Post
by paulrk » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:02 pm
Back in 1971 I ran a gas station in Labelle, Florida. I was 20, newly married and always had a bike or 2 around. A customer, Jerry Wooten, had some work done on his car and owed me $50. He was out of work and nticing my interest in bike be mentioned that he had an old CB77 that he had bought new in 1963 or 64, that was a bit rough but he'd swap me in return for his $50 debt to me.
I agreed, sight unseen and the next day he hauled it to the stattion in his pickup. It was an almost fully intact CB77. Really dirty, flat tires, but not rusty....unusual for Florida. Missing a few small items, but well worth $50.
I was really a Yamaha guy at that time and had never owned a Honda, but always wanted a CL or CB77 as many friends had them.
The Hawk I had acquired was unusual in that most of the parts were chrome. Frame, side covers for battery and aircleaner, Headlight shell , chainguard and many small parts.were all chrome. All of this was in excellent condition.
I proceeeded to start a resoration and was able at that time to buy all of my parts at Wes Cleaves Honda in Ft, Myers. I bought a new crankshaft with rods, all bearings, a Webco 350 kit, H&C cam kit, New valves, clutch, . I also rewired it with new harness and all switches, tailight,
New chain and sprockets and brake linings and all cables. New Pipes and mufflers also.
I was a Goodyear dealer and put a set of Goodyear tires on it. Even did the white letter tire paint as that was in vogue at the time.
It was gorgeous when I finished all the work and was very fast. Wished I had pictures of it.
Wes Cleaves had sold the bike new to the guy I got it from and they said it was a really rare model with all the chrome. I think they said only about 12 were made in 1964 that had the chrome and they had the one they sold to Jerry.
I kept it about a year and stupidly traded it in for a Mustang at Langford Ford. A buddy of mine , Pat Armstrong, bought it for $600 from Langford.
That was late in 1972. Not sure what ever happened to it.
I ride a Harley now, but would love to have another CB or CL77.
Regards,
Paul
Evanston, WY
