Degenerate racing's project "ankle biter" CL350

[gnarshread]

Hi guys,

Yet another build thread for you. I hope this project doesn't burn out and die half way through. Fingers crossed. I don't want to repeat myself here so in order to see the very beginning of this brain worm follow the link to my introduction.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=43709.0

So, I've got meself a CL350 which has been lovingly named Ankle Biter. So lets start from the top. When I first got the bike I immediately noticed allot of the bits and pieces were fairly shagged out. The forks were pitted really bad, the rear shocks are most likely buggered and a few other odds and ends are not worth mentioning. On the other side the engine is free and has fantastic compression. The frame has surface rust and not much to complain about. the wiring loom hasn't been eaten by rats so I was quite optimistic after a very long think and considering just how much work I've got ahead of me.

Here are a few of the very first photos from a few months ago. Ill be posting allot more as I go. If anyone sees anything they wish to comment on or buy or trade or just want to just shout abuse then feel free.

 

[gnarshread]

First look

 

[trek97]

Looks like a good project...
This kinda thing just scares me, I cant help but imagine what the POs reasons for electrical tape on fork tubes would be!?!?! Other than to "repair" an issue. And then riding her like that.

Also that reminds me...a kid PMed me in the spring. and said hed been riding his cb500 w cracked triple clamps...said it didnt seem to effect performance at all! Im gonna have to look him up.

 

[gnarshread]

Looks like a good project...
This kinda thing just scares me, I cant help but imagine what the POs reasons for electrical tape on fork tubes would be!?!?! Other than to "repair" an issue. And then riding her like that.

Also that reminds me...a kid PMed me in the spring. and said hed been riding his cb500 w cracked triple clamps...said it didnt seem to effect performance at all! Im gonna have to look him up.

I was wondering if someone was going to pick up on that. The forks are f%#ked so they are being replaced.

 

[gnarshread]

Ok, so i will try to get this thread up to date.

Being that money is as tight as a ducks arse I've had to take is slow and get parts as I go. First thing was to strip the bike. This took allot less time that I thought and was a huge confidence boost to see whats what.

 

[trek97]

is that a 19 inch front rim?
I was pretty confident you would loose those poor forks. are you gonna look for a front disc brake?

 

[gnarshread]

Then the carbs were removed and disassembled. The diaphragms were absolutely perfect. Talk about luck! The first carb went into a bucket of carb cleaner immediately but after the allotted amount of time, no visible results. So back in the bits went and we moved on to removing the kickstand and pegs in preparation for pulling the engine. Unfortunately after many beers later the carb was forgotten for about a week. When we did remember it it was removed and we soaked the other on for about 8 hours. The first carb, now dubbed ghost carb, as it looks bright white, is a bit of a concern. the patina has been completely removed. anyone think this is going to be an issue? the one upside is it shines up a treat after a few seconds with a wire brush. So, with 2 clean carbs and 2 carb rebuild kits the logical step is to rebuild them. Unfortunately the kit was complete crap. It included everything you don't need and nothing you do. So that was shelved for the night. We proceeded to pull the engine.

To remedy my carb problem, my homie Brady paid a visit to the local hardware store with a pocket full of carb. He came away with the unnecessary rings and bits. I spent the next night with a dremel tool getting everything down to size and rebuilding the carbs. At the moment all that's needed is gaskets for the float bowl. I would use that hondabond shmeg-ina-tube crap but I cant stand half assed answers to problems like that.

With the engine out we set about it with wire brushes to get over 35 years of crap off.

So, as I stand there is allot of work to do and allot to think about. One stroke of luck is a friend has a SV650 completely parted out in his laundry room which is totally at my disposal. I love the idea of sticking SV bits on the CL as allot of bits aren't worth saving anyways and if I'm going to replace something it might as well be for the better. So, im thinking modern suspension breaks and wheels. Hate if you want! And a Manx Norton style tank and seat. A friend of mine has a real one and I've had a perverse infatuation for that iconic shape since I was a youngin'. In the death, maybe a half fairing but lets forget that for the moment.

