Lil Red - 1972 Honda CB175

[Sonreir]

Just got this today.

Pretty good condition, but could use a bit of TLC. Looks good from 10 feet away, but close up you can see a few compromises have been made. I've already replaced the Chinese shocks with some Hagons and wired up a new R/R in a temporary configuration (running it straight from the alternator).

Needs some electrical work (electric starter is currently wired to the non-momentary high beam switch and things are looking a little worn) and maybe a few other things.

I'm toying with the idea of replacing the CB77 headlight with something else. I'd like to have a tachometer as well. New mirrors are on the list as well as some mufflers.

Folding rearsets would be nice.

Took it out for a few miles today and she purrs like a kitten. Running a little rich, but not too bad.

 

[carnivorous chicken]

That thing looks pretty good. The speedo's CB160, I think -- the CB77 speedos had built in tachs as well if I'm not mistaken. I actually like the look of them, integrated into the headlight bucket.

 

[Sderbyshire]

Nice!

 

[Sonreir]

That thing looks pretty good. The speedo's CB160, I think -- the CB77 speedos had built in tachs as well if I'm not mistaken. I actually like the look of them, integrated into the headlight bucket.

Yup. You're right. My mistake.

I still want to work out some sort of tach, so I may end up having to lose the bucket. We'll see.

 

[carnivorous chicken]

Throw a CB77 speedo/tach in there! I think the fit is pretty close and can work.

 

[teazer]

Sure it's not a CL77 headlamp? It looks like a round speedo where the CB had an oval speedo/tacho. That probably makes it more rare..

 

[Rider52]

There is a lot to like about that bike!

 

[CarbsAndCylinders]

Yes, that is SAWEEET!

 

[Sonreir]

Detail pic of the headlight.

 

[Rider52]

Looks like a CL72/CL77 headlight. Someone had great taste in selecting parts. The only thing I don't like is the front fender plate and I could live with that. I think you did very well on this swap.

 

[Sonreir]

Went for a slightly longer ride this morning and covered almost 30 miles.

I've compiled a list of items I need to address:

1.) Turn signals don't flash. Replacement relay is in order, but I was planning on doing that anyway.
2.) Brake and clutch levers are at the wrong angle for someone of my height. PO was a bit taller than me.
3.) Similarly, the shifter angle isn't ideal, either. But on top of that, the throw is too long. I need to figure out something with a shorter shift.
4.) It's the first time in a long time that I've covered any significant distance with a front drum brake. I think a disc conversion may be in my future. Additionally, I think the drum (or the pads) might have issues. The brake acts like it's out of round (alternating braking pressure as the wheel spins).
5.) I miss having a kill switch and a neutral light.
6.) Speedo reads very fast. Radar clocked me at 39 when speedo was reading 55.
7.) WOT at higher RPMs and the bike starts missing. Top speed about 73 according to the speedo, which really means about 51? That seems quite slow for a 175.

 

[Sonreir]

Drilled a hole higher up the shift lever so as to shorten the throw on the shift. I also had to "weld" in a bit of round bar into the threaded rod in order to get the shifter at the correct angles. I took it out for a spin and it works well, but I think I'll keep my eye out for something that isn't cobbled together by some idiot who should be sticking to electrical work.

 

[teazer]

Pedestrian slicer front number plates used to be common on UK bikes up to about the fifties or so but were banned. On a museum bike it would look good, but not on the street.

Brakes just slow you down. 175 brakes were never that good, but I can tell you that you can do stoppies with a CB160 brake with decent linings and a round drum. A disk front end may be cheaper though.

51mph is a little slow. OK it probably won't do the ton, but it should manage to get to 60 or maybe 70. The only road test I have is for a 160 and it reached 69MPH.

 

[Rider52]

That speedometer is meant for use with a 19" wheel. Check jetting with the open pipes and pod filters.

 

[Luugo86]

Great score man!

 

[Sonreir]

Pedestrian slicer front number plates used to be common on UK bikes up to about the fifties or so but were banned. On a museum bike it would look good, but not on the street.

Brakes just slow you down. 175 brakes were never that good, but I can tell you that you can do stoppies with a CB160 brake with decent linings and a round drum. A disk front end may be cheaper though.

51mph is a little slow. OK it probably won't do the ton, but it should manage to get to 60 or maybe 70. The only road test I have is for a 160 and it reached 69MPH.

Yeah. I'm getting some mufflers in the near future, but I'm still thinking some jetting is in order.

That speedometer is meant for use with a 19" wheel. Check jetting with the open pipes and pod filters.

Any recommendations as a starting point?

Great score man!

Thanks!

 

[Maritime]

Start with mufflers and see what happens. My CM needed them to run right and hit top speed, and also keep my Neighbors from wanting to kill me. I ended up with the Emgo shorties stuffed with lawn mower mufflers I drilled out slowly until I got the right mix of baffles and back pressure.

 

[teazer]

Good point about the 19" rims on a CL.

For mufflers, take a look at Patriot weld on mufflers. They look like they are designed for a beetle, but teh smaller size might just slip inside your up pipes. What's the ID of those pipes and is there anything inside as any sort of baffle or spark arrestor or are they open pipes?

 

[Sonreir]

OD of the pipes is 1.5" and I just pulled the trigger on these from eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/153863504223

We'll see how it goes.

 

[Maritime]

those are exactly what I had, and needed the 3.00 lawn mower mufflers to make them do anything.