Thanks Bob, it certainly is fun to ride, light and pretty fast. The only problem is range, 1.8 gallons doesn't go too far
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Before and After - show the results of your hard work
- Thread starter ancientdad
- Start date
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Here’s a before and after of my ‘69 CL350 from around 1970-1971. In retrospect, I should have left it alone…
Well, hindsight is 20/15 after all
Boosted
Veteran Member
ballbearian
Veteran Member
Certain things grow faster when you're young, but it all evens out with maturity.
Bobs 883
Veteran Member
I had the same problem with my old Norton.Thanks Bob, it certainly is fun to ride, light and pretty fast. The only problem is range, 1.8 gallons doesn't go too far
Fun problem to have though.
bob
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Before (November 2016)
After (June 2017)
After, part 2 (April 2024)
After (June 2017)
After, part 2 (April 2024)
Mydlyfkryzis
Supporting Member
I usually don't like modified bikes, but this one is very likable to me. You avoided the typical errors that many modifiers make. You kept the front fork brace (Fender mount). The filters are not good with CV carbs, but you put carbs that work with them, anothere positive. Mostly, the bike looks put together with some thought, not just strip everything and put a flat seat on.
TLDR: Looks great. I like it.
The new headlight/speedo really makes that front end look a lot more natural. Always envious of that build man.
Thanks, the vision I had in my head off and on over the decades ended up slightly different as it went along, but the general idea of a street-legal version of my first 450 drag bike, with fenders, was the overall goal. It helped that I'd previously done a lot of the things that went into this bike, and some parts just came together as it progressed. I hate poor cafe jobs and was never going to build something that didn't resemble a complete '70s bike, but minor changes to the original parts in places made it different enough without being ridiculous. I've always thought the stock rear fender was wider than necessary and made the rear tire look smaller, so I used a 5" wide aftermarket fender cut to fit and then chromed. The unfortunate side effect of that is the factory bead-edged front fender doesn't match, but oh well. It's hard to talk much about budget when you spend a stupid amount of money on a project as I did on this one, but it was the first project bike I'd done in over 25 years and I could easily have spent another $1000 or more if I'd done the few remaining things I went the cheaper route on. I painted the notoriously rusty upper fork tubes instead of chroming them, the rear fender cost $150 to get chromed as it was. I knew the bike wouldn't be universally popular, but it does get the same general comments and questions when I ride it. And like all our bikes, to some extent it's never really done, there's always something to do. I like the look of the CB77 headlight and gauge unit much better, but unfortunately the gauges are in lesser operating shape than the stock gauges and I miss having a well-functioning tach, but my ear still works well enough. And those older gauges cost a ton to get refurbed too. Some things are okay as they are, it runs and rides well so that's the most important part. And in a few more months it will hopefully have a brand new tank, freshly chromed (if all goes according to plan).
Thanks very much brother, it's a bike I just haven't gotten tired of yet. Good thing too, because I ain't gettin any younger and that little 346 pounder will be all I can handle in another 5 years or so.
ballbearian
Veteran Member
I used to call it Gort, with the old headlight, but still looks strong, so maybe just go with Popeye.
Bobs 883
Veteran Member
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Thanks. Stripes made of wide red vinyl tape, and stars cut out of wide white vinyl tape. The top of the tank was also covered in stars, and I had one of those Easy Rider metal flake helmets, too.
Bobs 883
Veteran Member
This is what my P11 Norton looked like before someone chopped it all up, then I got it and started to make it different.
The rear section behind the seat was made from a piece of plastic window my dad had hanging around that I melted into a rough shape then body worked to finish, with some fiberglass.
I was on a very tight budget...........
this 850 was around 350 to 370 pounds.
bob
The rear section behind the seat was made from a piece of plastic window my dad had hanging around that I melted into a rough shape then body worked to finish, with some fiberglass.
I was on a very tight budget...........
this 850 was around 350 to 370 pounds.
bob
old timer
Veteran Member
As some of you know I hung up my tools about 4 years ago as my age caught up with me . I have hung around and watched from afar and enjoyed watching the builds and reading the commentary. I thought I would post my first build and my last build as I am thinking of leaving the site. I was retired and looking for something to do and I found an old 1965 Honda CB 77 sitting in an open field. It had been wrecked and parked where it sat for about 7 years. The owner still had the title. Up to this point the only bike I had worked on was my grandsons XR 100 . I thought what the heck.
