Honda CB 750 K (Z)

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Honda (motorcycle)
Honda CB 750 K (RC01) .jpeg
Honda CB 750 K
Honda CB 750 K (Z)
Manufacturer Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Production period 1978 to 1982 (1984)
class motorcycle
design type Sports Tourer
Motor data
Four-stroke engine , DOHC , air-cooled, 4-cylinder, 4 carburettors
Displacement  (cm³) 743
Power  (kW / PS ) 57/77 at 9,000 min -1
Torque  ( N m ) 66 at 7000 min -1
Top speed (  km / h) 200
transmission 5-speed
drive Chain drive
Brakes Front 275 mm double disc brake single piston / rear 180 mm drum brake
Wheelbase  (mm) 1520
Dimensions (L × W × H, mm): 2280 × 765 × 1130
Seat height (cm) 78
Empty weight  (kg) 235
Previous model -
successor CB 750 K (A)
CB 750 K (B)
CB 750 F

The CB 750 K (Z) (model series RC 01) is a motorcycle model from the Japanese vehicle manufacturer Honda .

idea

In Europe it was presented at the IFMA in Cologne in 1978 and went on sale in Germany at the end of the year . The "new CB 750 K" replaced the legendary CB 750 K Four (K0-K8, sold more than 1 million times) with the SOHC engine, with which Honda revolutionized the motorcycle market in 1969 (first four-cylinder motorcycle in mass production, with extensive equipment).

Together with the CB 900 F, the CB 750 K (Z) was the first series motorcycle from Honda with a DOHC engine, which was derived from the engine of the successful Honda RCB 1000 factory machine of the 1970s. By the end of 1979, more than 36,000 copies of the CB 750 K (Z) with Com-Star wheels and double disc brakes had been sold. For the American market, the model was initially available with a simple disc brake at the front and spoked wheels. It was easy to recognize by its 4-in-4 exhaust, which set it apart from all other new Honda models. The CB 750 K (Z) (RC 01) is often referred to simply as "RC 01" or "KZ".

Honda's own competition

Although it was completely redeveloped, the CB 750 K (Z) was mostly overshadowed by the large CB 900 F ( Bol d'Or ) that was newly developed at the same time, but was more expensive at 1500 marks . While the CB 900 F (model series SC 01) emphasized the sporty characteristics with its slim shape, the CB 750 K (Z) with the large tank and chrome mudguards was more of a tourer (and was advertised accordingly).

Cockpit view of the CB 750 K

At that time, both motorcycles had good performance and a very well-tuned chassis , whereby the drum brake on the rear wheel should work better than the disc brake of the CB 900 F, at least in the rain . Overall, the CB 750 K (Z) was not a bad motorcycle compared to the CB 900 F, and not necessarily the worse alternative, as both the sales figures and contemporary tests prove. The CB 750 K (Z) is described as “reliable and well-priced” “despite its complex technology” .

Most contemporary tests compare the CB 750 K (Z) with the CB 900 F, with the CB 750 K (Z) being consistently considered to be the better choice. For example, the 743 cm³ engine of the CB 750 K (Z) is certified to run as smoothly as a turbine compared to that of the CB 900 F, which was certified to have a better torque curve. And the handling is said to have been better due to the more civilized seat geometry (the footrest position, which led to a tortured sporty posture, was criticized on both motorcycles).

The sporty competition from in-house - initially in the form of the CB 900 F "Bol d'Or" (SC 01), and later also by the CB 750 F "Bol d'Or" (RC 04) - is particularly noticeable nowadays , as of the many DOHC models of the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was mainly the Bol d'Or variants that survived. Many specimens were also converted to the sportier look of the Bol d'Or, so that they (especially with a different exhaust) can no longer be easily recognized as such as CB 750 K (Z) . The CB 750 K (Z) , especially with the original 4-in-4 exhaust system at the time, has almost disappeared from road traffic today .

Honda advertisement for the CB 750 K (Z)

At the time of its introduction, Honda advertised the CB 750 K (Z) as “the strongest and fastest motorcycle in its class” and “the expressiveness of its four tubes” . The best-known version is the metallic blue paintwork with golden decorative stripes , which was used very often in print advertising campaigns, tests and reports.

The CB 750 K (Z) was advertised as a sporty motorcycle with touring properties. In addition to the sporty properties of the CB 750 K (Z) , the active and passive safety of the motorcycle was particularly emphasized. In active terms, it was pointed out in particular that more than 50 Nm were already applied at 4000 rpm, while in passive terms the H4 headlights , the double bulbs in the rear light and the double disc brake in the front were advertised. The large indicators at the front and rear could not be overlooked either.

