Fresh meat!

[Loudo]

I purchased a 1965 CB77 last Friday. As advertised, it was fairly complete, mostly stock, starts and runs, and in need of restoration.

I envision a constant stream of questions posed to all you experts out there from my newbie self.

Here's the first one: The tire sizes on this bike don't seem to match stock dimensions as commonly listed. The rear tire is brand new, IRC NR21 3.50-18: this tire is 3-5/8" wide and the rim is 2-3/4" wide. The front tire is a Dunlop Roadmaster TT100 3.60-18: this tire is 3-3/8" wide and the rim is 2-3/8" wide. Also, it has good tread but much fine cracking on the sidewalls so I plan to replace this tire. Comments on these wheels and tires are welcome.

Much more later...

[Loudo]

Here's a pic from the other side. Fresh from the search and destroy mission, not even out of the truck yet.

I'll eventually get the hang of compressing and posting pics. (I hope.)

[davomoto]

Looks like you've got a good start! Correct tire sizes are 3.00-18 rear, and 2.75-18 front. Do yourself a favor and buy both of Bill Silvers restoration guides available through this website. 've had them for two years, and 5 CB77 restorations, and still constantly refer to them.

davomoto

[Loudo]

Thanks, davomoto. I've already purchased those two Bill Silver restoration guides from an eBay auction a couple days ago and have downloaded and printed the parts catalog. Also ordered and am awaiting the shop manual CD.

I'm hoping that by surrounding myself with the appropriate literature I can search for answers myself before posing a question to the forum, thereby avoiding the wrath of Loud Mouse who has demonstrated appreciation for a fella trying to figger out stuff for himself.

Here's a partial list of the bike's shortcomings:

1. Carbs need cleaning/rebuild (the seller stated he thinks this is necessary)
2. Throttle cable is broken.
3. All other cables need replacement. Throttle, front brake, and clutch are ordered. Rear brake appears more difficult to source.
4. No air cleaners, just chicken wire and foam homemade replacements
5. Oil seal at shifter needs replacement. Leaks oil from there impressively when running.
6. Rear brake lever needs to be rebent. Currently conflicts with kick starter.
7. Ditto for shift lever. I think this bike has fallen over a time or two.
8. Has the early style flat bars, a welded repair was effected at some time. Don't know how long I'll want to look at that.
9. Needs new footpegs all around, shifter rubber also.

The seller was kind enough to wait until I arrived to start it up as he felt it would be most fair for me to witness how it started when cold (and about 35 degrees). It didn't want to keep running until it warmed up a goodly amount, but this was mainly due to the inability to feather the throttle because the cable was broken just past the metal bend by the grip. I don't really want to change more than one thing at a time, so plan to install the new throttle cable, start it up to check for other oil leaks, then do the carbs.

I'm wondering...is there a way to verify the model year of the bike? Title says 1965, and the frame serial number is 30xxxx, but the instrument cluster is the same as the Type 1b (1962) shown in this forum's FAQ. Were they still using those instrument clusters in the '65s? Not real important, just curious. Also...has oval carb bowls.

The seller pointed out to me, but I don't know the significance, that the frame and engine serial numbers are exactly the same except the last two digits are different by 2. Such as one ending with 869 and the other 871.

More photos this weekend.

[LOUD MOUSE]

The bike is a 1963 issue and the numbers are good. .....lm

Thanks, davomoto. I've already purchased those two Bill Silver restoration guides from an eBay auction a couple days ago and have downloaded and printed the parts catalog. Also ordered and am awaiting the shop manual CD.

I'm hoping that by surrounding myself with the appropriate literature I can search for answers myself before posing a question to the forum, thereby avoiding the wrath of Loud Mouse who has demonstrated appreciation for a fella trying to figger out stuff for himself.

Here's a partial list of the bike's shortcomings:

1. Carbs need cleaning/rebuild (the seller stated he thinks this is necessary)
2. Throttle cable is broken.
3. All other cables need replacement. Throttle, front brake, and clutch are ordered. Rear brake appears more difficult to source.
4. No air cleaners, just chicken wire and foam homemade replacements
5. Oil seal at shifter needs replacement. Leaks oil from there impressively when running.
6. Rear brake lever needs to be rebent. Currently conflicts with kick starter.
7. Ditto for shift lever. I think this bike has fallen over a time or two.
8. Has the early style flat bars, a welded repair was effected at some time. Don't know how long I'll want to look at that.
9. Needs new footpegs all around, shifter rubber also.

The seller was kind enough to wait until I arrived to start it up as he felt it would be most fair for me to witness how it started when cold (and about 35 degrees). It didn't want to keep running until it warmed up a goodly amount, but this was mainly due to the inability to feather the throttle because the cable was broken just past the metal bend by the grip. I don't really want to change more than one thing at a time, so plan to install the new throttle cable, start it up to check for other oil leaks, then do the carbs.

I'm wondering...is there a way to verify the model year of the bike? Title says 1965, and the frame serial number is 30xxxx, but the instrument cluster is the same as the Type 1b (1962) shown in this forum's FAQ. Were they still using those instrument clusters in the '65s? Not real important, just curious. Also...has oval carb bowls.

The seller pointed out to me, but I don't know the significance, that the frame and engine serial numbers are exactly the same except the last two digits are different by 2. Such as one ending with 869 and the other 871.

More photos this weekend.

[davomoto]

I believe retro bikes has the rear brake cables, as well as air filters, footpeg rubbers, and repro flat bars. really nice folks, and very fair prices. Ed isn't the only one on this site that like to see others learn from experience! we are all happy to help out when you get stuck, or just can't figure it out!http://www.olypen.com/retro/

davomoto

[Gunner_CAF]

I got my flat bars, and throttle cable from Retro Bikes. Good prices, quick replies, and my parts came right away. I plan to buy more parts from them.

Check out the FAQ for how to adjust the points and carbs. I followed these to the letter and my bike started with just a bump of the starter button, and idled nice.

Gunner