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Post a picture of your Vintage Honda Twin!
- Thread starter 1969 CL350
- Start date
Nice!
Acadgrad81
Member
Also posted on my new member introduction. 1980 CM200T Twinstar, ~2400 miles. It's my "re-starter" bike after a 40-year hiatus, bought on 7/7/23.
This pic was in the Marketplace ad that grabbed my attention.
This pic was in the Marketplace ad that grabbed my attention.
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Maraakate
Veteran Member
Removed 10+ years of grime from the bike. It won't fixed a faded paint job or pitting on the chrome, but looks half-decent.
No garden hose or anything like that, just a bucket and some de-greaser and a bunch of old towels.
No garden hose or anything like that, just a bucket and some de-greaser and a bunch of old towels.
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Looks pretty damn good.
Maraakate
Veteran Member
Thanks. I think the gauges and the rear wheel in particular cleaned up real well. For the gauges, headlight and covers I just use that Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish. Not specifically to be a Honda guy, but I've had some antique car guys tell me that's one of their secrets for cleaning up the dash. It does work very well, I use it on my goggles too. Holds up for a good amount of time. For chrome and metal I just use Happich Simichrome Polish. You can use it with #0000 steel wool LIGHTLY and get rid of the surface rust. Then use a paper towel or a microfibre cloth if you prefer and rub hard. Will make a lot of things shiny pretty quickly.
Figured it was overdue for a clean anyways, plus I thought it be a good idea to show that you can get a bike pretty clean without electric tools, shammies, garden hose, etc. Did a lot of detail work in my early body shop days.
Secret to getting in the crevices is very thin plastic body panel tools for moulding tape removal and also used to use them a lot for sticking tape in jambs. The tool is hard to find, but an auto body supplier may have it. I'll have to snap a picture of it because I'm not able to find it online (probably not searching for the correct term).
Maraakate
Veteran Member
Pictures of the crevice tool I use. I cannot find it online. Got all the grime off the sprocket/dust cover/etc. area and around the rivets on the comstar rims.
The cheap plastic body panel tool kit from Harbor Freight works good for a lot of things. This specific one out of the set is my go to.
The cheap plastic body panel tool kit from Harbor Freight works good for a lot of things. This specific one out of the set is my go to.
Maraakate
Veteran Member
Ah, it's called a "plastic bone paddle tool". https://www.ebay.com/itm/292133570199
Maraakate
Veteran Member
Not a twin, because I'm waiting on the torque converter cover gaskets for that CM400A. But, took the 550 out towards Three Mile Island since it's only about 10-15 miles from me.
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The infamous Three Mile Island... funny, the now-decommissioned Crystal River nuke plant in Florida is only about 30 miles or so from me.
Maraakate
Veteran Member
They say 30 to 200 years before they can fully shut it down i.e. no staff. Depends on who you talk to locally. TMI is also decommissioned, happened a couple of years ago.
Now, it would have made a lot more sense to take the DT250 to TMI since that's a real "apocalypse bike" as in it needs no battery and can go off-road. But, just got done readjusting chain slack and rear brakes on the 550 so figured I'd take it out and get it good and hot.
Yep, that half-life will be going on long after we're gone, I'd lean more toward the 200 year number than the 30.
2wheel
Veteran Member
I had a “I survived three mile island” t shirt after the looming meltdown. Lol.
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That's a good looking survivor, very nice shape with just a bit of patina.
Thank you, I'm trying to keep this way, with a bit patina) Now I'm awaiting weather improvement ( rainy) before taking bike for a Saturday run
ballbearian
Veteran Member
Very nice sloper, I prefer their looks. Don't be afraid to get the seat cushioning redone. it will be more fun to ride.
kbongos
Veteran Member
Nice looking bike Talisman, I like the orange color. Maraakete, I like the apocalypse bike pic! Hopefully you didn't run into any Zombies. We are prepared for any calamity with these old bikes in the stable.
