MAKE. Honda
MODEL. CL72 Scrambler 250 Twin
YEAR. 1966
REGISTRATION. D Suffix
COLOUR. Red/Silver
ENGINE SIZE. 247cc SOHC Parallel Twin 4-stroke 24bhp
TRANSMISSION. 4 speed manual (LH change 1 down 3 up)
TOP SPEED. 80-85 mph
WEIGHT. 145 kg
MODEL SUMMARY.
Highly original, very clean and totally usable Honda CL72 Scrambler 250 Twin.
These were US market only, being the off road ‘trailie’ version of the more commonplace CB72. One of the last CL72s, built in 1966 as verified by the Honda Owners Club (GB) with a dating certificate present, this bike has been in the UK since 2014, and the last owner whom has traded it in with us has owned it since 2015.
Much money spent, all documented, and most of it carried out by Japanese Classic Bike specialist Norman Kinnish of NMK Classic Motorcycles. Recent work includes cylinder bore hone with new rings, new inlet valves with head decarbonised and lapped in accordingly, modified valve stems, new head/rocker gaskets, valve clearances set, new 1st and 2nd gears and shift fork pins, new clutch and bottom end inspection whilst all apart. Other sundry bills, and the previous conscientious owner has changed the oil every 600 miles without fail, evidenced by dipping the dipstick. As such, the bike starts, runs, sounds and rides quite superbly. We have quite a few spares including cables, carb jets, pillion pegs, rear lamp lens, gaskets, mirrors, air filters etc, etc……and an excellent ‘Clymer’ technical manual.
The CL model, both the ‘72’ 250cc example as here, and later ‘77’ 305cc model were typified by their high level side mounted exhaust system, ‘peanut’ fuel tank, cross braced handlebars, telescopic steering damper and plate (looks like a home made effort) over where the CB models’ starter motor resided (CL kick start only) The CL motors also had more torque orientated cams and a lower compression ratio.
The durability of these bikes was properly tested in 1962 by Honda works rider and desert racer Dave Ekins, and a Honda dealer Bill Roberston Jr, riding a couple of CL72s nigh on 1000 miles along Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, from Tijuana to La Paz. The bikes managed it with aplomb.
This bike is clearly very original, and remains true to it’s original specification in all key detail. Of all the CL72/77 and CB72/77 models, the CL72 is the scarcest of them all. As such this is a very rare little bike indeed, and it will turn heads wherever it goes. Sounds and rides wonderful, and is very clean in all respects. Just lovely
P/EX AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE – PLEASE ENQUIRE
PRICE. £SOLD
