Probably the defining motorcycle for any Honda enthusiast, this handsome beautifully engineered machine is the epitome of a classic Honda. Inclined twin cylinder overhead camshaft engine sitting in a race style spine frame, with 200mm (8”) twin leading shoe brakes front and rear all add together to make this THE motorcycle of the mid 1960’s, and wherever it was sold it became universally popular, except with European motorcycle manufacturers, especially in Great Britain where their offerings became obsolete overnight!
The 180 degree parallel twin was almost over engineered, and of course because each cylinder fired separately, they each required a carburettor, and of course two sets of contact breaker points.
The engine in typical Honda fashion was a stressed member of the frame, and the handling was well received at the time of launch in 1960 (in Japan). By 1962 the CB72 produced 25bhp @ 9200rpm, enough for a 90mph plus top speed. Many of these machines were tuned and put onto the race track, where many success’s were notched up by club-men racers. Today they are still raced and paraded at just about every classic race meeting held anywhere in the World, and held up as THE iconic classic Honda from the 1960’s, and with those handsome looks who could argue that!
