Wanted a bike. So I bought 5.

Antennaman346

New Member
Hey everyone. This is my first post here. Also this is my first time owning a motorcycle of my own. I've been wanting a cafe racer since I was in high school. Now 31 and a divorced single father, I scoured the internet for weeks for a good cafe project. Instead I found a guy cleaning out his barn, selling 5 honda cb's and stole them for $300. I acquired a 73 Cl350, 78 CL360, 78 CB360, Cb750 "hondamatic", a 78 CB550 that had no engine and an unknown year 750 frame and parts all disassembled. Best part is I ended up posting the 750 hondamatic up on Craigslist.. And sold it for $300.

So here's where I'm at. Decided to start the 1973 CL350 as my first ride. Any insight is greatly appreciated and I may have gotten myself in deeper than I needed to. But I'm having fun. Here's my progress so far. The last two pictures are of the 550 I plan on building next and the engines I bought on Facebook classifieds for $100.

Just stripping it down. Sandblasted the frame. Was going to build a powder coating oven but decided I just want this guy to go back together and run. Building a list of parts I'm going to order to freshen things up but gotta wait a few weeks until I have money to buy.

Hopefully I can finish this build soon! And this place seems to be the mecca for information and wisdom if I need it... And I'm going to need it. Cheers!
 

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Found some time recently to continue cleaning up and rattle can her up.
 

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https://youtu.be/PkEanx3qgws

If you can see the video.got around to wet sanding, polishing and waxing the rank today. Mighty impressed with Dupli-Color paint from cans!

A little bit at a time. Ordered rear shocks off eBay. Trimmed the eBay seat to fit around the tank mount.
 

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That's a really great buy, your lucky you found something so cheap and yet so... not in hundreds of pieces. When I bought my 1982 Suzuki GN 125 for $300, it was just the frame, engine, and the trans all together. Everything else came in 4 full boxes of parts. Oh yeah, and a exhaust pipe made from a post from a metal fence.


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Haha, that's a fantastic exhaust idea - speaking of, I was thinking about cutting off the existing mufflers and either welding or clamping on some cheap, slim mufflers. Any suggestions?

I want sleek and slim. Not tuba horns like everyone seems to love so much (no offense).
 
Great haul and your paint looks very good too!

If I were you I would not cut that upswept exhaust, sell it instead or keep it intact. A lot of people would give their right nut for those pipes if they are in good condition.
 
For your muffler, check out these.

https://www.voodoomoto.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=634158


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Not as expensive a i thought but it would still be a shame to cut them up.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1968-VINTAGE-HONDA-CL350-OEM-CHROME-EXHAUST-SYSTEM-NICE-/182731419595?hash=item2a8ba42fcb:g:WU4AAOSwvYZZnxvB&vxp=mtr
 
Hey well, if I get half that I'd still make out in the positive. I already found and bought a set of cb350 headers for $50 shipped on eBay. So thanks for the heads up!

Made some progress tonight. Laced my first wheel ever. Haven't trued it up as it got late.
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Posted in the wheel/tire section as well. Having issues tonight lacing up the rear wheel. Anyone know if the CL350 rear hub requires non traditional spokes? The 90* outers are just not right.
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Yes, who is apparently closed all week. Tried calling them.

Called dime city cycles and they said Buchanan makes their spokes so I'm just gonna order through then.


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If you are in washington in the seattle area give the wheelmaster a call. https://www.thewheelmaster.com/

I've got a set of rims with him now to get laced to non stock sized rims.
 
Yeah I called dime city and he couldn't tell me the angle of the outer spokes. But it's worth a shot. My eBay ones are most definitely wrong.


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Well. Have some time off before I start my new job. So. I'd like to say I've made a lot of progress, but I've encountered several speed bumps.

Finally got the wheels together. Dime city came through with some beautiful spokes and I got the rear wheel together. Attempted to do my best at truing both. Came out decent. I was happy despite a few blemishes here and there ( pretty sure both of the wheels have a ding).

Then tried putting on the tires...

My Shitty spray paint came off. I pinched both tubes. Went and bought new tubes. Reinstalled angrily. Front was pinched again. Ughff. Finally brought said wheel to my local honda motorcycle dealer and they installed a fresh one and even balanced it for me.

Then once it was all together. I decided, "Hey, I'll get this engine in there". Funny. My engine turned over before... But now it's stuck. So I pulled the plugs and let it sit with marvel mystery oil for the days... No dice.

Ended up taking the motor out and after a half hour YouTube-Ing and searching forums, I pulled the engine apart. Right side cylinder was STUCK. Bad enough where I'm going to order new pistons and rings. However, I believe for good measure I'm going to have the cylinders bored out a millimeter or so and order larger pistons from dime city.

Any suggestions on who could hone it? I've got a great Chevy LT1/LS1 guy I know. Think he could hone them? Or a Harley dealer? I doubt honda does that. They're more of a turn and burn dealer.

I know I'm gonna have to spend some money now. But without being a total penny pincher, I'd like to at least not go with the most expensive route.
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