1970 Honda CL350 Cafe Racer Project Bike Newbie

[plyzo]

Here is a pic of the engine partial painted.  Will post final results when I get it all completed.

[plyzo]

Here is a pic of how much higher the tank needs to be in order to line up correctly with the tail section.  Need to figure out the best way to get this to work.   I almost feel like cutting the original tank mount that goes to the frame and figuring out a way to fabricate some other piece that connects to the tank that allows it to sit higher.

[legendary_rider]

What about cutting the front of the seat pan to sit into the tanks profile better. Then use foam in your seat pad profile to come up a bit to fill in that empty space where the tank sits. Also get the seat foam professionally covered with contrast stitching. It'll look awesome.   

[plyzo]

Ya I can do that but then the tank sits a lot lower and doesnt have a good streamline with the tail section.    It should flow across like a perfect line from the bottom of the tank all the way to the tail section.   I feel like I just need to cut what is on the tank for mounting and create a new way to mount the tank with some rubber grommets of some sort.

[innovativems]

Why not trim the front of the seat pan and space the tank mount bracket up to the height you want

[plyzo]

Attached is a better side view.  I just think once I add a seat to it with padding its going to sit so much higher than the tank and look awkward.

[plyzo]

I ordered some new gaskets for the engine case and was wondering if there is a recommend gasket sealant that I need to put on or does it go on without it?  How much is applied to the gasket?

[teazer]

None.  99% of gaskets are designed to go on dry - BUT the cases must be flat and clean without burs and gouges to work.

Take your time on every casting to be sure that the faces are flat and the threads are all cleaned out. Oil, dirt, old gasket material must all be cleaned off.  Threads must be clean and sound and not 'raised" around the thread.  When a bolt is tightened, it tends to pull the material in the threaded part into the hole in the outer case and that leaves a slight bump or doughnut around the threaded holes.  That needs to be carefully dressed down.

[plyzo]

Thanks teazer.

[plyzo]

I had a question for you guys, I just got my All Balls Bearing for my CL350 and had a few questions.   Do I need to remove what is on the frame that used to have the recess for the ball bearings?   Also if so how do I go about removing that from the frame stem?  One other question, not sure what I need to add from this kit.


Thanks guys much appreciated.

[plyzo]

So I was able to get the races off the frame stem along with the steering stem just need to figure out which washers to use towards the bottom.

[plyzo]

So here is a pick of the steering stem.  The bearing doesn't go all the way down and I don't know if I should be using both washers or just the large one.

Any thoughts?  Also should I install the races before or after powder coat?

[DrJ]

What you have there is correct, thick washer at bottom but you need the rubber seal in between washer and bearings. You need a slide hammer to press fit the bearings to meet the washer. Install races after powdercoating and clean any excess from the head tube.

[BarnBurner]

Dr. J. is correct, big washer is used on CL350 and the races should go in after powdercoating. However, I did not use a slide hammer to install the bearings (I would have though if I actually had one). Instead, I used a piece of 1.5" PVC pipe meant for a drain (straight with flared end) available at any big box home improvement store. Another user on DTT posted a picture of it I think. The pipe should be just big enough to slide over the stem. After I had properly greased the tapered bearing (Google it), I set the stack up and using the extra washer to protect the bearing I placed the pvc over the stem and hit it with a mallet to seat the bearing. All it took was a couple hits.

[plyzo]

Thanks guys appreciate the info.   Really helps out.   I had a quick questions about front brake cable.  I am not running the original front brake  lever therefore it doesnt have the ability to turn on the rear brake light.  I saw somewhere that there is a cable from some other bike that has the brake light switch integrated into the cable but dont know where I can find that cable for my bike.   Anyone have any thoughts around this?  I wont ride this without the front brake being able to turn on the rear brake as that would be really stupid.