Back in the CB77 saddle again

[prima5star]

Couldn't resist a basically complete 1966 CB77 in white for $500. It has had some hillbilly upgrades like knobby tires, rattlecan red front end etc but should be a fun project since the engine turns over with compression. I will need a few small pieces and some opinions, but I'll post those elsewhere.

Looking forward to the fun. See my post elsewhere for parts request!

Matt

[prima5star]

No one else wants to reply sooo....

Unloaded the bike this afternoon. Hooked a battery up and turned it on. The only sign of life is the glowing neutral light and the electric start which engages but the starter clutch slips.

I pull the muffler, kickstart business etc off to access the stator and it's backside mate the starter clutch. The threads you thread the puller into are all boogered up so I use a generic puller and a few taps from a hard plastic hammer and it pops off. The starter clutch looks ok, but still slips. Am I missing something? (BTW, what is this thread size? I could buy a tap to fix it...)

I give up for the moment on a quick starter clutch problem diagnosis and start to play with the bike with power on. I find I have bright crisp spark at both plugs and after a few jabs the horn comes to life. It turns out there is no bulb in the tail light, easy enough to deal with -the tail and brake lights both work fine. Headlight has the blue wire disconnected from the clutch side switch so I take a chance and hook it up, a few switches of the various headlight switches and it comes to life.

I am pleased with my progress after an hour on a bike that looks like hell! Maybe it will run tomorrow. See my post elsewhere about the starter clutch.

[dAno]

right on prima you found out all thiat in about an hour.
so its been a couple days does it run yet?
hows it shaping up

[prima5star]

Funny where the road leads... I posted on my local Craigslist looking for parts for the 1966 and a 1961 CB72 with race history in original condition turned up, so the project shifted to the CB72. I forgot to end the ad and a completely disassembled 1963 CB77 with a big box of NOS parts for very little money also turned up.

That aside, I ordered springs for the starter clutch from McMaster Carr and the clutch still doesn't work. The completely apart bike came with an extra engine (or two) and I am taking apart the starter clutch from one of those for the white bike. My intention now is to sell the 1966, make the 1961 roadworthy and then slowly put the 1963 together as nearly perfectly as I can manage.

Pictures are of 1961 CB72, the 1585th CB72 made!

I have promised Michael a write up of getting the 61 back on the road so this is a preview of things to come.