))) No Zombies in the good old English countryside
DavidR8
Veteran Member
1980 CB400T by the sea.
dougrun
Veteran Member
Jamala Beach
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This is the almost at the end of Ozello Trail just south of Crystal River FL, Chris (12ozPBR) and I had a great grouper sandwich at Peck's Old Port Cove
ballbearian
Veteran Member
Cool, you guys team up recently? Nice semi shady bike parking.
No, Chris' life has gotten busier around his area. He wasn't able to come down this past spring and it looks like we will be waiting to go to upstate SC next spring ourselves instead of this fall. Gives me more time to try to get back into the garage more this fall and winter and get back on the drag bike project.
From a little town about 15 miles from me
stl360+450
Veteran Member
Good to see it out and about!
Nah, that's an old picture - note the CR450 road racer stickers on the tank that got melted when I refilled the tank one day right after riding it, and the heat expanded the fuel out the vent down the left side of the tank requiring replacements (now the round metal Honda wings). And the aftermarket replacement passenger pegs that were junk, bent downward in little time at all, now replaced with OEM VF1100S passenger pegs with thick soft rubber. And the old Dunlops on it, now the so-much-better Shinkos.
It definitely needs some exercise, I just can't bring myself to ride in 95° temps this time of year. I haven't been to the local Sunday hangout since early this year, don't like having to wipe my forehead every 2 minutes while trying to enjoy some conversation with the guys.
In cooler times a year or so ago
stl360+450
Veteran Member
I hear you — I'm riding only a couple of times a week, mostly in the morning or on the cooler (overcast) days.
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
My ‘69 CL350 café at a vintage motorcycle club breakfast a few weeks ago.
A spare seat is already in repairs. As soon as I get it back ( black leather cover with orange stitching and embroidered Honda on the back), the original seat will go through fixing as well. Not sure if I would like to replace an original vinyl cover with Honda printed on the back, probably will keep it with new cushion and reconditioning frame.
CB200T
Member
It never ceases to amaze me that San Jose, as the 10th largest city in the United States, still offers the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility and peacefulness of an early Sunday morning ride while exploring the urban landscape and capturing some photos.
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Some very cool photo ops. And the bike looks great.
Maraakate
Veteran Member
I had to run out to Hershey as I needed some new sneakers. For me, it's not that special to go to Hershey. Too expensive to go to Hershey Park unless you get a season pass!
Anyways, figured everyone here would enjoy a picture of the 400A in front of the welcome sign.
Anyways, figured everyone here would enjoy a picture of the 400A in front of the welcome sign.
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Most of those places are hidden away unless you're a native of SJ. I was really disappointed a couple weeks ago when I was there for a HS reunion, Alice's Restaurant has turned into a car haunt. Used to be Sat/Sun mornings the lots were jammed with bikes new and old. There were only @dozen bikes there and nothing more than 5 years old.
Just shows what there is in places you've never been that you would never know about. I had no idea there was a Hershey Park, I've never heard anyone talk about it or anything on the news about it.
I'd assume it's some kind of amusement park, but I'm sure Google knows.
https://www.hersheypark.com/
Who want to go to amusement park when you have a lovely bike to ride?
True, but remember as vintage Honda riders - or even motorcycle riders in general - we are quite the minority. It's said that only 3% of all registered vehicles in the US are motorcycles.
ballbearian
Veteran Member
Who want to go to amusement park when you have a lovely bike to ride?
True, but you can eat too much chocolate while you're on the rollercoaster.
So Hershey is actually referencing to a Hershey chocolate, rather than amusement park!
So Hershey is actually referencing to a Hershey chocolate, rather than amusement park!
It's both
https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/things-to-do/dining/the-chocolatier/
ballbearian
Veteran Member
Interesting guy, Mr. Hershey. He built a really nice medical center too.
2wheel
Veteran Member
So Hershey is actually referencing to a Hershey chocolate, rather than amusement park!
Milton Hershey started the park as a picnic ground for his employees. Then it morphed into a great amusement park. I grew up going to the park probably twice a year. The Comet is the original wooden coaster in the park. Built in 36’ I think but not positive. It has some Awesome coasters. I haven’t been there in maybe 3 years now.
ballbearian
Veteran Member
I went errant grandniece hunting and took this shot in an unfamiliar neighborhood and, of course, engaged a passerby about, "it's sure good to see these old bikes around".
