Looking for an early CB72 front fender

[LOUD MOUSE]

Your number idea works well for sure.
Ya figure the last 3 he shows are 2XX on both frame and engine. ...............lm

Hi,

Indeed Ed, it's difficult to see if the numbers are far apart or not when the numbers differing a digit, but I always take the last three or four digits, and compare them (the three or four least significant bits).

I didn't know that, good info Buck, never noticed the difference in with. I noticed that there where (at least) two types of gas tanks. The early one is shaped different then the later ones. Found that out when putting late panels on an early gas tank. They fit, but it doesn't "feel" right.

I don't know about the rear fork clevis, but I know that the part what holds the rear brake torque arm differs, the early '61 rear forks are having a wider mount for the brake torque arm (the early brake torque arm is made of aluminum and is thicker),

Jensen

[slarsonroy]

Im finding a lot of aftermarket parts for CB77/CB72 and even OEM parts. Is there a good source to buy parts for this bike? Are the european bikes the same as US models? I believe the early front fender is different than the later ones. Is the early 305 front fender the same as the 250? What about the side covers? Rims? What about replica parts? I know, lots of questions. Somebody point me in the right direction.

[jensen]

Hi,

I don't have all the answers on your questions, but I'll give it a shot. As I'm living in the Netherlands, for me, CMS is a good source far parts, but ebay is also a good source too. Guys in the US can give you more details about sources in the US, but I know that Nick in Ohio got a lot of parts (but I don't have any experiences with him since he doesn't sell outside the US).

There are differences between the european models and the US models, but these differencs is maybe on 1 or 2 % of the parts. Different parts (or additional parts) are headlights (D), taillights D), winkers (A), mufflers (D), tail light brackets (D), air filter setup (D), and sometimes carb jets.

Between European models there's also variation between parts, the German version has different parts compared to the French type or English type.

The very early front fender is indeed different (aluminum), but you need the "later" early front fender that goes with the early front fork you have. Front fenders are the same for the 250 and the 305 bikes. Differences between those bikes are mainly found in the engine and of course the badges on the gas tank. Side covers are the same, rims too.

Using after market parts is entirely up to your taste, there are enough after market parts for sale.
I, personally don't like the quality of the after market parts, but sometimes there's no other way (like the seat cover for example).

Jensen

[slarsonroy]

Jensen,

Thats a good example of aftermarket about the seat cover. Since I dont even have a seat, I went with a replica seat, complete with correct pan, cover and trim from Taiwan. It looks like a brand new seat and it looks very nice. My bikes dont sit in a museum or bike shows for scrutiny so I think I can live with it. I ride all my bikes regularly. I'll let you know what the quality is. Same goes for the tires and cables. I like original as well as most but function is more important.

Fenders and body parts, however, should be original equipment. I hate to see the wrong fenders or the wrong tank on a bike and the wrong mufflers always stand out. I did run across CML or maybe it was CMS. The prices seemed awfully high but maybe the exhange rate has changed. I did see the Ohio website too. I would pay good money for the right part.

I guess I need to see pictures of the differences in front fenders. I see on my bike, it has center supports in between the fork legs but I also see the brake stay is bolted to one of those. Are the side covers early and late or are they the same? Are they the same from 59 to 66 and all the same for CB77? What about the CL72 and CL77? Im guessing those are different since they are scrambler models. Thanks,

[slarsonroy]

Your number idea works well for sure.
Ya figure the last 3 he shows are 2XX on both frame and engine. ...............lm



Considering the serial numbers this way, they are only 22 numbers apart. I never would have looked at it that way. My thinking was, the frame is early, but somebody put in a newer engine darn it!

[jensen]

Hi,

If you want to be absolutely sure about the engine, pull the head, pull the cylinder and see if it is a 8 hole cylinder and crankcase. Nothing is 100 % sure in life, but a 10 mm spark plug head always goes with the 8 hole cylinder. I have never seen it in a different way (but that doesn't mean that it is a fact).

Jensen

[Paul Strassmaier]

I think i have a 1962 cb72 engine in my stash somewhere if you find out that what you have is later and want to change it.... I also have a straight 62 style front fender, but I can only part with it when I somehow get lucky enough to find an aluminum one to put on my 61 cb72.