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Hey All, Been learning alot reading everyones entries here on DDT. Thanks for all of the great info! Decided to begin sharing my experiences in trying to build a cafe racer for the first time. I am not a mechanic so will be learning as I go. I welcome any advice I can get! Bought a 1971 CL 350 from a friend of a friend that had not run in a long time. It was complete but and needed plenty of TLC. I stripped it down to the frame and ground off unwanted tabs. I have decided to try to get a roller put together first and then tackle the engine later. I watched a You Tube presentation on how to make a seat pan that Herm from Dime City Cycles posted and decided to give it a try (thanks Herm!). Working with fiberglass is messy but had a good time. I also had some design help from one of the cats, Ink Spot, who has been overseeing my project. I am taking a welding class where I work (I teach at a junior college in Florida) and will be mounting a battery tray under the seat hump and mounts for other electrics soon. I have the tank and seat pan ready for paint and hope to get the frame and other chasis parts powder coated soon. Next step will be to tackle the suspension, brakes and wheels.
Project bike brought home for tear down.
Stripped down to frame.
Designing the seat pan and hump with my project manager Ink Spot.
Ready for fiberglass.
Decided to do the fiberglass with the form still on the frame.
I have been doing some more work on the frame. I want to mount a battery under the seat hump so I mocked up a tray and support. Not super clean welds but I am a newbie to MIG welding.
Finally have had some time (and money) to do a little more work on this project. Had the frame and some chasis parts powdercoated. Laced new spokes onto cleaned up and powder coated wheels. And replaced steering stem bearings.
I bought the basic Hagons directly from their US outlet online ($199). They come in chrome or black so went with the black as I am doing a red and black color scheme.
Well. I finally got some time (and a few bucks) to work on the project again over the holidays. Finished cleaning up the brake panels and replaced brake pads.
Pulled apart my speedo and tach to clean up and put new face plate decals on (thanks to Herm at Dime City Cycles for his directions to do this).
Pressed in new swingarm bushings and mocked up swingarm with shocks and rearsets.
Planning on tearing down my motor and starting the rebuild this weekend.
Cleaned up the jugs and cylinder heads. Lapped valves until they passed the leak down test.
Cracked the cases. Just a little sludge to clean out but otherwise looks good. Changed oil seals and cam chain.
Painted cases and reassembled them. Waiting on piston kit to get to finish up the top end.
Cleaned up my headers also.
Want to to thank Jim for his excellent thread of motor rebuild directions he posted on the Honda Twins site.
Anyone doing a Honda 350 rebuild should definitely check it out:
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