1961 Honda CB

CB7213392

Clear

This is a very rare first US model year 1961 CB72, the 250cc version of the well known CB77 305cc Superhawk.  I haven't seen another numbers matching complete runner on the market since I bought this one.  Frame number is CB7213392, Engine number is CB72E113402 (last frame/engine vin for 1961 is 13443).  Engine was rebuilt 3 years ago by Honda Guru Bill Silver and has covered only 24 miles since the rebuilt.  Prior to that the bike was owned and raced for many years by noted stuntman and racer Gary Davis (look him up!). Cosmetically this motorcycle is exceptional.  Frame and associated brackets, fork components, headlight shell and other small parts were powdercoated black; Gas tank, fenders and side covers were all painted by a local paint shop and look great. Chrome is particularly nice on the gas tank panels 9+ out of 10. The headers are originals - not the current repro's with noticeable bend distortion, and have some very light surface rust on the insides.  Mufflers are both flawed originals - each about a 7 out of 10.  The rest of the chrome is all a solid 8 out of 10 with the exception of the handlebars, left fork oil seal holder and ring that goes between the upper and lower fork shrouds, and brake linkages - these have some light pitting.   Cylinder head had a few fins repaired, an excellent job was done. Seat, speedometer, fork top bridge, tail light lens/trim are (or were when put on the bike) all NOS.  Rear shocks are early steel metal top units - I believe correct for this late a 1961 - and the easiest to live with of the three types used on these bikes over the years (early aluminum or late plastic topped being the others).  Carbs are CL72 square bowl units -ideally some round bowl CB72 carbs should be sourced. This particular vin number is unusual in that the lower crankcase breather was moved to the head at engine 113068, meaning only 375 1961's were made with the breather in the head. Overall this is a very attractive 1961 CB72 that runs and drives well, but is in break in mileage, hasn't been used in 18 months, and may require some adjustments to be a perfect runner.  Enjoy as-is, or slowly polish, re-plate or replace flawed parts as replacements become available.  Currently registered and titled in my name in California. On Jul-17-14 at 09:49:13 PDT, seller added the following information: I have had some 1961 specific questions about the motorcycle.  No, it does not have an aluminum front fender - they only did the first 1000 or so bikes with those as far as I know.  Yes, it has the original shorter seat.  Yes, the forks are original early type.  I'm not sure if the mufflers are stainless - I don't think so, I have been told the earliest ones were chrome sometimes. Yes it has the early brake linkages, no, it should not have a single leading shoe front brake- they only did a couple hundred of those.  Yes, the rear axle is the early deeply hollow original type; I'm not sure about the front.  No, the fork lock does not match the ignition key.  No, the grips are not original early ones; no, I don't know where to get repro's. Yes it's sold as-is, but you are welcome to come by, have a look and ride it before you buy. I hope this helps clear some of the questions.  This motorcycle was featured in Jay Leno's Garage Pixar Motorama 2013 video -do a youtube search; eBay is still in the stone-age where the use of video is concerned.