An introduction and questions

[phactory]

Clean original goes a long way in my book and doesn't run and not running are two different things to me. This bike is not running, which really just amounts to checking the carbs to make sure that the jets are clear and putting fresh gas in the tank. The bike is obviously a well cared for example that was put away correctly. FWIW, I do think that he may have paid a bit too much for it but he is not a Honda guy and he bought a bunch of motorcycles that day. The Superhawk was just one of many. He also got a Black Bomber in the same condition.

Phil

it's value had much to do with it's mechanical condition. clean is nice, a wonderful paintjob is nice, but you can't have much fun on a clean well painted bike that doesn't run.

These bikes haven't quite hit the collectors demand that other bikes from the era have. Perhaps due to a bias against hondas from some of the wealthy motorcycle community (jap crap! jap junk! where's my 25k harley?) , perhaps due to the sheer quality of the machines leaving many running and road worthy today, perhaps because of the small engine size.
So, once your buddy assesses what's keeping it from running, you have a solid idea of the value. to a rider who wants to ride, the value wouldn't shift much. It was a small 60's honda that didn't run before, and it is now. To a collector, may drop a bit being it's a superhawk.

however, if your buddy paid 3k for a superhawk, or a hawk, that doesn't run, I'd suggest keeping your eye on craigslist/ebay for a while before your next purchase. You could have picked up a non-running hawk for 1200-1500.

[Gun]

looks pretty complete, and pretty correct to my limited knowledge. just a few things i've seen LM point out in the past as needed corrected. Not that my superhawk will ever be correct :p

I'd like to see more of that bomber, I'm a huge fan of those. would love to buy one eventually.

[phactory]

The frame and engine numbers are below. How well can you date it from those? I am guessing either 1961 or 1962? Is that in the ballpark? Does anyone have production figures by years?

Frame: CB77-1022264
Engine: CB77E-1022240

Thanks, Phil

[rbaselt]

The way I read this article by Bill Silver, this bike would be a 1965 model:
http://www.vjmc.org/techtips/carbondating.htm

[LOUD MOUSE]

Yep. ............lm


uote="rbaselt"]The way I read this article by Bill Silver, this bike would be a 1965 model:
http://www.vjmc.org/techtips/carbondating.htm[/quote]

[phactory]

I think you're right! I read it that way also.

Thanks, Phil