This 1966 Honda CL77 305 Scrambler isn’t a dusty barn find, at least in its current restored condition. These bikes are a great mix of around-town, light off-road, and not to mention, they’re usually a hit at vintage motorcycle shows and even parked at your favorite coffee shop. The seller has it listed here as a Hagerty Auction in Port St. Joe, Florida, and the current bid price is $2,650 with no reserve. Thanks to PRA4SNW for the tip!
Looking like it’s been freshly restored, mainly because it has been, this 305 Scrambler is said to have been restored in 2024 by a previous owner. The current owner, the seller, bought it and reports that it gets kudos from just about everyone who sees it, but it isn’t flawless. It has some “minor paint imperfections” underneath, although it looks like it’s never been off-road to me, as the skid plate looks perfect. I’m not sure what they’re referring to as far as the paint goes.
They also mention a slight oil drip or leak overnight after riding it. One thing I’m not a fan of is that the stock muffler was removed to install adjustable “Snuff-or-Nots.” I like a nice, quiet stock motorcycle exhaust, and we could debate the loud-pipes-save-lives argument for decades and never come to a consensus on that. I’d be sourcing a factory muffler asap if I were a bidder, but that isn’t keeping folks away from bidding on this beautiful machine.
Here’s a paragraph that Cycle World magazine mentions in a 1965 review of the 305 Scrambler: “While on the subject of the exhaust pipes, we should like to caution everyone that removing the Scrambler’s muffler is a bad bit of business. We tried it, and there was no significant increase in performance. And, if the muffler is removed, the bike becomes very noisy indeed. You may find the sound utterly enchanting, but your neighbors will not love it — or thee.”
Hagerty is at $4,800 for a #3 good condition example and $8,600 for a #2 excellent bike. At its current bid price, with just a day left, this is a steal. Honda introduced the CL77 in the 1965 model year, and buyers could get one of three colors as far as the headlight bucket, frame, and upper forks went: red, black, or blue, as seen here. They all came with a silver gas tank, side covers, and fenders, no matter what color a customer wanted. 1968 was the last year of production for this model.
This is Honda’s 305-cc OHC parallel-twin with 28 horsepower and it’s backed by a four-speed transmission. This looks like a really nice example that I’m sure it would turn heads, either sitting at a vintage motorcycle show or while pumping out sound through that unusual exhaust system. Any thoughts on this one?
Whenever I see one of these Hondas I just can’t help but think of the words to the song “Little Honda”. Either by the Hondels or Beach Boys. Not a big motorcycle just a groovy little motor bike. Love the color combination, and I sure can’t tell what paint imperfections there are either. It would be fun to ride but at the same time, they really did a nice job restoring it and I wouldn’t want to ruin it either.
Many here see this and old injuries ache once again. Correcting this guy is like spitting into the wind, but tis’ not a 305, but a 300. I tried researching that, and it seems, the 300 was a one year offering, and still a 305cc, perhaps to differentiate it from the Super Hawk, anyone? Gregg( on and on) would know.
I agree with the author, but in the 60s, noise was in. It may not have been any faster, but sure seemed like it. Not only did it quiet the motor, but was some sort of spark arrestor. Most took them off and are probably hard to find today.
These bikes, while crude for off road, were the beginning to the highly successful dual-sport bikes. The motors were an engineering marvel, and many got their 1st taste of the dirt with these, literally. The guy across the alley had a yellow one like this, never did take it off road, but with the snuff or nots, we sure heard him coming. What a great find, and seems like peanuts for a bike like this. Interest sure has tanked for one of the most influential bikes of our past.
Hey Howard, my official Honda published records I refer to never list a 300 engine. The earliest Honda with a 305cc engine was from 1959 and was listed as a 300, the C76 Dream Touring 300. Interestingly it is listed as a dry sump 305cc engine. 4 models were made in 59 and 60 that used the dry sump engine. Starting in 1961 they designated a new model the CA77 and CB77 and also the CL77 models through 1968. They were all listed as 305 in their model designations. The difference in engine HP and Torque in Scrambler versions was due to a different cam profile resulting in a lower torque curve with with extra pull at lower RPMs. This is why I personally always likes the CL version more be cause of that profile at lower speeds, like 25-45 mph. I don’t ride any more due to age and balance issues, and the last bike I still own is a 1965 305 Scrambler, titled as a 1967. It is unrestored and sadly soon to be put up for sale.
