HONDA The Power of Dreams

Soon after the Dream CB750 FOUR launched in 1969, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers began to produce 750 cc models as their largest displacement offerings in Japan. Honda also introduced a wide variety of 750 cc motorcycles.

The 1979 CB750F was powered by a high-performance air-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, in-line 4-cylinder DOHC engine. It was based on the CB900F chassis, so for a 750 cc bike it was relatively large. While its imposing and sleek styling won it many fans, some customers wanted a lighter and more compact model that would better match its 750 cc engine.

The result was the 1983 CBX750F.

The newly developed engine for the CBX750F was more compact than the CB750F’s unit. The CBX750F’s chassis was also 12 kg lighter, thanks to its double-cradle frame structure.

Meanwhile, in the early 1980s, Honda introduced the VF750F in 1982, powered by a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, V-4 DOHC engine, in the road sports category in which performance was rapidly enhanced. This liquid-cooled V-4 engine was developed with Honda’s advanced technology and was an important part of its engine strategy.

Honda focused on expanding its lineup of large sports models centered on its innovative V-4 engine technology. As a result, the last CBX750F model with an air-cooled inline-four engine was the CBX750F Bol d'Or, which came standard with a full fairing in 1985.

Since 1985, the VF750F evolved, and was succeeded by the VFR750F.

Meanwhile, the inline-four engine, which had disappeared from the Honda 750 cc lineup after the CBX750F Bol d’Or was discontinued, was revived in 1987 with the CBR750 Super Aero, powered by a newly developed water-cooled engine.

Honda therefore had two liquid-cooled road sports models in the 750 cc class: the VFR750F and the CBR750 Super Aero.

Honda was not alone in this trend. While other manufacturers were releasing ambitious full-fairing sports bikes equipped with high-performance engines, there was a steady number of users who wanted a more basic and simple model.

To address this segment, Honda developed the CB750 aiming to create a standard model unbound by changing trends that could be ridden for a long time.

The CB750’s engine was a refined version of the CBX750F’s air-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine. A specially designed double-cradle frame and 17-inch front and rear wheels were also designed for a lightweight and compact chassis. The CB750’s styling was designed to be neat and dynamic, in keeping with the CB tradition.

Launched in Europe as the CB Seven Fifty, this model’s air-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine and basic styling in the CB tradition won a dedicated number of fans in Europe.

The CB750 was widely used at riding schools in Japan to prepare riders for their large motorcycle license exams, thanks to its easy-to-use engine and chassis.

The CB750, powered by an air-cooled, 4-stroke, inline 4-cylinder engine, remained a long selling model for 15 years since its introduction in 1992 to 2007, without major changes to its basic specifications. It was also the first bike that riders seeking large motorcycle licenses rode in the riding schools, and it was the bike of choice for many riders once they could ride on the public roads.