I'm working on my 97 yr. old dads SuperHawk that he bought in '61 while we were stationed in Japan and after reading hours of postings I realize their are some very knowledgeable people on this forum. I have the shop manuals and Bill Silver's guides but would like any ones opinion on what they consider good or even necessary upgrades for an original Hawk with 11k miles. I'm starting with a new chain & sprockets, cables, battery and + &- leads, oil and filter clean out, new air filters and general tune up. The tires must have been installed not to long ago as they are still soft to the thumbnail and show no signs of weathering/cracking. The bike was stored at my late brothers so some details are lost. I'm looking to upgrade charging system with a rectifier/regulator but notice that the stator windings are loose (not oily or dirty). The bike was running fine when parked 33 yrs. ago. Any suggestions appreciated, thanks...Mark
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Any upgrades for '62 CB77 suggested?
According to the data in the Honda Superhawk Registry - www.honda305.com/registry - 1962 is one of the most scarce model years.
I would keep it original. If you intend to ride it, get new tires for satefy. -- Michael Stoic honda305.com
Hi Michael, I pulled the gas tank today to empty out some bad gas and check condition of tank inside and underneath the tank, coils, wiring etc. The tag on the wire loom is dated 1961 and the frame no. is CB77-62-20xxx. I doubt if there are to many one owner 1962 CB77's running around. I took my girlfriend (wife to be) on a night ride up around the redrocks west of Vegas in 1977 on this bike. I don't plan to alter anything major but thought that with all Honda's changes thru the series there might be some suggestions. I will upgrade the rectifier to a modern rect./regulator without a doubt and I have a AGM battery on the way, regretably the cloud silver parts need to be repainted, the black will be left for now I think. I have a new cam chain tensioner assy. and intermediate roller if I decide to repair what might be a slight head gasket oil weep but won't know till she runs. I will be curious to see if any of the engine seals decide to leak also.
Yes, the bike will be a rider, I'm not restoring it just cleaning it up a bit. Because it had stale gas in the tank and newish looking tires, I think my brother may have had it running not that long ago, still has oil on rockers, valve tips etc.
This is one reason to only use the harness tag as a guide, not an absolute. To me it looks as though Honda had leftover 1961 harnesses which ended up in early 1962 bikes ...and why would they not? Your Superhawk is indeed a matching numbers 1962 Model. Thank you for the Registry entry! I took one look at your profile and realized that you probably don't need my advice on how to fix the bike :) ...so I can just share some philosophy. It is simple: I like originality and natural patina. On a scarce model year especially, that would be my inclination. That aside, the upgrades you listed - provided they are reversible, in case someone wants to get back to bone stock later - make good sense. I'd apply them too. -- Michael Stoic
1961 harnessbefore I got too enthusiastic cleaning the wiring harness on my 62 cb77 (frame # 21390) with acetone, it was marked 1961...so not unusual...
'62 CB77. "It's a rider."
As you say the bike was purchased in JAPAN it sure would be nice if you could show pics of the : speedo, speedo drive at the front wheel, tail light lens, rider foot pegs, engine and exhaust. .....lm
Michael, I'll keep any upgrades reversible for sure, however, when I'm gone I'll leave the CB to my daughter as she rides and appreciates the history of gramps bike. I would like to put some slight rise and pull back bars such as 'superbike bars' on it. Right now it has higher rise bars installed but I have the original flat bars. I'd also like the later folding foot pegs, especially if they are available for the passenger position, as I keep getting nailed in the calf when I'm moving the bike around.
I'm sure it's not uncommon for one years model to be consrtucted from parts mfg. the year prior, only makes sense. I wasn't surprised to see the 1961 dated wiring harness and from my experiences with Triumphs would have thought nothing of it. LM, I will take pix of bike as I clean it up before I disturb any original parts or routing. The first thing to go were the mufflers as they rusted away long ago. One of us took the rear shock shrouds off and replaced or chromed the upper shroud and spring, I have original new oem shrouds. The upper shock mt. doesn't have acorn nuts but I will have to scour old photos to see if it came that way. The rear axle is the solid ended type though in my box of spares I have the lightened end version. Mirrors had been removed, I have replacement but not the originals. The speedo/tacho is a replacement, I have the original replaced at around 2,500 miles with a used one with 9k miles on the odo. Perhaps the original is repairable. My brother installed a new Honda seat cover not to long ago. The handle bar grips are wrong but I have new originals so will install when replacing bars...that's about it. My biggest concerns center around the old electrical sys., wires, coils and especially the loose windings on the stator. Next would be the rubber components in the engine. I guess I'll just get if fired up and go from there...Mark
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