Bill's CB77 Retirement Project

[ZillahBill]

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a 1965 CB77 that looks like it had probably been leaning up against a barn for the past 40 years. Perfect and I love it. I have rebuilt a few bikes over the years but never to this extent. I have disassembled and bagged and tagged almost everything. There is still a lot that I don't know that I don't know. I have taken the jugs and pistons to the machine shop and I'm awaiting the verdict. Right now I'm just working on a little here and a little there. No real plan yet except research and keep the UPS guy busy delivering parts. One success to report. With some Deep Creep, heat, and a large mallet I got the brake cams out front and back. The hubs look terrible. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have to make them look more presentable. Should I paint them? How critical is it to use the exact washer on the end of the oil filler shaft? Part number 15493-259-000. I am on a fixed income now and don't know how many $30.00 washers I can throw at this bike.

[Michael Stoic]

Welcome to to honda305 Forum, Bill !

I love Superhawks in white and look forward to following your progress!

--
Michael

[deuce_7]

Looks like a great project. White Super Hawks are very attractive bikes.

Having the correct oil filter washer is important; you don't want to wonder if a non-spec washer is going to help shred your oil filter one day. Several reliable vintage Honda parts suppliers will sell you the washer for much less than $30; or, a complete set of o-rings and the steel washer for around $20.

An avocation-type enterprise in retirement: Reconditioning/restoring vintage Honda handlebar control switches. See https://www.ebay.com/itm/115808278042 (If this forum had a Classified section, would post it there).

[deuce_7]

The hubs look terrible. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have to make them look more presentable. Should I paint them?

A process that has worked for me in reconditioning aluminum components; e.g., cast brake panels, engine side cases, switch housings, sheet metal panels, is to use increasingly finer grits of abrasive sandcloth (120 grit might be a good place to start), then burnish with steel wool, then apply metal polish (Simichrome or Mother's).

Try on a small area of the casting first to develop your technique. In fact, the components can be over-polished to exceed the shine of original finishes. What you're after is the factory level of finishes. At the factory Honda would then clearcoat some pieces like brake panels, paint others like engine cases or aluminum panels, or anodize parts like switch housings. I prefer the raw polished look on aluminum; it's an individual choice.

[Michael Stoic]

Soda blasting? ...or would that overclean the aluminum?

[deuce_7]

If parts are to be sent out for cleaning, "Vapor Blasting" is another option. Various finishes can result, depending on type of abrasive used with the Vapor Blast water-abrasive mix.

[ZillahBill]

Been on a trip this past week so not much done. As you can see I'm missing a few parts. Going to the machine shop on Monday for a verdict on the cylinders and valves. Hoping for good news. You can't buy patina like on this bike. Have you ever seen one "restored" and left with the patina? I'm tempted.