The Honda CB 77, Laverda's example

Being copied by Italians: There is no greater compliment

The large Laverda twins are legendary. Rightly so. Rarely has a machine arrived from Italy that was so beautiful and of high quality. The Italians were responsible for the looks. That was a kind of national obligation. But the technology? That was 100% inspired by that of the Honda CB 72 / 77

"Something like that, but bigger"

That was the answer to the question what the American motorcycle market was waiting for. Massimo and Pietri Laverda received that important piece of information during a visit to the States and their American importer. That 'something' was the Honda CB 77, the twin with its 305 cc big at the time Honda made and a milestone in the history of the factory. The Honda CB 72 / 77s were the first real sports motorcycles from Japan made for the western motorcycle market.

The machines had frames that were not only indebted to Laverda, but were also inspired by the frames with which Honda achieved its first successes on circuits.

The machines were revolutionary, very fast, beautiful and ... reliable.

They emphatically stood for the beginning of the end of the British motorcycle industry. Such a CB 77 with its short-stroke engine (in fact it differed from the CB 72 only by its larger bore, was just as fast as a British 500 or 650 cc machine, steered about as well had a starter motor and ... remained intact .

Almost 29 horsepower at 9200 tours. An 343 cc BSA B40 Star delivered 20 hp at 6.500 rpm. The 250 cc CB 72 delivered 24 horses where the BSA C15 Star delivered 15 there. In 1964 such a Honda CB cost 77 here in NL 2975 guilders. That was not a bargain if you take into account that the gross average annual wage here was well below the 9.000 guilder.

In terms of lines, the CBs had explicitly distanced themselves from the 'sheet steel rocking horse look' of the C 72 / 77s.

They had a design where the traditionally conservative western motorcycle world got a bit of the flake. The CBs had a line play that was an elegant combination of Italian beauty and traditional British lines. They were very nicely finished down to the last detail and, despite their extremely sporty nature, apparently so comfortable for long-distance use that the legendary Pirsig and his son used such a machine for the road trip that resulted in 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintanance '.

A CB72 / 77 is still an excellent motorcycle

A motorcycle that is just as dated as it has actually remained available for daily use. Only the dimensions are such that riders above the 1.80 m are not really made for it. A good CB 72 / 77 on 'modern' tires and with the suspension in order is still a machine in the Ardennes or the Black Forest with which you can be on the road quickly.

In terms of purchase, the Hondas are so much cheaper than the thick Laverdas that it is best to go for the best possible copy. Not everything is available just like that anymore, but many parts of, for example, the later Honda CB 350 two-cylinders, can be exchanged, think of switches, starter relays, and that kind of thing. But when it comes to the technology, the color and chrome parts, purchasing items afterwards can make things very expensive.

There are a few specialists in this field worldwide, including the Dutch CMSNL. But a glance at the price lists used there has already made many aspiring restorers abandon his plans.

But below the line is a CB 72 or 77 a highly desirable classic. A still undervalued classic.

The unrestored CB in the photo was offered on E-Bay. And you have to be very determined to start such a project.

A practical tip for dismantling: The CB block is heavy! Disassembling the starter motor helps, but it is most convenient to support the block, unscrew the block bolts and then lift the 'bike' off the 'engine'.