Honda is probably one of the most desired manufacturers among motorcycle fans and users. The Japanese company always offers models that are functional, very reliable and easy to drive, with a soft and quality overall feel. It all started, at least in Europe, with the Honda CB750, the bike that really became the center of attention. It was 1969 and there was no such motorcycle on the market, although its compatriots, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha, went on to launch the same.
Ten years ago, Honda already had a unique image, which almost destroyed it with the launch of the CB750 with double overhead camshafts. It was the first time that the Japanese put a DOHC engine into circulation and it reached the market plagued by problems, which began to affect the sales of the brand. In addition, the 750 segment began to be filled with very sporty models, and the Hond aVF 750, with its V4 engine – which was also subject to reliability problems in the first years of sales – did not satisfy those desire of most burns.
Honda has two problems to solve. On the one hand, the image issue that damaged the CB750 with a DOHC engine and on the other, a sports model had to be offered to stand up to the Kawasaki GPZ 750, for example. And the result was the Honda CBX 750 F –RC17–, which began to be available in Europe in 1984 – it also arrived in Australia, South Africa and the United States –, a model that offered a sportier desire, a more aggressive design and now, an engine with overhead camshafts, completely reliable.
The engine, a four-cylinder in-line with 747 cubic centimeters, is based on the previous CBX650, but with a specific crankshaft, larger and more resistant crankcases, larger valves with hydraulic actuation and more cubic capacity – diameter of 67 millimeters and stroke. of 53 millimeters–, fed by 34-millimeter Keihin CV carburetors. Honda declares 91 HP at 9,500 revolutions, a power that surpasses the 87 HP of the GPZ 750.
The structure of the Honda CBX 750 F is a double steel cradle chassis, with a new “Pro-Link” rear suspension, which features the six-cylinder Honda CBX 1000 launched in 1981. The front wheel – 16 inches – controlled by a fork with 38 millimeter bars with a hydraulic anti-sag system.
It was sold until 1988, when it was replaced by the Honda VFR with a liquid-cooled engine. Surprisingly, the CBX 750 F engine, easily modified and modified, reappears in the Honda Seven Fifty -RC42- produced between 1992 and 2004.
