1977 Honda Cb750 Automatic Motorcycles for sale

Honda : CB 1977 honda cb 750 a barn fresh

$900

Chico, California

1977 CB750A...barn fresh...Purchased from original owner who parked it with 38,917 in 2003 when he suffered a stroke..Original CA. title on non opp since that time...Completely stock except for touring seat.. Motor spins over and trans shifts through both gears..Has a full set of locking Vetter bags and trunk with key...and I am including a very nice Windjammer fairing as well.The right bag is cracked and will need repair,and the seat can use a cover....Tires have good tread although they are 11 years old now..so that is your call as far as replacement...I would do fork seals..and the front master cylinder and caliper need to be re-done from sitting..The tank also has a dent in the right side,but there is another straight tank included...These bikes were only made 2 years,and they are getting harder to find..especially as complete as this one is...I consider this a restoration project.. With some work and TLC this would make a nice tourer as the original owner enjoyed it as or as I have seen in the past couple of years,they make for a very cool platform for a chopper or bobber...whatever your choice to do with it,its all there for you to decide...Nice winter project...Any questions,please call 707-292-3033... PLEASE READ..PAYMENT IN FULL DO WITHIN 3 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR INVOICE..PLEASE DON'T PAY UNTIL YOU RECEIVE IT..FOR OVERSEAS BUYERS,I CAN CRATE FOR AN ADDITIONAL $250 AND ARRANGE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD..FOR US BUYERS,I CAN PROVIDE REASONABLE SHIPPING ANYWHERE WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S.,OR YOU ARE WELCOME(AN ENCOURAGED) TO ARRANGE YOUR OWN.. PLEASE REALIZE YOU ARE BUYING A 37 YR.OLD PROJECT BIKE THAT DOES NOT RUN AND WILL REQUIRE WORK AND PARTS IN ODER FOR IT TO DO SO....NOT SOMETHING THAT IS BRAND NEW...ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS NOW,OR ASK FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS BEFORE YOU BID...NOT AFTER THE FACT....THIS IS AN AS IS,WHERE IS SALE AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY EXSPRESSED OR IMPLIED...ONCE YOU PURCHASED IT,YOU OWN IT...AND THERE ARE NO RETURNS....SO TRYING TO NEGOTIATE ANYTHING AFTER THE POINT AT WHICH YOU PRESS THE BUTTON TO BUY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.. I ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO END THIS AUCTION AT ANY TIME,SINCE IT IS FOR SALE ELSEWHERE BESIDES EBAY... SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT...MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO BID...OR ASK QUESTIONS RELATED TO SHIPPING ON A WEEK-END DAY,AS I CANNOT ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS THEN...ONLY DURING THE WEEK WHEN I CAN MAKE INQUIRES FOR YOU....I TRY MY BEST TO DESCRIBE EVERYTHING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY BUT PLEASE REALIZE I AM HUMAN AND THEREFORE MAY OVERLOOK THINGS,OR NOT SEE THEM IN THE SAME WAY AS YOU DO..AS SUCH,IF YOU FEEL WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS MOTORCYCLE THAT THIS IS THE CASE,YOU MUST CONTACT ME FIRST BEFORE POSTING ANY FEEDBACK....NO EXCEPTIONS..I'VE STRIVED VERY HARD OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS TO MAINTAIN 100% SATISFACTION AND AS SUCH,WHATEVER YOUR ISSUE YOU FEEL YOU MAY HAVE,KNOW I WILL TRY MY UTMOST TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION ...LASTLY...IF YOU FEEL FOR WHATEVER REASON YOU CANNOT ABIDE BY THE TERMS I HAVE SET FORTH WITHIN THIS SALE PLEASE.....DO NOT BID....ANDTHANKS FOR LOOKING....

Trim automatic

Honda : CB 1977 honda cb 750 automatic

$1,800

Levittown, Pennsylvania

“This is a nice, low mileage survivor of a classic Honda motorcycle Clear Title. The bike runs well, just had a motorcycle mechanic clean the carbs. Will need a new front tire as it is dry rotted. The seat doesn't have any rips but has a mark in it from something hot that was set on it. The tank is rust free and hasn't been creamed though it has a dent in it as seen in pics along with the normal scratches from a bike this old. The front fender has two dents which doesn't show well in the pics. Just installed a new battery and has a tender for it. Most of these bikes are missing the kick start this one has it as seen under the seat in the pic. It has a tool bag but no tools. The exhaust is an aftermarket performance mufflers. I also have the owners manual that came with it. Horn lights and blinkers all work as does the fuel gauge and speedometer. Has kick stand but not a center. Well running barn (garage) find! Any question please ask”Overall this bike is in great shape and runs very well, Trans. shifts smooth. I am only selling the bike because I bought two bike in the same week and one has to go since I don't have the room for it.

1977 Honda CB 750C

$2,199

Greeneville, Tennessee

Here's one of the best parts about choosing an off-road motorcycle from Honda. You don't have to pick one that's too big, or one that's too small. Because with a whole range of models, from mini to mighty, you're sure to find one that's just the perfect fit in terms of both size and performance.Take our CRF110F, for example. In terms of seat height and weight, it's between our CRF125F and our CRF50F. And it offers a 110 cc air-cooled engine that's super reliable and built to deliver the kind of power your young Red Rider needs. In addition, the CRF110F features both an effortless electric starter and a kick starter, as well. And it all teams up with our four-speed transmission with automatic clutch that's been proven in thousands of bikes, so younger riders never have to worry about stalling or a handlebar-mounted clutch.The CRF110F is a great off-road, fun bike that younger riders are going to love. And, better than that, they're going to remember all the fun they had riding it—and with you—for the rest of their lives.Be A Responsible Rider: All parents need to consider their youngsters' age, size, ability and maturity before allowing them to ride. Obtain a copy of "Off-Road Safety Tips" from your local Honda dealer.

