No Name CL350

[Goldie]

Just picked up this CL350. It runs well and is a joy to ride. I was split on doing a restoration or a cafe build. The crack I found below sealed the deal as a cafe for me. I figure if I'm going to tear it down to bare bones and fix that I might as well turn it into a cafe racer. There is a piece of me that morns the loss of a reasonably complete CL350, but I know the parts I take off will go to good homes and in the end I hope to have something fun to ride and looks pretty sweet too. It's a new life for this old scrambler.


Before picture:

Frame crack and case leaks:

Tear down day 1:

I basically just started taking things apart. The plan is to strip down to bare frame, strip the paint and have the frame welded. Then it's back together. I'm working on just exactly what look I want, but it will be something pretty simple. If anyone sees a 350 cafe racer that pushes some buttons, let me know. I'm looking around for inspiration!

 

[IndieSol]

Welcome to the site. Bummer about the frame. I'm looking forward to seeing the fix. Have you checked out Benjie's yet? They like 350s. benjiescaferacer.com.


RoseCityCafePunk is working on one here somewhere.


Lots of inspiration, man.

 

[Goldie]

Thanks! The "El Poquito" was one of the first cafe racers I stumbled upon via a Google search. Sweet looking bike. I think that's the look I'm going towards. I picked up a seat on ebay with a similar look. I still haven't picked out a tank though, or decided if I'll use the one I have. The one I have does have a ding in the top, but it isn't a big one and could probably be fixed with the right tools to reach inside the tank.


Tearing the thing apart is the easy part! Really makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something. I got it down to an engine and some wheels tonight, so hopefully in another evening I should be at the point where I can start thinking about fixing the frame.