Ride smoothness - CB77 vs. CL 77
Ride smoothness - CB77 vs. CL 77I had a CL77 back in the day - I remember the ride being a bit harsh. I'm now restoring a CB77. Should I expect pretty much the same ride on the CB as on the CL?
I am fortunate to be able to remember riding my new CB72 and what a joy it was as smooth as silk after riding brit twins it was a revalation it was so good to ride and smooth BUT it encouraged me to speed and with inevitable results I wrote it off after a very short time and so I moved onto a used CB77 with very little miles on it and that was one smooth wonderful bike, that was back in the early 60's.
Now in the 21st century I have had a CB77 restored (very bad) not by me and found it wanting in many departments smooth yes up to a point. In my opinion these early Honda's need to be put together (restored) with NO scrimping all moving parts need to be in tip top condition carbs set up right and ignition spot on (I have the Charleys electronic ignition and it is so good) if you intent to rev the balls off the motor. I made a big mistake I purchased a restored CB77 and was not happy with it so a full strip down, repaced some bits ran the bike then was still not happy as the little ends were rattling and I skrimped on some parts I thought I could get away with just a little play no way so now the engine is down again for the second time, so like I say do not pass anything as saying HO it will do I can tell you it will not, do it right with a engine rebuild on a CB72/77 and you will have one sweet motorcycle. Honda did not take over the world of bikes building rough bikes they were gems compaired with what was on the market at the time take my word for it I was there at the start of the Jap invasion and I have rode many early Honda's from the 50's 90's 125 CB92 and so many more and they did not make a bad bike back then. YES CB72/77 ARE A SMOOTH RIDE. Now to have been able to have ridden a new CB72/77 you would have to be over 64 years old the last CB72/77 was say 1967 so add say 16 years the age one could ride a motorcycle in the UK in the 60's so that makes 64 years if you were lucky to be able to afford a new CB72/77 at the age of 16 I was 19 when I purchased my new CB72. And new is new no restored bike is as good as a NEW one out of the factory it smells new and when you got off it after a long ride one could hear it cooling down all them parts clicking and pinging as the engine cooled. A wonderful time in my life, the 60's. Going to bed now a old boy needs his sleep and dreams.
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