The Honda CB750 is an air-cooled, transverse, in-line four-cylinder engine motorcycle made by Honda over several generations for year models 1969–2003 as well as 2007 with an upright or standard riding posture. It is often called the original Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM).[4][7]
Manufacturer | Honda |
---|---|
Also called | Honda Dream CB750 Four[1] |
Production | 1969–2003 2007 |
Assembly | Wakō, Saitama, Japan Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan Suzuka, Mie, Japan[2] |
Successor | CB900F |
Class | Sport bike or standard |
Engine | 736 cc (44.9 cu in) SOHC air-cooled straight four (1969–1978)[1] DOHC air-cooled straight 4 (1979–2003, 2007) |
Bore / stroke | 61 mm × 63 mm (2.4 in × 2.5 in)[1] |
Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
Power | 51 kW (68 hp) @ 8500 rpm (1969)[3] 50 kW (67 hp) @ 8000 rpm (DIN)[1][4] |
Torque | 44 lbf⋅ft (60 N⋅m) @ 7000 rpm |
Transmission | 5-speed manual, chain final drive |
Suspension | Front: telescopic forks Rear: swingarm with two spring/shock units. |
Brakes | Front disc / Rear drum |
Tires | Front: 3.25" x 19" Rear: 4.00" x 18" |
Rake, trail | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Wheelbase | 1,460 mm (57.3 in) |
Dimensions | L: 2,200 mm (85 in) W: 890 mm (35 in) H: 1,100 mm (44 in) |
Seat height | 790 mm (31 in) |
Weight | 218 kg (481 lb)[1] (dry) 233 kg (513 lb)[5] (wet) |
Fuel capacity | 19 L (4.2 imp gal; 5.0 US gal)[1] |
Fuel consumption | 34.3 mpg‑US (6.86 L/100 km; 41.2 mpg‑imp)[6] |
Though other manufacturers had marketed the transverse, overhead camshaft, inline four-cylinder engine configuration and the layout had been used in racing engines prior to World War II, Honda popularized the configuration with the CB750, and the layout subsequently became the dominant sport bike engine layout.
The CB750 is included in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Classic Bikes;[8][9] was named in the Discovery Channel's "Greatest Motorbikes Ever";[10] was in The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition,[11] and is in the UK National Motor Museum.[12] The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. rates the 1969 CB750 as one of the 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.[1]
The CB750 was the first motorcycle to be called a "superbike".[6][11]
Honda of Japan introduced the CB750 motorcycle to the US and European markets in 1969 after experiencing success with its smaller motorcycles. In the late 1960s Honda motorcycles were, overall, the world's biggest sellers. There were the C100 Cub step-through—the best-selling motorcycle of all time—the C71, C72, C77 and CA77/8 Dreams; and the CB72/77 Super Hawks/Sports. A taste of what was ahead came with the introduction of the revolutionary CB450 DOHC twin-cylinder machine in 1966. Profits from these production bikes financed the successful racing machines of the 1960s, and lessons learned from racing were applied to the CB750. The CB750 was targeted directly at the US market after Honda officials, including founder Soichiro Honda, repeatedly met US dealers and understood the opportunity for a larger bike.
In 1967 American Honda's service manager Bob Hansen[13][14] flew to Japan and discussed with Soichiro Honda the possibility of using Grand Prix technology in bikes prepared for American motorcycle events. American racing's governing body, the AMA, had rules that allowed racing by production machines only, and restricted overhead-valve engines to 500 cc whilst allowing the side-valve Harley Davidsons to compete with 750 cc engines.[15] Honda knew that what won on the race track today, sold in the show rooms tomorrow, and a large engine capacity road machine would have to be built to compete with the Harley Davidson and Triumph twin-cylinder machines.
Hansen told Soichiro Honda that he should build a 'King of Motorcycles'[failed verification] and the CB750 appeared at the Tokyo Show in November 1968 and was publicly launched in UK at the Brighton, England motorcycle show held at the Metropole Hotel exhibition centre during April 1969,[16][17] with an earlier press-launch at Honda's London headquarters,[16][17] the pre-production versions appearing with a high and very wide handlebar intended for the US market.[16]
The AMA Competition Committee recognised the need for more variation of racing motorcycle and changed the rules from 1970, by standardizing a full 750 cc displacement for all engines regardless of valve location or number of cylinders, enabling Triumph and BSA to field their 750 cc triples instead of the 500 cc Triumph Daytona twins.[15]
The Honda factory responded by producing four works-racer CR750s, a racing version of the production CB750, ridden by UK-based Ralph Bryans, Tommy Robb and Bill Smith under the supervision of Mr Nakamura, and a fourth machine under Hansen ridden by Dick Mann. The three Japanese-prepared machines all failed during the race with Mann just holding on to win by a few seconds with a failing engine.[15]
Hansen's race team's historic victory at the March 1970 Daytona 200 with Dick Mann riding a tall-geared CR750 to victory[2][18] preceded the June 1970 Isle of Man TT races when two 'official' Honda CB750s were entered, again ridden by Irishman Tommy Robb partnered in the team by experienced English racer John Cooper. The machines were entered into the 750 cc Production Class, a category for road-based machines allowing a limited number of strictly-controlled modifications. They finished in eighth and ninth places.[19] Cooper was interviewed in UK monthly magazine Motorcycle Mechanics, stating both riders were unhappy with their poor-handling Hondas, and that he would not ride in the next year's race "unless the bikes have been greatly improved".[20]
In 1973, Japanese rider Morio Sumiya finished in sixth place in the Daytona 200-Mile race on a factory 750.[21]
Under development for a year,[22] the CB750 had a transverse, straight-four engine with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) and a front disc brake, neither of which was previously available on a mainstream, affordable, production motorcycle. Having a four-cylinder engine and disc brake, along with the introductory price of US$1,495[23] (US$11,047 in current money), gave the CB750 a considerable sporting performance advantage over its competition, particularly its British rivals.
