Honda cb350 cafe racer project from the UK

[Andyp]

Thanks guys, Yes a rare sunny day in the south that day.
The tank and seat are at the painters as we speak.
Sticking with original tank colour, with a few decals.
I'm sure as soon as I get it back I'll stick some pics up. :0)
Just need some welding on the frame then its off to the powder coaters. It will feel like I've reached the summit after I get all the bits back and sliding down the other side.

 

[Weasel]

Can't wait to see the tank back from paint. Great looking bike so far, nice work.

 

[papercutout]

It will feel like I've reached the summit after I get all the bits back and sliding down the other side.

Best feeling, right there!

 

[Andyp]

Before and after pics.
Couldn't get all the pitting out of the forks.
Anyone know any way of getting this to a better Finnish. Just used a drill with weld clean up pad then wet and dry 800 grit with some metal polish after. Not bad for an hours work.

 

[Andyp]

Bottom triple tree getting the sand blasting treatment.
Removed the steering lock barrel. Every little weight loss helps "Do the Ton".

 

[Andyp]

Finally got the tank bank from paint.
Also got the frame back powder coating.
The rebuild starts here.

Let me know what you think of the paint job?

 

[yorkie350]

Awesome paint mate, 8) got that old classic look bet you got a smile on yer face now you can put some bits back together ;D

 

[Andyp]

Defo mate. Already got the engine back in and fitted some new bronze bushes in the swing arm.
The wife is soon to be a bike builder widow. ;0)

 

[Andyp]

New brake shoes fitted.
And a shot of the bike shed with technical drawings laid out to minimise the head scratching.

 

[Luugo86]

Looking great man. I'm all in on this build. Very cool little work space you got goin as well.
Was wondering what your method/products used to clean the brake drums, engine covers, triple trees and your forks? And did you repaint those pieces yourself? If so, do you mind sharing what type of paint you used and how you got such a nice finish on them? Thanks man, and again, the build is looking great.

 

[Andyp]

Hi Luugo86,
Cheers man. I had a man cave built down the garden, its a 18 foot x 10 shed. Big enough for all the bike stuff. The wife thinks I'm moving down there. lol.
A friend of mine has a sand blaster at his work so he does all the items laid out on the table for me. I brought a bench grinder on eBay and turned it into a polisher. But I just aint got the patience for it. I spent about an hour doing one piece and it looked worse than when I started it. So I went over it again with a scotch pad and it now looks OK. So Im going for the brushed steel look.

For the forks I used a scotch pad and some wet and dry with a sh*t load of elbow grease. Then Autoglym metal polish. I'm quite happy with the results but not sure if it will last as usually when the chrome starts pitting they're pretty shot. So may just replace them. Maybe a project for next winter?

I've just got the rest of the items powder coated in gloss black. I'll post some pictures of them later. If you have a local powder coater I would definitely recommend it. It makes everything look like new again. Cant wait to start putting it all back together now.

Thanks for the questions. If you have any more I'll help if I can.

Andy

 

[Luugo86]

Andy,
Cheers man, thanks again for all the great information. I will definately try those methods out. Do you remember what grit scotch pads you used? OR did you start with like a 3 and move down to a finer pad from there? Thanks again m8

 

[Andyp]

Been super busy at the moment getting all the parts back from paint and powder coating.
Progress has been rapid. Trying to get thing running before summer is over.

 

[Andyp]

Engine in on my own. Bit of mammoth task. Few scratches on the powder coated frame. Not happy.
Chose the lay the engine on its side technique. Got there in the end.

 

[Andyp]

New parts being fitted.
Brass swing arm bushes, tapered head bearing.
Had to dermal off loads of powder coat to get the forks and swing arm bolts to fit.

 

[Andyp]

Few shots from different angle.
Pretty happy with the powder coat finish although there was some specs of sand left over from the sand blasting process that must have still been in the frame.
I quick flat down with some 1500 grit then polished back up OK. Problem sorted.

 

[Andyp]

Chain on.
I did order a JT chain and sprocket kit from eBay but didn't fit so that will have to go back.
Lucky the old chain cleaned up like new. Brucy bonus.

 

[Andyp]

Sprocket that didn't fit.

 

[Andyp]

The bike now has a name. "Yo Bonita"
Its my little nod to the "Bonita" bike that started this all. Thanks Pep.
Pep has given me some great posts and personal videos of bonita when I got stuck on a couple of bits during the build, replying on my instagram feed "andyp75" if your interested.
Also Saturday Wrench Tony has been a constant follower. And great at giving advise. I'd definitely follow him if your building a cafe racer out of a CB350.

 

[Andyp]

Wiring in full flow now. Pretty straight forward.
Just need to extend the power cables and move the earth wire. Simples.
I did label up all wires which has helped. Just plugged them back in and routed through the new frame. ;D
I'm sure I'll have to reroute a few times once I get the tank and seat in place. Should be OK tho. Famous last words!