This was in 2011 and I had no knowledge of the HT site. I bought several books from Bill Silvers and joined the 305 site witch then was a pretty good site .
This build led to others and when I started on the CB400A I became a member of the HT site then the VHT site. This I think was in 2015.
My last build was for a friend of mine . It is a 1965 Honda CA 95 started in 2021 and could not have been completed without the help of the members of the VHT site. Thanks Guys. Cant find the 95.
AD Edit: here is Bill's CA95 project thread: https://www.vintagehondatwins.com/forums/threads/rebuild-of-a-honda-ca-95.1551/
This was in 2011 and I had no knowledge of the HT site. I bought several books from Bill Silvers and joined the 305 site witch then was a pretty good site .
This build led to others and when I started on the CB400A I became a member of the HT site then the VHT site. This I think was in 2015.
My last build was for a friend of mine . It is a 1965 Honda CA 95 started in 2021 and could not have been completed without the help of the members of the VHT site. Thanks Guys. Cant find the 95.
AD Edit: here is Bill's CA95 project thread: https://www.vintagehondatwins.com/forums/threads/rebuild-of-a-honda-ca-95.1551/
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Bill, your builds and contributions have been great over the years and we're glad you've been an active member here and at HT as long as you have. Ultimately it's your decision, but you're welcome to hang around as long as you want. We'll be here.
Troy
Veteran Member
I've always been a bit hesitant to post pics (more so on FB than here) because there is always somebody quick to point out the flaws but here is before and after of my Black Bomber. It was found in a junk yard in Barriere BC by an uncle who didn't know what it was but saw something in it. It was a heck of an undertaking for a first project but considering that it essentially had almost no moving parts I'm pleased with where it's at now. If you look hard you'll spot a few minor things but there's no need to point them out. I know what they are.
The difference between here at VHT and anywhere else is, here we would be pointing out things to try to help, and elsewhere you'd be getting ripped for buying it in that condition (or whatever other snarky things might be said). We're glad your uncle saw something in it, and your efforts and persistence in the face of many obstacles have made it well worth displaying now.
ballbearian
Veteran Member
Bill you were a great inspiration for me during your CA95 build and I was new here. I always think of you when riding or wrenching on my CA95. You also were helpful when I was doing my first motor rebuild on my Dream. I'm still using your bore gauges too.
There's things money can't buy. Thank you.
Wherever you go, there you are, I hope it's here sometimes.
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Man, that’s a real beauty! You did a great job on it, and I always liked the black bombers with the lower handlebars. Speaking of nit pickers, I took my candy blue and white ‘69 CL350 to Barber one year, and when I returned to the campground from seeing the sights, there were 3 or 4 guys standing around my bike pointing out everything that wasn’t correct about it. I stood there and listened a few minutes, and then I started pointing out things they had missed. I then told them it was mine and we all had a good laugh.
That's a great story, wish I'd been there to participate in the nit-pick fun. Looks like you guys were hanging out with the high-end RV crowd that year.
RobMan
Veteran Member
It's great to have a good sense of humor about stuff and take the small stuff in stride. When I was young I used to get my feathers ruffled way to easy but as I have gotten older I find i just don't have the energy to waste. I love looking at everyone's bikes on this forum from the just get it running rat to the blue ribbon show winners.
Rizingson
Veteran Member
I bought this '65 CA110 back in 2012, it was painted a metal flake maroon, so I knew that would need to be quickly changed. Further investigation determined it was originally white, which was not a popular color in the '60s (always the last to be sold).
I decided that I wanted to go with Columbia Blue, which to my dismay about doubled the cost of restoration as finding the 4 plastic pieces in Columbia Blue would be not only a challenge but costly compared to Scarlet Red for example. Front fender, headlight bucket and both side covers are plastic, with color molded throughout the pieces.
Original condition and color.
After color change and restored back to original.
I decided that I wanted to go with Columbia Blue, which to my dismay about doubled the cost of restoration as finding the 4 plastic pieces in Columbia Blue would be not only a challenge but costly compared to Scarlet Red for example. Front fender, headlight bucket and both side covers are plastic, with color molded throughout the pieces.