Honda : CB Honda CB750A

$2,600

Clayton, Oklahoma

1977 Honda CB750 Automatic. Good running and driving 750 automatic. around 14,800 miles. Tires are like new. I have driven this bike around 600 miles last year. It has a new chain and very good sprockets on it. Engine Oil was just changed at 14,500. It has a very nice windshield on it that is pretty much as good as a Wind Jammer. I have one of those for it in Black for $150.00 if you want it. I think it looks better like it is. I am looking for a BMW/Kawasaki 650/800. Sport touring BMW/Honda Pacific Coast, Translap. That is the reason for selling as we want to get into some off road driving and a off road Dual purpose. Side cover is off for the trickle charger. Info:918-649-5069

1977 Honda Cb 750F

$900

Aurora, Illinois

1977 Honda Cb 750F, 1977 Honda Cb750 with the hondmatic trans. Third owner. Has clear title. 27xxx miles. Missing Battery and front brake caliper. Also as you can see in the pictures, the head light is not installed. I have a box o' parts I will give you as well that includes, a new air filter, two different headlights, and some other spares for the bike and from others. Needs a nice strip down, and cleaning. Besides the problems noted earlier, this thing is a beast. Highway capable and then some. Good for a restore, bobber, or cafe. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Please look up more on the bike if you are unfamiliar as this is becoming a rarity in bikes. Especially with this kind of engine. So again THE GOOD: Nice body good condition for a 35+ year old bike Nice tires Rare Model Gas Tank is in Awesome condition Engine is perfectly sound THE BAD: Seats ripped Headlight needs to be reattached Needs new Battery Needs new caliper. Small crack in plastic side featured in pictures. I found a site that replaces these exact panels from year. These bikes go for anywhere between $2500 and $3500 when repaired, or restored. I could easily sell the engine for the value I want for the bike. I however don't wanna take the time to part out a bike that is still functional and has a clean title. I also have a nighthawk that is my daily rider. Won't take much more to get her purring again. Caliper, Battery, Fuel and she'll go. Clean title and keys. Will not drop off. No tire kickers. Thanks for your time. $900.00 OBO Please email with any questions and Ill try to answer. Thanks for looking. I go to work and school full time and barely have time to ride now as it is. I'm not looking to get rid of this but due to the time thing and the fact that 750 cc is way to much for me and my aggresive style of riding, its whats smartest. I don't wanna spend time restoring a bike I wont keep. Flexible on price. Email with questions. Thanks for looking and safe riding! Only trades i'm open for is a smaller CC Honda. Thanks again! MORE PICTURES UPON REQUEST $900.00

Honda : CB 1977 HONDA CB750 CB750A HONDAMATIC AUTOMATIC HONDA MATIC

$375

Genesee, Michigan

This is a total restoration or for parting out. I hate to get rid of but I am making space for a new toy. The only thing that it has going for it is the low miles: 5168 miles. The bike was in storage for the last 10 years hence why the engine is seized. There is some surface rust. SOLD AS IS!! I have free and clear title under my name. Comes with carbs, carb boots, side covers, and a seat. Let me emphasize TOTAL RESTORATION or parting out. Please look at pictures if you have any question or concerns please ask. If it is easier, you may call 810-931-four three 05.

Honda : CB Vintage 1977 Black Honda CB750A with 1979 Black Velorex Sidecar

$5,100

Bowling Green, Ohio

I have for sale a vintage rig that anyone would be proud to ride. If you have the desire to ride but the years have taken their toll--not as strong, partner not as small, and the concerns of dumping the bike and riders--three wheels just took care of that. Not sure about starting and stopping in traffic, no problem--it is automatic, put it in gear, give it the gas, step and squeeze the brakes. It is great fun in town or for a sunny afternoon trip, and perfect for a trip to the store. If you have never ridden with a sidecar before--it can be learned quickly but needs some respect; slow down and enjoy. The bike and sidecar are in very good condition with nothing to be repaired, both have been well maintained. It has been kept inside and comes with a cover for the motorcycle, manuals for driving a sidecar outfit, and Velorex mounting instructions. Come take a look, I am selling it because I do not need 2 bikes, and the other one has more sentimental value. This is a unit sale for both the CB750A and the sidecar, I will not split. Asking price is $5,200, (NADA has the bike in very good condition at $2375 and the sidecar in very good condition at $2825); I will consider all reasonable offers. Thanks

Trim 750A

Honda : CB 2 1977 Honda CB750a Motorcycles with fairings and luggage

$2,000

Jackson, Tennessee

I have been unable to upload photos will try again or email me with your email address and I'll send pics. Here is a video on you tube http://youtu.be/hfCXjLJok9o of bike running just last month. I have 2 1977 Hondamatics for restoration or parts, One I have a video of running in the beginning of May before the wiring Harness got melted from someone trying to jump it off, the other I was told was running it also has wiring harness issues don't know anything else about it. I have a total of 3 Great and fun bikes to just ride, Keeping only one so these to have to go. Have titles for both. In 1976, Honda introduced the CB750A to the United States, the A suffix implying "automatic." Although the two-speed transmission included a torque converter typical of an automatic transmission, the transmission did not automatically change gears for the rider. Each gear was selected by a foot-controlled hydraulic valve/selector (similar in operation as a manual transmission motorcycle).The foot selector controlled the application of high pressure oil to a single clutch pack (one clutch for each gear), causing the selected clutch (and gear) to engage. The selected gear would remain selected until changed by the rider, or the kickstand was lowered (which shifted the transmission to neutral). The CB750A was sold in the North American market only. The name Hondamatic was shared with Honda cars of the 1970s, but the motorcycle transmission was not fully automatic. The design of the transmission is similar in concept to the transmission in Honda's N360AT,a kei car sold in Japan from 1967 to 1972. The CB750A used the same engine as the CB750, but detuned with lower 7.7:1 compression and smaller carburetors producing a lower output, 47.0 hp (35.0 kW). The same oil was used for both the engine and transmission, and the engine was changed to a wet sump instead of dry sump type. A lockout safety device prevented the transmission from moving out of neutral if the side stand was down. There was no tachometer but the instruments did include a fuel gauge and gear indicator. For 1977 the gearing was revised, and the exhaust changed to a four into two with a silencer on either side.

1977 Honda Hondamatic

$1,650

Phoenix, Arizona

1977 Honda Hondamatic , 77 Honda - Hondamatic CB750cc Semi Automatic. I've done a lot of cleanup and updates to this bike. It starts right up and runs & drives good. I've upgraded the points to dynatek electronic ignition and cleaned the carbs. Transmission shifts smoothly (semi automatic 2 speed). Actually a very fun bike to ride. Actual Mileage is unknown. Title says 7000. - dynatek dyna electronic Ignition upgrade (no points) - New plugs - New tires front and back. - New front disc and rear drum brakes. - New choke cable. - New battery - New cruise foot pegs - New slipstream windshield - Fresh oil change - K&N air filter. - Original owners and service manuals. - helmet, tools, and Lock included. - clean notarized title in hand Asking $1650 John 48O-33O-1524 $1,650.00

2003 Honda CBR 600RR

$1,699

Colma, California

1977 Honda CB750a 'Hondamatic' *BRAND NEW (Metzler Lasertec) TIRES AND BRAKES* Runs Great! ~16,200 miles The automatic transmission is perfect for the city and hills I am sad to part with this reliable motorcycle but I recently got a new one, and no longer have the space to store it. I'm the second owner and rode it only locally, the first stored it indoors for years Has a clean title and is Registered with no fees. Ready to Test Drive. willing to trade. $1,699 or best offer!

