New to all this... First Bike, 1969 CL350

3659 Views 22 Replies 7 Participants Last post by SniperX, Jun 3, 2009

JDReno

Discussion Starter · May 14, 2009

Hey there everybody, I'm new to the site, and to the hobby as a whole. Been looking at getting a bike for the last couple months with the Summer quickly approaching. I found this one via craigslist only about an hour away from me so I made the move and went and picked her up. She's a 1969 CL350 that's stock minus a few little things like the CB exhaust, and the cheap clubmans that were just put on recently. She's got 3300 miles on her and was last registered in 1976! She fires right up with the push button start and everything seems to work and run pretty fairly. Tires should be here tomorrow along with some new brake shoes, carb kits, and some new points in the next week or so. I plan on doing a few little "cafe-ish" mods to her eventually, but plan on just riding her through the summer essentially as is, and then tearing her down this winter.

So, thats where you guys come in... haha.
Being my first bike, i've already got the usually "newbie" questions, and I'm sure will have tons along the way...

My first being fork tube diameter. I want to start the rebuild at the front. I've already ordered all new cables, some simple levers and perches, and a throttle assembly that I've heard works with stock throttle cable, to clean the front end up. I want to swap the clubmans in favor of some nice woodcraft clip-ons. But thus far, haven't found a definite answer as to sizing... I've seen the list/chart that is floating around the web that lists 72-73 CL350s but not the 1969. Are the 1969 CL's the same as CB's or do they differ like is common for the other years. I've kind of narrowed it down to either 31mm or 33mm from my readings on the web, but I am still unsure.

-So, can anyone confirm what size clip-ons I need for a 1969 CL?

I look forward to sharing my progress, and learning from the boards! Seems like an addicting hobby that I can't wait to get further into!

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MNellis

· #10 · May 20, 2009

JDReno said:
Ok, thanks Steve. I guess that's good and bad news... Have you heard of this happening before? Or any idea what might be the culprit?

I think you'll find that the starter will work fine with a fully charged battery. My '68 CL350 has the same issue with the electric starter. If it sits for a couple of days it won't turn over with the electric start. After I ride it for a few miles and the battery charges it works fine. My batter was new a few months ago so I don't think it's the condition of the battery. Try jumping it with the car and see if the elect. start works then.

Is that bike a Canadian model? I've never gotten a good answer re: the tank stripe below the wings. I've only seen pictures of the striped tank but all US version of the '68/69 I've seen have always been solid color like mine.

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MNellis

· #13 · May 20, 2009

66Sprint said:
The K0's have no stripe (both 68 and 69), but the 69 K1's got the stripe, a pleated seatcover (K0's are smooth), and misc. other small changes....

Well, that sounds like a definitive answer. If that's the case, the K1 must have been a very short run since the '70 model was different. Maybe that's why I haven't seen any in person.

Also, I see where the rectangular tail light was introduced in the K1 too.

I think I get it now.

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MNellis

· #20 · Jun 3, 2009

jayel said:
clean both ends of both battery power cables, ground cable connection to frame is critical also both posts on starter solenoid and connector on starter motor itself, if battery drains down when setting for several days check the rectifier, the diodes can break down allowing the battery to have a low voltage/current drain to ground even with key off

That's the problem I have with my CL350. It's a good thing it's a "one kick wonder". After riding for about 20 minutes the electric start works fine.

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