1964 Honda CB77 Super Hawk Motorcycle

Description

Founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda, the Honda Motor Company was envisioned to create economical and reliable transportation.  By 1959, the company had established itself in Los Angeles, California, under the name "American Honda Motor Company" and began importing motorcycles to the United States.  Following the success of Honda's C100 Super Cub, the C77 emerged as a versatile and popular motorcycle.  It's 305cc twin engine allowed for speeds near 100mph and could be equipped with windshields, saddlebags and other accessories for touring.  The Dream 305 was produced for 10 years and enjoyed healthy sales worldwide.  Honda augmented the 300cc model range with the Super Hawk, a more sporting overhead camshaft twin with electric start and excellent performance.  Based on the 250cc Hawk of 1959, the CB77 was launched in 1961 with an extra 45cc, 28.5 horsepower and a top speed in excess of 150 km/h, combined with Japanese reliability.  Other notable features include adjustable foot pegs and rear shocks, a tachometer and double leading shoe brakes as standard.  Not surprisingly many CB77s ended up on the track and Honda catalogued a range of race equipment, including the megaphone exhaust, clip-on handlebars and aluminium rear mudguard plus go faster mods like high compression pistons and camshaft.  Honda would ultimately replace the Super Hawk with larger twins and four-cylinder models such as the CB750 but these early 1960s bikes have a charm all of their own and continue to attract collectors and enthusiast all over the world.