Honda : CB 1975 honda cb 750 f super sport 3 126 original miles 1 owner from new

$9,900

Chicago, Illinois

800x600 1975 HONDA CB750F SUPER SPORT – ALL ORIGINAL SURVIVOR! 3,126 ORIGINAL MILES, FRAME # CB750F-1007544, Manufactured 2/75 800x600 This Honda 750 Super Sport epitomizes the late 1970’s sportbike/cruiser that became a permanent part of Honda’s reputation and still represents the classic style… Please scroll past the description and terms for more photos! The condition of this machine is highly original and un-restored. It has 3,126 original miles from new. The frame and engine numbers are factory correct and original. It is the 750 cc engine. The gearbox is also original to the machine. This Honda 750 Super Sport is completely original and has never been apart. It is in un-restored and in very nice condition, and is a true historical document that should be preserved and ridden. This machine has been in my collection, is started on a regular basis, and ridden occasionally to make sure everything still works. When I purchased the bike, it had been sitting for some time in completely original condition. I went through the machine top to bottom and checked all of the major engine, transmission, and braking components for functionality and safety. The gas tank was still in beautiful condition, with no wear evident, the carburetors were inspected, cleaned, and re-installed, the air filter checked, all fluids changed, and both front and rear brakes were taken apart cleaned, re-built, and re-installed, the consequence of the bike sitting idle for a long period of time. The tires on the front and rear are the original type and size for the machine and appear to be the original tires to the machine. The tires and tubes have NOT been replaced and, while not as soft and pliable as when they were new, are in amazing original condition. The rims are also the original Honda rims, as are the spokes, and overall, the wheels are in very nice original condition. The seat is original and the upholstery is in perfect condition with no rips, tears, or wear of any kind, and the Honda script on the rear of the seat is sharp and clear. The engine and transmission are in excellent interior condition due to the low mileage and absence of any type of harsh conditions or abuse throughout its life. The 4 into 1 Honda exhaust is also original to the machine, and is in beautiful condition. A complete cleaning and detailing was performed, and although detailing on an original machine is never completed, the overall condition of the finishes is remarkable considering the age of the machine, and is in line with the low original mileage. The aluminum parts are in excellent condition overall, but due to the originality, I did not want to go too far polishing any parts. The paint is the original Candy Sapphire Blue, and is visually stunning. The original decals and badges are still applied to the gas tank, fairing and sidecovers. All of the plastic fairings, covers, etc. are in excellent condition and not in need of any type of repair. The 750 Super Sport on the road is very easy to handle, and rides down the road very tight, with no shakes, shimmies, or rattles. It shifts and accelerates smoothly and holds the road as it should. This bike is really great to ride and very fast for the period. There is absolutely NOTHING that needs to be done to this machine to ride it occasionally and enjoy it as a showpiece. Unlike a lot of collector motorcycles for sale on the internet, this 750 is ready to ride and not in need of any expensive service once you get it home. I am always looking for new machines to add to my collection. Please contact me if you have something interesting available! TERMS: $500 DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE. BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON, BANK TO BANK TRANSFER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE. SORRY, NO C.O.D. AND NO PAYPAL. The description of this motorcycle is written to the best of my knowledge. However, I am by no means an expert on vintage Honda motorcycles. Please don’t hesitate to ask for more photos and, if possible, come and look in person before the auction ends. ALL SALES ARE FINAL! If you have any questions, please contact me before the auction ends. If you have any questions, please contact me. If you live close to Chicago, I encourage you to come and inspect the motorcycle in person! In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders, eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information. Nevertheless, I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence. Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating. This motorcycle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed, written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the motorcycle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this motorcycle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the motorcycle. Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection, have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the motorcycle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale, inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid. If there are any questions regarding the above terms, please e-mail prior to bidding. Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for. If you bid on this item and win, you are expected to pay for the item and pick it up in a timely manner! I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements. I can also arrange crating for shipment on my end for a nominal extra charge. If you are an international buyer, I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping, so I do not mind keeping the motorcycle for a longer period of time until pick up. Please contact me before the sale ends, if possible, to discuss the specifics. Thanks for your interest! For more on the Honda 750 Super Sport, read on past the photos… 800x600 CB750F Super Sport History: 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 founder Soichiro Honda, repeatedly met with US dealers and understood the opportunity for a larger bike. Under development for a year, the CB750 offered two unprecedented features, a front disc brake and a transverse straight-4 engine with an overhead camshaft, neither of which was previously available on a mainstream, affordable production bike. These two features, along with the introductory price of $1,495 ($9,475 in current money), gave the CB750 a 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 it a masterpiece, highlighting Honda's painstaking durability testing, the bike's 120 mph (190 km/h) top speed, the fade-free performance of the braking, the comfortable ride and excellent instrumentation. The CB750 was the first modern four-cylinder machine from a mainstream manufacturer, and the term superbike was coined to describe it. The bike offered other important features that added to its compelling value: electric starter, kill switch, dual mirrors, flashing turn signals, easily maintained valves and overall smoothness and freedom from vibration both underway and at a standstill; later models (1991 on) included maintenance-free hydraulic valves. On the other hand, the bike was difficult to get on its center stand and tended to throw chain oil onto its muffler. Unable to gauge demand for the new bike accurately, Honda limited its initial investment in the production dies for the CB750 by using a technique called permanent mold casting (often erroneously referred to as sandcasting) rather than diecasting for the engines – the factory being unsure of the bike's reception. The bike remained