Higher mounted exhaust for water crossings ?
Hi Stan, not for that, so much, but before motocross, there was “Hare Scrambles”, that kind of morphed into motocross/enduro. The courses were laid out in difficult terrain, many times over logs and rocks, and would destroy any down pipes.
For the record, this was a poor attempt at a dirt bike, it was heavy, lack of suspension, and the motor was more suited for the road, and why 2 stroke dirt bikes became so popular.
Thanks Howard. 👍 I’ve seen those harescrambles..Seem particularly popular in the NE. Ontario, Michigan. Anyways you better be in good shape to run those races.
At 16 traded my Bultaco 200 for a used ‘67 Scrambler with the snuffers, was told that was how he bought it new. Besides being heavy (20lbs) a stock muffler was expensive to replace. Got the attention of a most foul tempered city cop.
Installed a pair of VW exhaust tips using a bench grinder and rubber mallet-got the pipes hot took the VW tips out of the freezer and installed them with the mallet.
Never had a problem with them or that officer afterwards.
The scrambler runs a close Second behind the Super Hawk in my list of favorites. I sure wouldn’t kick either one off my driveway.
I find it very interesting that they would even call these a scrambler. 365 lbs. dry weight. My Norton 750 weighed 390, with double the hp. Just the same I always liked the looks of the CL72/77.
The crossover exhaust was always a nice styling touch although the designer at Honda was either drinking some tainted sake’ or his own bath water when he came out with the muffler for it. Those mufflers were butt-ugly!!! Snuff-Or-Nots might not have had much luck with noise suppression but they sure looked better.
I used to ride with a guy who had a ’66 Scrambler 305 but I remember his bike only having a single cam front brake. And he complained about too much front brake. I remember an article in one of the bike magazines (I think it was Cycle) back in ’67. They did a test on the CL77 and they said that on any surface other than dry pavement that front wheel could lock up. Apparently they backed the adjustment almost completely off to make it safe.
All in all, I would love to have this at my place but maybe another time. My wife and I are moving/downsizing and we’re already having to say goodbye to a lot of treasures…
The 250 and 305 both had a wild sound without the muffler. Leave the exhaust alone.
In 1967 I bought a new 305 Scrambler, called a’67 1/2 as mine was a bright blue metallic with chrome fenders and the black frame which is the only frame color I remember. There were a couple other colors then, a burnt orange metallic was another. Prior to this they all had painted fenders. Tried dirt trails once. Nope. This was replaced with the new 350 in 1968. Loved it!
It is a 305. Tank badges on both the Scrambler (CL77) and Super Hawk (CB77) had 300 on them. Never saw a “305” badge that was original Honda.
I remember years ago when there was a debate over the 300 vs 305. I never saw any tank badges that said 305; they all said 300. We just called them a 305. I remember a Yamaha Big Bear scrambler 305. Then Suzuki came out with a 305 in ‘68. That one fizzled and died. I don’t think Kawasaki ever brought one out…
If you’re interested take a look at my response to the 300/305 debate I sent to Howard.
The 300
My first motorcycle, there is no electric starter. Better get it right or then your trying to clear a flooded engine, ask me how I know. Bought it used and yeah that muffler was missing. That was a great engine and rev to the moon yet still providing decent torque for trail ridding. Don’t get me wrong wasn’t motocross just trail ridding and it did it well. Bit heavy but even took a 500 round trip ride with it and lived! By the way no tachometer and I did have the owners manual. Was crazy what shift points were by speed.
My 67 305 had Snuff or Nots and that was one of my favorite features of the bike. It sounded great! The stock mufflers are ugly to me, while the straight pipes look really clean. I used mine off road a fair amount, but getting it unstuck in mud holes was not easy.
I think this is the same one that was on Bring a Trailer and went to $5K and didn’t hit reserve. I had a 67 model in about 1970. Second bike I ever had. I liked it until I bought my BSA Lightning. Then there was no going back.
I worked at a Honda shop in the sixties and the first thing almost everyone who bought a cl72 or cl77 did was ditch the muffler
Auction update: this one sold for $3,675!