Topic: 1970 cb 175 Christmas gift

[rb550four]

This Christmas my daughter comes home with a 1970 cb175 for me...she says,and proceeds to tell me that this is the only bike that she can stand up and still touch the ground (she's short).
   It's been really cold but I did get out there and clean the carbs, pretty goowey, spotless now.Cleaned up some of the chrome a little just to save it for when I get a chance to get serious.Tank is clean and rust free, most of the parts are there.
Besides taking it all apart, getting a new front fender and centerstand, paint the frame, and getting the body parts back to Honda colors....Getting it to run is what I'm after first. All the parts on this thing is so small compared to a 550 , I feel like a giant and there just isn't much room to get these big hands in all these tight spots. But so far it's been fun.

  It came with a quickly removed plexi wind screen and a sissy book rack that really weinied the over all apearance.
better pic

I like the flip back seat, haven't paid much attention to these little bikes before, I think I like them.

[toytuff]

Love it! Small bikes rule!

tt

[FuZZie]

This Christmas my daughter comes home with a 1970 cb175 for me...she says,and proceeds to tell me that this is the only bike that she can stand up and still touch the ground (she's short)

So you get the work and she gets the gift? 

[rb550four]

Not completely sure about that yet.

[FuZZie]

LOL, I am! 

[toytuff]

rb, when you get into the build I sure could use some measurements of the handlebars.

I'm looking for bars on the 160 build and early 175 bars were the same. (336 build number)

No hurry, just trying to get a definitive answer before buying any.

tt

[oldbob]

When I was a teenager in the early '70s, I had a CB175. My summer job was 30 miles away, all of it on 70mph interstate. Six days a week, I rode that 175 60 miles at an indicated 65mph (7500 rpm). I'm still amazed at what that bike did.

Bob

[Bankerdanny]

We had an SL175 (mine) and a CB175 (dad's). The SL was sold in the early 90's with our vacation home, but dad held on to the CB until 6 or 7 years ago. I should have bought it from him when he decided to sell it. I don't know what I was thinking.

[jas67]

rb, when you get into the build I sure could use some measurements of the handlebars.

I'm looking for bars on the 160 build and early 175 bars were the same. (336 build number)

No hurry, just trying to get a definitive answer before buying any.

tt

From parts lookup on Hondabike.com:

CB160: 53100-336-000 (replaces 53100-216-000)
CB175K4 (1970): 53100-336-000 (replaces 53100-235-000)

So, they originally shipped with different bars, but, the replacement part is the same, thus bars form one will fit the other.

EDIT: The bars where the same through CB175K6, but were different on the K7 (53110-453-000).

[rb550four]

We had a couple days just around freezing, feels warm now, so I did take a couple days to get the years of grease and rust off. I did some disassemble to polish chrome so it doesn't get any worse get it clean enough to work on. Cleaned the stiff carbs... and most of the obvious stuff from the frame down. If I didn't, I would just push it to the back and play with it in the spring.
  But since I'm out of work and can't get back to it till the ground thaws, and the house is really clean, now seemed like a good time to do this.
  It may not look too exiting to everyone else but when you're bored out of your mind like I am, it keeps the blood flowing.

and the other side

  Now it can wait until spring where it can get a total tear down, frame paint , body paint, front seals , points ,plugs, caps,oil change and valve adjustment, new tubes and tires, front fender, and a battery at least. Then see what it does.
 Then see what it

[DH]

RB.fwiw,you'll like that little bike. It'll seem underpowered at first, but once you get used to it, it's a blast, especially in town. I had a '71 cl 175
and wish I still had it (naturally)....Whatever you do, NEVER mix up the
throttle valves between the two carbs. They are right and left handed,
and WILL interchange. When I made that mistake, it took me a LONG time
to figure why the thing wouldn't run right . ....I envy you sir. Bikes like
that are scarce in this vicinity. Have fun with it.

[Duanob]

It'll make a great little city bike, better than a 50cc scooter anyday. I have a friend that's the original owner of a '69 CD175 that's been sitting in his basement for over 20 years. I love the chrome and rubber knee pads on the tank His wife doesn't like the thought of him restoring it and riding it so I have my hopes that someday he will sell it to me

BTW does that seat really hinge in the rear?

[Mcwilliams570]

Hmm is that a new  lift RB 

Matt

[toytuff]

Frame and paint don't look that bad in the picture. Maybe buff it up a little?

Remember, only original once although sometimes you just have to roll with it.

Should be a great bike. I just love the CB160 and so does everyone else when I run around town. I'm really surprised how quick it is.

No effort to put it on center stand  which is really nice.

tt

(If you change bars I'll buy your stockers) (pretty please)

[toytuff]

tt

[jas67]

tt

TT - did you buy a CB175 (or two)?

I like mine!

[toytuff]

Done buying. Selling.

tt

[rb550four]

Those are some pretty little bikes you have there alright.
  Mine has enough rust where the frame needs more than a buffing and PO gave her a paint job.... kind of... and that will have to be done over . I'm liking the stock colors and  stock tank design way better than what it is now.
   PO installed Harley mufflers when one of the stock ones rusted off. I'm thinking that I'll run shorties on it unless I get the feeling to go all stock . I'm still on the fence about it, I'm thinking one could over invest easily on a small bike and I need to show a little restraint, at least until it's  running and ridden a few times .
 

[toytuff]

Restraint? Really?

Nope, make it killer stock and she will feel good. In turn you will feel good.

I can see more than a good home cooked meal here. 

tt

[Stev-o]

Restraint? Really?

Yes, restraint. Or then you spend so much on a stock restore than the end value.

[toytuff]

Restraint? Really?

Yes, restraint. Or then you spend so much on a stock restore than the end value.

Story of my builds.

tt

[Duanob]

Restraint? Really?

Yes, restraint. Or then you spend so much on a stock restore than the end value.

you make it sound like a bad thing 

[2strokeTrush]

Any update?

[rb550four]

   I wish there was, it's just been too cold out to warm up the barn.
 Tried the old faithful furnace, gas salamander, kero salamander ....the slab is so cold that the place doesn't get warm enough.
   My wife keeps telling me "It'll get warm enough soon.", it's been 4 months so far... and 4th coldest winter on record here with no real sign of letting up.
   I was hoping to get this and a couple other Honda projects done in my down time, guess there will be many late nights this summer. Can't wait.

[rb550four]

  It's 40 degrees! Stripped the paint and found a little filler. Removed the old filler and applied new filler so the old (with the possible stripper residue) doesn't contaminate the new work. Nobody wants to do it twice.
  Moved the tank into the house to harden, I'm sure my wife's keen nose will pick up the scent as soon as she walks in the door. Too bad she can't sniff out silver or gold.
   I'm hoping to get her sanded out and primed by end of day.
I used Duplicolor stripper this time, it worked great!