New Guy From Denver, CO

[Jacob Agaetis]

New to the forum and to cafe racers in general. Love to see such a strong community.


Just picked up this 1973 Honda CL350. I have some ideas and have already ordered some part: grips, bars, and some new carbs. The old carbs were shot and the local shops wanted $300 to rebuild them. I figure with the new carbs I can mess with the old ones and learn a bit about them and maybe sell them off.


Next I want to paint the tank and possibly do something with the seat and rims. Also, the tires are original so I'm guessing it's time to give them a change. It seems that Avon is the route to go but I'm not sure exactly what sizes I can put on.


Thanks dudes

 

[CBdublin]

welcome to the club man. looks like a good platform. yeah the shops around here charge around the same. stick with the forum and you wont pay crazy prices like that ever. its a bit scary at first but rebuilding a carb is probably the most simple thing ive done on my 350. granted tuning takes some experience but pretty basic at the end of the day. as for tires i have 90/90-18 in the front with a 120/90-18 on the rear. i wouldnt suggest that big on the back, more commonly a 110/90-18 or the 100/90-18. Avon is really sweet but not cheap. I use avon as my front tire since it is arguably the most important. keep us posted.

 

[Jacob Agaetis]

Why not go with the wider tire on the back? Most everything I've read seems to say the bigger the better ride and so forth.

Why would you say smaller?

 

[CBdublin]

I say the bigger the better, but for our bikes it actually means a not so better ride. You can go wider than stock no doubt but to wide actually is counter productive. Like with my rear tire being the size it is, it actually is a bit swirlly if you will. Pretty much when you pinch that wide of a tire on a smaller rim it has to fold more than what its manufactured for. Which leaves the tire with a "point" rather than a "curve" or larger surface area actually touching the road. Its hard to put in words but does that makes sense? I still love the look of mine so I dont mind though when you're getting over the 60+ speeds it isnt the best.

 

[Jacob Agaetis]

That's makes more sense now. I think I will stick with the 110/90's.


I've called a few shops around town and price wise they are close to internet prices and mount for free. Finally, I'll rid myself of the 40 yr old tires I've been riding 18 miles to work on for the past week.

 

[Whitey80]

I use Avon AM26's front and back. 90/90 front and 110/80 rear. The 110/90 is noticably taller that the 110/80 and looks odd.


Been going to Colorado Powersports at 104th, just east of federal, for tires for a long while, if you push them, much cheaper than others.

 

[Jacob Agaetis]

TrueGreg,


So you'd recommend 90/90 front and 110/80 rear and will I also need tubes with these?


That's actually who I called. They seemed very helpful and had a good price. I think I'll stop by after work sometime this week and try and work them down before I order them.


Any other shops around this area you recommend for vintage parts? I just ordered new Mikuni carbs from DCC and will have to re-jet due to the altitude difference. Not sure where north of Denver to get new jets.


Thanks

 

[Whitey80]

TrueGreg,


So you'd recommend 90/90 front and 110/80 rear and will I also need tubes with these?
That's actually who I called. They seemed very helpful and had a good price. I think I'll stop by after work sometime this week and try and work them down before I order them.
Any other shops around this area you recommend for vintage parts? I just ordered new Mikuni carbs from DCC and will have to re-jet due to the altitude difference. Not sure where north of Denver to get new jets.

Thanks

That's my recommendation, the sidewall of the 110/90 is 10% taller than the 80, and is noticeably different from the front. If your old tubes are fine, I don't see why you would.
There are really no shops around that specialize in vintage import bikes other than british. If you need replacement parts, go to Steele's Cycles in Littleton (it's one of the biggest motorcycle junkyards in the world) For custom stuff, if you can't make it yourself, the internet is what you got.

For jets, EVERY motorcycle shop has boxes full of them. I go to Sun Honda in Thornton, as they are the most knowledgeable and largest shop around (plus they have a little vintage Honda gallery)

 

[Jacob Agaetis]

This blows. I got the carbs but have no clue how to work that universal cable it came with. Any suggestions?


Sounds like a few people have said the stock CB175 cables would work but can anyone confirm this?