Tremelune
Been Around the Block
Howdy, I'm Will. 32, male, long walks on the beach…I've been riding for a couple of decades, and have been living in NYC for the better part of the last one. I picked up a '71 CL350 last week for the purpose of commuting to Manhattan on nice days and just bumping around Brooklyn through traffic. I had a CBR here for a while and it was awful. I had a scooter here for a while and it was awesome. I'm looking to split the difference and maximize the good of both steeds.
I was looking for a bike that was light, small, cheap, simple, and ubiquitous. From all I read, the CB/CL 350 was the way to go. The bike I bought is a bit beat, but a strong runner. I'm hoping to make it safe, reliable, and cool, in that order. I want it to look Brooklyn; the kind of bike that tells thieves "this one's not worth it". I also don't want to freak out every time a drunk girl sits on it or it gets caught in a downpour. I like the banana seat, and I'm often riding a passenger, so this thing won't be cafe'd out too much. I'm really just looking for something clean and mean.
Here is a dramatic, heavily-processed iPhone photo I took of it in its current state:
I have many project dreams of heavy modification, but I don't want the bike to be unridable for any significant length of time, so…There's a duality there. To that end, some loose plans:
- Get the exhaust quiet…I've got neighbors.
- Fix electrical gremlins: No low beam, brake lights on rear only, electric start disconnected
- Do something about the terrible brakes, worn forks, and uncomfortable bars. I'm considering a swap with a CBR or some such. I'm not sure what other non-swap options there are (new fork internals, super drum shoes?)
- Replace the shocks and maybe rear wheel. It has quite the kick over bumps.
- Pull off extra bits--Big blinkers, monster fenders, center stand, battery…The lighter the better.
- Paint everything satin black.
So, I'll be asking questions. Oh, ah…Side note: Before purchasing this one, I purchased a '73 CL350 that was ridden by the original owner (airplane pilot) for two years, was winterized, and then sat for 30 years because he died. 100% original, down to the tires. I decided I couldn't cut it up for Brooklyn, so now my dad has it in Connecticut waiting for nothing more than a new pair of shoes…The plan is to keep it original, ride it, and hope it turns into a Brough Superior…
I was looking for a bike that was light, small, cheap, simple, and ubiquitous. From all I read, the CB/CL 350 was the way to go. The bike I bought is a bit beat, but a strong runner. I'm hoping to make it safe, reliable, and cool, in that order. I want it to look Brooklyn; the kind of bike that tells thieves "this one's not worth it". I also don't want to freak out every time a drunk girl sits on it or it gets caught in a downpour. I like the banana seat, and I'm often riding a passenger, so this thing won't be cafe'd out too much. I'm really just looking for something clean and mean.
Here is a dramatic, heavily-processed iPhone photo I took of it in its current state:
I have many project dreams of heavy modification, but I don't want the bike to be unridable for any significant length of time, so…There's a duality there. To that end, some loose plans:
- Get the exhaust quiet…I've got neighbors.
- Fix electrical gremlins: No low beam, brake lights on rear only, electric start disconnected
- Do something about the terrible brakes, worn forks, and uncomfortable bars. I'm considering a swap with a CBR or some such. I'm not sure what other non-swap options there are (new fork internals, super drum shoes?)
- Replace the shocks and maybe rear wheel. It has quite the kick over bumps.
- Pull off extra bits--Big blinkers, monster fenders, center stand, battery…The lighter the better.
- Paint everything satin black.
So, I'll be asking questions. Oh, ah…Side note: Before purchasing this one, I purchased a '73 CL350 that was ridden by the original owner (airplane pilot) for two years, was winterized, and then sat for 30 years because he died. 100% original, down to the tires. I decided I couldn't cut it up for Brooklyn, so now my dad has it in Connecticut waiting for nothing more than a new pair of shoes…The plan is to keep it original, ride it, and hope it turns into a Brough Superior…
