1971 CB350 Twin

[GoBears0305]

Time to post a bit about the project (which actually started in October 2007)

Here's how it came:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2708729482_c5f478bb7e.jpg?v=0">

By the next weekend:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2707952833_ec617c442d.jpg?v=0">

Since the project has been ongoing for a while now, let me just summarize what is NOT going back on the bike:
-Rear fender
-Front fender (except for the fork bracket which I cut off the fender today...I read on this forum that the handling suffers if you don't keep the bracket)
-Chain Guard
-Luggage Rack
-Air Boxes (replaced with open filter pods)
-Stock Mufflers (replaced with some simple exhaust tips...like what Carpy does on a lot of his builds...anyone know where I can get some nice ones?)
-Electric Starter (including sprocket, chain, solenoid, etc.)...kick start only! (inspired by Mysta2's Loudbike)
-Center stand (and cut tabs off of frame)
-Passenger footpegs (I'll be attaching new rearsets to the footpeg/muffler mounts)
-Front Footpeg Assembly and frame mounts (except the left side mount, so I can keep the kickstand...required quite a lot of cutting today)
-Stock brake and clutch pedal
-Stock seat (it was rusted through and I couldn't salvage the foam...I'm going to try to mimic Mysta2's Loudbike)
-Chopped the rear section of the frame (where the rear fender mounted to)...shortened up the back end by about 7 inches
-Metal pieces that wrapped around the front fork springs (I'll also need new headlight mounts)
-Stock front and rear turn signals
-Stock handlebars (replaced by Drag Sport bars)
Total weight savings: 56 lbs (give or take some ounces)

I'm looking to keep it simple and light.

 

[GoBears0305]

Back on the first week of December 2007, finally got around to treating the tank.
Step 1: POR-Strip
Step 2: Marine Clean
Step 3: Metal Ready
Step 4: POR-15

Before:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/2708922310_d154e5806f.jpg?v=0">

After:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2708105643_411280d335.jpg?v=0">

 

[GoBears0305]

Apologies for the non-chronology of my posts:

Here's how the bike is sitting right now (before I did some chopping today. I'll take pictures of the end result later)
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2708165419_9de0c3e5b7.jpg?v=0">

I circled the sections that I cut off:
-Rear section of frame
-Center stand mounts
-Right side footpeg mount (left side is being kept for the kickstand)
-Circle thing on the stock battery box (which I'm keeping...for now)
-Little tab thing at the neck of the frame (I have no idea what this is for...can anyone tell me? if this was important then...oh well...too late)

On the tank, I cut the tabs that held the Honda emblems, as well as the underside tabs that held the chrome trim.

Also, cut the 'steering lock contraption' from the front fork assembly.

 

[liam]

-Little tab thing at the neck of the frame (I have no idea what this is for...can anyone tell me?

i think it's only there for attaching crash bars

 

[GoBears0305]

I guess I enjoy reading everyone else's postings much more than I do making my own, hence the long time gap from my last posting.

I completely dismantled the front end; painted the rim, brake hub, springs, triple tree clamps, and fender mount/fork brace all black (after thorough cleaning and sanding); and cleaned up the spokes and other metal bits on the buffing wheel. BUT I still need to replace the fork seals and fill with fresh fork oil; order new headlight clamps and paint the headlight housing; order new grips and re-mount controls.

Before:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2858895650_58b98c47e0.jpg?v=0">

After:
I'm experimenting with mounting the bars underneath the top clamp the way Mysta2 did on Loudbike. I also cut away the front fender but kept the mount for bracing the forks.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2858896158_c8f9c2e4e9.jpg?v=0">


<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2858066903_7703bd6637.jpg?v=0">


Spokes Before and After:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2858066789_bb9dd9c4f6.jpg?v=0">

Next is the rear-end.

 

[ROne]

Hey, great job so far by the way.

I'm contemplating doing the same treatment to my wheels for a Honda 250....but I'm hesitating due to the task of re-spoking the wheels. Did you have any troubles and are the special tips in doing this? Otherwise I was contemplating painting the rims complete, possibly taping up the spokes before spraying?

Rone

 

[GoBears0305]

I'm contemplating doing the same treatment to my wheels for a Honda 250....but I'm hesitating due to the task of re-spoking the wheels. Did you have any troubles and are the special tips in doing this? Otherwise I was contemplating painting the rims complete, possibly taping up the spokes before spraying?

the reason i took off the spokes was because i was originally going to paint them a silver metallic, but then liked the bare metal finish instead.
it definitely wasn't the easiest thing in the world, but i personally think it just gives a better finish overall. it was easier to clean all the parts separately. I figured i would have taken just as much time if not more doing a really thorough tape job. respoking took about an hour at most once i figured out the best order to reattach them. i'm not sure of the best order to go though...but unless someone can tell me otherwise, i think start at one end and just work clockwise, both sides at the same time (don't do one side of the hub, and then the next). also, if u look closely at the ends of the spokes, you'll notice that there's two types...on one type, the end is bent at 45 degrees; on the other type, the end is bent more inward. just keep an eye out for the pattern.

if anyone DOES have suggestions, please let me know, because i have to respoke the rear wheel soon.

 

[liam]

\
After:
I'm experimenting with mounting the bars underneath the top clamp the way Mysta2 did on Loudbike. I also cut away the front fender but kept the mount for bracing the forks.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2858896158_c8f9c2e4e9.jpg?v=0">

i like this. i had a look on my bike with the stock headlight ears, and i reckon if i notched out the backs, it would work with them. of course, then i would need rearsets as well... so i'll leave it for the moment. it does solve the issue of getting lower bars while still keeping the stock forkcovers and headlight ears which look cool on the older cb350's

 

[JRK5892]

got to ask... GObears... you from the chicago land area?

 

[GoBears0305]

got to ask... GObears... you from the chicago land area?

nope...never actually been to chicago...i live in berkeley...so, it's just some alma mater pride...not too happy about the last game against maryland though.