72 CL350 Build - Done!!!! - lots of pics

[chrisf]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 4/21/11

Yeah, that wheel is going to hit. You could shave the brace down pretty significantly. The longer dampers will help as well. I'd also have a look at the taillight because that looks to hit too.

I say this because I've done something similar on my CB350 and the tire hit. I also had a similar taillight set-up on my RD400, and it too hit. I ended up re-engineering a bunch of crap on my RD400 because the frame was powdercoated and I didn't want to sand it back to weld. Like you, I used longer shocks (Hagon).

--Chris

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 4/21/11

I know the pics make it look like it's really low but those were taken before I turned those shocks up to the highest setting. Also, since I'm not really excited about the way it came out I may totally trim the half moon shape and make it more square to the frame. That was also my concern when I did it but after sitting on the bike and bouncing up and down it never hit once.

I'm hoping with the longer shocks and the trimming I shouldn't have any problems. Thanks for the input. Always appreciated.

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 1/15/12

Here are some updated pics and progress. I've been slow to post. I tend to do alot of research to see what I like and go from there. Here is what I have been working on for the last couple of months. It took me a bit of time to do the sanding, painting and polishing. I dissasembled the whole motor and it was mint on the inside. Since it only had 2800 miles on it nothing was bad. All the internals were good. Here is everything dissasembled.

Heres a pic of the inside of the motor.

Wheels taken apart.

Here is the motor sandblasted and masked up ready for primer and paint. I used Dupli-Color engine paint in gloss black.

My makeshift booth. It worked great believe it or not.

I had to make this up to hang the motor so I could spray the whole thing top to bottom.

After painting, I took the fins down to bare metal. Started with 600 grit and finished with 1000. They didn't turn out to bad. Alot of work but worth it. Just to do the top half was about 6 hours!

Here is the top part. It's just painted and cleared. The valve spring accesses are just wired wheeled. They will get polished to match some of the other parts.

Here is everything all together after sitting for about 2 weeks. Other things around the house needed to get done so I work on it when I can.

The tack and speedo covers are off of another bike. I have the originals at the chromers. Replaced all the bolts with allen heads. All new gaskets.

Let me know what you think. The rest of the bike is almost done. The frame is being powderocoated right now and should be done in another week. I have to paint the headlight bucket and order more parts. But once I have the frame back I can start working to put it all back together. I'm still looking for some stickers as I need to finish the battery box and the sticker needs to go on it before I can clear it. I put a thread but no one seems to know where to get them. I will check that thread later to see what people have come up with.

 

[HerrDeacon]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 1/15/12

Man, that is stunning. Engine looks amazing. Nice work.

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 1/15/12

HerrDeacon, thanks for the kudos. A lot of work but completely satisfied with how it turned out.

 

[veloracermike]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 1/15/12

Put it in a glass case on your mantel. Almost hate to get it dirty!

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 1/15/12

veloracermike - It does look good but I built it to ride. Since this is my first cafe build maybe I'll do it with my second one. LOL.

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 1/15/12

So here are some updated pics of parts.

Carbs in primer

Some mics parts cleaned and assembled

Carb internals

Carbs painted

Carb assembled and reinstalled

If one is sweet, two are sweeter

Here is the stand I made for reassembly of the bike once the frame comes back from PC. Total cost $40!

I should have the frame, swingarm and wheels back from the PC this week. I also called the good and back text from the polisher. Good - parts are done. Bad - I have to pay for it all. I got a peek though and I can see the difference in what I polished and what he did. There must be an art to it all. More assembly to come this weekend!

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

Well I had a pretty good weekend getting alot of it back together. Here is my update:

Got the frame and wheels back from the PC.

Taped up the frame and ready to install.

All in

Installed the side covers and carbs just cause I couldn't wait to see how it looked

Here is the forks tubes ready to go back together. I used the handle from my swingarm stand to push down the new seal. Worked like a champ. No issues whatsoever.

Had to use a simple piece of flatstock to make the new coils fit.

Coils installed along with horn and ignition

Spark plug wires installed:

If you can't see the condensor, that's cause there isn't one. I'm going with a Pamco ignition and it's not needed with his system. Just need to order it but doesn't change anything that I done so far.

Footpegs installed

Installed the rear shocks and tailight. I installed it just to see how it would look with the tank and seat.

Since I knew the tank and seat would need adjusting and since I wasn't sure how it would look, I installed the tank with a rubber bushing. I needed this to bring the tank a little more level and to make sure the petcock fit. Even with this I didn't have that much room.

I may still change this. If I can find a different petcock that isn't so tall I may bring the tank back down. You can see in the last pic that I have just a little bit of clearance between the tank and seat. Since the seat will be wrapped I'm hoping it will look seamless.

Take a look at the angle of the tank. I mounted it so it's almost flat. You see more of the top of the motor this way. The old CL350 tank was small and hung low over the motor.

Mocked up the triple trees with PVC for now. I'm still undecided on the look I want. I have two guages, clip ons, mirror mounts and headlight that I may still change. Here is the progress I have so far. This may still change but I'll take opinions from anyone on this. So feel free.

I mounted the clip ons. I also made a temporarly mounted the bar that will hold the gauges.

Here are the guages mounted

Here is a pic from the top with the headlight mounted and the aluminum piece I made to hide all the open space between the guages and upper tree.

I'm not sure I'm in love with this. I don't like the light mounts. I may go smaller. These are 6in. I'm not sure I like the clip ons. The angle down is what I'm not 100% happy with. I may end up making my own.

As I said, I'm not 100% sure I'm keeping this. Couple of reasons.

