[Melodius Thunk]

I just picked up this bike:

It has 14623 miles on it... is this high? It also seems to have a non-original gas tank... is it just me, or is it wrong? I was also told that besides the "custom" work on the gas tank, that the bike was the original color. To me the blue looks to dark to be original. Plus what's up with the green headlight!?! I've never seen on?

I was thinking about restoring it, but now I might go the cafe route.

Thanks,
-Ryan

 

[Melodius Thunk]

On another note.... I really like (and would like to copy more or less), this cafe that Carpy did:

Does anyone know how hard it is to hammer knee dents into the side of a tank?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Well, he used a different tank. Yours looks like with its more square shape it'd be hard to hammer and make look the same. I think you'd end up with a crease by the rear "corners" of the tank, or have to hammer the entire sides in, but I'm no body/paint man. I like your bike the way she sits already! Custom paint is sweet!

GB :mrgreen:

 

[qcrider]

On another note.... I really like (and would like to copy more or less), this cafe that Carpy did:

Does anyone know how hard it is to hammer knee dents into the side of a tank?

I can't remember where I saw it, but there was a guy doing this on one of the sites I visited awhile back. there were some pics. May have been the old handatwins.com

Maybe that will chog someone else's memory

I think he may have been from Texas and he had a CB 750k chopper as well.

Ernie

 

[qcrider]

Maybe that will chog someone else's memory



Ernie[/quote]


oops - jog not chog?

 

[66Sprint]

The one you have is the stock "early" tank shape and is correct for the '70....
(except the "wing" pockets were filled)... Hammer denting is not hard,
just time consuming as it has to be done slowly and methodically..... A wire form
is usually brazed in place to serve as an "outline", then glassed or bondoed in
smooth after the hammering is completed...... Steve

 

[Melodius Thunk]

Thanks for the replies! Still wondering if 14623 miles is a lot on this bike? Also, does anyone have any idea what tank was used on the cafe above? I think I'll buy a used tank to hammer AKA: practice on (and would like one close to the one on the above cafe), so I can still use the bike while I am working.

I like your bike the way she sits already! Custom paint is sweet!

The paint looks better in the photos than in real life... the top of the tank is chipped up bad.

 

[MNellis]

That tank isn't even close to the original CL tank. It looks to be from a CB model and it's not the correct color either.

It will make a good project and if you're going to cafe it out then it doesn't really matter where the tank is from or what color it originally was.

The hammered knee relief in the tank side is a nice look.

 

[66Sprint]

Yep, I missed that it was a CL... that tank is definately an early CB....
The tank on the bike you like appears to be a 71 or later CB 350 tank
BTW... Tank pics can be compared at this site... http://www.motorera.com/honda/index.htm
And you can decide what bike/year it came from.....

 

[Jason TEAM SHRALP]

since the tank is early cb it may have the mounting tabs for the knee pads so you may want to strip the paint before you start hammering in the dents. Make sure there isn't a ton of bondo covering them up. If that tank isn't dented I would just keep it as is and strip it then repaint it. The reason the headlight and tabs maybe green is they could be the original color of the bike.

 

[MNellis]

I agree, there were rubber pads that originally mounted on those tanks and they were good looking too. If they filled in the depression then there will be ton's of bondo. Use the old magnet trick and run it along the tank to check if there is bondo in there.

 

[66Sprint]

The 70 CB tank did not have the rubber knee-pads, but did have the impressed "wing" logos.... It was available in the blue-green that is currently on the forks (however, the forks appear to be CL)....Plus, the linkaged shifter is a CB trait, the CL's went directly on the shift shaft..... I have the feeling that this bike is partly CB, partly CL ( brake pedal, pipes, etc)....Although, the serial number will actually determine what it is....

 

[MNellis]

....Plus, the linkaged shifter is a CB trait, the CL's went directly on the shift shaft..... I have the feeling that this bike is partly CB, partly CL ( brake pedal, pipes, etc)....Although, the serial number will actually determine what it is....

Thanks for the correction on the CB tank, I thought they all had the rubber knee pad. My '68 CL has the same shifter set up as the one pictured so I assumed that part was CL as well. I think you're correct about the CL forks but the front fender looks like a CB unit since the CL's didn't use the front and lower brace pieces.

