1962 Honda CB77 sets AMA land speed record, BMST 2018

A little home movie of my AMA record setting at Bonneville Salt Flats in 2018. Many thanks to Jim Laurel on camera and Kevin Curry on the boom.
Coming back to this video two years after I posted it has me chuckling at the comments. For those who are disappointed at my speed at a density altitude of 5000 ft elevation - I have a video posted of one of my runs the following year. I have more experience, and a slightly more aerodynamic configuration as well as about a 9-10 hp shot of nitrous. That added up to about a 9 mph improvement above my 2018 average speed in spite of the clutch still not hooking up as I would have liked.
• Bottlehead Racing's CB...

[@richardstevenson8442]

I would be interested in hearing a little more about the specific record that was broken and the details of the bike and the owner.

[@marcwerner9756]

a relatively new category for classic motorcycles. Between his two runs, he averages a touch below 88 mph. This year, he was the only participant in his class - 350 CC, modified, classic, gas -

[@gypsyshot5225]

Jeez I could have beat that record on my modified cl350, would go over 100 easy

[@davidmcglumphy2240]

My factory stock (including mufflers) '66 CB 77 ran over 100 in Oklahoma on a straight "back road".

[@markmark2080]

Back in '61 and '62, during our "pre car" Cushman and Honda 50 days, we would go down to the cycle center and drool over the new 250 and 305 Hondas with their strange squarish cylinders. They were the "poor boys" performance bike back when the 650 British twins were out of the reach of guys like us. Removing the baffles was the first thing done when someone bought one, and I, sleeping on a screened in back porch, would relish the sound of one "winding out" across town. The 305 Super Hawk is a fond memory of my high school days in those early mid '60s, and was kind of the start of the "modern Motorcycle era", that the CB750 really kicked into gear.

[@stephenclark7932]

Amen!!!!! I had a black Superhawk in the late '60s, when I was an undergrad student. Loved it...

[@markmark2080]

@@stephenclark7932 Compared to the sound of the scooters and 50-150cc bikes, the 305 sounded like a beast at the time... How things have changed..!! Great memories.

[@bottleheadaudio]

Bear in mind this is at a density altitude of anywhere from 5000 to 9000 feet depending upon the temperature. A NA bike is going to run about 80% of it's sea level speed at that altitude. And the speed is recorded with something far more accurate than an old Honda speedo. The bike has since run 95.6 mph in similar conditions with nitrous added to compensate for the high altitude.

[@whalesong999]

IIRC, "Cycle World Magazine" tested a new CB77 when it came out and got just over 100mph out of it which surprised all their staff.

[@lawerencestimpson2280]

Great little bike!!!

[@chrismoody1342]

I don’t know about the numbers he ran. But as a 14 yo kid I hit 100 mph on a bouncy dirt road with this same Honda…….. with a passenger.

[@clay1883]

MY BS meter just hit "100"

[@garypatrick7817]

@@clay1883I had 2 of these….95 was the best…

[@danielcarroll5667]

Surprised they left out the "uphill with a 30mph headwind in 6 inches of snow" part...hahahahah !@@clay1883

[@jiyushugi1085]

Cool. I picked up about what felt like 8 mph on my 305 Dream when I took the baffles out a couple of years ago...... Speedo was rusted solid, though, so I have no idea how fast it was going. 1:00 am on the freeway, no traffic and WFO for five miles straight - too much fun!

[@alohaterryhopkins1]

I notice I am in the background in just about every scene! Once at the first and then at the 9 minute mark! When you "I need a minute" after getting your timing slip...very true it does get to you. congrats! You and Steve Garn on the salt in the early morning around the 14: minute mark. I waited with you on the wind hold, I was the guy ahead of you on the Orange 750 nee 1000 Honda it is always in the background!! Enjoyed you video and glad you sent me a video of my run...if up and running on KZbin somewhere... Nice job on this, See yo 2020 cannot make it this year.

[@danschmalle136]

Yeah, between Kaz's crash, that crazy Italian moped putt-putting down the course and the "wind hold with one guy ahead of me" - you - we ended up spending a lot of time waiting in line together, didn't we? Looking forward to seeing you in 2020.

[@scottgreenshields399]

had a65 super h love that bike, had 7000 miles when i got it would do 80 all day

[@retireditguy9493]

I had a 1964 CB77 and I was thrilled if I could maintain 60 mph on the highway.

