I remember at school when they all had Brit bikes and one day someone arrived on a CB77, it was just streets ahead of any of the other bikes (e.g 3TA, Royal Oilfield Crusader Sports, BSA A7, Bantams and oh er ....... scooters!!!!!!!!!!!! Started my love affair with Hondas. Then a guy arrived on a CB250K0 and that really did it for me. Then the Honda main dealer at the top of my street got a CB750 in and I was blown away.
Have really good book on Edward Turner the Triumph designer (and Daimler Dart engine designer). There is a chapter detailing his trip to Japan around 1966 and his report verbatim when he got back , particularly on a trip round the Honda factory. He definitely didn't consider what he saw as 'Jap crap' and predicted doom for the Brit motorcycle industry if we didn't upgrade, redesign and automate. We all now know what the the end result was !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers ... AshD