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2011 Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction
Lot
22

1972 Honda CB750/4 K2 Motorcycle

$4,500

Sold

Specifications

Engine 750cc, 4cyl
Gearbox 5-Speed Manual
Colour Maroon/Black
Trim Black Vinyl

Description

This lot is no longer available

Often referred to as the world's first superbike, the 1969 introduction of the Honda CB750 is significant amongst bike enthusiasts. It brought a transverse, OHC four-cylinder motor to the masses and is seen as paving the way for several other superbikes based on this configuration. It also introduced a front disc braking system. As with many vehicles of the era, Honda created this bike in response to American dealer demand who wanted a larger sports bike to sell alongside their successful smaller-capacity runabouts. Along with being technologically advanced its on-sale price significantly undercut British bikes of similar performance and really set the Honda bike juggernaut in motion with its 750cc, 50kw motor and five-speed transmission. Iterations of the original CB750 continued through several decades, with a DOHC variant of the motor introduced in 1979 before the nameplate was discontinued in 2003, though it returned for a brief fling in 2007.