Hi Everyone - I have a 65 CA77 with 1900 original miles. The paint/chromeis in good shape and I would like to keep this bike with everything as it was in 65. It even still has the original tires. After sitting for over 40 years without use, the piston rings were frozen. The rings are now free, but after inspection of the cylinder, it would need to be bored to 1 or 2 over std if I want to use the original cylinder.
Since everything on this bike is original and under 2,000 miles, would it be better to put in NOS pistons at 1-2 over in the original cylinder or should I put NOS std piston and rings in a 305cc cylinder that is in great shape and does not need boring. This is really a question of which preserves the value more. Thanks for the help!
1965 CA77 - 1900 original miles - Question bringing her back
Re: 1965 CA77 - 1900 original miles - Question bringing herEither way you will be spending $$$.
I recommend you bore the cylinder you have and install new pistons and rings. I caution you to be sure to Get DREAM Pistons rather than CB/CL77 pistons as they will lower the compression which lowers the power. Do take a good look at any moving parts you can see for wear. ................lm
OK.
What's the big deal when what you change with the cylinder you have and the work is inside and never seen and it will better the engine performance. If it's money when you sell this bike you are concerned with I'd leave it alone and keep it damaged as it seems to be. I just thought of the fact that you have taken the engine apart It Is No Longer ORIGINAL. ..................lm
If I was buying I would not let a swapped cylinder head stop me. As far as anyone knows there could have been a problem 40 years ago with any of our bikes (that we do not have the full history on) and the cylinder head was replaced.
If it was mine I would probably keep the original but as far as future value goes, doing it right is more important than which way you go with this.
Perhaps consider honing & re-ringing? Depends on the depth of any corrosion that has taken place, of course, but if you don't rebore and do the full Monty then it's a bit of a pain in the arse to have to tear it apart again if it reveals noisy or smoky symptoms!
Besides, listen to LM's rationale..... Original?To me your problem is a little different. The prices of these bikes has come off quite a bit. Low mileage originals have been selling it the $3 - 4K range for a while. There have been a few exceptions, but not many. If your bike is not running well, the value will be a good bit less. The challenge is getting it running well - no matter what parts you use - with the minimal investment needed, while spending enough to get it right. That is the "value" you are trying to preserve.
No matter what, once you crack that engine - as LM pointed out - it is no longer original. That being the case, you are trying to preserve the value of a "non-original" bike. That gets even tougher as the price you would get for your bike if you sold it will drop even further. I don't want to discourage you at all. Polish that chrome and paint and you will likely have a great looking bike. That is mostly a matter of elbow grease, but be forewarned, it will probably end up being a 55 gal. drum size of it before you get everything detailed. In the end I believe most people "invest" themselves into these bikes because we love them. But, it is kind of like your children - no one will love yours like you do. If you take the time to make it beautiful and it runs well, it may become a family heirloom of sorts. These bikes will give you a certain "brand" and those who love you will remember you by it. No way to put a price tag on that. I hope this perspective helps you figure out your path forward.
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