what does the CB in CB750 stand for?

[hkseeker]

Hi all,
I am the owner of a 1976 Honda CB750.

Just a simple question,  what does the CB  stand for?   I have a 1976 CB750 and can not find information regarding  CB.

Many thanks to all, safe riding.

HK  
 
 
 

[mick]

some say it stands for City Bike, others may know differently?,  cheers Mick.

[hkseeker]

Thanks Mick.....

There's a well of information on the Net, and some of it is even good! Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I know the exact words the abbreviations stand for, but I can tell you what they mean (learned it working for a Honda motorcycle dealer on Oahu). But, please don't take my word for it either, go down to your local Honda dealer & check it out. There is a data/VIN plate either on the frame at the side of the bike or on the frame neck/steering head area. It'll say "Model" & have the number. Ok, so here goes:

There are exceptions that I don't know because of model changes since I've been "in the business", but they basically follow the following formula:

First is the Alpha Digits which identify the engine configuration & type, such as CB, GL, VF, VT etc. If the bike's engine is built to race specs, it gets a further designator "R". CB= Inline-four engine
VF= V-four engine
VT=V-twin engine
GL= Opposed Cylinder Engine


Second is the engine size (self explainatory).

Next digit is the one which identifies the type/body style of bike. Most sportbikes are an "F", most cruiser bikes are a "C"

Last, if the model has a sub-model it'll have further alpha digits after. For example the Magna was a VF750C. They also offered some with a mini-fairing around the headlight & two-toned paint. This one was a VF750CDC. On our beloved CBR's, the last digit also tells us which generation bike it is. The original (Hurricane) was the CBR600F, the next generation is the CBR600F2, followed (of course) by the F3/F4 and F4I (Injected). I have no idea what the "RR" actually denotes...anybody?

Hopefully you will all see the pattern here. Here's some examples of different models by model name & engine type followed by the Model Designator:

Nighthawk 750 (inline 4)= CB750
CBR (inline 4)= We all know these!
599/919 (inline 4)=I haven't looked yet to see what model designator they got.
Interceptor (V-4)=VFR800I (Remember the "old" VFR750F?)
Magna (V-4)=VF750C
Shadow 600 (V-twin)=VT600C
Shadow 750's (V-twin)=VT750C (with additional designators for different 750cc
models)
Shadow 1100 (V-twin)=VT1100C or CDC (many different models have been made
in current years & they all ended with a
different designator number, but they all
started with "VF1100C"
Goldwings (opposed cylinder)=GL1800?


Honda is the only manufacturer I have a clue about since they're the only ones I've worked for. Hope this helps someone, somewhere understand what all those digits/numbers mean

[UK Pete]

Found this on the internet about Kawasaki models

All two stroke road bikes called KH models (Kawasaki highway)

All trail bikes KE (Kawasaki enduro)

All trials bike KT (Kawasaki trials)

All motocross KX (Kawasaki MX)

All mini bikes KM (Kawasaki mini)

pete

[BigAl (Alan)]

The CB range had a large number of variant models, single/twin/four's....CB X...six  When Soichiro Honda set up the design team for the CB his instructions may have been to design a new
'personal motorcycle' for a world market

Japanese interpritation 'Chokusetsu Baiku'

Just a thought

Alan

[SteveD CB500K0]

See my FAQ from the US site:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=2894.msg37988#msg37988

[BigAl (Alan)]

Thanks Steve, Cobusha-Biokesan ( Combustion Bicycle) seems to fit.

Alan

[SamCR750]

 C = basic model in series. CB = Sports Model in that series but were often referred to as Super Sports. Some later models were designated SS as Super Sports.
I have a list of 55 different designation marks for the earlier models, shout out if you need to know any or PM me as I don't look in here as often as I should.

Sam.

[hkseeker]

Thank you Sam...

[florence]

We always used to say it stood for Commuter Bike.

[SamCR750]

The C really does have more than one meaning and you would probably be right in saying it stands for commuter bike, or as I said the basic model in a series.
In the case of the very early years (late 40s) it stood for 3rd generation of bikes.
As we know it from the late 50s it stands for basic model and started with the C70, a 250 twin in 1957
which later spawned the C72/77 known as Dreams.
There were several other models around at that time that had the CB prefix and if you check them out on Google images, you will see that the the ones with the B attached were sportier and that little bit faster.
Search, C92/CB92, C95/CB95, C72/CB72 and you will see the distinct sportier looks of the CB.
Where the commuter tag probably came in was with the C100 and C90 step throughs.

Sam.

[florence]

The humble C90 is probably one of the greatest motorcycles of all time and certainly Hondas finest hour.

[SamCR750]

The first C90 was a 125 twin back in 58. They also did a sports version the CB90 but I don't think it made it into production, very few pictures exsist. These two models went on to become the C92 and CB92 that were brought into the UK in 61. Click this link and click Prototype to see a picture of the CB90. http://www.vintage-honda.com/

Sam.

[K2-K6]

Greatest production Honda of all is the CB750, changed motorcycling for ever (just ducking for cover!!)

C90 stepthrough was just reliable and they made alot of them, didn't change much though as countless companies produced small bikes, labour rates made the market for them.

Finest hour, if you've never stood next to a 60's era 250/6 GP Honda when they fire it up then I would describe that as a finest hour.

[steff750]

  "clever ba****ds"