It's been quite some time since I updated this thread. Basically, much of the work is done, but i've yet to find a painter for the frame, so I'm stalled. I putter with refurbishing small parts, polishing wheel hubs, painting and the like. I've begun to think about my titled frame.
As a recap, I started this project with just a frame and went about finding a donor bike to flesh it out. The donor I found, although untitled, was so nice that I decided to title that frame and either sell or set aside the frame I started out with. I have since decided to make that another project, although a long term one, only to be seriously undertaken when this project is done.
I decided to just search for an engine, since it's the hardest bit to find, do any major work to it to get it ready and then set everything aside. I posted a wanted ad on Craigslist and, surprisingly, it actually yielded results. 2 nearby individuals offered a total of 5 engines. I bought 3 today.
The first, and most promising, is a partial 1966 CB77 engine. The serial number is only 263 lower than my frame number. I'm going to use that as the base. Unfortunately, it is missing it's lower crankcase, transmission and many small parts, but it does have the carbs, cam chain tensioner and points plate.
The second engine is, I think, a 1962 CB77 engine, serial 214196. The number doesn't fit with the engine number history chart, but I removed it from a frame with a 1962 wiring harness tag. It will provide me with many parts missing from the '66 engine, such as the crankcase covers, oil filter, oil pump, all of the kickstart mechanism, transmission, starter motor, etc. It also has carbs, but the earlier round bowl type, which i don't need.
The third engine is from a CA77. I've mostly stripped it down for parts. It has a good oil pump and transmission, and I'll probably use the bottom crankcase on the '66 motor. I'll be offering up some good parts from it, such as the carb and the right crankcase cover with all of the kickstart bits, cam chain tensioner, etc. If anyone sees anything they need in the photos below, let me know.
Of course, all of the engines are stuck. I've put the Dream bottom crankcase on the '66 engine for now and will be removing the head tomorrow to access the cylinders.
The '66 engine:
The '62 engine and the Dream engine:
Tearing down the Dream engine:
Bits and pieces:
'66 with the Dream lower crankcase:
Two '66 engines:
I have not yet come to a decision on the other 2 CB engines offered to me. One is a '66 or '67 (105xxxx) that's mostly stripped. The other is a CB head and cylinders on a CA crankcase. Also stripped of most of it's outside parts. i'll probably pass on them both.
Great fun!