I think I'll call it the Desert Brat

[j. thompson #5150]

Well this is not only my first project bike, it's my first bike, period. My wife's brother donated this Cl350 to the cause and after pretty much completely tearing the bike down, rebuilding the top end (40psi compression??!!!), and cleaning up the frame, we're about a month into the project and it's pretty close to being roadworthy. The engine has been rebuilt, the frame has been painted, chrome shined up, new tires are mounted, and it's down to setting the engine back in the frame, mounting the tank, and tuning. Now I must confess, I'm not satisfied with just getting it running again. The direction I'm headed isn't a cafe, nor is it a tracker, or a bobber, though it's got some brat influences, and it's definitely race-inspired. I don't know what anyone else would call it, but I'm going to call her the "Desert Brat" ;D

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That's pretty much where it is at the moment. For the time being I'm going to use the stock tank, but at some point in the not so distant future I'm going to be mounting a CB77 tank, mainly because I like the shape better than the stock CL tank, and I want to keep the overall look of a classic Honda. The seat will need modified to clear the tank, but it will need new vinyl before too long so I'll do that when the time comes and while I'm at it the foam will get shaved down for a cleaner look. I'm going to build a 2-into-1 that's very similar to the Arrow exhaust for the Triumph Scrambler, though that might be a winter project. I can live with the loudness of the hacked exhaust for now, and there's only a few good months of riding time left before the cold sets in anyway. Oh, and I've also got suspension upgrades and a custom bash plate in the works as well. This will be no show bike, I plan to flog the ever living shit out of this bike, and it's going to get dirty ;D

I guess I'll let you guys put a lable on it if you must. But no matter what you want to call it, here's my inspiration!

Cheers! ;D

 

[PHeller]

Not really brat, most definitely a scrambler. I like to think that what defines a brat is the lowered suspension and seat. I've seen bratstyle bikes with knobbies, but rarely were they higher or as high as stock.

Not really telling you what your bike is or isn't, just thinking about the style influences vs nomenclature.

 

[chrisf]

If you can execute on your inspiration, the bike will be amazing. Who gives a shit what it is or what it's called. Nice is nice.

--Chris

 

[Kev Nemo]

Looking forward to this!

 

[diesel450]

I'm in!

I'm seeing a lot of these hybrid style bikes starting to emerge. The boundaries are starting to blur alot! Like Chris said, "Nice is nice"!

 

[j. thompson #5150]

Well it's slowly but surely getting there. I haven't had a ton of time lately, but I'm down to the last few details. The tank and exhaust are going to definitely wait until winter, I play tournament paintball and our team has had tournaments almost every weekend and World Cup is next month so I've been a little occupied.

I did get some things done, as I said it's down to final little details. Engine is set in the frame, and everything but the rear brake arm, carbs, fuel lines, and some minor electrical work is done. Timing is set, points are in, and the wiring was bugging the shit out of me so I redid the vast majority of the harness. I'm hoping to finish the bike this weekend, in terms of getting it running again at least. Oh, and I also whipped up a new crank breather tube, thanks to a Nissan Titan for donating its power steering line

The pic of the breather tube was just a mock up. It's all rubber mounted, some nice brackets, and it's positioned a little lower so and runs behind the side cover, and exits through a breather filter between the cover and the frame, just under the seat. Very clean look, actually looks like it coulda been factory.