’72 Honda Resurrected

Today I had the satisfaction of putting 24 miles on my newly restored 1972 Honda CB175.  The odometer displayed 2074 miles for the past 30 years, so it was nice to see it advance to 2098.  The twin cylinder engine sounds great, and the transmission shifts easily through all 5 gears.  The clutch engages much smoother than I had expected.  I have a few adjustments to make here and there, but it’s essentially finished.  This motorcycle is a lot of fun to ride.

During the initial run, I got the bike up to 62 MPH, although the engine sounds like it’s running a bit rich.  I had adjusted the carburetors to run richer earlier when diagnosing an issue that turned out to be something else, so I probably had it set correctly in the first place.  I’ll fix that later today.

I really like this little bike’s styling, with the inline twin cylinder engine and the symmetrical exhaust pipe arrangement … like a down-sized version of the old British bikes from the ’50s and ’60s.  The skinny tires are also a throwback to the old days.  It’ll be fun watching that odometer finally get some miles on it.

About Kevin Forth

Always learning, Kevin is an IT professional that likes to tinker with electronics, motorcycles, and whatever he can take apart.

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10 Comments on “’72 Honda Resurrected”

  1. Kevin you and I talked about the restoration of the Honda and I watched you meticulously take it apart and then put it back together. I had “NO” doubt in my mind that it would run the first time you started it. You should be proud of yourself because there are not many people that can accomplish what you just did. Hell, I’m still trying to put Ivy’s Barbie kitchen together, and that’s been 30 some year’s now. Now if you can sell it and just break even from the $10,000.00 you just invested you will at least have the satisfaction knowing you did a great job. WOW, I can hear Debbie saying from here, “ARE YOU FREAKEN NUT’S”. as Tony the tiger would say “GGGGGGGRRRRRREEEEEETTTTT.

    1. $10,000? I can assure you that the bike and parts were not expensive. It’s just an old Honda, but it looks nice to me. This project wasn’t about money, but was a personal challenge for me to see if I could do it. It was fun for sure.

  2. Just kidding about the money. I know it was a challenge and you accomplished that challenge. It was enjoyable watching your face and the excitement it brought you each time a part came out easy or that part looked like new when you cleaned and polished it. It looks very good Kevin and what ever you decide to do with it now or later you will always have these memories. For the record Debbie it was not even close to that dollar figure, I was only kidding.

    1. Funny thing, that 175 is faster than you’d think. Earlier today, when pulling onto Torch Lake Drive, I gave it full throttle in first gear and nearly lifted the front off the ground. Too funny.

    1. Agreed … must remember to turn off the key! I got a new ignition coil for $29 to replace the one I burned out, so I should be back in action on the little Honda this weekend.

  3. Okay, by the way, I neglected to mention what a beautiful job you did in restoring that bike. Now you just need a gold helmet!

    1. I have a white old-style helmet that I use for the ’65 Honda. That helmet’s styling would really fit this bike well. I agree, though, that the red helmet I use for the Triumph really doesn’t match this old bike very well.

    1. Ramsey, thanks for the comment. I hope all is well with you. Yeah, I’m having fun with the old Honda bikes, and am now tearing down a ’65 Honda 150. I spent the day cleaning engine parts. I can’t afford the bikes that Graham buys, so I buy these abandoned old Hondas and rebuild them.

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