 

[66Sprint]

Mike...You are correct...I must have been thinking about a different bike...The shifters are the same on your 68 .... Let's see if MT will post the serial enough we can verify CB or CL....

 

[Melodius Thunk]

Hearing all of this has me slightly ticked off! I am purchasing this from a dealer. When I first saw the bike, I asked if it was all original? I was told that it was, except the custom work done on the tank? Then I asked about the color, 'cuz I've seen blue on CL's, but not that dark... I was still told that it was original. I then asked about the green headlight (I'm no expert, but I've never even seen a green CL (not that green anyway), and got the same answer. I even brought up the fact that the tank didn't look right, and again was told that it was original? I have the bike on layaway, and was to make another payment this Tuesday and then pay it off in the beginning of April. I wonder if I should just try and get out of it, and look for another bike? This one is costing me $1300 before tax + title, I just found another one ('73 I think), in my area, and the guy is asking $1200:

The dishonesty really ticks me off.... if you don't know what you are talking about, you should say so, not make things up! SORRY FOR THE RANT!... I guess that all-in-all, the mismatch of parts doesn't matter that much if I am going to go the "cafe" route anyway. Now I just think that I paid to much and was lied to.

 

[leethal]

Maybe you should google a pic of what it should look like, print it out, and take it to the dealer. Tell him he is talking out his a$$ and demand a discount/refund.

 

[Melodius Thunk]

Maybe you should google a pic of what it should look like, print it out, and take it to the dealer. Tell him he is talking out his a$$ and demand a discount/refund.

I was kinda thinking along those lines. I am making a list!... and will get them to knock the price down. I don't want to tick them off too bad 'cuz they are going to tune up the bike before I take ownership, and I would like them to do a good job!

 

[MNellis]

How can the dealer say the tank is the original color and the headlight is also the original color? They never did a two tone version like that.

The CL that you posted looks to be very good and shows the shift lever that Steve mentioned being connected directly to the shift shaft although the shifter on the 71 dealer bike is correct also. The tank on the '73 is the same shape as the '71 should be. Be advised, the '73 has a dangling electrical component near the key. I don't know if it's the flasher or the regulator (probably the flasher) but that would make me suspect of other electrical parts. Just something to be aware of if you can not do an on site, prebuy inspection. It's also missing the rubber cable guide on the front fender (that's what that hole in the fender is for). I noticed it because I just paid about $9 + shipping for one.

It's my opinion that if you're going to CAFE it out, the tank on the '71 is the better tank, appearance wise anyway.

 

[leethal]

One thing that dealers ALWAYS sniff first is your knowledge of the vehicle. If they sense naivety or wonderment...you're toasted. Get yourself a good handfull of info on the CL that someone only educated in showroom bikes wouldn't be familiar with, and turn those tables!

 

[66Sprint]

For your list note that it is a "hodge-podge" of both CB and CL parts.... Check the FRAME serial to see if it starts out with CB or CL..... Whichever parts don't match the frame are WRONG and a suitable reason to ask for a price reduction..... (Note: a 1970 CB frame should have a CB engine (CB350E-)...a CL frame should have an engine serial starting with CL350E-) Both 1970 models would be K2's and the serials should be CB (or CL)350-2XXXXXX... The X's being any digit... the first -2 is absolute, -3 or any other digit could indicate part replacement ... The numbers do NOT have to match digit for digit, and probably won't....

Definately CB parts: 1970 CB tank and seat (CL seat was longer)
Front fender is a CB type

Forks are CL, as are exhaust pipes

CL handlebars have a crossbrace, CB do not... Are they correct? (can't see in pic)

Note: CL forks on a CB frame fit/work fine but may indicate front end damage (accident) in the past. CB color headlight and "ears" + CB tank and seat (IF it's a CL frame) could also indicate accident damage... (are there any scrapes on the "ball" ends of the handlebar levers, pedals or footpegs that indicate it's been down?.... Same deal......
Regardless of reason, the parts are NOT all original to that bike, even though they all appear to be "350 Honda parts"..... offer $995.00 MAX... That's what a CL 350 sold for NEW in 72 (two years later) and while suitable for restoration, this bike is missing some original parts (That's what you tell the dealer).... If he won't come down to at least match the "other-one" cost, buy the other one, it's as close to the cafe' look you want as this one is and cheaper....

Although I personally prefer the early tank.... Steve