The Superhawk was not designed in Italy. Actually Laverda bought a CB77, took it apart and patterned their new engine from that. That´s why they look similar. As far as know it was mr Soichiro Honda himself who made the design.
I envy you for posessing one of the most beautifully engineered motorcycles ever. The 350 that replaced it in 1968 had nowhere near the class that this bike had.
I guess Honda's reasoning was that they needed a bike that had just a little edge in performance in this class in order to compete with the two strokes that came out about this time. Cryin' shame though.
Nice bike and sounds good. My CB72 was an ex race bike with Kawasaki 750 pistons and valves, modified crank, C/R 4 speed box. The capacity now is 370cc. I love seeing old bikes like these getting used on the road, so much fun.
We need more bikes like this these days in the states. Screw the 250cc bikes we got -- I ain't paying 4k for one. This, I'd pay 4k for (new model). We need a 300-450 cc bike.
I have a question as I'm only 16 years old and wasn't around during this time: were these bikes really just totally reliable or were they just comparatively reliable compared to the british bikes?
Reliable compared to anything. I learned to set the valves and timing, and of course change the oil. I'm so glad I didn't buy a Ducati Diana 250 instead, though it was beautiful, too. The Diana was cheaply made. The Honda, well... just like Japanese bikes today.
Not many people know the Super Hawk was designed in Italy by the same guy who designed the Laverda SFC... also beautiful.
this is what put an end to british bikes i had one of these, fast and reliable when i went out for a ride i took my lunch, my mates on their british bikes took their spanners and their dads phone number so they could ring for a lift home
Excellent job. For years I was stupidly devoted to RD Yamahas, which are just too frustrating, not to mention dangerous. Now have a Honda CB750 1976. Makes a tune as nice as your bike.
He wasn't reving it! This engine redlined at 10,000 rpm and he barely had it off idle! The 305 was a short stoke engine so it's piston speed and it's reciprocating mass was very low, this made for a very reliable engine at high rpms.
I'm with RCBPearce on this... I hate seeing any engines revved under no load! I'm sure it's safe to 10000+ with some work to do, but those poor flailing rods and bearings working nothing but themselves!!
This is a 305cc CB77 1964 vintage. I bought it at auction in 1990. Trouble was that the engine was absolutely shot!
Over the years it has been completely rebuilt. Troubles then came with the electrics, or rather the charging system.
After some years of trial, I found that the alternator off the BMW twins fits straight in the original mounting point. At last, reliable electrics to go with the electronic ignition and halogen headlight.
John, thats a great Superhawk. Mine is very similar, just got it, it's a blast. Eceryone says, "hey, that was my first bike" I say, hey, me too.
I would love to know the details of the BMW alternator you used, from what model, year and what parts-I can't ride 20 mins before running out of juice with my directionals added.
I owned a Honda CB72 250cc in 1970 when I was 17,had to have it rebored once,reg no was LTE 7C, i`ll never forget that bike,for a 250 it would cruise all day at65-70 mph.
Is that the 305cc engine? I had a 1963 model in 1969 when I was 16. Around the time crash helmets were first made a legal requirement. The registration was 9372PG and I painted it blue (from red). Is it still out there I wonder? There was a lot of resentment by riders of Brit bikes about "Jap crap" hence a lot of impromptu road races. My CB77 could outperform a Triumph 500 twin on the straight but lost a bit on the bends. Soon moved on to a CB750.
light years ahead of brit bikes of the era
polskich 9 months ago
I'm looking at one for my first bike. I love the look of it, and was at least partially inspired by Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
NorthWriter 9 months ago
The Superhawk was not designed in Italy. Actually Laverda bought a CB77, took it apart and patterned their new engine from that. That´s why they look similar. As far as know it was mr Soichiro Honda himself who made the design.
DingDangel 10 months ago
I had this year and model. Mine was white. I loved it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
VyseAcher 1 year ago
Easy on the revs there champ!
sporty05 2 years ago 6
I envy you for posessing one of the most beautifully engineered motorcycles ever. The 350 that replaced it in 1968 had nowhere near the class that this bike had.
I guess Honda's reasoning was that they needed a bike that had just a little edge in performance in this class in order to compete with the two strokes that came out about this time. Cryin' shame though.
