Topic: New acquisition CB160 fork question

[pjed]

I just picked up a 1966 CB160.  Put a new battery in it and it fired instantly .  I do have a question about the forks...my bike has the gaiters on it.  Wonder if one of the PO's put them on there instead of the metal covers or could this possibly be a scrambler?  The frame VIN starts with a B160.  I like the CB covers better, is it just a matter of swapping them out? Thanks.

[Greggo]

Scramblers have VIN's that start with CL, so you've got a CB.  Not sure about the gaitors, but it's a nice bike!

[pjed]

Thanks Greggo...looking at some CB fork covers on eBay so I hope those are the stock CB forks and I don't need to do anything to make them fit.

[pjed]

From looking at forks on eBay I think the PO may have completely swapped forks with a CL.  Not only do they have gaiters but the chrome part right below is way shorter than what the CB ones in the auctions have.  Waiting for the Clymer which I ordered yesterday...that should shed a bit of light on the situation.

[Flying J]

Nice find! Are you going to restore it or customize it? I had gators on my CL125 and i swapped them with a set from a cb100 because it had the metal covers. If you get a chance could you tell me the diameter of the headlight? I really need the diameter of the headlight itself but i will take the diameter of the front of the bucket if you dont want to open up the headlight. Please....Im trying to convert my 74 cb125 to 12 volt and im having a hard time sourcing a 12v headlight that fits. From pictures the 160 has the same mounts on the back but im unsure as to the diameter hence the question/begging.

[pjed]

Thanks, there are so many cool CB160s out there many of which are cafe'd out.  Think I'll do a mild cafe out of it with some clubmans and a seat.  I'm not a mechanic but the bike looks so straight forward I think I'd be comfortable taking it all apart (not braking engine/trans cases) and having the frame, fenders, trim etc...repainted black.  These bikes came out of the factory oozing style..and about 15 bhp

I took out the headlight and measured it (left it in the chrome bracket), looks like the diameter is right around 134mm or 5 1/4".  Let me know if you need anything else.