Original condition and color.
After color change and restored back to original.
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Yeah, I never meant to do a proper restoration on it - I just wanted to return it to “sort of original looking” and ride it. Here is a before photo, and an after photo with it in scrambler mode. I can probably point out about 50 things that aren’t correct…lol
Egads! Is that kickstand spring in backwards! The horror! I kid man, that bike looks awesome and the fact that you started with essentially a derelict pile is even better.
BUT, that derelict pile was previously a brand new bike... that he won in a radio contest. So it WAS new to him at one point before all the crawlin crud came calling.
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Yes, I’m the original owner of the bike. I did a cafe job on it in the early 1980s, rode it some that way, bought other motorcycles, and let it languish in my mower shed for about 25 years due to it needing new carb diaphragms. I dragged it out in 2015 and got it cleaned up and running again as the cafe. A year or so later I started accumulating the parts to return it to close to how it looked when new. I left it as the scrambler for a number of years, and then returned it to the cafe trim. Last year, the old Black Bomber tank sprang a leak, so I put the stock bodywork back on till I can get the tank repaired.
Last summer…
As it sits today…
I’ve been lagging on this, as the bike never seems to be “done” enough - and then I have to explain to myself that there’s currently two more projects ongoing in the shop and it’s time. Took her down to get coffee after the rains let up. And here it is:
About 15 months ago, here’s where it started
And here’s
4 pages of everything not to do when rebuilding a DOHC twin
Along with:
3 pages of fixing all the stupid mistakes you made in a rush and not listening
Honestly, I’d probably have started drinking again without the help of this forum. So, cheers to you guys.
About 15 months ago, here’s where it started
And here’s
4 pages of everything not to do when rebuilding a DOHC twin
Along with:
3 pages of fixing all the stupid mistakes you made in a rush and not listening
Honestly, I’d probably have started drinking again without the help of this forum. So, cheers to you guys.
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I like the creativity in the gauge and headlight cowl combo, looks different and cool. You know I've never been a brown seat fan but the quality of that seat and fit is really nice. Nice clean work, you made a silk purse from a sow's ear (much better than lipstick on a pig).
KHSE
Veteran Member
Ok, I'm thoroughly prejudiced but it really looks fantastic with the Black Bomber tank!!!
Thanks man. I’m really impressed with the Texavina seat - it’s pretty dang comfy too.
Who would have thought there were so many differences between the SOHC CB450’s that I had experience with and the DOHC era? lol. You tried to call that out in Day 2 and I was like “I got this” - wouldn’t have without reading a bajillion threads on here and still making every mistake along the way.
And the crazy thing for me is, I only knew of the SOHC 400/450 existence from afar, had only seen them in pictures and maybe once at my father's house when he had one to repair and sell. They came out after I was gone from the Honda shops so I'm in the exact opposite position with them. Funny that my wife stopped in a local swap shop/junk store to look around a few years back and she saw a 400 Hawk, took a picture of it and asked me if I was interested in it when she came home. They wanted too much money for it anyway, but not knowing anything about them I figured I'll stick to what I know at this point.
Nice work EzPete. The paint job and seat came out really nice, not to mention the shiny engine covers. The first ride must have been very satisfying.
Here goes then my project of almost 2 years, but finally on the road
I bought the motorcycle that had been abandoned for 30 years and then transformed it to my liking to be able to ride every day
Before (2023)
and Now (2025)
I bought the motorcycle that had been abandoned for 30 years and then transformed it to my liking to be able to ride every day
Before (2023)
and Now (2025)
1969 Honda CL350 Rescue
In 1969 at age 17, my cousin rode his brand new CL350 from Gary, Indiana all the way to California, before it “blew up” (I’m guessing the top end was starved for oil after all those high speed days on the road). Honda dealer gave him a refund under the warranty back then and he flew home. Not sure whatever happened to that particular bike. But ever since, I’ve had a nostalgic longing to own an early CL350 like my cousin’s.
Fast forward to 2024. This poor girl had been ridden hard and put away wet more than once and needed to be rescued.
Supposedly ran last year…we’ve all heard that before, but it did have a decent looking tank with no dents, what looked like the original seat pan and best of all the OEM exhaust. So I took the plunge and decided to do a frame off restoration.