Retro CB 77? I'd love to see one.
wadekirtley 2 years ago
Nice bike and sounds good. My CB72 was an ex race bike with Kawasaki 750 pistons and valves, modified crank, C/R 4 speed box. The capacity now is 370cc. I love seeing old bikes like these getting used on the road, so much fun.
Gazirino 2 years ago
Yeah I could fall in love...
We need more bikes like this these days in the states. Screw the 250cc bikes we got -- I ain't paying 4k for one. This, I'd pay 4k for (new model). We need a 300-450 cc bike.
ntrudr800 2 years ago
Comment removed
ntrudr800 2 years ago
i had a cb72 and loved it.
tokaijazz 3 years ago
I have a question as I'm only 16 years old and wasn't around during this time: were these bikes really just totally reliable or were they just comparatively reliable compared to the british bikes?
DoctorNumber46 3 years ago
Reliable compared to anything. I learned to set the valves and timing, and of course change the oil. I'm so glad I didn't buy a Ducati Diana 250 instead, though it was beautiful, too. The Diana was cheaply made. The Honda, well... just like Japanese bikes today.
Not many people know the Super Hawk was designed in Italy by the same guy who designed the Laverda SFC... also beautiful.
KutWrite 2 years ago
this is what put an end to british bikes i had one of these, fast and reliable when i went out for a ride i took my lunch, my mates on their british bikes took their spanners and their dads phone number so they could ring for a lift home
polskich 3 years ago
Hahaha!
KutWrite 2 years ago
incredible bike!!!!
angelb650650 3 years ago
Beautiful bike. I'm trying to procure one myself. What's the story behind yours?
spargett 3 years ago
My first road bike, I had a cb72 (CMH49A) and bored it to 340 from Titan Honda in London.
I would beat a 250 yam and Suzuki super six.
Traded it for a Black Bomber 450 Honda at Comerfords in Surbition Surrey.
cheerybrightgirl 3 years ago
Excellent job. For years I was stupidly devoted to RD Yamahas, which are just too frustrating, not to mention dangerous. Now have a Honda CB750 1976. Makes a tune as nice as your bike.
mammutly 4 years ago
Nice bike.
I wouldn't rev it so hard in neutral though.
RCBPearce 4 years ago 3
He wasn't reving it! This engine redlined at 10,000 rpm and he barely had it off idle! The 305 was a short stoke engine so it's piston speed and it's reciprocating mass was very low, this made for a very reliable engine at high rpms.
Bullettube 3 years ago
It was revving to about 8500 there!
I'm with RCBPearce on this... I hate seeing any engines revved under no load! I'm sure it's safe to 10000+ with some work to do, but those poor flailing rods and bearings working nothing but themselves!!
boo66 3 years ago
Hi
This is a 305cc CB77 1964 vintage. I bought it at auction in 1990. Trouble was that the engine was absolutely shot!
Over the years it has been completely rebuilt. Troubles then came with the electrics, or rather the charging system.
After some years of trial, I found that the alternator off the BMW twins fits straight in the original mounting point. At last, reliable electrics to go with the electronic ignition and halogen headlight.
John D.
uis048 4 years ago
John, thats a great Superhawk. Mine is very similar, just got it, it's a blast. Eceryone says, "hey, that was my first bike" I say, hey, me too.
I would love to know the details of the BMW alternator you used, from what model, year and what parts-I can't ride 20 mins before running out of juice with my directionals added.
thx a bunch
David
person40000 3 years ago
I owned a Honda CB72 250cc in 1970 when I was 17,had to have it rebored once,reg no was LTE 7C, i`ll never forget that bike,for a 250 it would cruise all day at65-70 mph.
townsy37 4 years ago
Is that the 305cc engine? I had a 1963 model in 1969 when I was 16. Around the time crash helmets were first made a legal requirement. The registration was 9372PG and I painted it blue (from red). Is it still out there I wonder? There was a lot of resentment by riders of Brit bikes about "Jap crap" hence a lot of impromptu road races. My CB77 could outperform a Triumph 500 twin on the straight but lost a bit on the bends. Soon moved on to a CB750.
spiritog 4 years ago
British helmet law came in in 1973.
boo66 3 years ago
Magnifique moto,probablement celle ,avec la CB750 ,qui sonna le glas de l'industrie britannique.
cb77dream 4 years ago