I enjoyed the 750 thread. My 1st bike was a 1980 CB750F. I loved it. I am also currently shopping for a bike as my beloved CB1100 was totaled. A guy near me has 1979 CB750F with only 3,500 miles on it. He's done a beautiful job putting back on the road. I took it for a spin around the neighborhood and I just didn't love it compared with our modern bikes. I definitely don't want a project and don't want a choke either. That being said, the bike is sweet. I'd like to try it out on the highway before really dismissing it. I took an 82 CB900F for spin a year or so ago. The old bikes just aren't as tight, if that makes sense, as the newer ones. They also have to warm up. I just want to ride.
Would you go back to an old 750?
- Thread starter Tom_imp
- Start date
pekingduck
Road warrior
It's hard to go back in time with modern expectations. Older bikes had worse brakes, handling, ride, reliability, and overall performance.
I miss the good old days. I don't miss those drawbacks and limitations.
I miss the good old days. I don't miss those drawbacks and limitations.
Lord Popgun
Road warrior
Did anyone of you ever have a ‘75 550-4? One was almost my first bike back then. They let me test ride one in the parking lot. Not much of a test ride.
What were they like in real life?
What were they like in real life?
Inhouse Bob
Road warrior
I had a CB400f as my first bike. It was so sweet. I wish I had it back and might track one down one of these days. The breaks were fine for a little pup like me and the power was adequate as well. It wasn't fast off the line but it would run at 100 all day. Ask me how I know. I have the driving record to prove it :rofl:Lord Popgun_imp said:
Anyhow, that's why I have a CB1100 now.
Randy B
Road warrior
I loved my 93 750 Nighthawks (I had 3 of them over the years) as they were smooth and reliable. Not the quickest, but not a pooch either.
That being said I love my 1100 and have no intentions of going back down.
That being said I love my 1100 and have no intentions of going back down.
tommymck
Been there
I understand the sentiment, but I'm quite the opposite in terms of what floats my boat. Old K's are a dream to ride. At least my K2 is (to me). I didn't see this thread before I logged on tonight, but after work I was looking for some decompression time and nothing beats that than the 750 so off I went. And though you are pushing the bike closer to its limits than a modern one, that's part of the fun.m in sc_imp said:
I was riding back roads when I passed a farm that takes old retired thoroughbreds and puts them to pasture. Sort of like my 750... I wouldn't want it to be my only ride by any stretch of the imagination, but when taking off for an hour or so after work, it's the go-to.
In anything but cold weather, the choke is only needed to start it. Immediately move it half-way while I put the helmet and gloves on, and no choke needed beyond that. Just sayn'Tom_imp said:
Wagonpeddler_imp
Running like a top
Wow that IS a beauty! Loved the look of the 750's. Had two previously.....'81 and '79. Stranded too many times with carb issues and lack of tech experience to keep them running.
GoldOxide_imp
Road warrior
That is a solid lookin' machine - almost locomotive-like.Wagonpeddler_imp said:
KiowaEagle_imp
Road warrior
Mine was a '73. My second bike and I loved that thing. Seemed so big at the time!Lord Popgun_imp said:
PowerDubs_imp
Road warrior
I owned a '76 CB1100, but my favorite bike period of my life was when I was in the Army and had a '82 Kawasaki KZ750 LTD.
Many years later after I got out, and met my wife- I found another LTD exactly like mine on Craig's list- my wife drove me there to check it out in case I wanted to ride it home.
I looked it over- then rode it down the street and back- told the guy thanks I would think about it- and got back in the car. It just felt bad. I couldn't put a finger on exactly what- and maybe it was a little bit of everything. It just wasn't the same.
That's why I got my CB1100. Old look, modernish feel. So no- just like an old muscle car- best left to look at.
Many years later after I got out, and met my wife- I found another LTD exactly like mine on Craig's list- my wife drove me there to check it out in case I wanted to ride it home.
I looked it over- then rode it down the street and back- told the guy thanks I would think about it- and got back in the car. It just felt bad. I couldn't put a finger on exactly what- and maybe it was a little bit of everything. It just wasn't the same.
That's why I got my CB1100. Old look, modernish feel. So no- just like an old muscle car- best left to look at.