in the Honda lineup for ten years, with sales totaling over 400,000 in its life span. The CB750 is sometimes referred to as a Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM. The Discovery Channel ranked the Honda CB750 third among the top ten greatest motorbikes of all time. Specifications: Claimed power: 58hp @ 8,000rpm Top speed: 114mph (period test) Engine: 736cc air-cooled SOHC transverse-mounted inline four Weight (dry): 449lb (227kg) Fuel capacity/MPG: 4.8gal / 35-55mpg Price then: $2,152 And more insight from articles on the 750 SS… The Honda CB750F Super Sport was born out of Honda's desire to regain its position as a motorcycle pacemaker. When Henry Ford launched the Model T in 1908, there was nothing else like it, and the T established a design template that defined the automobile for more than a decade. The problem? Ford was still building the T in 1928, and the market had moved on. By continuing to manufacture the same basic car, Ford maximized the benefits of mass production, but at the cost of market leadership. After years of snapping at Henry’s heels, the Dodge Brothers, Louis Chevrolet and the rest streaked out front. Something similar happened to Honda in the 1970s. The 1969 Honda CB750 Four mapped out the future for motorcycles. And like the Model T, it stayed in production for just a little too long. By 1975, the Kawasaki Z1 with its 903cc DOHC engine had leapfrogged ahead of the CB750. And waiting in the wings were The Suzuki GS750 and the Kawasaki KZ750, both aimed squarely at the market Honda had built, and creating along the way what was to become known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM: the air-cooled, 2-valve, DOHC across-the-frame inline four. Honda’s response to the challenge was conservative. In 1975, the 750 K5 with its distinctive stacked mufflers was joined by the Honda CB750F Super Sport with a sportier 4-into-1 exhaust. The Honda CB750F also wore a new, slimmer-looking (but 0.3-gallon larger) gas tank with a recessed filler covered by a lockable plate, and a disc brake replaced the rear wheel’s mediocre drum brake. In spite of its radical-looking (for Honda) exhaust, changes to the basic 750 Four plot were minor. Reduced trail and a longer swingarm improved straight-line stability, while a stiffer frame and suspension changes improved handling in the corners. And although the engine was claimed to be unchanged, the new exhaust system brought minor adjustments to valve timing and carburetion, which, according to Cycle magazine, also eliminated the K-bike’s off-idle flat spot. Whether it was the new exhaust (and revised air box) or some undisclosed engine modifications, the F produced considerably more power than the K-bike. Cycle magazine recorded 58hp at the rear wheel compared with 49hp for the 1973 K3. This, combined with lower gearing, meant a standing quarter in the high 12s instead of the 13s. On the road, the improvements made for a comfortable ride and precise steering: “… it handles better than any of the other Japanese superbikes,” said Cycle. Fuel consumption was slightly worse at 43mpg versus the K’s 45mpg, perhaps because of the lower gearing and a 12-pound weight increase. Then the 1977 Honda CB750F2 Super Sport, the CB750F2, was introduced in 1977. The F2 featured Honda’s ComStar wheels with dual disc brakes at the front while the 4-into-1 exhaust exited through a new muffler with a slightly deeper exhaust note. Changes inside the engine (larger valves and more radical cams) improved power to around 60hp at the rear wheel, but at higher rpm (now 8,500 compared with the F’s 8,000rpm) and with the redline stretched to 9,500rpm. To emphasize its sportiness, the engine was powder coated black. At over 540 pounds with a half tank of gas, the F2 was also the heaviest 750 so far (with the exception of the 750A automatic), and 10 pounds heavier than the 4-pipe touring K model. Yet in spite of the extra weight, and the fact that the 28mm Keihins now had accelerator pumps, fuel consumption improved slightly to 45mpg. Most testers considered the F2 to be the best Honda 750 so far, the result of continual refinement and improvement that had created a comfortable, fine handling motorcycle with performance that just about kept pace with the GS750. All was not perfect in paradise, however. During a 10,000-mile extended test, Cycle Guide’s F2 dropped a valve, destroying a piston and the cylinder head. The cause, they speculated, was insufficient heat treatment of the valve. Testers also emphasized some problems with the 750’s transmission, notably missed shifts, false neutrals and a tendency to drop out of gear. Also noted was a lack of steering stability. The life of a test mule includes some pretty vigorous riding, and the dropped valve occurred after a series of full throttle drag strip takeoffs attempting to verify Honda’s claim that the F2 was capable of sub-13 second standing quarters. “We didn’t abuse the CB750,” concluded Cycle Guide’s review, “but we pushed it to its limits — and then just past.” Further, the F2’s ComStar wheels — light alloy rims riveted to pressed steel struts — were largely unloved. Honda claimed they embodied the advantages of both cast and spoke wheels without any of the disadvantages. Few liked the appearance of the struts or the rivets, and the latter would prove to be troublesome. Rivets can loosen over time, compromising the integrity of the wheels. If you’re considering buying any Honda with ComStar wheels, check them carefully. While used Super Sports aren’t exactly rare, good ones are. As the sportiest bike in Honda’s mid-1970s stable, they seem to have received more than their fair share of abuse, victims, perhaps, of over-enthusiastic owners. But parts are plentiful, and thanks to their simple build they’re easy to work on and generally hugely reliable, making them a great usable classic. MC Motorcycle Classics magazine, by Richard Backus, May/June 2010 It could certainly be argued, that the progenitor of the 1970s superbikes was the four-cylinder Honda CB750, a machine first introduced in 1969 and the precursor to the 1976 Honda CB750F Super Sport featured here. Honda definitely wowed the motorcycling community with the CB750, but it didn’t hold the top spot for long. By the time Honda was marketing the CB750 K4 in 1974, plenty of luster had worn off the model. For one thing, competing manufacturers were producing faster motorcycles — like the aforementioned Z1. And thanks to the 1973 Arab oil embargo, fuel economy had become an important concern in the North American market. In response, Honda detuned the CB’s 736cc power plant — increasing efficiency, but decreasing horsepower. Where the 1969 CB750 produced around 67 horses, for 1974 there were only about 50 ponies at the rear wheel. By comparison, the 1974 Z1 produced a claimed 82 horsepower. The CB750, once the lightning rod for a new generation of Superbikes, had suddenly become the old man in the group. Much of the performance market Honda had created was lost to them, and in 1975 Honda wasn’t even going to offer a standard CB750. Instead, Honda planned to spice things up by replacing the four-pipe CB750 with the 1975 Honda CB750F Super Sport. The Super Sport was an improved machine, complete with a four-into-one header and muffler system, revised frame geometry featuring a lengthened rear swingarm, a rear disc brake and a longer gas tank with a new seat and rear cowl. There were yet more changes. Honda returned some of the lost horsepower to the 736cc engine through various internal improvements, including an increased compression ratio (from 9:1 to 9.2:1) and revised cam timing. In