1973 Honda CB750 from United States of America

Summary:

1974 cb 750 electrical problems

Faults:

Well at 40,000 miles: seat split, tires dry rotted, but didn't lose air, battery died, tailight cracked.

Left parked for 6 days without cranking; no lights, nothing done, usual tests, new battery; nothing. Checked the fusebox.

General Comments:

When running the bike climbed well. It's fast enough, and has good gas mileage.

The fairing kinda seems weird, and it has small handlebars too.

Hondas are great bikes, old or new, but mine has me stumped.

I ordered new switch.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2008

14th Jun 2009, 22:21

Just wanted to post a comment on the 74 CB750. This applies to many other CBs as well. My 74 kept blowing fuses; I finally figured it out. One of the wires that comes from the ignition switch was grounding out. I replaced the switch and problem was solved. The strange thing about this problem that makes it hard to find is that the wire can be moved or jarred to a position where it won't short. Then all of a sudden you're riding down the road and your bike dies. I had to be hauled home in a pick up truck one day because of this. I hope this helps out somebody.

1978 Honda CB750 from Canada

Summary:

A very reliable machine

Faults:

In the past 26 years that I've owned this bike, I've replaced the clutch cable, re-upholstered the seat once, replaced the front fork seals and fluid once, replaced the tach cable seal to the valve cover, and finally in 2004, had an engine job (honed the cylinders, replaced rings, reseated valves, replaced valve seals, gaskets and O-rings, and cleaned the carbs). Once this was done, there was noticeably more "zip".

General Comments:

Other than the above, it's been just the regular maintenance (oil, filters, spark plugs, fuses, battery, etc.), and replaced each of the 4 exhaust pipes at least once (They used to rust out more quickly when we used to be able to purchase leaded gas). The bike is relatively easy to work on.

This has been a great bike to own, and outfitted with a Windjammer fairing & Vetter bags and trunk, it's been a lot of fun to drive on short or long trips.

Here on the east coast of Canada, I can usually take it out in March, then store it away in November.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th November, 2006

1974 Honda CB750 from United States of America

Summary:

An amazing total package and a great second bike!

Faults:

The second day I had it I got rear ended at the Portsmouth traffic circle, which destroyed my mint rear fender along with the taillight assembley, and it also bruised my buddies fingers.

When I went to do an oil change I found the bolt on the oil filter cover had been rounded by the previous owner.

Also the neutral light blew recently.

General Comments:

Awesome bike, incredibly reliable and surprisingly fast for such an old machine. Both acceleration and braking are neck snapping. Me and my buddy timed it 0-60 and it only took 4 seconds with him on the back, considering that I weigh 190lbs and he weighs 140lbs, that's damn good.

The bikes handling is impresive, but I think that has a lot to do with the set of Avon semi-slicks the previous owner installed.

For a bike with only a single front disk and rear drums, braking is unbelievable, much better than any bike I've ever ridden from the seventies or even eighties for that matter.

Top speed is an indicated 138MPH, keep in mind that I'm 6'2" and 190lbs.

Reliability has been awesome, and besides the destruction of my rear fender by an idiotic motorist, I have had no real problems, and I ride pretty hard :).

Starts insanely fast in warm weather to the point where you literally just touch the starter, if you chose to kick it, it only takes a single kick no matter how cold the motor.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th December, 2004

16th Feb 2005, 12:37

Wait at minute, are we talking about the same "Motorcyle of the Century" that I have owned for many years? My 1976 CB750K6 is typical of the breed I think. It is acknowledged by a vast number of Honda SOHC-4 owners that the legendary 4 cylinder bikes made between 1969 and 1981 are indeed incredibly reliable, but are among the coldest blooded machines you will find, typically taking 3-5 minutes to warm up enough not to stall if you goose them too soon. From a handling and braking point of view (with the exception of the later 1976-1979 F series with dual brakes) they are very primitive.

Upgrades that help include electronic ignition, roller bearing for the steering, progressive front springs and rear shocks (I bought mine from an English company called "Progressive"). You can also use the front forks from a Honda GL1000 of similar vintage for a really great improvement.

The later 1977-1979 versions benefit from different carb setup (with accelerator pumps) that help avoid the stalling/bogging that can result if you hit the throttle too soon. As for 0-60 in 4 seconds, sorry, not gonna happen, not even brand new were they that fast. If your bike is like mine, the speedometer spring has weakened so much that at 50MPH indicated speed, you are actually only doing about 40. Have someone follow you in a car at 60MPH and check it out! 0-60 will happen in about 7.8 seconds. Top end should be about 121MPH, depending on wind loading.

I also own a classic Honda 1975 CB400F, a really sweet little bike.

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