Honda itself advertised (at least in an English-language brochure) the ED version (European market except Great Britain, Germany and France) the motorcycle's exhaust system as not a pure 4-in-4 system, but a 4-in-2-in -4 system, which does not apply to the German models. It remains to be seen whether the exhaust systems were different or an advertising copywriter was wrong. This model was also advertised as "Super Sports Four CB 750 K" , a clear reference to the successful predecessor model, the CB 750 Four , and an analogy to the new CB 900 Super Sport (better known as the CB 900 F ).

The best-known advertising slogans for the CB 750 K (Z) are “A legendary reputation continues” as well as “The longest 750 experience” and “Supersport plus maturity”.

Chopper version

From 1981 to 1983 Honda offered the chopper version CB 750 C (RC 06) with the same powerful engine of the CB 750 K (Z). It also had four exhaust pipes, but in the shape of a funnel. With a wider and higher handlebar, as well as a step bench, it was a soft chopper and available in blue or red.

technology

General

Engine and power transmission

landing gear

  • Double-loop tubular steel frame with one-sided unscrewable joist for motor (dis) assembly
  • Rear swing arm stored in plastic bushings (needle roller bearings from the end of 1980)
  • hydraulically damped telescopic fork at the front (35 mm diameter)
  • 2 hydraulically damped spring struts at the rear, springs adjustable in 5 positions
  • Double disc brake (275 mm diameter) with single-piston calipers at the front
  • Simplex drum brake (180 mm) at the rear
  • Comstar aluminum wheels with tubeless tires (3.25-19 / 4.00-18)
  • 20 liter steel tank

Dates and numbers

Dimensions and quantities
  • Length 2280 mm, width 785 mm, height 1130 mm, seat height 780 mm, wheelbase 1520 mm
  • Empty weight 255 kg (ready to drive), permissible total weight 430 kg
  • Oil quantity: 4.5 liters of engine oil
  • 19.6 liter tank capacity, including 5.1 liter reserve
  • Average consumption: 7.3 liters per 100 km

Acceleration and speed (for a person of unknown weight)

  • 0-40 km / h: 1.5 s
  • 0-100 km / h: 4.5 s
  • 0-160 km / h: 11.8 s
  • 0-180 km / h: 17.8 s

Construction period RC 01

  • CB 750 K (Z): 1978 to 1982
  • CB 750 K (A) / K (B): 1982 to 1984

Prices

  • New price: 7,842 D-Mark when introduced in October 1978
  • Classic Data evaluation 2007: from 800 euros (state 5) to 6900 euros (state 1)
  • Street prices: from 250 euros

weaknesses

It should not be concealed that the CB 750 K (Z), like other models, also has its weaknesses. These include starting difficulties (here it often helps to let the fuel out of the carburettors) and the rattling of the clutch basket (a design weakness that also applies to the Bol d'Or models and the CBX and is due to hardened rubber dampers). The exhaust system suffers from heavy rust, especially at the transition to the two end pots.

Equipment variants

Colours

The CB 750 K (Z) was (according to the Honda brochure) available in Germany in three color variants: blue, black and red. The blue version had a metallic blue paintwork with gold decorative stripes on the tank, side cover and rear apron, the black version had a black paintwork with red stripes and the red version had a red paintwork with light red or gold stripes. But there were also models in brown metallic for the Canadian market.

Color code Honda name execution
R-104C-U Candy Muse Red / Candy Burgundy metallic dark red with golden stripes (USA market)
YR-106C-U Candy Bayard Brown metallic brown with gold stripes, Canadian market only
PB-107C-U Candy Tanzanight Blue metallic blue with gold stripes
NH-1 Black black with red stripes

Markets

The CB 750 K (Z) was offered for a total of nine different markets. The difference lies in the approval regulations of the individual countries / continents as well as the speed designation used (MPH and km / h):

  • CM - Canadian market (different carburettor version, only market with metallic brown color variant)
  • E - Great Britain
  • F - France
  • G - Germany
  • ED - Europe (excluding UK, France, Germany)
  • SA - South Africa
  • U - Australia
  • DK - rest of the world at km / h
  • DM - Rest of the World with MPH

literature

  • Joachim Kuch: Type compass Honda motorcycles since 1970 , 1st edition, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-613-02061-0
  • Honda CB750K Owner's Manual (Honda Motor Co., Ltd., 1978)
  • Motorcycle 22/1978, IFMA review
  • Motorcycle 24/1978, test "The new Honda CB 750 K"
  • Motorcycle 21/1979, 25000 km test Honda CB 750 K
  • Motorcycle 2/1988, purchase of a used Honda CB 750 K / F [1]
  • Special issue OldtimerMarkt / OldtimerPraxis 2007, motorcycle prices

Web links