Honda’s world, the Super Sport, with 58 horsepower, would be the company road burner while the newly introduced liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder Honda GL1000 Gold Wing would take over as Honda’s big touring bike. CB loyalists weren’t going to let the four-pipe CB750 disappear, however, and for 1975 Honda ended up offering all three big models. Enter the Super Sport Marcos Markoulatos, a mechanic at Baron MINI in Merriam, Kan., is a fan of 1970s Japanese motorcycles. Born one year after the Honda CB750F Super Sport was introduced, Marcos got his first motorcycle, a 1984 Yamaha Maxim 700, when he was 22. He had put an extra $1,000 down on a house he and a friend were buying, and his friend gave him the Yamaha. And while the Yamaha was his first “motorcycle,” it definitely was not his first powered two-wheeler. When he was 14, and for the two years after, he could regularly be seen riding a Honda Express moped around his hometown. Marcos didn’t like the Maxim 700’s upright, cruiser-style handlebar, so he swapped it for a flat, straight drag bar and rode the Yam for three or four years. But then he discovered offroading and started spending more time playing with a Jeep, and the Maxim saw less and less use. It wasn’t long before the motorcycle was for sale. “I’d had my fun with the Yamaha, and even though it was a great bike, I wasn’t really in love with it,” Marcos says. A couple of years later, though, and Marcos was itching to ride again. “Motorcycling was something I couldn’t kick, and I started to look around on the Internet,” he explains. Not entirely sure what he was looking for, Marcos found himself researching 1970s Japanese motorcycles. “Japanese machines of that era seem to be plentiful and dependable — economical to own and purchase,” Marcos says. Eventually, he decided what he really wanted was a Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley Replica, a particularly rare machine manufactured for only two years, in 1979 and 1980. When Marcos couldn’t find one, he looked into building his own version of a Wes Cooley Replica, but learned that would be a costly proposition. And then, as fate would have it, he was talking motorcycles with a co-worker who said he had a 1972 Honda CB750K2 sitting in warehouse storage. It had been stored for 15 years, Marcos says, and he bought it for pennies on the dollar, but there was no title and the engine was stuck. None of that really worried Marcos, however, and he set about getting the Honda running, installing a used but clean set of Flame Sunrise Orange side covers and a matching gas tank. Marcos got the bike tuned up and ready to ride just in time to have to put it away for the winter late in 2008; he didn’t get to ride it until the spring of 2009. Lucking out In the interim, still searching Craigslist and other Internet sites, Marcos discovered our feature 1976 Honda CB750F Super Sport for sale in Chanute, Kan., just two hours southeast of his home in Lawrence, Kan. “Basically, I was addicted to searching Craigslist, and the (CB750F) was close and the price was right,” he says. At $1,800 the price wasn’t bottom dollar, but the seller was the second owner and the bike was obviously very well cared for. All of the factory decals are in place, the plastic lenses are crystal clear, and many of the yellow paint dots, applied at the factory during assembly, are still clearly visible on various nuts and bolts. Surprisingly, the CB750F gained some weight over the standard CB750 — a little bit more than 12 pounds. Yet a few extra pounds didn’t bother Cycle magazine’s tester, and they were quite happy with how the machine handled. In its May 1975 issue, Cycle said: “The CB750F, tighter gearing not withstanding, is going to get shaded in a straight-line contest of speed with, say a Z-1. But it handles better than any of the other Japanese Superbikes. Despite the longer wheelbase and stability-oriented steering geometry, the Honda CB750F handles like a bike at least a hundred pounds lighter.” Press Reports “The fact remains that it will just whip the tires off your typical, tricked-out café racer. Highbars, turn-indicators and all, it really is a super sporting motorcycle.” — Cycle, May 1975 “Performance-conscious riders will enjoy the added power and acceleration which have brought the machine back to the fringes of the Superbike category, with the added benefit of improved handling.” — Cycle Guide, July 1975 “It handles better than any other standard large Japanese bike I know, which makes it more fun than Honda 750s have ever been.” — Cycle World, November 1975 “The Honda 750F aims to please on too broad a scale to be a truly great motorcycle in any single category. But to label that as bad would go against the fact that Honda has a sold a huge number of K models since 1971.” — Rider, Winter 1976 “The acceleration, handling and braking are spirited enough to keep your adrenaline pumping.” — Cycle Guide, March, 1977 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The Honda CB750F Super Sport was born out of Honda's desire to regain its position as a motorcycle pacemaker. When Henry Ford launched the Model T in 1908, there was nothing else like it, and the T established a design template that defined the automobile for more than a decade. The problem? Ford was still building the T in 1928, and the market had moved on. By continuing to manufacture the same basic car, Ford maximized the benefits of mass production, but at the cost of market leadership. After years of snapping at Henry’s heels, the Dodge Brothers, Louis Chevrolet and the rest streaked out front. Something similar happened to Honda in the 1970s. The 1969 Honda CB750 Four mapped out the future for motorcycles. And like the Model T, it stayed in production for just a little too long. By 1975, the Kawasaki Z1 with its 903cc DOHC engine had leapfrogged ahead of the CB750. And waiting in the wings were The Suzuki GS750 and the Kawasaki KZ750, both aimed squarely at the market Honda had built, and creating along the way what was to become known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM: the air-cooled, 2-valve, DOHC across-the-frame inline four. Honda’s response to the challenge was conservative. In 1975, the 750 K5 with its distinctive stacked mufflers was joined by the Honda CB750F Super Sport with a sportier 4-into-1 exhaust. The Honda CB750F also wore a new, slimmer-looking (but 0.3-gallon larger) gas tank with a recessed filler covered by a lockable plate, and a disc brake replaced the rear wheel’s mediocre drum brake. In spite of its radical-looking (for Honda) exhaust, changes to the basic 750 Four plot were minor. Reduced trail and a longer swingarm improved straight-line stability, while a stiffer frame and suspension changes improved handling in the corners. And although the engine was claimed to be unchanged, the new exhaust system brought minor adjustments to valve timing and carburetion, which, according to Cycle magazine, also eliminated the K-bike’s off-idle flat spot. Whether it was the new exhaust (and revised air box) or some undisclosed engine modifications, the F produced considerably more power than the K-bike. Cycle magazine recorded 58hp at the rear wheel compared with 49hp for the 1973 K3. This, combined with lower gearing, meant a standing quarter in the high 12s instead of the 13s. On the road, the improvements made for a comfortable ride and precise steering: “… it handles better than any of the other Japanese superbikes,” said Cycle. Fuel consumption was slightly worse at 43mpg versus the K’s 45mpg, perhaps because of the lower gearing and a 12-pound weight increase.

