First post and soon-to-be owner of '65 CL77

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:19 pm

What size are your current pistons. You can carefully clean the piston crowns to read the markings and measure the bores at the bottom where they wear less. The piston in my picture is 0.75mm oversize so the matching bore would be around 60.75mm.

Incidentally, the part you called the cylinder head is the cylinder barrel, jug, block or whatever. The part with the valves in is the cylinder head. It helps to use the right terms when talking to machine shops etc...

G

rideordie wrote:Along with piston sizing recommendations, I also need to order some hondabond to reseal the lower cases can anybody educate me in the different types and best to use as well? Thanks!

rideordie · Post by **rideordie** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 8:41 am

Not seeing any marking on the crown of the piston...did Honda use a standard size in these engines and therefore not label the sizing?

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 8:44 am

When HONDA assembled the engines all pistons were STD. size therefor no size was stamped on the dome. ...................lm

rideordie wrote:Not seeing any marking on the crown of the piston...did Honda use a standard size in these engines and therefor not label the sizing?

rideordie · Post by **rideordie** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 8:48 am

Thanks for the quick reply LM.

So that being the case, what would you recommend? Was entertaining the idea of using the modern Honda 350 piston if possible but maybe there is a better solution?

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 9:06 am

This is MY OPINION and I don't expect all others to agree but you asked so I'll tell my feelings on this..
This started back around 1964!
I saw lots of break downs with the 350 kits!
YES! I'm aware that there are 350 kitted engines out there now.
First off you will no longer pull up to a stop and have another bike like yours there so no need to have a bigger engine as for that you could buy a bike with a bigger engine.
Parts like pistons, rings are available in 4 larger sizes than you have now. .25-.50-.75.-1.00
These parts will allow you to have the engine run as designed with less tendency to overheat or seize.
Plus the thickness of the sleeves after they are bored to 350 have super thin walls.
I again state that there are some 350's out there!
The cost to use the HONDA 305 pistons will be less and IN MY OPINION you will be able to get on the bike- go for a ride- and get home. (read line 2&3 again)
You ask and that's my opinion. ............lm

rideordie wrote:Thanks for the quick reply LM.

So that being the case, what would you recommend? Was entertaining the idea of using the modern Honda 350 piston if possible but maybe there is a better solution?

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 9:47 am

Agree completely...... :-)

G

LOUD MOUSE wrote:This is MY OPINION and I don't expect all others to agree but you asked so I'll tell my feelings on this..
This started back around 1964!
I saw lots of break downs with the 350 kits!
YES! I'm aware that there are 350 kitted engines out there now.
First off you will no longer pull up to a stop and have another bike like yours there so no need to have a bigger engine as for that you could buy a bike with a bigger engine.
Parts like pistons, rings are available in 4 larger sizes than you have now. .25-.50-.75.-1.00
These parts will allow you to have the engine run as designed with less tendency to overheat or seize.
Plus the thickness of the sleeves after they are bored to 350 have super thin walls.
I again state that there are some 350's out there!
The cost to use the HONDA 305 pistons will be less and IN MY OPINION you will be able to get on the bike- go for a ride- and get home. (read line 2&3 again)
You ask and that's my opinion. ............lm

rideordie wrote:Thanks for the quick reply LM.

So that being the case, what would you recommend? Was entertaining the idea of using the modern Honda 350 piston if possible but maybe there is a better solution?

rideordie · Post by **rideordie** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:37 am

Thanks for the replies/confirmation guys. Reliability is certainly a big consideration so I will follow your advise LM. Thanks again!

Do you have any recommendations on where to get a good price on the piston sets? Classic Honda Restoration has been my go-to site for parts thus far.