There were at least 6 variations of the 1969 Honda CB750

From development to production to distribution, the Honda 750 seems to fall into three categories: Prototype, Pre-Production and Production motorcycles. Early versions of each "build" are also documented. Based on information available today, whether that of personal ownership, factory and other period literature, it appears there were a number of distinctions between these three categories of machines. It must be noted, factory literature used pictures of prototype and re-production machines to depict or represent features that would eventually become available on the production machines.

Honda's research, development and testing of the prototype and pre-production motorcycles created sudden and significant changes within and between machines, but not always apparent or actually in place on the actual production motorcycle. These changes occurred rapidly and unannounced in a brief period of time, approximately late 1967 to early 1969. The development and changes made to the 750 were done in secret, privy only to the individuals with direct factory affiliation and other closely related principals. These changes in and between the three categories of machines resulted from Honda's research, testing and development in preparation of the final result, a production motorcycle.

From it's prototype inception in 1967, the CB750 underwent rapid testing and development throughout 1968, prior to the Tokyo Auto Show, October 1968. In pre-production form, the 750 came to America, available for inspection by US dealers, at the Honda dealer's convention in Las Vegas, January 1969.