Our next shipment is unloading in Morley on Friday, 28th February. The shipment after that is due to dock 18th April, see our On The Ship page for details

Price £7665
Reference 1115
Year 1964
Make Honda
Model CL72 Scrambler
Transmission MANUAL
Fuel Petrol
Mileage 7567
Colour Silver
Page Views 425

Description

Runs like a grasshopper.

Just arrived, January 2025. The above is part of a Japanese review of the CL72. It continues, “Runs like a grasshopper and has an excellent sense of contact when jumping.” The English translation may sound a bit weird, but let’s put it in a little context.

It is the early sixties. Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have been taken seriously by their European and American competitors for a few years due, in large part, to the build quality of the machines. At the same time, scrambling and motocross are taking off in a big way.

In 1960 Honda released the CB72, the direct precursor to the CL Scrambler. The all alloy parallel twin SOHC engine proved to be eminently capable and reliable. The engine itself became a stressed part of the frame. A very popular bike.

Seeing the demand for a road legal scrambler, Honda released the CL72 in 1962. The engine now sat protected in a semi-double cradle frame, the pegs were moved forward to give a more upright seating position, the exhaust was raised and the engine was tuned for more focus on the low- to mid-range. Good suspension and good ground clearance meant that this was a bike you could properly take off-piste.

Importantly, it was also road legal. The CL72 could be ridden to work but you could also compete with it on dirt tracks or take it scrambling. Alongside the grasshopper comment above, another Japanese reviewer described it as, “like a Jeep with two wheels.”

This is an original Japanese 1964 model. The speedo is an MPH one so not original to the bike. Given its age and what the bike was built to do, it is in remarkable condition.

A rare piece of motorcycle history.

This bike has been put through the NOVA system. The bike has been fully UK registered, this includes the Dating Certificate, Registration, UK log book and age related number plate in black & silver. The bike is classed as Historic so it is MOT & Tax exempt.

We can deliver, please confirm your postcode for a quote. 

A deposit of 30% will secure the bike, we would not ask for further payment until the bike is ready for collection or delivery.  Once the deposit is received we will do a PDI check and valet the bike. If the customer cancels the sale we will refund 50% of the deposit. Insurance is your responsibility as the new keeper.

Ref 5111

Seven Seas is an independent seller of classic motorcycles. Seven Seas is not an authorised distributor of Honda.