Honda : CB 1975 HONDA CB 750F SUPER SPORT, 3,126 ORIGINAL MILES, 1 OWNER FROM NEW

$9,900

Chicago, Illinois

800x600 1975 HONDA CB750F SUPER SPORT – ALL ORIGINAL SURVIVOR! 3,126 ORIGINAL MILES, FRAME # CB750F-1007544, Manufactured 2/75 800x600 This Honda 750 Automatic epitomizes the late 1970’s sportbike/cruiser that became a permanent part of Honda’s reputation and still represents the classic style… Please scroll past the description and terms for more photos! The condition of this machine is highly original and un-restored. It has 3,126 original miles from new. The frame and engine numbers are factory correct and original. It is the 750 cc engine. The gearbox is also original to the machine. This Honda 750 Super Sport is completely original and has never been apart. It is in un-restored and in very nice condition, and is a true historical document that should be preserved and ridden. This machine has been in my collection, is started on a regular basis, and ridden occasionally to make sure everything still works. When I purchased the bike, it had been sitting for some time in completely original condition. I went through the machine top to bottom and checked all of the major engine, transmission, and braking components for functionality and safety. The gas tank was still in beautiful condition, with no wear evident, the carburetors were inspected, cleaned, and re-installed, the air filter checked, all fluids changed, and both front and rear brakes were taken apart cleaned, re-built, and re-installed, the consequence of the bike sitting idle for a long period of time. The tires on the front and rear are the original type and size for the machine and appear to be the original tires to the machine. The tires and tubes have NOT been replaced and, while not as soft and pliable as when they were new, are in amazing original condition. The rims are also the original Honda rims, as are the spokes, and overall, the wheels are in very nice original condition. The seat is original and the upholstery is in perfect condition with no rips, tears, or wear of any kind, and the Honda script on the rear of the seat is sharp and clear. The engine and transmission are in excellent interior condition due to the low mileage and absence of any type of harsh conditions or abuse throughout its life. The 4 into 1 Honda exhaust is also original to the machine, and is in beautiful condition. A complete cleaning and detailing was performed, and although detailing on an original machine is never completed, the overall condition of the finishes is remarkable considering the age of the machine, and is in line with the low original mileage. The aluminum parts are in excellent condition overall, but due to the originality, I did not want to go too far polishing any parts. The paint is the original Candy Sapphire Blue, and is visually stunning. The original decals and badges are still applied to the gas tank, fairing and sidecovers. All of the plastic fairings, covers, etc. are in excellent condition and not in need of any type of repair. The 750 Super Sport on the road is very easy to handle, and rides down the road very tight, with no shakes, shimmies, or rattles. It shifts and accelerates smoothly and holds the road as it should. This bike is really great to ride and very fast for the period. There is absolutely NOTHING that needs to be done to this machine to ride it occasionally and enjoy it as a showpiece. Unlike a lot of collector motorcycles for sale on the internet, this 750 is ready to ride and not in need of any expensive service once you get it home. I am always looking for new machines to add to my collection. Please contact me if you have something interesting available! TERMS: $500 DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE. BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON, BANK TO BANK TRANSFER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE. SORRY, NO C.O.D. AND NO PAYPAL. The description of this motorcycle is written to the best of my knowledge. However, I am by no means an expert on vintage Honda motorcycles. Please don’t hesitate to ask for more photos and, if possible, come and look in person before the auction ends. ALL SALES ARE FINAL! If you have any questions, please contact me before the auction ends. If you have any questions, please contact me. If you live close to Chicago, I encourage you to come and inspect the motorcycle in person! In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders, eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information. Nevertheless, I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence. Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating. This motorcycle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed, written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the motorcycle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this motorcycle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the motorcycle. Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection, have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the motorcycle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale, inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid. If there are any questions regarding the above terms, please e-mail prior to bidding. Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for. If you bid on this item and win, you are expected to pay for the item and pick it up in a timely manner! I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements. I can also arrange crating for shipment on my end for a nominal extra charge. If you are an international buyer, I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping, so I do not mind keeping the motorcycle for a longer period of time until pick up. Please contact me before the sale ends, if possible, to discuss the specifics. Thanks for your interest! For more on the Honda 750 Super Sport, read on past the photos… 800x600 CB750F Super Sport History: 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 founder Soichiro Honda, repeatedly met with US dealers and understood the opportunity for a larger bike. Under development for a year, the CB750 offered two unprecedented features, a front disc brake and a transverse straight-4 engine with an overhead camshaft, neither of which was previously available on a mainstream, affordable production bike. These two features, along with the introductory price of $1,495 ($9,475 in current money), gave the CB750 a 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 it a masterpiece, highlighting Honda's painstaking durability testing, the bike's 120 mph (190 km/h) top speed, the fade-free performance of the braking, the comfortable ride and excellent instrumentation. The CB750 was the first modern four-cylinder machine from a mainstream manufacturer, and the term superbike was coined to describe it. The bike offered other important features that added to its compelling value: electric starter, kill switch, dual mirrors, flashing turn signals, easily maintained valves and overall smoothness and freedom from vibration both underway and at a standstill; later models (1991 on) included maintenance-free hydraulic valves. On the other hand, the bike was difficult to get on its center stand and tended to throw chain oil onto its muffler. Unable to gauge demand for the new bike accurately, Honda limited its initial investment in the production dies for the CB750 by using a technique called permanent mold casting (often erroneously referred to as sandcasting) rather than diecasting for the engines – the factory being unsure of the bike's reception. The bike remained