New (to me) Superhawk

[spirograph]

Hi all,

I'm coming over from the Hondatwins forum where I spend most of my time, but I just picked up a 1965 (1966?) Superhawk and thought I'd go where the experts are! :) the chrome is in great shape (bike's been in Arizona for most of its life, it seems), but as you can see, she needs some TLC in other areas, so I'm going to take it down to bits, shine it up and put it all back together. I know this one's been covered ad nauseum, so mostly looking to confirm my assumptions - from the VIN, it looks like it might be a 1966, but it's got Type 1 forks, so I'm thinking maybe 1965? VIN is CB77-1034720 - unfortunately the manufacture date appears to have faded from the wiring harness. Pics below - anything I should know before I get started?

[Merz64cb77]

Nice find and welcome. I just completed a light restoration and it can take a lot of time and capital investment but it is worth it in the end. I see some missing parts but you have a good starting point. I have a 66 with a vin 105Xxxx so you could be correct with the year.

Does it turn over?

[spirograph]

It does! Because I'm a neurotic lunatic with too much time on his hands though, I'm probably going to split the cases and inspect everything, then paint and reassemble. I just finished my '75 CB360 and I've got a '73 CB450 on the operating table right now, and I've just never been able to resist the little voice that says "well now that you're already here, why don't you just do that one extra thing..." :D

[Merz64cb77]

I hear that very same voice which is why I’ve over spent on the bike but it looks and runs well. A lot of others have split the cases before and completed a full restoration.

[DerekSuperhawk305]

.... you have a good starting point. I have a 66 with a vin 105Xxxx so you could be correct with the year.
....

I have a '66 and my vin is 1042xxx....if that helps.
...and another observation, seen this about 3x now with finds, including my own, WHY are the "Honda 300" badges always missing :)

[Merz64cb77]

Make that 4X as one of my tank badges was missing when I found mine. I replaced the JIS screws with socket head caps screws if the same pitch but 2mm longer. I check them for tightness before each ride.

[pemdoc65]

The plastic badges also don't stand up well over time when exposed to a lot of sunlight and temperature changes. Many of them disintegrate over the years. I've gotten several tanks with just bits of crust trapped under the badge screws.