Cycle magazine called the CB750, "the most sophisticated production bike ever", on the bike's introduction.[23] Cycle World called it a masterpiece, highlighting Honda's painstaking durability testing, the bike's 124 mph (200 km/h) top speed, the fade-free braking, the comfortable ride, and excellent instrumentation.[22]
The CB750 was the first modern four-cylinder machine from a mainstream manufacturer,[24] and the term superbike was coined to describe it.[4][9] Adding to the bike's value were its electric starter, kill switch, dual mirrors, flashing turn signals, easily maintained valves, and overall smoothness and low vibration both under way and at a standstill. Much-later models from 1991 included maintenance-free hydraulic valves.
Unable to accurately gauge demand for the new bike, Honda limited its initial investment in the production dies for the CB750 by using a technique called permanent mold casting (often erroneously referred to as sandcasting) rather than diecasting for the engines[25] – unsure of the bike's reception. The bike remained in the Honda line up for ten years, with a production total over 400,000.[26]
Note: All CB750 engines are air/oil-cooled, as opposed to liquid-cooled
Year and model code:[27]
Model | Production (rounded figures)[29] |
---|---|
CB750K0 | 53,400 |
CB750K1 | 77,000 |
CB750K2 | 63,500 |
CB750K3 | 38,000 |
CB750K4 | 60,000 |
CB750K5 | 35,000 |
CB750K6 | 42,000 |
CB750K7 | 38,000 |
CB750K8 | 39,000 |
CB750F | 15,000 |
CB750F1 | 44,000 |
CB750F2 | 25,000 |
CB750F3 | 18,400 |
CB750A | 4,100 |
CB750A1 | 2,300 |
CB750A2 | 1,700 |
Also called | Hondamatic |
---|---|
Production | 1976–1978[30] |
Engine | 736.6 cc (44.95 cu in) inline-four, SOHC air-cooled |
Bore / stroke | 61.0 mm × 63.0 mm (2.40 in × 2.48 in) |
Compression ratio | 7.7:1 |
Top speed | 156 km/h (97 mph)[31] |
Power | 35 kW (47 hp) @ 7500 rpm[30] |
Torque | 5.0 kg⋅m (49 N⋅m; 36 lbf⋅ft) @ 6000 rpm[30] |
Ignition type | Coil |
Transmission | 2-speed automatic, w/torque converter, chain |
Brakes | Front: 296 mm (11.7 in) disc Rear: 180 mm (7.1 in) drum |
Tires | Front: 3.5" x 19" Rear: 4.5" x 17" |
Rake, trail | 28°, 110 mm (4.5 in) |
Wheelbase | 1,470 mm (58.0 in) |
Dimensions | L: 2,260 mm (89.0 in) W: 800 mm (31.5 in) |
Seat height | 840 mm (33.0 in) |
Weight | 262 kg (578 lb) (claimed)[32] (dry) 259 kg (572 lb)[31] (wet) |
Fuel capacity | 18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal) |
In 1976, Honda introduced the CB750A to the United States, with the A suffix designating "Automatic", for its automatic transmission. Although the two-speed transmission includes a torque converter typical of an automatic transmission, the transmission does not automatically change gears for the rider. Each gear is selected by a foot-controlled hydraulic valve/selector (similar in operation to a manual transmission motorcycle).[30][33] The foot selector controls the application of high pressure oil to a single clutch pack (one clutch for each gear), causing the selected clutch (and gear) to engage. The selected gear remains selected until changed by the rider, or the kickstand is lowered (which shifts the transmission to neutral).[31]
The CB750A was sold in the North American and Japanese markets only.[33] The name Hondamatic was shared with Honda cars of the 1970s, but the motorcycle transmission was not fully automatic. The design of the transmission is similar in concept to the transmission in Honda's N360AT,[31][34] a kei car sold in Japan from 1967 to 1972.