I still love that seat !!! It just has the "coolest vibe" ever !!!
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ProducerBill
Member
My 1982 Honda CM250C
She isn't as pretty as some of the beautiful bikes in this thread, but its a blast to ride. I would love to replace the exhaust, but they seem to be unobtanium.
She isn't as pretty as some of the beautiful bikes in this thread, but its a blast to ride. I would love to replace the exhaust, but they seem to be unobtanium.
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Maraakate
Veteran Member
Wow, I was not expecting an in-depth discussion on Hershey, PA!
What I was referring to specifically was Hershey Park. I guess I'm living in my PA bubble too much and expected other to know it. There's a lot of international people who vacation out here to see Hershey Park (as well as Amish). But yes, Milton Hershey (the Hershey Chocolate guy) created the town for the manufacturing of the chocolate, the Milton Hershey School ($$$), and yes, he did do a lot of orphanage/work with children. The story goes that him and his wife were unable to have children and he decided to help unfortunate children. They still take a few students a year to the Milton Hershey School who are poor/orphaned/etc. Not sure what the exact requirements are. All I know is that it's now an expensive private school.
Hershey Park tickets are about $90 for the day, usually can be found on sale for $50 here and there if you look hard enough. Long lines for all the coasters, which are quite decent. Almost $150-$250 for "fast passes" for a day. It's about $250 for a season pass per person. My ex actually paid that for all her children every year. Lot of money, I'd never pay that! I actually never went to Hershey Park as a child until I was in my teens when my stepdad got free tickets for an employee appreciation event. My ex at one time worked at the zoo there and she'd get free tickets because of that so I did go a few times. My parents wouldn't take us when we were kids because it was just too expensive and we lived down in Willow Street, PA which was a bit too far.
What I was referring to specifically was Hershey Park. I guess I'm living in my PA bubble too much and expected other to know it. There's a lot of international people who vacation out here to see Hershey Park (as well as Amish). But yes, Milton Hershey (the Hershey Chocolate guy) created the town for the manufacturing of the chocolate, the Milton Hershey School ($$$), and yes, he did do a lot of orphanage/work with children. The story goes that him and his wife were unable to have children and he decided to help unfortunate children. They still take a few students a year to the Milton Hershey School who are poor/orphaned/etc. Not sure what the exact requirements are. All I know is that it's now an expensive private school.
Hershey Park tickets are about $90 for the day, usually can be found on sale for $50 here and there if you look hard enough. Long lines for all the coasters, which are quite decent. Almost $150-$250 for "fast passes" for a day. It's about $250 for a season pass per person. My ex actually paid that for all her children every year. Lot of money, I'd never pay that! I actually never went to Hershey Park as a child until I was in my teens when my stepdad got free tickets for an employee appreciation event. My ex at one time worked at the zoo there and she'd get free tickets because of that so I did go a few times. My parents wouldn't take us when we were kids because it was just too expensive and we lived down in Willow Street, PA which was a bit too far.
Maraakate
Veteran Member
Exhaust isn't as hard to find as you think. Post in the wanted section someone likely has them. Best tip I can give you is avoid short trips because the water collects and always rots them out where it meets the collector. 10 miles minimum or you're just ruining the pipes.
The bike looks like it can clean up rather wheel if you take some time with metal polish and #0000 steel wool on the rims.
A new seat cover is easy to install and there's some nice quality ones from the UK that can be had for under $100 if you're interested. They are easy to install.
My bike looks better in the pictures than it actually is. My tank is so faded on the top. It's broken down to the silver layer of the tricoat. I'm more focused on the road-worthiness of the bike (which is good as-is). Paint work will be the last thing I do to it.
Personally, I like the "my bike looks used because it's legitimately used, a lot, and it runs well" look rather than a trailer queen.
CB200T
Member
@1969 CL350, Your ‘69 CL350 is beautiful. Where did you get the cafe racer seat?