Motorcycle Repair: CL77 engines, midrange torque, bill silver

Question
Dear Bill,

I'm rebuilding a '67 cl77 ( with 180 crank)and have found a '65 engine (with 360 crank). The '67 barrels are shot as is the right side cam. SO, assuming the barrels can be swapped, can the head be used by splitting the cams and turning them to suit the 180 crank. Or is there a problem with locating dowels and oilways. OR, should I spend more cash on new sleeves and cams for the 180 engine.
Many thanks for all the knowledge you have previously given in the questions and answers section, you have been a terrific help.

Best regards from the U.K.

Terry.

Answer
Terry, all the cylinder blocks are the same after 1961, other than the 1966-later ones which were die-cast and had the narrower tensioner.

Assuming your 360 degree engine is from a C77 Dream, you will have a problem with the camshaft, as Dream cam timing is shorter than CB/CL cam timing for better low-midrange torque and because it only has one carburetor. If you found a rare 360 crankshaft CB motor, then you can use the cams by grinding off spline to turn it 90 degrees.

Bill Silver