The CB750A uses the same engine as the CB750, but detuned with lower 7.7:1 compression and smaller carburetors producing a lower output, 35.0 kW (47.0 hp). The same oil is used for the engine and transmission, and the engine was changed to a wet sump instead of dry sump type. A lockout safety device prevents the transmission from moving out of neutral if the side stand is down. There is no tachometer but the instruments include a fuel gauge and gear indicator. For 1977 the gearing was revised, and the exhaust changed to a four-into-two with a silencer on either side. Due to slow sales the model was discontinued in 1978,[30] though Honda did later introduce smaller Hondamatic motorcycles (namely the CB400A, CM400A,[35] and CM450A).[36] Cycle World tested the 1976 CB750A's top speed at 156 km/h (97 mph), with a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) time of 10.0 seconds and a standing 0 to 1⁄4 mile (0.00 to 0.40 km) time of 15.90 seconds at 138.95 km/h (86.34 mph).[31] Braking from 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) was 39 m (129 ft).[31]
From 1982 through 2003, with the exception of several years, Honda produced a CB750 known as the Nighthawk 750. Early models were designated the CB750SC Nighthawk while later models were simply known as the Nighthawk 750.[37][38] The Nighthawk 750SC had a 4-stroke engine with a 5-speed manual transmission, chain drive, and front disc and rear drum brakes.
In 2007 Honda Japan announced the sale of a new CB750 very similar to the models sold in the 1970s. Announced as the CB750 Special Edition that was in the silver colors of the CB750 AMA racer of the 1970s and the CB750, it was offered in three color schemes reminiscent of CB750s previously sold. As of August 2007[update], these bikes were intended only for release in Japan.[39]
Model | Engine displacement | Fuel system | Cam | Valves per cylinder | Power | Torque | Weight | Drive |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1969-1978 CB750 Four[40][41] | 736 cc (44.9 cu in)[41] | 4 carburetors[41] | SOHC[41] | 2 | 67 bhp (50 kW) @ 8000 rpm[11][41][42] | 59.8 N⋅m (44.1 lbf⋅ft) @ 7000 rpm[41] | 218 kg (481 lb) (dry)[41] | 5-Speed, Constant Mesh, Gearbox, Final Drive Chain[41] |
1976–1978 CB750A[32] | 736 cc (44.9 cu in) | 4 carburetors | SOHC | 2 | 35 kW (47 hp) @ 7500 rpm[30] | 262 kg (578 lb) (claimed dry)[32] 259 kg (572 lb) (wet) [31] |
2-speed w/torque converter, chain[30] | |
1978 CB750K[43] | 748 cc (45.6 cu in) | 4 carburetors | DOHC | 4 | 50 kW (67 hp) @ 9000 rpm | 231 kg (509 lb) (dry)[citation needed] | 5-Speed, Constant Mesh, Gearbox, Final Drive Chain | |
1979–1980 CB750F (RC04)[44] | 748 cc (45.6 cu in) | 4 carburetors[44] | DOHC[44] | 4 | 50 kW (67 hp) @ 9000 rpm[44] | 42.6 lb⋅ft (57.8 N⋅m) @ 8000 rpm[44] | 228 kg (503 lb) Dry[44] | 5-Speed, Constant Mesh, Gearbox, Final Drive Chain[44] |
1980–1982 CB750C Custom[45] | 748 cc (45.6 cu in) | 4 carburetors[45] | DOHC[45] | 4 | 50 kW (67 hp) @ 9000 rpm[45] | 42.6 lb⋅ft (57.8 N⋅m) @ 8000 rpm[45] | 236 kg (520 lb) dry [45] ~252 kg (556 lb) wet[45] |
5-Speed, Constant Mesh, Gearbox, Final Drive Chain[45] |
1981 CB750F | 748 cc (45.6 cu in) | 4 carburetors | DOHC | 4 | 50 kW (67 hp)[citation needed] | 42.6 lb⋅ft (57.8 N⋅m) @ 8000 rpm | 243 kg (536 lb)[citation needed] | Chain |
1982–1983 CB750SC (Nighthawk) | 749 cc (45.7 cu in) | 4 carburetors | DOHC | 4 | 49.64 kW (66.57 hp) @ 9000 rpm[citation needed] | 41.54 lbf⋅ft (56.32 N⋅m) @ 7500 rpm[citation needed] | 260.1 kg (573.5 lb) wet[citation needed] | 5-Speed, Chain[46][47] See also Honda CB700SC |
1991–1993, 1995–2003 CB750 (Nighthawk) | 747 cc (45.6 cu in) | 4 Keihin 34 mm Constant Vacuum carburetors | DOHC | 4 | 56 kW (75 hp) @ 8500 rpm[citation needed] | 64 N⋅m (47 lbf⋅ft) @ 7500 rpm[citation needed] | 210 kg (463 lb)[citation needed] | Chain |
2007 CB750 | 747 cc (45.6 cu in) | VENAC[clarification needed] | DOHC | 4 | 55 kW (74 hp) @ 8500 rpm[48] | 64 N⋅m (47 lbf⋅ft) @ 7500 rpm[48] | 240 kg (520 lb)[48] | Chain |
Developed with the goal of giving riders greater power with better safety, the Dream CB750 featured Honda's first double cradle frame and the world's first hydraulic front disc brakes.