1960 C77

[G-Man]

Hi Guys

My 1960 C72 now has a bigger brother in the form of this 1960 C77. Engine and frame numbers are within one digit of each other and both begin with an 'A'. The motor has 10mm spark plugs and the rear breather tower.


C77 - A by graham.curtis, on Flickr

Motor C77E - A10269
Frame C77 - A10268


The bike was imported from California some years ago and has sat in a garage since. I followed up a message from this forum and picked it up at the weekend.

I am interested in Honda history and this one was one of the first C77s imported to the US in 1960. The handlebars have unusual lever perches (no mirror mount) and other controls which came from the CE71 Dream Sport (model code 257). Rear shocks have metal covers and I have a replacement lens for the tiny rear light


Rear light by graham.curtis, on Flickr



clutch lever and perch by graham.curtis, on Flickr


The bike came with some good NOS and used parts so the restoration shouldn't be too painful. I will have to graft on a replacement rear end but that's all part of the fun isn't it?


Handlebar by graham.curtis, on Flickr



Left side by graham.curtis, on Flickr

Currently the motor is seized and I am missing the carb, which I am told is different from later C77s and CA77s.

I might get one of these finished one day!!

G

[conbs]

That is a great project, Graham. Number 269! It could well be the oldest surviving "CA" 77 in the world. Shame on us Yanks for letting it escape. Anyone know of a '60 C77 - A with a lower serial number?

I am sure you have figured out that for '60 only the "A" does not appear after the "C", but rather right in front of the 5 digits for the serial number. I have seen literature - including a photograph - that inidicates that a '60 frame number would include a "60" i.e. C77-60-A10001. But, I am not convinced that is correct. Anybody ever seen a '60 C77 with a "60" in the frame number?

[davomoto]

Graham,

You're going to have to stop buying new projects, if you want to finish the ones that you already have! It's a sickness, believe me I know!

Davo

[G-Man]

Davo

It just needed rescuing.....


Bill - My 1960 C72 has a -60- in the frame number but not this one.

G

[conbs]

Graham, I don't see an "A" in the frame number on your C72. Is it there and I missed it?

The photo that I saw with the "60" in the frame number was a C72 also. It strikes me that perhaps the American export had an "A" preceding the 5-digit frame serial number and the domestic bikes (Japan) had a "60" in the frame number hyphenated and prior to the 5 digits. That would make sense (at least in my pea brain).

"A" or "60", your '60 305 is quite a gem. But, I do agree with Davo that a guy does have to quit acquiring projects at some point. I picked up a low-miles CA78 last week from the original owner. It has original tires, badges, tool kit, etc. The chrome has some surface rust and a few spots that rusted enough to make very small pits. I spent an hour with Flitz on the mirror. I didn't think it was salvageable, but it looks darn near new now. I am now having second thoughts about riding it now and it has taken an increasing amount of time away from my rider. DOH!

I do hope you will find time to resurrect your '60. It is truly a piece of Honda history.

[davomoto]

Unfortunately, I don't practice what I preach! I just want to rescue them too, really!

Davo

[Buck]

Lake Hill Motors in Corinth Miss. has a domestic model C77. Motor #00006 and frame #00008. Bought at Mid Ohio last month.The bike is complete and running but has been repainted.