1973cb750
Been there
id ride any Honda inline 4 and any Kawasaki inline 4 regardless of year and type weather its a cb350 four or a kx or csr1000 ill ride any i do love the sohc 750 four though
cooldrum_imp
Running like a top
Hi Tom, Each time I go to the garage, I do go back to my old CB750 K4 that sits next to the CB1100 (2013 model). There's over 40 years of technology between the bikes and they are both rewarding to ride. The 750 has carbs, points and condensers and you do need to warm it up. After that it's just linear power all the way to redline like the CB. If you've bought a new bike, any make during the last decade. You really can't compare to bikes 40 or 50 years ago. There's been that much progress and the CB750 led the way for all companies to step up and make the current bikes we enjoy today. The old bikes demand your attention when riding especially when it comes to brakes. You need to plan ahead and it requires more effort. If you want to just ride and not wrench, then you have many choices out there. Just sharing my perspective here. The old and new CB's are great motors, probably the last of the "air cooled" bikes for the street we'll see from Honda. Enjoy the road whatever you ride. Cheers!Tom_imp said:
Hi Tom, Each time I go to the garage, I do go back to my old CB750 K4 that sits next to the CB1100 (2013 model). There's over 40 years of technology between the bikes and they are both rewarding to ride. The 750 has carbs, points and condensers and you do need to warm it up. After that it's just linear power all the way to redline like the CB. If you've bought a new bike, any make during the last decade. You really can't compare to bikes 40 or 50 years ago. There's been that much progress and the CB750 led the way for all companies to step up and make the current bikes we enjoy today. The old bikes demand your attention when riding especially when it comes to brakes. You need to plan ahead and it requires more effort. If you want to just ride and not wrench, then you have many choices out there. Just sharing my perspective here. The old and new CB's are great motors, probably the last of the "air cooled" bikes for the street we'll see from Honda. Enjoy the road whatever you ride. Cheers! Here here. One of the fun things about he old 750s is that they're faster than my 2013 CB1100. At least mine was. I may or may not need that feature anymore.cooldrum_imp said:
LongRanger_imp
Road warrior
I owned two — a ‘70 CB750K0 and a ‘78 CB750F2. No way are they comparable to today’s bikes. Braking, suspension, handling, safety are all deficient compared to today’s bikes.
PowerDubs_imp
Road warrior
Yea- but simply a social constraint, not a physical one.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
tommymck
Been there
Well, sure... If one is concerned with top speed, a vintage bike isn't likely to measure up either because it won't get there, or because you'd be insane if you took it there. But for zippy riding on backroads or as a pleasant daily commuter, a CB750 can be a fun and reliable ride. I don't find that it needs warming up any more than any other bike, and very little concessions need to be made for its age.
GoldOxide_imp
Road warrior
... I have done this, but gingerly pushing the bar on a vintage bike (and cage).
Ultimately the driver is responsible for safe control of the machine. So hopefully commonsense prevails as the rider discovers the safe-abilities of an older bike, using pre-ride checks.
It would be a drag to blindly hop on a vintage ride that had a not-so-obvious broken frame weld and proceed to do the ton. I reckon we would all try to sort out the risks before a spirited ride.
Ultimately the driver is responsible for safe control of the machine. So hopefully commonsense prevails as the rider discovers the safe-abilities of an older bike, using pre-ride checks.
It would be a drag to blindly hop on a vintage ride that had a not-so-obvious broken frame weld and proceed to do the ton. I reckon we would all try to sort out the risks before a spirited ride.
tommymck
Been there
You guys must be more he-man than me. The CB750 will do highway speeds of 80 to 85 comfortably all day. Any bike over 100 mph on a public roadway is a bit crazy according to the risk profile that I like to maintain, but doing wide open throttle in 5th gear on a 50 year old suspension with the brake setup as it is doesn't leave much of a margin of error when emergency input is required.... and the odds of emergency input being required at 110 vs 85 is significantly more than the corresponding percentage increase in velocity. That's why I consider it insane, but that's me.
If I'm going to the track, give me an S1000RR (or something equivalent) along with a full on racing suit and of course a vintage bike isn't going to be optimum for that. But if a CB750 K2 with a top speed of around 115 leaves you wanting on public roadways in terms of maximum speed, I'd like to know what roadways you are on so that I can avoid them
If I'm going to the track, give me an S1000RR (or something equivalent) along with a full on racing suit and of course a vintage bike isn't going to be optimum for that. But if a CB750 K2 with a top speed of around 115 leaves you wanting on public roadways in terms of maximum speed, I'd like to know what roadways you are on so that I can avoid them
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