that mag.

Yes, I had a lot of 'special' things happen to me on that bike...............Met Steve McQueen and let him ride it...........was squeezed against the curb on Sunset Blvd by Lawrence Welk in his blue Dodge......he was very apologetic..............went camping in April at Kennedy Meadows in the Sierras and woke up to 11-inches of snow...............many more memories.............. 

[70CB750]

Thanks for sharing!

[DH]

Very cool story. The history of what went on back in the day is always interesting.
 

[Old Scrambler]

Sometimes the 'back in the day' stories continue.............................http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135473.0

[Johnie]

Somehow that story was better in person Dennis...especially if you are buying the burgers

[Old Scrambler]

New discussion......................how many parts can you list that were borrowed from existing Honda models?  In other words, what items were not designed for the CB750 and do not have a '300' code in the part number.  I can think of 4-items besides a few common fasteners.........but there may be more.

[736cc]

Spokes, nipples, tail light, carb parts, jets, signals, bulbs, mirrors, grips, fork parts, handlebar clamps, paint, key switch, misc wires, assorted electrics, points, plugs, oil filter.

[Tews19]

Infamous D washer???

[Old Scrambler]

All of those items are shared with other models............but do they have a different model identifiers in the part number?  The spokes have a unique length to this model and then used on other models. I'm not sure but I think the paint (both colors) was first used on the CB750 and within a few months the Ruby Red appeared on numerous other models. I agree on the turn-signals, grips, and mirrors, and offer the steering-stem nut...........but not so sure on the others.

Remember, the CB750 production began before April of 1969...........and the forks, wheels, triple-trees, brakes, paint, on the CB/CL 350 and 450 models did not change until '70. The SL350 was introduced in August of '69 and may have been the 1st new model to use a few '300' parts.

[AshimotoK0]

Even though the part number is different I cannot tell the difference between the brass float of a 750K0 carb and the later models  CB350.

16122259014 CB750K0  (259 is a C72 part !)
16013286014  CB350 from VIN 1065279

Maybe that the 350 part includes the brass pin.

Lovely story by the way Dennis !

Cheers .. AshD

[Old Scrambler]

Now we are getting someplace................my quest is to get more data together to inform the owners of these bikes that its not impossible to find original parts for such things as the carburetors............the basic design and internal parts were available in 1959...........and may explain why some of us never buy carburetor replacement parts from aftermarket sellers.  BTW, the bowls and gaskets, along with the floats, are interchangeable with all CA, CB, and CL 72 & 77 model twins.  The petcock mounting screws, internals and bowl are the same as used on all CL72 & CL77 models.

For you motor-builders..............are you aware that the external dimension of the valve-guides is the same as used on the CB450 twin........and on ALL HONDA CARS produced to this day.  With that info.........you can virtually pick and choose from a very wide array of valves and valve-stem sizes for a custom rebuild.