What it is: The original superbike. Smooth, fast and refined, the 750 Four elevated biking to a higher plain. Its arrival in the UK in 1969 signaled the beginning of the end of the old British bike industry. Others in its family tree: The 750 spawned a whole ...

To get the Cruise's carburetor motor going use the choke lever located on the handlebar; it warms up quickly. Once underway, the engine is mostly smooth, with some light vibration coming through the seat, grips and footpegs. There's a decisive "thunk" when you shift down into ...

What it is: Hugely influential bike, named after a Japanese sword. Looks fantastic and handles better than the stock GSX, on which it was based. Not a big seller in the Eighties due to its cutting-edge looks, but now an acknowledged classic. Starting to get expensive. Others ...

There are a variety of options in synchro­nizing devices, from homemade to high- tech. We evaluated the Morgan Carbtune Pro. Technically this device is a mechanical manometer; no electrical connections are involved. Originally developed in 1979, the first Carbtune incorporated mercury as the operating medium. ...

What it is: One of the greatest bikes. Ever. Fastest production bike in the world when launched. Made large capacity and DOHC technology accessible. Staggeringly beautiful too. Others in its family tree: First conceived as a 750 - Japan got a 750cc model, the Z2. ...