1. The upper tree touches the tank. I believe I can overcome this with some grinding and welding.
2. Don't really like the clip ons. The angle to low and away. In the position you sit on the bike, and me not being very tall, the bars are a good stretch for me. I could probably handle these for about 20min then my back would be killing me.
3. Not 100% on the headlight mount. Would like one a little smaller to get it closer to the gauges.

So far nothing has been really a PITA. The PC has been thick in some spots and some sanding required but not to bad. I may also change the power wire to the starter. The one I installed is the factory one but I may change the way the wire is run.

Only bad thing was when I pulled out my new grips I noticed something in the bag. I looked closer and saw this:

I will just have to return it a get a different one. The guys at DCC are the best. I recently got a Cafe Racer DVD from my mom as a gift. They replaced it free of charge and sent it up with my new order. Really cool guys and always get my orders in about 3 days! I highly recommend them!

So that's it for now. More to come.........

 

[Ringo]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

Looking sharp as tacks man. Great attention to detail on the engine/carbs!

 

[LuisN]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

using that 6" buffer can u give us the exact process in which you did that? which compounds, wheels used, and also did u sand it before hand. id like to know b/c i want to do my side covers and forks just the same.

thanks! nice bike setup

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

using that 6" buffer can u give us the exact process in which you did that? which compounds, wheels used, and also did u sand it before hand. id like to know b/c i want to do my side covers and forks just the same.

thanks! nice bike setup

Believe it or not is wasn't tremedously hard. I started out with sanding it using wd40 and 400grit on the pieces that had major scratches. Once I completed that stage I cleaned the parts with rubbing alcohol. I then repeated the process with 600, 800 and then finally 1000.

Once that was done and I was happy the parts were smooth, I started buffing. One wheel I used a sisal wheel with rouge and went in one direction. I used light pressure and let the buffer do the work. Remember don't let the part get to hot. Once done I wiped it down with alcohol again.

Then repeated with a cotton wheel and emery. Same process. Took my time and I'm happy with the results. Remeber back then that didn't have the metal casting ability they do now so if you see changes in the metal color it's typically due to the metal itself and nothing you did, in most cases. I will post up some pics of the pieces I had polished. You can definitley see a difference.

If you check out DCC website, Herm does a pretty good write up on this procedure. The only thing I didn't do was use flour. Other than that I did almost everything exactly the way they did.

Let me know how it works out for you.

 

[minidriver8]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

looks great, can't wait to see this all put together, you level of craft is appreciated!.....my CL350 looked pretty much the same as yours when i got it. i got the bug to ride so i fixed it internally and been riding ever since, some day i hope to use your thread as inspiration if i get the urge to tear mine apart again! keep up the good work!

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

looks great, can't wait to see this all put together, you level of craft is appreciated!.....my CL350 looked pretty much the same as yours when i got it. i got the bug to ride so i fixed it internally and been riding ever since, some day i hope to use your thread as inspiration if i get the urge to tear mine apart again! keep up the good work!

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad I can be an inspiration to others in the forum! Thanks again.

 

[madmatt1]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

That engine is pure eye candy! I've never been much for painted engines, but I can definitely appreciate what
you've got going on here. All of the polishing looks top notch, and the paint looks like powder coating to me!
I am totally convinced now that I need to get myself a polishing wheel setup. So what do you have planned for the exhaust?
I'm looking forward to seeing this one done for sure- it's cool to see what other people are doing with the same bike
you're working on!

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

madmatt1 - For the exhaust, I'm just going with the factory pipes cut down and wrapped in black exhaust wrap. I've always liked the look of these and don't have any plans at this point to change anything with that. I'm not saying I don't like other pipes, I just like the look that this is going to bring. I may, if funds allow, to have it ceramic coated either in black or they have a new silver out that really looks like chrome. But for now just wrapped in black.

 

[madmatt1]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

That'll be tough looking for sure. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with mine yet- I have
the Scrambler pipes, the mufflers are pretty much shot. I'd like to just make some baffled exhaust
extensions the same diameter as the pipes, maybe 10 inches long or so. Just something to make it a little more quiet.
Thought about doing that ceramic coat too. I wanted to do the pipes in white, but the PC shop here said they
won't do it because it doesn't hold up to the heat. I just think that would look really different and have kind of an old school look.

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/5/12

We'll see how she comes out. Still just wrestling with the clip ons and front end right now. To many thoughts in my head and I just need to get going on them. I'll be keeping this updated often so check back every now and again.

 

[WNTITAL]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/12/12

Got some time to work on the bike this weekend again. I was able to modify the tank the way I wanted and it turned out good/bad. The good is one side is fine, the bad is the other isn't. I'm hoping my buddy can weld up the holes I made. I'm still learning welding and apparentley I have more learning to do. Here are the pics of my work.

I started by stripping the tank finally. I wanted to do this for two reasons. One, to get that red color out of my head and two to be able to weld to clean metal. Now I have a clean palet to think of color options which I'm still a little undecided on.


Taped it up and laid out some lines.

I then made it bigger and cut it out

Mocked it up.

Not the best job

But I accomplished what I set out to do. Make sure the upper triple tree didn't hit the tank.

Here's how much room I needed.

Here it is when completed

Here's the other side

From the front

From the top

Now I'm going to make the headlight bracket. I'm going to make mine off of the motolanna one's. Seems the easiest to make and mabye I can practice my welding. Should have this done by next weekend. Ran out of welding gas so need to get a new tank before anything.

More to come......

 

[wargo522]

Re: 72 CL350 Build - updated pics and progress 2/12/12

i'm pretty jealous of your craftsmanship