in the Honda lineup for ten years, with sales totaling over 400,000 in its life span. The CB750 is sometimes referred to as a Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM. The Discovery Channel ranked the Honda CB750 third among the top ten greatest motorbikes of all time. Specifications: Claimed power: 58hp @ 8,000rpm Top speed: 114mph (period test) Engine: 736cc air-cooled SOHC transverse-mounted inline four Weight (dry): 449lb (227kg) Fuel capacity/MPG: 4.8gal / 35-55mpg Price then: $2,152 And more insight from articles on the 750 SS… The Honda CB750F Super Sport was born out of Honda's desire to regain its position as a motorcycle pacemaker. When Henry Ford launched the Model T in 1908, there was nothing else like it, and the T established a design template that defined the automobile for more than a decade. The problem? Ford was still building the T in 1928, and the market had moved on. By continuing to manufacture the same basic car, Ford maximized the benefits of mass production, but at the cost of market leadership. After years of snapping at Henry’s heels, the Dodge Brothers, Louis Chevrolet and the rest streaked out front. Something similar happened to Honda in the 1970s. The 1969 Honda CB750 Four mapped out the future for motorcycles. And like the Model T, it stayed in production for just a little too long. By 1975, the Kawasaki Z1 with its 903cc DOHC engine had leapfrogged ahead of the CB750. And waiting in the wings were The Suzuki GS750 and the Kawasaki KZ750, both aimed squarely at the market Honda had built, and creating along the way what was to become known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM: the air-cooled, 2-valve, DOHC across-the-frame inline four. Honda’s response to the challenge was conservative. In 1975, the 750 K5 with its distinctive stacked mufflers was joined by the Honda CB750F Super Sport with a sportier 4-into-1 exhaust. The Honda CB750F also wore a new, slimmer-looking (but 0.3-gallon larger) gas tank with a recessed filler covered by a lockable plate, and a disc brake replaced the rear wheel’s mediocre drum brake. In spite of its radical-looking (for Honda) exhaust, changes to the basic 750 Four plot were minor. Reduced trail and a longer swingarm improved straight-line stability, while a stiffer frame and suspension changes improved handling in the corners. And although the engine was claimed to be unchanged, the new exhaust system brought minor adjustments to valve timing and carburetion, which, according to Cycle magazine, also eliminated the K-bike’s off-idle flat spot. Whether it was the new exhaust (and revised air box) or some undisclosed engine modifications, the F produced considerably more power than the K-bike. Cycle magazine recorded 58hp at the rear wheel compared with 49hp for the 1973 K3. This, combined with lower gearing, meant a standing quarter in the high 12s instead of the 13s. On the road, the improvements made for a comfortable ride and precise steering: “… it handles better than any of the other Japanese superbikes,” said Cycle. Fuel consumption was slightly worse at 43mpg versus the K’s 45mpg, perhaps because of the lower gearing and a 12-pound weight increase. Then the 1977 Honda CB750F2 Super Sport, the CB750F2, was introduced in 1977. The F2 featured Honda’s ComStar wheels with dual disc brakes at the front while the 4-into-1 exhaust exited through a new muffler with a slightly deeper exhaust note. Changes inside the engine (larger valves and more radical cams) improved power to around 60hp at the rear wheel, but at higher rpm (now 8,500 compared with the F’s 8,000rpm) and with the redline stretched to 9,500rpm. To emphasize its sportiness, the engine was powder coated black. At over 540 pounds with a half tank of gas, the F2 was also the heaviest 750 so far (with the exception of the 750A automatic), and 10 pounds heavier than the 4-pipe touring K model. Yet in spite of the extra weight, and the fact that the 28mm Keihins now had accelerator pumps, fuel consumption improved slightly to 45mpg. Most testers considered the F2 to be the best Honda 750 so far, the result of continual refinement and improvement that had created a comfortable, fine handling motorcycle with performance that just about kept pace with the GS750. All was not perfect in paradise, however. During a 10,000-mile extended test, Cycle Guide’s F2 dropped a valve, destroying a piston and the cylinder head. The cause, they speculated, was insufficient heat treatment of the valve. Testers also emphasized some problems with the 750’s transmission, notably missed shifts, false neutrals and a tendency to drop out of gear. Also noted was a lack of steering stability. The life of a test mule includes some pretty vigorous riding, and the dropped valve occurred after a series of full throttle drag strip takeoffs attempting to verify Honda’s claim that the F2 was capable of sub-13 second standing quarters. “We didn’t abuse the CB750,” concluded Cycle Guide’s review, “but we pushed it to its limits — and then just past.” Further, the F2’s ComStar wheels — light alloy rims riveted to pressed steel struts — were largely unloved. Honda claimed they embodied the advantages of both cast and spoke wheels without any of the disadvantages. Few liked the appearance of the struts or the rivets, and the latter would prove to be troublesome. Rivets can loosen over time, compromising the integrity of the wheels. If you’re considering buying any Honda with ComStar wheels, check them carefully. While used Super Sports aren’t exactly rare, good ones are. As the sportiest bike in Honda’s mid-1970s stable, they seem to have received more than their fair share of abuse, victims, perhaps, of over-enthusiastic owners. But parts are plentiful, and thanks to their simple build they’re easy to work on and generally hugely reliable, making them a great usable classic. MC Motorcycle Classics magazine, by Richard Backus, May/June 2010 It could certainly be argued, that the progenitor of the 1970s superbikes was the four-cylinder Honda CB750, a machine first introduced in 1969 and the precursor to the 1976 Honda CB750F Super Sport featured here. Honda definitely wowed the motorcycling community with the CB750, but it didn’t hold the top spot for long. By the time Honda was marketing the CB750 K4 in 1974, plenty of luster had worn off the model. For one thing, competing manufacturers were producing faster motorcycles — like the aforementioned Z1. And thanks to the 1973 Arab oil embargo, fuel economy had become an important concern in the North American market. In response, Honda detuned the CB’s 736cc power plant — increasing efficiency, but decreasing horsepower. Where the 1969 CB750 produced around 67 horses, for 1974 there were only about 50 ponies at the rear wheel. By comparison, the 1974 Z1 produced a claimed 82 horsepower. The CB750, once the lightning rod for a new generation of Superbikes, had suddenly become the old man in the group. Much of the performance market Honda had created was lost to them, and in 1975 Honda wasn’t even going to offer a standard CB750. Instead, Honda planned to spice things up by replacing the four-pipe CB750 with the 1975 Honda CB750F Super Sport. The Super Sport was an improved machine, complete with a four-into-one header and muffler system, revised frame geometry featuring a lengthened rear swingarm, a rear disc brake and a longer gas tank with a new seat and rear cowl. There were yet more changes. Honda returned some of the lost horsepower to the 736cc engine through various internal improvements, including an increased compression ratio (from 9:1 to 9.2:1) and revised cam timing. In