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The
Honda 750 Four is unquestionably the most popular
motorcycle in the world today.
It
has set standards for reliability, safety, longevity and
performance that have never been equaled.
In
one single area, it may not be the best.
But
as a total package, the 750 does everything quite well -
far better than most, and certainly acceptable to most
riders.
However, even excellence can wear thin.
Especially when everyone else seems to have that same
excellence. After a while, you start wanting something
more. Something more in the looks department, so you
paint or chop the thing. More in the cargo-carrying
department, so you put on the dresser goodies. More in
the handling area, so you opt for the Rickman kit.
Or
more in the performance department.
Probably this is the biggest area of |
want. Of course, it's ridiculous - in a world of too
many cars, too many police officers and too low speed
limits, who needs anything except a 350 twin?
But
then, who ever accused motorcyclists of ever being
logical?
Performance is the new keyword, either on the street,
for an occasional blast down the quarter, or for a
committed race-only package.
Cams - there must be a hundred different cam
manufacturers.
Pipes - there are a thousand of those.
Bolt on this, cut out that, big-bore these.
Performance.
Hot-rod.
just as there are a thousand different parts, and
therefore a million or more different combinations,
there are also a horde of kits. With catchword names the
800 Go Fast Ticketgetter. The 900 Killeronie Streeter.
The 1400 (well, maybe not) Berserko Droolmachine.
Most of them contain parts from one |
single manufacturer, generally priced at a certain break
as opposed to a part-by- listing.
All
of them, of course, alter the performance of the 750
Honda.
But
of all these kits, there is one which is unquestionably
at the top of the heap.
That
is, from R.C. Engineering, the 1000cc Cobra engine.
With a small, poised cobra, the
plaque reads: 1000cc Cobra Engine.
R. C. Engineering, Gardena,
California.
First of all, the plaque is probably
justified.
It
is the only kit, from anyone, that is offered with a
small brass plaque, meant to attach to either side of
the valve cover.
The
R.C. Cobra engine is absolutely the most expensive kit
engine on the market. Out the door, built by R.C.,
you'll end up paying $2000. That cost doesn't
include the complete 750 engine you provide as the core
for the kit. Plus the cost of replacing any
worn-out stock Honda parts |
