17th Nov 2005, 07:16
0-60MPH actually sounds about right to me, considering that when my CB750K3 was stock, it would cover the quarter in 13.1@104MPH. Though I do think 138MPH is a bit high, more like 130MPH if you've got the room.
And the brakes are quite good if you have ever ridden anything else from that time period.
Reliability of course, is typical Honda.
26th Jan 2006, 01:44
I ride a 1969 K0, I have also owned Fireblades, VTR100 etc. The old CB750 is still a usable classic. The brakes/performance do not compare to modern bikes, but if well bedded in, they are within the performance of the machine.
Electrics are superb, lights are great (fit a modern halogen headlamp).
I use a GPS, so I have my true top speed - 121mph. 0 to 60 is about 5 seconds, not bad for a 35 year machine. Obviously it's reliable and starting... what's the big deal? Just ride with the choke on for a bit, control the engine on the throttle, if it stalls pull the clutch/thumb the starter > keep rolling.
I can cover the same miles in a day on this as my Pan European or Fireblade, I can service it, it keeps up with almost anything on the road in the real world. It's no safer or more dangerous than todays machines, but a lot more satisfying to own.
18th Mar 2007, 15:34
I have to agree with the guy who wrote about the speedo cable being stretched. My 1974 CB750K is a full 20mph slower than the reading on the speedometer! It does haul A**. I'm 240# and the wife is about 160# (figure the actual weight boys). It still does a good job running through the mountains of Colorado. I love my 95% cherry CB.
12th Sep 2007, 22:04
Got my 1974 CB750 this summer.. did about 2000 miles in 3 months. This bike is crazy nice!! I was planning on getting something else next year, but not gonna happen:) As far as speed; I got it up to 100 for a few seconds, but didn't dare to go any faster.
24th Sep 2007, 15:38
I'm 19 years old, and I bought my dad's old 1974 Honda CB750 off the guy he gave it to. The guy kept it outside uncovered for four years, only putting 71 miles on it. Before I bought it he threw on a new set of tires.
It has been bored to an 820, and for a old school 500 pounder that hasn't been run much in four years, she picks up and goes. I am very impressed with the performance of this bike; I was able to ride away on it with four year old gas, and thanks to the kick start, a dead battery.
I'm currently turning it into a cafe racer and can't wait to have it all together and in tip top shape next summer. Email me at travmx22@yahoo.com if you want to see some pics before and after, or chat with me about bikes.
3rd Oct 2007, 12:34
I have been riding my rebuilt 78 CB750 for six months after having taken 14 months to rebuilt it. If I had known what I was getting into and what the end result would be, I would do it all over again.
The bike is very reliable and takes off like a bat out of h***. My top speed was about 120 mph, I got it there once and have never returned. Though I might upgrade the bike at some time, I will never get rid of my CB...
24th Oct 2007, 04:37
I just bought a 1974 CB 750.
The bike is in great condition, although it has been idle for months.
My problem is... The motor starts running, but after a few seconds it just stops, or if I rev it up, it also, chokes and stops.
I checked the gas tank - it has gas, not much, but still a bit.
Any idea on what might be wrong?
Thanks in advance for your help.
30th Oct 2007, 08:16
After reading all the positive comments of this classic bike, you have me drooling. How much would an old bloke like me expect to pay for one in very good/original condition? I would be looking for a 1974 CB750.
9th Dec 2007, 00:25
I bought a '74 CB750 back in August, and while reading through all of this, a concern popped into my head. All of you are claiming a top speed of around 120mph... but my bike tops out at about 85mph (not that I'm complaining that much, it's a kick in the a** to ride up until that point, but a little disappointing once you get to that point).
The bike is stock to my knowledge besides lowered suspension, custom pipes, plus some cosmetic stuff... but that shouldn't really affect the performance of the bike. I'm not a big guy (6ft/150lbs) so weight bogging it down shouldn't be an issue. Any ideas as to what may be robbing the bike of its power?
17th Dec 2007, 16:27
I was given a 75' Honda 750 Four, and looking at the bike it is a DOHC, but I have searched the Internet over and cannot find anything stating that it was made in DOHC in 1975, only in SOHC. Have any of you guys ever heard of it in DOHC?
29th Dec 2007, 19:35
I picked up a 74 750 three years ago that was stored outside and not ridden or even started since 1982. It had been covered since the last time it was ridden here in Southern California, and had 20,000 miles on it. After cleaning out the gas tank, rebuilding the carbs, and replacing the battery, she fired right up. Since then I've replaced the tires and the seat. It runs and looks great! I just wish I could find the last of the four exhaust pipes at a reasonable price. The original owner put a header on the bike and lost one of the pipes.
11th Jan 2008, 22:43
The only Honda's that could register speeds that high were the 1979 DOHC bikes. The speedometer read up to 150mph. After that the speedometers only went up to 85mph. My personal experience with my stock 1979 K2; after 120mph it handles like a tank made of Jell-O.
22nd Mar 2008, 09:08
I bought a brand new 74 Honda 750, and went from Miami to Middletown NY. Awesome touring bike, but the claims here of speeds up to 138MPH is highly exaggerated. 110 is more reasonable. And it was very cold blooded. If you wanted speed, a Kawasaki 750 or 900 was the bike to own.
1st May 2008, 14:27
My 78 CB750 F2 has a speedo that reads 150, not that I've ever seen it. And my speedo is off but in the other direction, when I am doing 40 on the speedo it is really 50mph. To the mate that has only seen 85 at top end, you're not the only one. I suspect it is either ignition problems or compression. I have 2 cylinders that ran kinda cold, but now I am leaking a bit of oil from the head. So it needs a top end redo, with new rings. I'm thinking of getting it bored to 836cc.
24th Aug 2005, 18:02
A wise man doesn't stick his head in a hungry lion's mouth. Riding your old bike at 138mph is like sticking your head in a hungry lion's mouth!