Honda CB77: review, history, specs

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1964 Honda CB77 Super Hawk.jpg
'Honda CB77'
Manufacturer
[[Honda]]
Also called Superhawk
Production 1961
Class [[:Category:Sport Bike motorcycles|Sport Bike]] [[Category:Sport Bike motorcycles]]
Engine
Overhead cam parallel twin kick start
Bore / Stroke 53.3mm x 53.3mm
Horsepower 24.0 HP (17.9 KW) @ 9000RPM
Fuel System Carburetor
Transmission Final Drive: Chain
Brakes Front: Drum
Rear: Drum
Weight
Recommended Oil Honda GN4 10W-40
Related Honda CB92
Honda CA95
Honda CL72
Honda CA72
Honda CB72
Honda CA77
Honda CB77
Honda C77
Manuals Service Manual

Brochures · Reviews ·



The Honda CB77 was a 305cc, Overhead cam, twin cylinder, kick start, four stroke, street motorcycle manufactured by Honda in the 1950s and 1960s and commonly known as the Hawk or Super hawk. Claimed horsepower was 24.0 HP (17.9 KW) @ 9000 RPM.


Into

At the start of the Sixties, motorcycling in Europe was heading into one of its darkest periods, America was rediscovering the joy of two-wheeled transport and Japan (led by Honda) was planning the revolution which would kick-start the world market.


When introduced was the biggest Honda available, propelling the rider into a full-blown adrenaline rush with unsurpassed power and speed. The 1961 CB77 Super Hawk™ was the beginning of something spectacular-the Honda sport bike. With speeds approaching the 100-mph mark, this was not a machine for the weak of heart. But the addition of telescopic forks, dual carbs and twin leading shoe brakes greatly enhanced acceleration, braking and handling. The CB77 gave the rider a feeling of control that many bikes of that era could not duplicate at half of the Super Hawk's top speed.

he 305cc engine came complete with overhead cams, a luxury that was found exclusively in the racing community at the time. Its 9200-rpm-redline was a nice antidote to the low-revving and quiet machines being developed in Europe. The 350-lb. stamped steel and tube frame provided a landing point for one of the decade's finest engines. Indeed, the CB77 was a loud and race-ready contender.

The Super Hawk owned the top spot in the Honda lineup until 1965 when Honda released the CB450.

Engine

A 53.3mm bore x 53.3mm stroke result in a displacement of just 305.0 cubic centimeters.

Chassis

Stopping was achieved via Drum in the front and a Drum in the rear.



Honda Sets Off to Conquer the World

In 1959 Honda revealed its global ambitions, setting up the American Honda Motor Company and entering its first Tourist Trophy. In order to take over the New World and Old Europe, Honda devised a strategy based on customer psychology. No bikes seemingly designed exclusively for "experts" or juvenile delinquents: instead, Honda produced bikes that were popular and easy to use, thanks to built-in electric starters. Honda became the world's No.1 producer in 1960, building half of the Japanese industry's total output of 1,800,000 motorcycles and exporting over 45,000. Five years later the latter figure was multiplied tenfold!

A New Breed of Sports Bike

Honda launched its top-of-the-line sports bike, the 250cc CB 72, in 1959; its brother the 305cc CB77 "Super Hawk", appeared in 1961. The Super Hawk was Honda's first real commercial success, it would overshadow the finest European marques right up to its replacement by the CB350K in 1968. Its flowing lines contrasted with the marque's angular touring models and the CB 72 and 77 incorporated many innovations, like electric starters, four-bearing crankshafts (English bikes had two bearings!) and engines that ran at an unprecedented 9000rpm. With low slung handlebars, they were designed to be raced.

Rated at a conservative 30bhp the bike was capable of 0-60 times of 5.3 sec. and quarter mile times in 13.23@96mph. The top speed was an unheard of 126mph. Thus, the superhawk was one of the most potent bikes of the 60's. With open exhaust, stronger cams along with the 350 kit and larger carb's, many of these bikes ran deep into the low 12 high 11 second range at nearly 118mph.

1961-68


The Honda Super Hawk 305 designated CB77 was sold in 1961-68. Four colors were available: Blue, Scarlet Red, Black, and White. The fuel tank, forks, headlight shell, and frame were painted one of the basic colors. The fenders and side covers were silver. The lower front forks on early models were painted one of the basic colors, but later they were silver. The tank panel was chrome with rubber knee pads. The early models had a flat handlebar, but the later models had a low rise handlebar. The engine was a 305cc 4-stroke OHC wet sump parallel twin with dual carburetors. The transmission was a 4-speed. The serial number began CB77-100001.

With the engines rated at a conservitive 30bhp @ 9000rpm, the superhawk was a strong preformance bike in its day. Strong 0-60 times of 5.2 with the front wheel pointing to the sky with a dewildered rider, was the norm. Quarter mile times were posted at 13.87 @ 96mph. The bikes excellent handling along with a top speed of nearly 125mph, made the superhawk one of the fasted production motorcycles in 1966.


In Media


References


Honda
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