My 74 CL only has a little over 1400 miles, but was parted out for the tank, side covers and exhaust. That’s how I got it for $100 with such low miles.
1974 Honda CL360 barn find
- Thread starter Untame
- Start date
JerryAssburger
Been Around the Block
Color me JEALOUS! That is a thing of beauty! Very happy for you.
Untame
Been Around the Block
Yeah, it was serendipitous. I was at a church "pie fellowship" at my Pastor's house Sunday night, and when I was telling a friend about the GN400 project my wife's uncle overheard and mentioned that he used to have a couple motorcycles. When he said one was a Honda 360 my interest was piqued, and when he said he still had it, I was floored. (Doesn't surprise me.... he is a Swedish dairy farmer, and they don't get rid of anything.) When I picked it up yesterday I asked him again how much he wanted for it, and he insisted that $25 was enough because it was just out in the barn with a bunch of other junk and would have stayed there until he died.
This is good timing because I was just starting to look around for another donor bike since my daughter said she wanted the GN400 for herself, but she also wanted me to have a bike so we could build them together at the same time. God is good! I was hoping for something I could build out in vintage race dress with full fairing - not a true replica, but an aesthetic tribute. Mid-70s Honda was at the top of my list.
Untame
Been Around the Block
As I have been researching the 60's Honda GP bikes I think I like the look of the RC174 with light blue number plate. A key component to this aesthetic is that loooooong fuel tank. Anyone have a clue if there is someone making replicas of these tanks? I can't seem to find anything.
The RC174 was a 350/6. The 350 and 360 twin frames are completely different. The stock 350/4 frame is even more off.
The Kent Riches CR tank made for the CB350 twin is as close as you will get.
https://www.airtech-streamlining.com/honda-fairings-seats-fenders-parts/CB3501968-73.html
Just remember that the riding position of the race replicas will be totally unsuitable for street use, especially for the roads around your place. Something in the scrambler style would be much better for riding around those coulee roads. I would consider doing a sympathetic restoration of what you currently have just upgrading the suspension and tires.
I would also suggest that you get another 260 that you can use for parts and make into the race replica that you want. You will enjoy them bothe but ride the scrambler style more.
I would also suggest that you get another 260 that you can use for parts and make into the race replica that you want. You will enjoy them bothe but ride the scrambler style more.
Amen to that! When I started on my 360, and I'm ashamed to say that it took something like ten years to finish it, I wanted pretty much like what you've pictured above. The Hedgehog didn't end up quite that sexy for sure, but by the time it was done I knew that this now well-over-sixty body wouldn't enjoy riding far or often on that style of machine. If I could go back and start over on it I'd do it in the "Tracker" style and in all honesty I'd probably still own it today.
Untame
Been Around the Block
Good point... I'll give this some consideration. Or maybe I'll marry the ideas and build something more suitable for daily riding, but use design cues and colors that are a tribute to the racing livery.
Untame
Been Around the Block
Thanks for the link. I was looking at the Airtech fairings, but didn't see the tanks.
Untame
Been Around the Block
The muffler is toast, but I want to preserve the pipe.
Yeah, mine was in the same situation. I never tried cutting that ring into pieces to see if taking it off would allow you to slide them apart. I don't think it would hurt to at least try that but if it doesn't work you'll lose 1 to 1.5 inch of the pipe. I never really understood why Honda did it that way... perhaps doing the sub-assembly that way made the factory assembly process faster/easier?
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
I believe the ring is designed to be tapped back away from the muffler to remove. Then to re-install you insert the muffler into the split header pipe then tap the the ring back over to clamp it back on. cut the ring and pry the pipe away from the muffler a little and it may come apart for you.
Untame
Been Around the Block
Got it. Cut the ring then sliced the muffler sleeve so it would release from the pipe. Pipe came out good except for a small cut in the flange under the retaining ring.
They are not as the ports come out of the head at different angles. However, a cut off wheel and a welder could make them work just fine.
The CJ and the CB use the same headers, so if you want a cheap low 2 into 1, you can pair CB headers with a CJ collector, then put on your choice of muffler. I just built a CL with that exhaust setup and a Supertrapp muffler. As far as compatibility with the 350, they pretty much don't share anything.
crazypj
Split personality, I fake being smart
There was never a punch mark for the rocker shaft update, only for the wiring harness guide under tank and cam chain tensioner.
Single punch mark below should be for cam chain tensioner but I know some mechanics didn't read instructions so best to check.
There isn't actually anything wrong with original tensioner, the problem was people didn't bother to service bike so chain got too loose, jumped time and could cause motor to lock up.
I'm envious as that is a really nice shape CL, seems a shame to convert it to road race spec although the price is right.
Just do all the oil system modifications and it will be dead reliable.
Personally I wouldn't use a CJ collector as it hangs too low and will ground out.
CJ also has an extra tab on lower front of frame if I remember right, to hold collector
Single punch mark below should be for cam chain tensioner but I know some mechanics didn't read instructions so best to check.
There isn't actually anything wrong with original tensioner, the problem was people didn't bother to service bike so chain got too loose, jumped time and could cause motor to lock up.
I'm envious as that is a really nice shape CL, seems a shame to convert it to road race spec although the price is right.
Just do all the oil system modifications and it will be dead reliable.
Personally I wouldn't use a CJ collector as it hangs too low and will ground out.
CJ also has an extra tab on lower front of frame if I remember right, to hold collector
