CL350 Cafe - First Build

[gregamoore89]

I've been wanting to do this for a long time, but haven't had the time until recently. I got a 1971 cl350 thats been hacked and wired horribly, but I got it running and took it around the block. It ran ok, then I came back and took apart everything.

I don't know much about engines, so this whole thing is a learning process for me. Any advice helps!

I'll post pictures what I've done so far and as I go.

 

[gregamoore89]

Heres the before photos.

 

[gregamoore89]

Took forever to get the frame bare because the compressor couldn't keep up but its done and painted. I used a black primer and I think that's all i'm going to do. I'll have to repaint it later but right now its just to keep it from rusting.

 

[jungalist]

put some baffles in those pipes, the bike will be easyer to tune and have a bit more power. nice build so far, count me in!

 

[gregamoore89]

Everything's apart and I've cleaned for hours. I have no idea how I'm going to get this bike back together.

I'm pretty sure the stator doesn't work since I had to bypass it to get it running and the battery wasn't charging. Any recommendations for stators?

I ordered some fresh rollers, caps, and springs for inside of the alternator since the old ones weren't going to hold up much longer.

I also order a brand new petcock. I think the gas tank that it came with is from a 750 and looks too big. I would like to put a 350 tank back on it, but I'm going to worry about that once I get the motor running again.

I would like to put a disc brake on the front wheel, but I think I'll also wait to mess with that. Plus I have no idea how to do it.

 

[gregamoore89]

I already posted these pictures asking if I should replace them and unfortunately I guess I do, but I want to post them here too to keep the whole build on one forum.

The cam chain tensioner was about to fall apart so I ordered a KA1 tensioner and new cam chain to replace it.

I guess I'll get one of bore-tech's megacycle cams and piston set since its almost impossible to find a good used cam and most of them don't look too much better than what I'm replacing.

Don't really have the money right now to spend $500 on a cam and piston set, so that's put on hold for now.

I had no idea how much money this was going to cost me. Kind of bummed out on not being about to put the engine back together anytime soon, but I'm learning a lot which what was the main purpose of taking everything apart in the first place.

Sorry if I'm not using the right motorcycle or mechanical terms, but I don't know what things are called and I have no clue what I'm doing.

Please reply if you see me doing something stupid or think I could do something better!

 

[gregamoore89]

New Tank

I ordered a cb350 tank to replace the cb750 tank. Its got a small dent on it that I'm going to try to pop out, but I'm not too worried about it. The inside looks pretty bad, so I'm going to start cleaning it soon then let vinegar sit in it for a few weeks. Not sure what color I'm going to paint it, but I got a while before any of that.

 

[lbaker]

Hope the rebuild goes well. That garage floor can look intimidating!

 

[gregamoore89]

I found a used cam on eBay for cheap and the pictures looked great, so I ordered it. It looks great except for a couple scratches that I wouldn't even call "pits". I went back and fourth on just saving up for a racing cam and piston set, but this cam looks pretty good and a lot better than what I've seen people put back in their bikes.

I think I have everything to really start rebuilding the engine (that I know of). Sometime soon, I'm going to find two solid days where I can lay everything out again, pull the manual out, and put youtube on stand by and really start this build.

Probably today I'm going to start cleaning the inside of cb350 tank I got.

 

[gregamoore89]

Clean gas tank CL350 Cafe - First Build

I saw a video of someone putting gravel in their tank then throwing it in the dryer to clean it, so I wrapped it real good and let it run for two hours. It came out great, but I let it sit for a couple of days and it got a good amount of surface rust. Next I plugged everything up and let apple cider vinegar soak in it over night and it looked brand new. I rolled some transmission fluid around in it to prevent rust since its going to sit for a while, but I opened it up today and took this picture. I guess I need to seal the tank as soon as I get the vinegar out and dry. I wouldn't have though it would have rusted that quick.

Next week I'll be putting the frame back together and hopefully rebuild the engine some. I think the only thing I'm waiting for is the fork seals and bearings.

 

[gregamoore89]

I've done some more progress and more importantly, I'm more confident in putting it back together.

I got new seals for the forks, but I found out on one of the forks a washer and plastic piece on the very top was missing. They doesn't seem vital, but I will get them anyways. The first seal went right in with a little bit of oil on it and the fork, but the second was a little difficult so I put the old seal on top of it and hammered it in.

The bottom end is complete and I just test fit all the other engine parts on to seem if i was missing anything. I didn't realize how hard it was to put the pistons clip back in. I saw a video where they said just use your finger tips to not damage anything, so thats what I did.

Replacing the original cam chain tensioner with Bore Tech's KA1 slider type, but I'm not exactly sure which why it goes. I'll take a picture of it in a little bit and post it then someone can tell me if I'm an idiot or not. While trying to put those little rub pieces on the roller (from the original tensioner) I dropped one down in the engine and its under the cam chain in a spot I can't get. I probably got it stuck more when I tried to get it out.

Can someone give me recommendation for an upgrade from the mechanical points? I don't know anything about them.

 

[xb33bsa]

ok you are making one of the most common mistakes with the seat
not enough clearance at full bump the tire will hit
and when you get good aftermarket shocks(stock are not even worth using)
they may have even more travel

 

[gregamoore89]

Thanks and I thought the same thing, but it doesn't hit. I made sure before I took it apart. I probably will replace the seat because I don't like the look. The shocks seem fine when I rode it, but I don't know what newer shocks feel like so I'll keep it in mind.