Before:
5 months and mucho dinero later:
In 1969 at age 17, my cousin rode his brand new CL350 from Gary, Indiana all the way to California, before it “blew up” (I’m guessing the top end was starved for oil after all those high speed days on the road). Honda dealer gave him a refund under the warranty back then and he flew home. Not sure whatever happened to that particular bike. But ever since, I’ve had a nostalgic longing to own an early CL350 like my cousin’s.
Fast forward to 2024. This poor girl had been ridden hard and put away wet more than once and needed to be rescued.
Supposedly ran last year…we’ve all heard that before, but it did have a decent looking tank with no dents, what looked like the original seat pan and best of all the OEM exhaust. So I took the plunge and decided to do a frame off restoration.
Before:
5 months and mucho dinero later:
Beautiful, and exactly what this thread was intended for - one picture of before and one picture after. Quite the transformation, and I feel your financial pain myself despite mine not being a well-done original restoration. Really nice work.
Now you just need to find a gray speedo cable and some OEM passenger pegs and it will be perfect.
Bobs 883
Veteran Member
here's my before and after.
1983 CB400T
bob
1983 CB400T
bob
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Ok, I’ll be “that guy”…lol. Needs the chrome straight chain guard, the earlier chrome front heat shield, and the early alternator cover.Beautiful, and exactly what this thread was intended for - one picture of before and one picture after. Quite the transformation, and I feel your financial pain myself despite mine not being a well-done original restoration. Really nice work.
Now you just need to find a gray speedo cable and some OEM passenger pegs and it will be perfect.
Beautiful bike, though, and mine isn’t near as correct as yours.
Bobs 883
Veteran Member
Oh trust me, I agree.
I really like the look os the older hondas that had more chrome.
chrome may not get you home but it sure is nice to look at when yur on the side of the road!
bob
Beautiful, and exactly what this thread was intended for - one picture of before and one picture after. Quite the transformation, and I feel your financial pain myself despite mine not being a well-done original restoration. Really nice work.
Now you just need to find a gray speedo cable and some OEM passenger pegs and it will be perfect.
I do prefer the gray cables...but my friend had a new one in black, so went with that.
I didn't know I had aftermarket passenger pegs...how are the OEM's different?
No worries, LOL .
I didn't want to pony up for a pricey chrome chain guard because I paid for the pricey Ikon shocks which function better than the old OEMs...and I really do prefer the black to go with the new shocks.
OK, so how are the early alternator cover and front heat shield different than what I have now?
I appreciate all your experienced input guys. I do recognize those things now...thanks for pointing them out to me.
My bike is not real close to being factory correct, but I wanted it to make it a nice rider and look pretty and cared for...
I do seem to remember those older square passenger pegs from my 71 CL100 back in high school...and my 1970 Z50 and my old CB900, maybe even some of my naked GoldWings...
Regarding the exhaust shield, the left pipe on my bike is also "incorrect" coming from a later model with the thicker collar at the head, requiring shorter pipe joint collars on that side, but it fits the muffler end fine and seals well.
I'll keep my eyes open for the more correct parts, but won't be $earching too hard...as my bike currently has a CB numbered motor...so is not correct in that regard either...but if a good running CL motor comes along, I may pull out the wrenches once more...lol
Gotta pull the carbs once more at tweak them a bit...
My bike is not real close to being factory correct, but I wanted it to make it a nice rider and look pretty and cared for...
I do seem to remember those older square passenger pegs from my 71 CL100 back in high school...and my 1970 Z50 and my old CB900, maybe even some of my naked GoldWings...
Regarding the exhaust shield, the left pipe on my bike is also "incorrect" coming from a later model with the thicker collar at the head, requiring shorter pipe joint collars on that side, but it fits the muffler end fine and seals well.
I'll keep my eyes open for the more correct parts, but won't be $earching too hard...as my bike currently has a CB numbered motor...so is not correct in that regard either...but if a good running CL motor comes along, I may pull out the wrenches once more...lol
Gotta pull the carbs once more at tweak them a bit...
1969 CL350
Veteran Member
Here’s a pic of mine with the correct passenger pegs, heat shield, chain guard, and alternator cover. Pay no attention to the incorrect parts, though…lol
