[From Wikipedia.com]
Honda of Japan introduced the CB750 motorcycle to the US and European markets in 1969 after experiencing success with their smaller motorcycles. The bike was targeted directly at the US market after Honda officials (including Soichiro Honda), repeatedly met with US dealers and understood the opportunity for a larger bike.
Under development for one year, when finally introduced to the market, The CB750 offered two unprecedented features: its disc brake and its inline four cylinder engine -- neither of which were previously available on mainstream, affordable, production bikes. These two features, along with the bike's introductory price of $1495.00 (US), gave the CB750 considerable advantage over its competition, particularly its British rivals.
Cycle Magazine called the CB750 "the most sophisticated production bike ever" upon its introduction. Cycle World called the motorcycle a masterpiece, highlighting Honda's painstaking durability testing, the bike's 120mph top speed, the fade-free performance of the braking, the comfortable ride, and excellent instrumentation.
As the first modern four cylinder machine from a mainstream manufacturer, the term Superbike was coined to describe the CB750. The bike offered other important features, both great and small that added to its compelling value: electric starter, kill switch, dual mirrors, flashing turn signals, screw on oil filter, easily maintained valves and overall smoothness and freedom from vibration both underway and at a standstill. Later models (91 on) included maintenance free hydraulic valves. On the other hand, the bike was difficult to get on its centerstand and tended to throw chain oil on its muffler.
Unable to accurately gauge demand for the new bike, Honda limited its initial investment in the production dies for the CB750 by originally using a technique called permanent mold casting (often erroneously referred to as sandcasting) rather than diecasting for the engines -- unsure of the bike's reception. The bike remained in the Honda lineup for ten years, sales totaling over 400,000 copies in its life span.
Under development for one year, when finally introduced to the market, The CB750 offered two unprecedented features: its disc brake and its inline four cylinder engine -- neither of which were previously available on mainstream, affordable, production bikes. These two features, along with the bike's introductory price of $1495.00 (US), gave the CB750 considerable advantage over its competition, particularly its British rivals.
Cycle Magazine called the CB750 "the most sophisticated production bike ever" upon its introduction. Cycle World called the motorcycle a masterpiece, highlighting Honda's painstaking durability testing, the bike's 120mph top speed, the fade-free performance of the braking, the comfortable ride, and excellent instrumentation.
As the first modern four cylinder machine from a mainstream manufacturer, the term Superbike was coined to describe the CB750. The bike offered other important features, both great and small that added to its compelling value: electric starter, kill switch, dual mirrors, flashing turn signals, screw on oil filter, easily maintained valves and overall smoothness and freedom from vibration both underway and at a standstill. Later models (91 on) included maintenance free hydraulic valves. On the other hand, the bike was difficult to get on its centerstand and tended to throw chain oil on its muffler.
Unable to accurately gauge demand for the new bike, Honda limited its initial investment in the production dies for the CB750 by originally using a technique called permanent mold casting (often erroneously referred to as sandcasting) rather than diecasting for the engines -- unsure of the bike's reception. The bike remained in the Honda lineup for ten years, sales totaling over 400,000 copies in its life span.
