To re, or not to re...

swampyankee · Post by **swampyankee** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:31 am

...Restore, that is.
I got what turns out to be a '64 CL72 in a "package deal" ("You can have your old Benelli back, but you have to take the Honda too"). The bike spent a bunch of time sitting outside (that's pine sap all over the seat) and a bunch of parts are missing, rusted solid or hacked. The motor isn't even original, being a CL77. I really had no idea what to do with it, except maybe sell it to fund the Benelli resto.
As far as small vintage bikes go, a Scrambler would be on my list. But it would be a daily rider, not a 10 point restoration. This bike is in such tough shape that it would require a total strip-down, and once you start there's no half-way resto. It's either all or nothing. I could go out and find a good running Scrambler and probably pay a third of what it would cost to restore this thing, but another bike is not in the budget right now.

As they say, a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush, unless of course that bird is a total roach...

I'm really torn about what to do with this thing. Anyone tackle something as rough as this, or have any opinions?[/img]

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 11:47 am

I'm working my way through this......

CB77 straight out of the car by graham.curtis, on Flickr

and this...

CL72-right side by graham.curtis, on Flickr

and this.....

C77 - A by graham.curtis, on Flickr

You already know my answer, don't you? :-)

G

swampyankee · Post by **swampyankee** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:24 pm

G-Man wrote:You already know my answer, don't you? :-)

G

Ok, I get your point. LOL But I'm not sure I'm as much of a glutton for punishment as you. Besides, have you seen my Benelli Sprite? Oh, and my old Victorian house project?

On second thought, maybe I am as much of a glutton for punishment as you eh. :^o[/img]

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:23 pm

I like it! But I'm interested to know what that small tractor tyre is connected to.....

I rescued a Gilera 150 Arcore which was being taken to the dump. That one cost me a bottle of gin. It had been butchered by a series of learner riders but, thankfully, had been stored inside.

My restorations are just treated as therapy now. I work on the bikes when I am in the mood. They will get finished one day. The longer you wait the more chance the best parts will turn up..... :-)

G

swampyankee · Post by **swampyankee** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:40 pm

G-Man wrote:I like it! But I'm interested to know what that small tractor tyre is connected to.....

It appeared to be some sort of old garden tiller. I probably could have taken that too, but enough is enough. LOL

I rescued a Gilera 150 Arcore which was being taken to the dump. That one cost me a bottle of gin. It had been butchered by a series of learner riders but, thankfully, had been stored inside.

Inside storage would've been nice. These bikes had been stored under a roof for 30 years, but outside for the last 10.. Fortunately, they cost me the equivalent of a bottle of Bushmills Single Malt.

My restorations are just treated as therapy now. I work on the bikes when I am in the mood. They will get finished one day. The longer you wait the more chance the best parts will turn up..... :-)

G

That's the best way to approach it. Unfortunately, I'm less therapeutic about it. I'm more like, obsess, discourage, ignore, repeat

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:08 pm

HaHa!

Just noticed the combined tow bar, sissy bar, bubble blowing attachment on the back of the Sprite. That's quite something... :-)

G

swampyankee · Post by **swampyankee** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:34 pm

That was a high school shop project. At lest it was bolted on. The CL has remnants of a sissy bar that was welded to the rear grab bar. And, they welded the grab bar in place. Uggh