First Classic - 1973 CB350

[ricardo1064]

Hey everyone, Ricardo from NJ here.

Owned a few Suzuki crotch rockets in that young life that seems like an eternity, but in my old age (hahaha) I'm finding nostalgia is a pretty strong feeling.

I picked up this beauty in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania and I think I have no clue what I want to do yet. Since this is my very first one and it is in pretty good shape, I may want to keep
it pretty original with small but tasteful mods. Get a feel for what I'm in for and more important what my wallet is in for. I may end up stabling this one once I have it back in top running condition and looking for something I can really cut up and not feel like I'm destroying something so pure.

Place is an amazing resource for ideas and wiseasses, so it looks like I might fit right in somewhere.

Looking forward to the education fellas and ladys.

 

[VonYinzer]

Hey Ricardo. Welcome to DTT. Looks like you've found a real clean 350 there. Keeping mods to a minimum would be a great plan. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[Islandstar]

Nice looking bike. Great find.

 

[ricardo1064]

Have some small concerns I'm not sure what to do about.

The tank has a small ding, which I'm pretty sure is quite fixable.

My real concern comes in paint. I love this original color and don't want to deviate from it. I would also like the original stripes painted back
on so it looks no different than the first day it rolled out of a dealership. Very weary about dealing with local body shops because I want this done
right so I'm not doing it 5 times just to get what I want in the first place.

I even thought about having it powdercoated (there is a guy around these parts that will get it really close to what it looks like now), but I think
I want this one to be as original as I can get it.

Any suggestions on trusted painters that will keep it looking original?

 

[Dose11]

You just want it to look original...or be original? It can only be original once. If you are going to paint it...make sure it's what you like...it can always be repainted

 

[ricardo1064]

I want 90%+ of it to be original looking. I realize it can only be "original" once. But Id rather drive a nicely redone "original" than a raggety "original", just to please a purist.

I'm not trying to turn this one into a chopper, I just want a time capsule with minor mods that are minor aesthetics.

I also don't like to paint things over and over. I am perfectly content with the original color, however it is grossly faded and diluted on the gas tank from individuals dropping gas on it over the years. When you make enough mistakes in life, you realize you want things done once and done right.