1962 CB77 Super Hawk #25, first hour of production model

Container find of a different kind! This ultra-rare first day build 1962 CB77 305cc Super Hawk has only 2400 original miles and is riding on its original tires. Frame number #25 and engine number #31 shows the bike is the original combo from the Honda factory. apparently built sometime in mid 1961! The bike has a wiring harness with 1961. 6 coded on the white tag. The bike shows some of the changes that were made to improve it over the 1961.  but was built so early in production that many of the 1962 features were not in place at that time. Here's a list of the 1961 features of the Super Hawks. some of which carried over to this machine:*Alloy front fenders. rear brake stays and top/bottom rear shock covers (1961 only). This bike has an alloy front fender. but the rear shock covers were steel

*The taillights were unique (CP type /__ shape) to 1961 models only. Carried over until early in 1962.

*The rear of frame was modified/lengthened 1" for stronger rear seat mounting.

*The speedometer unit was mounted in special fork bridge with circular mounting ring and meter cushion. retained with a spring. inside the headlight shell. Same as this machine

 *9. 5:1 compression pistons were used through 1964.  Engine was rebuilt with the same hi-comp pistons.

*The engines lacked primary chain tensioners until 1963. Not on this engine.

*10mm spark plugs used in cylinder heads until CB72E-210301/CB77E-210201.  Yes. it does have 10mm spark plugs.

*Multi-tapered large 37mm fork tubes and triple clamps were featured with fork cover cushions on the top of the fork ears. The 268-000 fork rib trim rings had no provision for the cushions. as seen on later 010-020 types. Fork ears and headlight shells had 8mm mounting bolts. The steering lock cover did not have the little spring-loaded door.    All the same as this machine.

*The speedometers lacked manufacturer’s markings and Hi-Beam indicator lights (at least until 1964 in the US). Loop-style fork bridge used until CB72-22842/CB77-21363. Slightly different version used on later 1962 bikes. This speedo-tach was rebuilt by Foreign Speedo in San Diego last month at a cost of $180.

*“Diamond-pattern” handgrips. like those of the C110 were used in 1961. mounted on OEM “flat” handlebars used until 1965. Somehow these same grips survived  being put on some high handlebars and I was able to transfer them back to the correct flat bars!

*Use of the original “round-bowl” shaped carburetors continued until 1964. And these show little wear due to low miles.

*Heavy. flywheel-type. cam sprocket assemblies used until CB72E-213801/ CB77E-212681.  It had this camsprocket but removed it during the engine rebuild.

*All of the brake linkage arms were retained on the brake cams with 10mm self-locking nuts. until 1963 (CB72-312159/CB77-312672.   Same brake linkage. but new brake connector rods from Ohio Cycle.

*DREAM 250 or DREAM 300 tank badges were featured until mid-1963.  Dream 300 badges here. still the original ones!

*Early bikes had black rear brake. tachometer and speedometer cables in 1961.  Original black cables retained for speedo. tach and rear brake!

*The speedo drive unit did not use sealed flange-to-hub design. 1961-early 1962 only.   Original drive unit was lost during 20 years of storage. 1962 NOS drive unit fitted to the original hub and works fine.

*Mufflers used sleeve-type seals at header pipe inlets. Long nuts used on header flanges.  Exhaust had been switched out to NOS 1 piece units 20+ years ago. now somewhat pitted on the surfaces but very solid.

*Oil filter covers (small-hole design) were blank on the outside. Original cover retained for engine build

* Brake pedals were about 1” shorter than 1962-on editions. This bike still has the "short" brake pedal and unique slender kickstarter arm.

*Engine cases and cylinder block oiling modified at CB72E-211881/CB77E-210901. This engine still has the 1961 style oiling system for the cylinder block and cases.

*Kickstarter covers had a single small drain hole at the bottom vs. the later. larger slotted holes.

*Seat. like the frame. had mounting dimensions 1” closer together than the 1962-later bikes.   Seat pan powdercoated and recovered with new foam.

*6-plate clutch had no clutch retainer wire holes/grooves machined in the inner hub.  Clutch hub replaced with a later version using the retainer wires.

*1961-62 headlight shell secured with 8mm bolts. Changed to 10mm later on.  

*Camchain tensioner locking bolt is on the left side.

*Oil filter caps were retained with large flat snap rings until 1962.  This filter still has the flat snap ring.

*Hollow rear axle. deeply drilled in the early years.  

