1970: THE 'CB750/CR750' REVOLUTION
Following the introduction of the production CB750 at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1968 Honda decided to 'race' a slightly improved version, this following advice from United States Honda Dealers that if Honda didn't go racing with the 750/4 others would, possibly less successfully.
In 1970 Honda decided to enter the premier USA motorcycle race, the Daytona 200 at Daytona Beach, Florida. No doubt to show the motorcycling public that a race prepared CB750 code named 'CB750 Racing Type' could win the prestigious event. Tommy Robb, Ralph Bryans and Bill Smith were initially appointed to ride three of the four Honda's entered, incredibly Dick Mann, deemed 'too old' by Triumph, was offered the fourth 'winning' machine by Honda's Bob Hansen. All but Mann's Honda had reported cam chain failure during the race, Dick Mann nursed his CB750 home in front of Gene Romero's Triumph Trident 750 triple.
Daytona70 - Honda CB 750 CR - History
In my opinion Honda's success at the Daytona 200 Miler was the most significant individual win in their history as regards potential sales of production motorcycles. The win paved the way for massive sales of the CB750 at the expense of Triumph T150's and BSA Rocket III's. Production, improved production and clones of the 'CB750 Racing Type' soon took to the race track, ultimately the 'CB750 Racing Type' became known as the CR750.
In Australia a CB750 in the hands of Craig Brown nearly won the 1970 Castrol Six Hour Production Race, finishing second. In 1971 a CB750 in the hands of Bryan Hindle and Clive Knight won the event for Honda.
1972 CB750 Racer
1972 CB750 Racer
This is an improved version of the CB750 which won the 1970 Daytona 200 in its debut outing. Its fairing was the first to use Honda's new red, white, and blue colors.
1973 Daytona 200 6th place finisher. Rider: No. 15 Morio Sumiya
In 1973 RSC entered the CB750R in the Daytona 200 Mile race. The CB750R was based on the production Dream CB750 FOUR and improved to exert over 90 PS and reach 250 km/h.
The coloring of the machine was the first to sport the now familiar Honda tricolor design. Amid the majority of 2-stroke machines, Morio Sumiya rode his 4-stroke CB750RACER to 6th.