A rebuilt Yoshimura CB77 ( ? )

A CB72/77 converted to twin cam using CB450 head & barrels:


Yoshimura Racer and Twin Cam converted RacerYoshimura Racer and Twin Cam converted RacerA couple of shots of Pete Rhodes ( well known Honda guy here in the UK ) bikes that were at the VJMC show at Uttoxeter this month . Phil
A rebuilt Yoshimura CB77 ( ? ) ![]() A CB72/77 converted to twin cam using CB450 head & barrels: ![]() ![]() Phil,
I may be mistaken but those two lower pics look to me like either a CR72 or CR77. I was fortunate enough to ride a CR77 at Suzuka, Japan in 1964. I don't remember what the the cam covers looked like but the lower part of the engine, frame, wheels, brakes, tank and seat are all CR. I also have two of Pop's bikes in my garage. Thanks for the pics, sure brings back memories. Cliff C Hi Cliff
I spoke to Pete when I took the pictures and he told me this is the second twin cam he'd built using the CB450 bits .. the first one was over 20 years ago. He said he'd made them to look like the CRs and I think maybe the way the castings run down from the cam boxes is different but don't hold me to that. The Yoshimura bike is supposed to be an original brought in years ago from the US. He is mentioned in Bill Silver's book when he used to run a business but it all went belly up when he got involved in building replica CR750s so he operates on a much smaller scale now ( least thats the story according to one of the British mags ). Must have been very special to have got a ride on a genuine CR .. how did that come about ? Honda frequently bring a good selection of bikes over from the musuem to the Goodwood Festival of Speed here in the UK including all the multis and I think they did bring a CR77 once. cheers Phil Hi Phil,
The more I look at the pictures the more I see it as what was described. Its been along time and it does look like a CR, it is impressive. The more I study it, the brakes and frame do look different. As to me riding the CR77 at Suzuka it was just a lucky break at the right time right place. We had just run the first race ever at the new Suzuka track, an 18 hour endurance race. If I remember right it was in August 1964 and we were the only American team running, we were all military (Air Force) out of an air base just outside of Tokyo. The day after the race Honda was going to do some testing and offered to let the two other riders and myself take some laps. I believe we each got ten laps and all I remember is how nice it handled compared to the CP I was running, lighter and more power. Thanks for the pics and asking, I had to think about it but it sure brought back some good memories. Cliff C
Racer,
When I get some other projects finished and get off my butt I will take some pics of the bikes. Right now they are disassembled in the garage. When I brought them to the states I planned on racing both the 250 and 305, but I started flying and the air force said no racing. In 1968 while home on leave we went to Willow Springs, that was the last time they were run. They have been in crates in my Dads garage and now my garage in a retirement community here in Oregon. I hope to put the 305 back to stock appearing and possibly make it a rider. The 250 I want to restore as it was when Pops team raced it at Suzuka. Later, Cliff C
|