[@robertpinto6515]

I had a CA77 and a CB 77 in 1965. The CA wouldn't break 70. and the CB wouldn't do over 80 with a tailwind! Horrible overrated bikes!

[@moonbarker11]

Good job buddy! Congrats

[@geoffreycoley846]

ive had 2 cb72, always liked them since my friend had one in 1968

[@redtobertshateshandles]

My mechanics Suzuki T350 was timed at 140mph on Conrod straight Bathurst NSW during a race meeting.

[@billmago7991]

Nice run your tacho went past the 9K mark a few times 🤪🤪

[@alohaterryhopkins1]

Cool movie!

[@funwizard2001]

I must be missing something because I had a Superhawk that wouls do WELL over 100 mph. I had a CB160 that would go at least 80. I never had clutch slipping issues.

[@1stMrSceptical]

Blimey 89 MPH out of a CB77. I made a Triumph Tiger cub mange 90 MPH in1964 bore to max hot cam Ten to one piston all valve gear polished and lighten, ported Wal Philips in fuel injector raised to gear by 1/4 transfer ignition new alpher botton end and ballanced new timing side bush new oil pump running on Castrol R .. did one run down the A41 with my pal on his BSA 650 lightning clocking me at 90. I was a skinny 10.5 stone tucked right in. The bike lasted a couple of weeks just running around, then gave it away. it waas completely Cattle Trucked.. those CB77 you could make them very quick much quicker than 89. they would do this stock down hill with the wind behind..

[@OYisit]

Working on early Honda's you really begin to respect the quality put in the 250/305 twins the later 350 twin had a 5th gear but came with other changes to cut manufacturing costs. 😢

[@minibikeaction4266]

Love your bike man, are those Honda factory exhaust megaphones? You guys are awesome.

[@danschmalle136]

Emgo Dunstall replicas.

[@k13ehr]

I used to own a CB72 back in the 70's one of Hondas better looking bikes and nice to ride two up.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

I owned a 1967 305 scrambler and could push it to darn near 100 mph.

[@nicnak4475]

I used to lay along the bike with one hand on the left fork to get the best speed on the road, Completely mad, but I was only 17 😅

[@bobcuriston5402]

My strait, stock standard ‘65 CB77 would just touch 160 kmh on the autobahn. I guess that’s the difference in salt vs concrete surface.

[@amelierenoncule]

WHO, may I ask, mes amis, was that white-drapped "Louise of Arabia' ?

[@rainbowboa100]

ha, some record, my old 160 would do 85 with both me and my brother on it!

[@fabbri4497]

Stock on road 105mph... Maybe with a smaller driver.

[@chetcarman3530]

?

[@ianaristotlethompson4186]

Add 30 mph without all the cameras.

[@nyttag7830]

Give it some nitro 🤗

[@danielcarroll5667]

Great job Man , congratulations on your record !

[@voornaam3191]

There are helmets that are famous for being a bit more aerodynamic. Wouldn't it be nice, riding 500 mph, thanks to a better helmet?

[@zoltanpolyak3935]

Nice video... But gents... That cluuuuutch!!!!

[@Walkercolt1]

My 1963 Type II (white) Honda 305 SuperHawk (CB-77) has been clocked with 158 pound me full-tucked on the gas tank at 98.45 MPH by a Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bushnell Laser speed-gun and by the OHP's 50-year-old Chonodex radar trap in a flying mile on an abandoned (closed) section of Route 66 STONE-STOCK (freshened engine) with Metzeler ME-77R race compound tube-type tires. The World speed record for a CB-77 was set in about 1967 with a five speed gearbox from Honda Racing Products (same as Mike Hailwood used) with a 310cc displacement and larger CV Mikuni carbs replacing the stock Keihins and the HRP cam kit on oooold Badyear racing slicks. Altitude about 1000 ft. above sea-level on a upper 50*F day, no wind running 100% Phillips 108 race fuel (leaded) and very careful carb jetting. The same day I took my 1994 Suzuki GSVR 500R two-stroke V-4 and tried to top my Hi-Po buddy's speed on his Hayabusa, but I topped-out at 202.34 and he has 6 MPH on me. Having to trash a $3300 pair of race slicks to make maybe 6 passes, keeps me from trying to beat that. Suki' specs Pirelli's and once they hit 130*C surface temperature, they're gone. My SuperHawk at Bonneville's density altitude probably would lose 12-15 MPH. Where would I find bias-ply tube-type racing slicks today???

[@DavidLucas-zq8gb]

thankIt is a stept to ruinn