[REVIEW] Tomica Honda CB750 F

Tomica time, Land of the Rising Sun-day, is here again, and time again for something different. This is Tomica 42-3, the Honda CB750 F, which entered the range in November 1982, and is of the same accuracy as Tomica cars:

Bikes have long been as important to the Japanese motor industry, and revolutionized the global motorcycle market during the 60s and 70s, largely at the expense of the British, and to some extent, Europeans and Americans. This model is of what would have been a sportbike of the time, before that segment adopted aggressive ergonomics and flamboyant plastic. As it is a period Tomica, there is ample fine casting detail, and the accurate three spoke wheels on realistic tires are very well done. This faired variant hides much of the engine detail, which is unfortunate - my reference book shows a naked variety which really shows off the engine. Scale is claimed to be 1:34 - the numbers look big, but most bikes are much smaller than cars, and this was made to fit in the same box as a car. From all angles, one can see a Tomica motorcycle is of the same high quality of a Tomica car:

Front and rear have similar detail, one can see gauges are also included:

The base carries maker marks:

This example is fortunate enough to live in its nice original black box:

I am pleased to have this in my collection. I like bikes, and this is a snappy looker with the period style fairings. I seem to recall I did not pay much for this, as these have lesser value than many car castings, which makes it all the more appealing:

A few 1:1s from cycleworld.com, mecum.com, and bazamoto.ru - the latter having a somewhat similar half fairing: