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Producing 24bhp @ 9000 rpm, Honda launched their CL72 “Street Scrambler” in 1962.
Using the CB72 type engine with the same square 54mm x 54mm bore and stroke, the North American market could not get enough of these! The full cradle frame replaced the spine type of the CB72, and an extremely cool telescopic steering damper replaced the friction device.
This 153kg machine also had many other differences from the CB72, the electric start was deleted, and the kick start now rotated in the traditional plane, rather than the awkward froward plane of the CB model.
It looked drop dead gorgeous, the 180 degree engine snarled from those stylish hi-line exhaust pipes. The company also offered the now extremely rare aluminium fuel tank option.
In many way’s the CL versions with stiffer frames, stronger front forks and less weight made a better ride on the road than the CB type, and were certainly just as pretty, and the classic values reflects this today, a good CL always being valued higher than it’s CB equivalent, and that goes pretty much throughout the range, 125cc up to 450cc.