c.1964 Honda 305cc CYB77 Production Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. CB77-401688
Engine no. CB77E 101760

Honda's first model to make an impact in the middleweight class, the CB77 arrived in 1963 and was essentially an over-bored CB72 250, closely resembling its progenitor. Introduced in 1960, the twin-cylinder CB72 had retained the basic layout of the preceding C70 and C71 but with wet sump lubrication and gearbox-mounted clutch. In addition, the sporting CB changed to a 180-degree crankshaft and twin carburettors, and used a tubular spine frame instead of the pressed-steel chassis of the tourers. With an overhead-camshaft engine, electric starter, rev counter and twin-leading-shoe front brake, the CB twins boasted a specification unmatched by any of their rivals. They were no slouches either: producing 28.5bhp at 9,000rpm and weighing just 350lbs, the CB77 possessed an excellent power-to-weight ratio, endowing it with a level of performance equal to that of most British 500s. For customers wishing to go racing Honda made available a selection of parts tailor-made for the purpose. These included rear-set footrests, remote control linkages, carburettor velocity stacks, megaphone silencers, solo racing seat, clip-on handlebars, steering damper, up-rated suspension units, etc, machines so-equipped being identified by their 'CYB' designation. This rare example of the race-kitted CYB77 has been restored and kept on display in the CMS offices for over ten years. The machine is offered with copies of Dutch registration papers.