Scored today! Got a CB77....

[Crispy1]

I liked Waveblaster's advice and drained the oil, shot a few squirts in the bores and refilled the crankcase. Cranked over nicely on a car battery. Headlight and taillight works, horn and high beam indicator don't work. Hooked up some new plugs I got today and have a nice strong spark on both sides. Needless to say, I'M HAPPY!

Next stop is the tank, petcock and carbs. I'm planning to drop the bowls and see what it looks like in there. If it's pretty clean, I may not go crazy taking things apart. I'll check the carb slides and give them some love. Since the petcock has not been moved, does anybody subscribe to pouring something down the fuel line(s) to the carbs as the first responder. Something to dissolve varnish and to get things loosened up; maybe gas, maybe Seafoam, maybe alcohol, maybe NOT carb cleaner, maybe WD-40. I will be able to run the floats and see if they are working. Then follow that with fresh gas in the tank.

Is that crazy? C.

G-Man, The rear plate holder is white but the paint looks lesser quality. It's yellowed more than the other white paint on the bike.

[Waveblaster]

Hi Crispy

Once the tank is off it is only a couple of 10mm nuts to take the carbies off. Petrol (gas) and compressed air works for me. If you have the tank off flushing out it should be easy.

If you are patient I recommend a kit through the carbies and overhaul kit for the petcock. If you are in the colder climate and store the bike inside it may slowly weep and the fumes are annoying.

the petcock and carbie kits come to around $60 total and are available from classichondarestorations.com or david silver spares.

Others who have been messing with these bikes longer than I seem to recommend leaving the factory jets and slide spindle for best effect. Changing the bowl gasket and float needle and seat might be a good option.


If you pull the bowls off you may be lucky and it may be pristine , who knows.

[Crispy1]

OK, I'm not trying to rub it in and I don't even know if this thing will run ;) but I pulled the center cover tonight and there's a piece of tape on the underside with dates on it every ~1100 miles. I can only assume these are oil changes and they start at 8k. It has 15k now. Did I say I was happy. Just so you all know, nobody deserves a barn find like this more than I do. There's not a more gear headed devote on the planet than me (and you) so let's move on to the gas and get this sucker running. C.

[Waveblaster]

Sounds promising if the PO has gone to that trouble

[Goodysnap]

Somebody took the time to care for it. That is definitely promising. Is that a hiding spot for a spare key too I see? That's a good idea.

[Crispy1]

I've been wanting to ask if that key thing is factory. Its a little oval head sheet metal screw through the cover into the key. Didn't seem like a good idea once everyone knew it was there....C.

[masonmart]

Crispy, it looks like the basis for a good restoration and hopefully you'll find that getting it running is only the start. Once running you need to get it looking as beautiful as only these wonderful bikes can do. I can see now why you are so happy. They need a bit of work on set up but the advice on how to do it is out there.