So, right now what I think is the best thing to do is Continue to clean up the frame and motor and sort any rust, Assemble necessary odds and sods like working cables. Retrieve bits off the SV and get my hands dirty. Obtaining the SV bits is easy ans cost me pennies so I think Ill concentrate on that over the holiday period as funds are tight.

 

[gnarshread]

Cleaning

 

[gnarshread]

Im realy pleased with how the engine came out. Its got a really neat patina to it.

 

[gnarshread]

is that a 19 inch front rim?
I was pretty confident you would loose those poor forks. are you gonna look for a front disc brake?

I've got an SV650 at my disposal as a donor bike so if I can do something with that I probably will. Any way I slice it using the SV will be cheaper in parts so why not! As for the rim I'm not sure. I can check if you want. are you interested?

 

[trek97]

sent you a PM.

 

[gnarshread]

Hey guys! Sorry for not posting more but unfortunately my 2000 CR125 seized a little while back. The problem is nothing on the bike is stock. So finding race bits from 2000 is a bit of a hassle.

On the CL350 front, I've been talking to a dude named Old School on here about making me up a tank and possibly a seat in a Manx Norton style. I've seen examples of his work and It looks stellar. So I'm saving my pennies and stoked to see how it will come out.

There are plenty of other bits and pieces I'm after for the bike which I have drawn up and sent to friends and family as a "Christmas present ideas list" so I wont have to shell out so much cash.

Hopefully I can make some more progress soon.

 

[jbdillard]

Nice clean up on the engine! May do a little of that on mine!

 

[gnarshread]

Nice clean up on the engine! May do a little of that on mine!

Its really easy to just get down and dirty with some metal brushes, wire wool and some brush attachments for a drill. Don't expect a pristine look. You are attacking the surface with some very aggressive abrasive material. But it dose clean the surface while leaving you with a patina to match the age of the machine.

 

[gnarshread]

So last night I managed to visit the CL. We removed the rear wheel, swing arm and shocks. I'll post photos when I can. Today I took the swing arm to visit the SV and offered it up to the rear wheel. I had been quite worried that I would have to make or heavily modify a swing arm to make the SV's wheel fit. Then I was hugely encouraged by one of Ohio Cafe Racers projects.

http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/gsxrcb.html

So it looks like the SV's wheel will fit but it will be bloody close. I'm a bit concerned that I'm going to have to chop the Swing arm up anyways. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

In other news I've been talking to Oldschool on here about making me a tank and seat. Here is a thread of his for reference.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=43878.0

I told him what I'm after and what I like and I received a rough sketch from him the other day and I'm stoked stupid on his ideas. I've attached the sketch for yall's viewing pleasure.

 

[gnarshread]

OK! It's been a while but in the last few days things have really been falling into place.

My lovely girlfriend has bought me clutch and throttle cables as a Christmas present.

I ordered points and condenser from power-barn.com which have arrived. Honestly they were a very good price and they look like good quality parts.

And Finally the SV650 bits I've been after have come to fruition. I got the whole damn thing for 300$ So if anyones after and engine just hit me up!

I hope to be posting photos soon.

 

[gnarshread]

Here is the SV which I took delivery of the other day. I hope I can make some of the buis work on the CL. With new bearings the front end should work. Its the rear wheel I'm worried about as its allot wider than my initial research led me to believe.

 

[gnarshread]

Well guys, Its been a hell of a long time since I've had a chance to actually do any work to the bike but to all kinds of unforeseen circumstances. Since I last posted its been moved 3 times and now will probably be moved again as I have been offered a job in PA working for Revzilla. But over the last few days I got my head in the zone and pulled my finger out. The bearings for the front end swap have arrived and i have spent the last few days cleaning up the triple trees as the bottom one is steel and the apertures for the forks had rusted. After much searing at the parts previous owner I've made everything fit back together and will be spending more time on getting the front end sorted out.

 

[afr00t]

Did you ever finish with this bike? Post pictures if you finished it already or maybe of how it looks now! (unless u sold it, ofcourse)

 

[loosegravel]

Did you ever finish with this bike? Post pictures if you finished it already or maybe of how it looks now! (unless u sold it, ofcourse)

I second that, looks like it will be awesome when finished.