1981 Honda CB750K Motorcycle

Description

Regarded by many experts as one of the most significant motorcycle designs of all time, the Honda CB750 debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1968 and has gone down in history as one of the truly landmark Japanese motorcycle designs. With stunning performance thanks to the powerful in-line overhead camshaft four, the CB750 is regarded by many pundits as the first real superbike, yet the big Honda was also supremely sophisticated, with a five-speed gearbox, hydraulic front disc brake and electric starter - all at an affordable price. The raw numbers were impressive enough, with 68 horsepower, a top speed in excess of 200 km/h and a quarter-mile time of just 13 seconds, but the CB750's also impressed with its refinement and poise on the open road. Unsurprisingly the big Honda proved a sales success and remained in production over a number of generations and a myriad of derivatives, including the CB750A with Hondamatic transmission designed specifically for the US market. The original SOHC CB750 lasted until 1978 before the introduction of a twin-overhead camshaft design employing four-valves per cylinder technology on a road bike for the first time. Using experience gained from Honda's Grand Prix programme, the classic CB750K came with revised styling and a return to the four tail pipe megaphone exhaust system of the original. The 1981 CB750K was available in either Candy Muse Red or Cosmo Black metallic and featured air adjustable front forks, a halogen headlamp and a speedo limited to 85 mph.