Honda’s world, the Super Sport, with 58 horsepower, would be the company road burner while the newly introduced liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder Honda GL1000 Gold Wing would take over as Honda’s big touring bike. CB loyalists weren’t going to let the four-pipe CB750 disappear, however, and for 1975 Honda ended up offering all three big models. Enter the Super Sport Marcos Markoulatos, a mechanic at Baron MINI in Merriam, Kan., is a fan of 1970s Japanese motorcycles. Born one year after the Honda CB750F Super Sport was introduced, Marcos got his first motorcycle, a 1984 Yamaha Maxim 700, when he was 22. He had put an extra $1,000 down on a house he and a friend were buying, and his friend gave him the Yamaha. And while the Yamaha was his first “motorcycle,” it definitely was not his first powered two-wheeler. When he was 14, and for the two years after, he could regularly be seen riding a Honda Express moped around his hometown. Marcos didn’t like the Maxim 700’s upright, cruiser-style handlebar, so he swapped it for a flat, straight drag bar and rode the Yam for three or four years. But then he discovered offroading and started spending more time playing with a Jeep, and the Maxim saw less and less use. It wasn’t long before the motorcycle was for sale. “I’d had my fun with the Yamaha, and even though it was a great bike, I wasn’t really in love with it,” Marcos says. A couple of years later, though, and Marcos was itching to ride again. “Motorcycling was something I couldn’t kick, and I started to look around on the Internet,” he explains. Not entirely sure what he was looking for, Marcos found himself researching 1970s Japanese motorcycles. “Japanese machines of that era seem to be plentiful and dependable — economical to own and purchase,” Marcos says. Eventually, he decided what he really wanted was a Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley Replica, a particularly rare machine manufactured for only two years, in 1979 and 1980. When Marcos couldn’t find one, he looked into building his own version of a Wes Cooley Replica, but learned that would be a costly proposition. And then, as fate would have it, he was talking motorcycles with a co-worker who said he had a 1972 Honda CB750K2 sitting in warehouse storage. It had been stored for 15 years, Marcos says, and he bought it for pennies on the dollar, but there was no title and the engine was stuck. None of that really worried Marcos, however, and he set about getting the Honda running, installing a used but clean set of Flame Sunrise Orange side covers and a matching gas tank. Marcos got the bike tuned up and ready to ride just in time to have to put it away for the winter late in 2008; he didn’t get to ride it until the spring of 2009. Lucking out In the interim, still searching Craigslist and other Internet sites, Marcos discovered our feature 1976 Honda CB750F Super Sport for sale in Chanute, Kan., just two hours southeast of his home in Lawrence, Kan. “Basically, I was addicted to searching Craigslist, and the (CB750F) was close and the price was right,” he says. At $1,800 the price wasn’t bottom dollar, but the seller was the second owner and the bike was obviously very well cared for. All of the factory decals are in place, the plastic lenses are crystal clear, and many of the yellow paint dots, applied at the factory during assembly, are still clearly visible on various nuts and bolts. Surprisingly, the CB750F gained some weight over the standard CB750 — a little bit more than 12 pounds. Yet a few extra pounds didn’t bother Cycle magazine’s tester, and they were quite happy with how the machine handled. In its May 1975 issue, Cycle said: “The CB750F, tighter gearing not withstanding, is going to get shaded in a straight-line contest of speed with, say a Z-1. But it handles better than any of the other Japanese Superbikes. Despite the longer wheelbase and stability-oriented steering geometry, the Honda CB750F handles like a bike at least a hundred pounds lighter.” Press Reports “The fact remains that it will just whip the tires off your typical, tricked-out café racer. Highbars, turn-indicators and all, it really is a super sporting motorcycle.” — Cycle, May 1975 “Performance-conscious riders will enjoy the added power and acceleration which have brought the machine back to the fringes of the Superbike category, with the added benefit of improved handling.” — Cycle Guide, July 1975 “It handles better than any other standard large Japanese bike I know, which makes it more fun than Honda 750s have ever been.” — Cycle World, November 1975 “The Honda 750F aims to please on too broad a scale to be a truly great motorcycle in any single category. But to label that as bad would go against the fact that Honda has a sold a huge number of K models since 1971.” — Rider, Winter 1976 “The acceleration, handling and braking are spirited enough to keep your adrenaline pumping.” — Cycle Guide, March, 1977 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The Honda CB750F Super Sport was born out of Honda's desire to regain its position as a motorcycle pacemaker. When Henry Ford launched the Model T in 1908, there was nothing else like it, and the T established a design template that defined the automobile for more than a decade. The problem? Ford was still building the T in 1928, and the market had moved on. By continuing to manufacture the same basic car, Ford maximized the benefits of mass production, but at the cost of market leadership. After years of snapping at Henry’s heels, the Dodge Brothers, Louis Chevrolet and the rest streaked out front. Something similar happened to Honda in the 1970s. The 1969 Honda CB750 Four mapped out the future for motorcycles. And like the Model T, it stayed in production for just a little too long. By 1975, the Kawasaki Z1 with its 903cc DOHC engine had leapfrogged ahead of the CB750. And waiting in the wings were The Suzuki GS750 and the Kawasaki KZ750, both aimed squarely at the market Honda had built, and creating along the way what was to become known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM: the air-cooled, 2-valve, DOHC across-the-frame inline four. Honda’s response to the challenge was conservative. In 1975, the 750 K5 with its distinctive stacked mufflers was joined by the Honda CB750F Super Sport with a sportier 4-into-1 exhaust. The Honda CB750F also wore a new, slimmer-looking (but 0.3-gallon larger) gas tank with a recessed filler covered by a lockable plate, and a disc brake replaced the rear wheel’s mediocre drum brake. In spite of its radical-looking (for Honda) exhaust, changes to the basic 750 Four plot were minor. Reduced trail and a longer swingarm improved straight-line stability, while a stiffer frame and suspension changes improved handling in the corners. And although the engine was claimed to be unchanged, the new exhaust system brought minor adjustments to valve timing and carburetion, which, according to Cycle magazine, also eliminated the K-bike’s off-idle flat spot. Whether it was the new exhaust (and revised air box) or some undisclosed engine modifications, the F produced considerably more power than the K-bike. Cycle magazine recorded 58hp at the rear wheel compared with 49hp for the 1973 K3. This, combined with lower gearing, meant a standing quarter in the high 12s instead of the 13s. On the road, the improvements made for a comfortable ride and precise steering: “… it handles better than any of the other Japanese superbikes,” said Cycle. Fuel consumption was slightly worse at 43mpg versus the K’s 45mpg, perhaps because of the lower gearing and a 12-pound weight increase.