Flight of the Four
FLIGHT OF THE FOUR
CB75OK 1989~78
The original four-piper, the Japanese bike that rocked the foundations of motorcycling and ushered in a new era of sophistication. “The very best road bike in the world,” said the admiring editors of Cycle World. That first year, more than 20,000 buyers agreed.
CB75OF Super Sport 197578
One of the first bikes to be “caféracerized” by the factory, the F sported a 4-into-1 exhaust and a wrap-around tail section. Later versions got dual front discs and blacked-out engines. “The best of the 750 Hondas, " we called the ’77 model. Top speed then was all of 111 mph.
CB75OA Automatic 1976-78
Not a true automatic, the Four was linked to a torque converter, and the rider chose either Low or High range. “We are intrigued by the concept and a bit unsure as to which way this will go, ” we said. The buying public wasn’t so intrigued, and after three years, the Auto went away.
An illustrated history of the CB750
ÇB750F Super Sport 1979-82 A second-generation CB, distinguished by its dohc, 16-valve engine and updated styling. Although hampered by quick-fading shocks, the F was the sportiest Japanese bike of its time, easily a match for European iron. Top speed was up to 123 mph. “A great motorcycle, ” was CW’s summation.
CB750C Custom i When introduced, the Custom, an embryonic cruiser, outsold the 750F and a plain-Jane, wire-wheeled Kmodel by a two-to-one margin. Featuring two-tone paint, stepped seat and raised-white-letter tires, the Custom was called “a handsome bike...a combination of flash and class. "
CB750SC Nighthawk 1982-83 By 1983, the not-quite-a-cruiser Nighthawk, priced at $3098, was the only inline 750 in Honda's catalog, surrounded by all manner of V-Twins and V-Fours. Overlooked by buyers, the SC was dropped from the line, though the sporty CB700 Nighthawk S carried on the mode! name for three more years.
