|
Honda CB77
photo |
owners
Probably the finest Honda, maybe the finest motorcycle in the 350ccc category ever to have left the factory gates. This beautiful, classically engineered machine put Honda on to a performance motorcycle pedestal almost from the day it was launched in 1961. Whilst the CB72 was quick enough, it was a little compromised by being just a 250cc, this capacity being a class lower and absolutely essential for sales into those countries where at the time learner riders could legally ride up to a 250cc. The 305cc however performed as well or better than many 500’s at that time!
Weighing and costing only slightly more then the CB72, the 305 ‘Super Hawk’ was a huge sales success in the USA. Although only attributed with an extra 3bhp over the 250, this 28bhp machine, when tested by Cycle World achieved a 105mph top speed (it has to be pointed out that this was a one way run with a tail wind, but impressive non the less), and was in a different league than just about anything else on the market.
It is true to say that such was the engineering excellence of these and the CB72’s, Honda struggled to make much in the way of profit on these complex and exquisitely engineered machines, with 200mm twin leading shoe brakes front and back, roller bearings for most of the moving parts in the engine, including the camshaft all combined to make the CB77 an engineering Icon!
It’s replacement, the CB250KO in 1968, whilst faster, really suffered from the Honda accountants number crunching, and not until the RC30 some 20 plus years later would we see such exquisite engineering from the Honda Motorcycle Company.
The finest Honda from the 1960’s………probably!
top
Honda CB77 photo
Honda CB77
top
Honda CB77 owners
Here is an overview of Honda CB77 type vehicles from several owners.
top
|
