Both the SOHC the 'Maintenance Free Field Control' and 'Automotive Brushed Field Control' systems can be found on motorcycles revving at or above SOHC redlines. SOHC system is less efficent, that is all due to the airgaps/flux differences.
True enough. The CB650 is one of these, and the excited rotor is prone to failure/self destruction, in part due to the centrifugal forces incurred during the high revolutions. Some Hondas that employ this scheme are not directly connected to the crankshaft, and have clutches that disengage/uncouple the wound rotor shaft during high RPM operation.
The "less efficient" proclaimation is precisely why the CB350, 400, 500, 550,and 750 SOHC4, don't have adequate charge power at idle speed to run the entire bike, and supports Spanner's argument.
The 79 750K (and other higher rpm) use brushes on crankshaft alternator (non-geared) at an rpm range higher than the SOHC so the rpm issue seems to be a non issue for Honda in this case.
These types have a notoriously higher failure rate than the CB350, 400, 500, 550, and 750 SOHC4, associated with the rotor AND the brushes.
My Cb700Sc as rotor windings and brushes. However, the alternator rotor is not directly attached to the crankshaft. And, in 72000 miles the brushes have been replaced twice.
Details do matter. I'm surprised you would use "seems" as any sort of scientific proof of argument.
But, I
seem to remember the original owner of the CB700SC stating the charging system frequently failed on him, causing repeated battery and alternator replacement. So far, I've only had to replace the battery.