question about purchase - choicequestion about purchase - choiceNew here. Great forum. I have read all the restoration topics. I have restored an old BMW and began looking into the honda cb. Initially my interest was in the cb160. I liked the size an simplicity and looks. There is one locally here for sale at $1500 (has cl kit) but the handlebars are bent and there is some scratches but nothing serious. Seems in really good ridable condition while the small details can be looked after. But the price seems a little high to me. The other possibility is a 1962(?) cb77. A restoration project. looks like fun to me. It can be had for $150. Does have the seat and gas tank. I include pics of both. Wonder if there are comments about where this might be best. That is, is the cb160 or a bike in better than bad shape is the way to go, and being a 160 to me is not a problem. Or going for a cb77 with the interest in restoration but maybe a bad choice due to $$ in the process? If I do get the cb77 and find it unmanageable money wise due to its status (I have not explored the bike in detail but did see it in person) I could provide a parts bike for those needing parts for their restorations. Thanks.[/img]
The answer is definitely "it depends". What I mean by that is it depends on what you want. If you want a nice bike now with minimal work, the choice is clear, grab the CL160.
If you enjoy working on bikes and like a challenge the CB77 is cheap enough to learn on and the finished product would be more fun IMHO than the 160. Financially the 77 will probably cost more to bring it up to the same level, but it can probably be made into a nice little runner for very little cash. It will need tires and probably a chain and who knows what parts in the motor, but for a basic runner, that can't be too much. A full resto is a different story. If you are good with EXCEL, start a spreadsheet and list the parts by major categories and then use a couple of columns for repair, replace, paint etc and before you know it the number in the last cell will be large enough to cause cardiac arrest. That's why I no longer do it that way. The way to look at it is as an installment plan. The $150 is the deposit. Some of teh balance can be worked off and some has to be paid for. I enjoy the building and inspecting and cleaning etc far more than riding the things, but that's just me. You have to look into your heart and see what's there - ride or build. Forget the logic or the financial cost benefit analysis. What's inside you? It's that easy. I'd buy the 77 as a learning project and maybe the 160 as well , just for fun.... updateI want to thank all for your comments.
Teaser - great philosophy and applicable to all who are in similar situation. The search began from a Craigslist posting of a 1966 cb160 which eventually went for $780. I began searching and in a few days found the two referenced above. But being so new to this model, I had to learn what would be involved. The restoration performed by Scott including all the comments was a big help. brewsky - if I part it out would you be interested? Anyway, the cb160 was visited again on Friday. The owner did not have a battery for it and it looked a little rough considering the price he was asking. That night I called the owner of the cb77. On Saturday at 9:30am the bike was delivered to my driveway. Its original color was blue. The frame # is cb77-1020339. The engine # is cb77e-1020320. I believe it is a 1965. I washed it down first. A look over showed that parts were missing. that alone gives me some pause. Somewhere in the wiring there is a short. To attempt anything, I need to fix the wiring. Then check what works with a battery hooked up. Next is clean the carbs. Last is to try and start it. If all succeeds, I may consider a looong restoration. Otherwise...... I will post pictures of the bike as I got it and after a wash as soon as I can figure out how to reduce the picture size . Brad
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