*Small lever petcock/body used on early models. Rebuilt and re-installed on this bike.  

Back to the basics.  

The bike was stored in a steel container for over 20 years. close to the ocean in LA county. See "before" photos when it was received at my shop on Halloween. 2014. Wheels were disassembled for rebuilding. which never happened. The drive chain became a solid art form and had to be cut to remove it from the chassis. All chrome and alloy surfaces were badly pitted and the engine was seized from sitting in that moist environment for so long.

The bike was completely disassembled and all rust treated with EvapoRust. wire brushes and whatever would remove the corrosion. Rear steel shock covers were replaced with color matched plastic OEM covers which I happened to have in the shop. The fuel tank was amazingly clean inside. despite years of storage. It still retains the early small lever petcock. typical of 1961 models.

The frame and fuel were sandblasted and epoxy primered at RW Little in San Diego. The seat pan and centerstand were powdercoated black.  

Installed "high bars" with switch wiring extensions were replaced with Retrobikes repro flat bars and a new dimmer switch installed. Right side starter switch was reused. along with both original "diamond" grips.  

Two cans of color-matched paint were purchased to re-coat the frame. swing arm. tool box (NOS part) steering stem and fuel tank. Paint tended to clog in the nozzle. so paint quality is rather poor.  

Shocks were disassembled. cleaned of rust and reassembled with fresh plastic OEM Royal Blue shock covers. One front fork seal holder had peeling chrome so was replaced with a used part and new seal.

Rims are OEM stock and in amazing condition. considering their history. A set of zinc plated OEM spokes were used to rebuild the wheels and then the original tires were reinstalled.

The engine was rebuilt after a 2 hour disassembly to remove the pistons. A NOS Std. bore piston was sourced ($100) and installed with a spare. same-style Std. piston and new rings with 3 piece oil ring sets. Engine cases were hot-tanked at an automotive engine repair shop. then washed with phosphoric acid to remove excess corrosion from the alloy crankcases. cylinder block and cylinder head.

All new seals and gaskets were used. along with freshening up of the primary chain. oil filter chain. camchain. low gear bushing. kickstarter pawl and offset cotters in the transmission. A replacement clutch hub was used. which featured machining for the retainer wires. not used in the original hub design. There is no primary chain tensioner used on these early model bikes.

A new correct 12N9-3A battery is installed with new battery hold-down hardware and a battery cushion from Clauss Design Studios. New a/m air tubes and air filters were installed. along with a correct length throttle cable and a/m clutch cable from Japan.

A fresh 530 drive chain was installed. The original swing arm had damaged chain guard mounts in the front. so a 1965-on unit was painted and installed with new dust seals. The original swing arm is available and included in the auction. Brake plates were disassembled for cleaning and lubrication of the brake cams. As mentioned previously a 1962 flanged speedo drive was installed in place of the missing 1961 style unit.

Fuel tank side covers. tank badges and knee pads are all original parts. There were no signs of any kind of crash damage on the bike. other than possibly a tip-over that slightly bent the rear footpeg bracket. The early- style CB92-type shift linkage pieces are all retained. but need plating. as does all of the chromed parts of the bike.

All of the electrical parts are original and working. This bike has the original hi-output stator system still in place. A NOS rear tail light mount plate was purchased to install the correct rear light assembly. The original wiring harness was reused and is in good condition.

The bike electric starts and runs well. having been driven about 20 miles thus far. There is a 20 year old CA title with the bike. unsigned. but was issued without the engine number. so must be inspected at some point in time when the title is reissued. I have a very rare 1959 yellow license plate on the bike now with a 1962 tag and new additional tag holders to place current year/month tags when issued. If the bike is sold outside of CA. a $50 credit will be issued towards the sale and the plate retained for future use at the time of the sale.

Seat was done at an auto upholstery shop and they didn't quite get it right. The chrome trim that was on the seat was totally wasted. so could not be repaired or reinstalled.

The bike is a great running Super Hawk time capsule that needs a full cosmetic restoration if you want to make it as it was from the factory. Otherwise. ride it and enjoy it as it is. although you might want to replace the OEM original tires.

This bike DOES have the 1961 style alloy front fender which is nearly perfect. That part alone is worth over $1. 00 to collectors/restorers. Most likely this bike was built in the first hour of the 1962 designated production and is an extremely rare find.

Please ask any and all questions. other than those "What is the reserve? questions. Consider all the facts and bid accordingly.  

Also published at eBay.com