Honda CB450 Black BomberIt may be hard to imagine a time before Japanese motorcycles were as popular as homegrown bikes. Still, long before Honda's CB750 revolutionized affordable large-capacity motorcycles, its CB450 was making waves as one of the first two-wheelers to tap the American market. At the time of its 1965 release, primarily British bikes made their way across the pond. However, the CB450 was distinct from many of its UK counterparts, with modern electrical components and a highly reliable engine, which was to set the standard for Honda's later models.As Honda's first mid-capacity twin-cylinder model, the CB450 was a departure for the "Big Wing" brand, as it previously sold small-capacity off-roaders and racing bikes. Now, it was pitted against the likes of Triumph, Norton, and even the well-established Harley Davidson within this popular segment. Nicknamed the Black Bomber for its singular choice of color scheme, it not only caught the imagination of the American market, but its advertising campaign helped increase motorcycle sales for all brands.The Honda CB450 wasn't perfect. It was heavy for its engine size, the rear suspension was underwhelming, and there was vibration through the frame. However, its electric starter (a novelty at the time) worked like a charm, and once up and running, the engine purred like clockwork. Provided you changed the oil every 1,500 miles, it would run and run, and you still see fully functioning Black Bombers in used bike markets 60 years on.BMW R75/5The 1970s were a fruitful time for motorcycle development, not only due to the impact of Japanese imports on the industry at large, but they also heralded improvements in engineering, the proliferation of larger, multi-cylinder engines, and more widespread use of electrical components. At the start of the decade, as the UK marques reeled under the pressure of serious competition from the east, BMW had other things in mind. It had just released three new models, the 500cc R50/5, 600cc R60/5, and the 750cc R75/5, which were to become regarded as some of the most bullet-proof bikes of the era.The "Slash 5" series of BMW bikes with the /5 suffix is considered among the most reliable the Munich marque has ever produced. They were built at the brand-new Spandau, Berlin facility, featuring the "Airhead" boxer twin engine. This type of two-cylinder, horizontally opposed power unit had been used by BMW as far back as 1923 with its R32 model. However, significant improvements meant that this tried and true, reliable design would be the foundation of the R series of motorcycles for decades to come.As the largest model, the BMW R75/5 was the flagship of the series, and It remains popular among vintage bike collectors worldwide. Its low center of gravity facilitated excellent handling, while its jutting cylinders cooled quickly, and it had ground clearance to spare. Typically, for the brand, BMW opted for a shaft final drive instead of a chain, and the complete unit looks and rides like a modern retro to this day.