1961 CB72 Project

alan curtis · Post by **alan curtis** » Tue May 02, 2017 3:14 am

G-Man wrote:Alan

Thanks for the info. I may have to get the nipples re-plated but I'll build the wheels up myself. Did you get the double butted fronts and single butted rears in unpolished stainless?

Any pictures?

G

Yes i did Graham, I did have 2 lots done, another set for the 62 bike. will send u an email with some pics, as i find hard to size the pics to load up here.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Tue May 02, 2017 7:08 am

Alan

Thanks - got the pics. I think that the wire gauges that CW use are slightly larger than Honda ones but I think it is the best option.

G

alan curtis wrote:
G-Man wrote:Alan

Thanks for the info. I may have to get the nipples re-plated but I'll build the wheels up myself. Did you get the double butted fronts and single butted rears in unpolished stainless?

Any pictures?

G
Yes i did Graham, I did have 2 lots done, another set for the 62 bike. will send u an email with some pics, as i find hard to size the pics to load up here.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Thu May 04, 2017 3:01 pm

Change of plan for the spokes. The ones I was about to buy wre not double butted like the originals so I decided to pass. Luckily there were a couple of sellers on eBay who were offering genuine NOS double-butted spokes for the front wheel. The rears are only single butted so there is less problem going with modern replacements.

The swingarm needed some new pivot bushes so I got some 'cored' phosphor-bronze bar. This has a hole in it so there is less waste when making bushes. I just do not like those phenolic bushes that Honda used and prefer to make my own.

With the bushes in, I was able to use my adjustable reamer to get the fit just right.

Those lovely slimline footpeg hangers came out of storage and look as good as new.

With plenty of grease, the swingarm went in with re-furbished end caps and new seals.

It's really satisfying to see the old girl coming together.

G

jkv357 · Post by **jkv357** » Thu May 04, 2017 3:58 pm

Lookin' darn good there G!

Won't be long now!

J

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri May 05, 2017 3:39 pm

A minor miracle happened this week. I contacted a good friend who I knew had a spare NOS rear shock absorber and offered to buy it. The ones on my bike are a little disappointing having needed rather too much polishing for chroming. I was pleased to know that I could have the new damper and even more so when I discovered he had acquired a second one which I could also have. All good news.

When they turned up I was totally amazed. My expectations were exceeded several times over. I expected to have to do work on at least one of them but no. They hardly need any work at all.

I will have to transfer the blue covers from my originals but I now have four of the precious, paper-thin bottom covers. No work required on the actual bodies.

This cover should be reasonably easy to smooth out.

These shock absorbers are extremely rare and fitted only to 1961 models. You can see the differences in the preload ring stop and the bottom clevis. Upper and lower covers are both aluminum.

Happy days!!

G

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon May 08, 2017 4:32 pm

I dismantled my original shocks and transferred the my blue top covers and th ebest of the lower covers to the NOS units. It was nice to get them bolted back on the bike and get everything tidied up.

It took a while to find the replacement ID plate that I got direct from a supplier in Japan. My original had black paint but I think this looks good enough....

I'm on another 'work break' now fro a couple of weeks but should be able to collect my NOS spokes for the front wheel.

G

border0_3 · Post by **border0_3** » Mon May 08, 2017 4:41 pm

Nice job continues Graham.

One day I'll start our 1961 project. Have the frame, engine, and a few bits and pieces.

Of interest is the ID plate. We have two swingarms with these plates now.
Does anyone know when they started and stopped production with these plates?

Brgds - Richard