1970 Honda CB750 Four

Description

• At Auction – Please click HERE
• Matching numbers
• With our vendor for 7 years
• Early K1 model

The Surrey Collection. This bike forms part of a larger collection of classic bikes and cars. All the bikes are stored in a purpose-built facility. All start, run and ride. One or two are in daily use. All are maintained. The bikes are protected externally by WD40 and corrosion inhibitor, etc.

Race-spec brakes. Multi cylinder engine. Unprecedented performance. It is easy to see why the CB750 was an instant hit. Imagine a manufacturer launching a bike with MotoGP technology and performance today and selling it for half the price of a mainstream sports bike from any of its rivals. That is what Honda did.

Background

In 1969 Honda changed the game by putting serious power in the hands of customers. The new CB750 Four was the first production motorcycle with an inline-four engine, disc brakes and the first motorcycle dubbed “superbike.” It is one of the most important motorcycles ever made.

• Manufactured 1970
• First registration in the UK 1 June 1970
• Our vendor is the first keep in the UK
• Engine number 1051868
• Frame number 1051472

The vast majority of the very early 750 Fours went to America. Relatively small numbers came to the UK. It is very uncommon to find an early 750 K1 model in this condition

At the 15th Tokyo show, Honda’s CB750 Four changed the motorcycling world.

The 750 had twice as many cylinders as any motorcycle, with 50 per cent more power.

It had consistent starting designed-in, brakes that worked and reliability that other manufacturers could only dream of.

Where other motorcycles had push rods, the Honda had a chain to drive the single overhead cam. Where other bikes used heavy, ineffective brakes Honda used a lightweight and effective disc brake.  Where your mate’s BSA needed the points setting every other ride, the CB750 ran like a Swiss watch. Best of all, it had four exhaust silencers.

The early so-called KO models – Honda never actually gave the first 750 a designation – are the ones the purists want. But they did have a number of teething troubles. It is reported that the Honda factory issued over 100 tech bulletins. However, Honda, being Honda, they quickly sorted things out. The sand-cast crankcase moulding process was binned, along with a number of other items, and after a short transition of about 10 months, the much improved 750 K1 appeared. Universally accepted to be probably the best and most well sorted early iteration of the Honda 750 Four.

• 736cc (750), air-cooled 8v inline-four
• 67bhp @ 8000rpm
• 44 lb-ft @ 7000rpm
• Five speed
• Chain final drive
• Steel cradle frame
• Front 34mm forks, no adjustment
• Twin shock rear absorbers adjustable for preload
• Front 290mm disc, single-piston caliper
• Rear SLS drum
• Seat height 800mm
• Four gallon fuel tank approx
• Top speed 125mph (don’t test it though)

This one has been in the Surrey Collection since 2017. It does get regular use. Our vendor is very knowledgeable and does all his own maintenance, which extends to rebuilding a V12 Packard engine. Keeping one of these ticking along doesn’t present a challenge for him.

It is used on regular runs around the Surrey lanes. It is as it was when he purchased it from the importer. He has resisted the urge to remove any of that originality.

If the new owner wants to take the whole bike apart nut by nut, and turn into a show winning concourse machine, this is an opportunity for them. We’d leave this rare Honda CB750 K1 exactly as it.

Summary

If this was a Brough Superior, Vincent Black Shadow it would be eye watering money. However, Honda, along with other manufacturers, continued to build and improve their bikes the speed of light. Whilst Brough and Vincent just stopped, dead.

These Japanese bikes are now getting the attention they deserve. Finding a genuine, early, American, K1 is very uncommon.

We expect considerable interest, as any well-preserved Honda 750 is a certified hoot to ride.

Happy bidding! Please remember, our auction system has an anti-sniping facility to allow fairness to all bidders. Any bid placed within the last 2 minutes will automatically extend the auction by 2 minutes.

Vehicle Location: Chobham, Surrey GU24 – it’s the responsibility of the buyer to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with our vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to our vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices

In a sector, where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’ on a vehicle.   Let’s be honest, everyone knows the broad value of a classic and the ‘market’ decides – but, if you’d like us to provide an estimate that’s fine, just email us and we’ll get back to you.

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