Topic: 68-71 CB350 Front suspension - performance mods

[DesertLab]

Hey guys,

Couldn't find a suspension specific section on the forum, so decided to post here. Please move if there is a better place for this.

That said, I'm building a 71 CB350 and wanted to know if there are any front suspension mods worth looking into.

Change valve hole size?
Better or new exposed springs?
Oil weight?
Ect?

I looked around but couldn't find anything. Suggestions or first hand knowledge greatly appreciated.

Build thread and intro o follow in a different thread.

Cheers,
~josh

[trueblue]

On the 350 I'm building, I'm using a CX500 fork yokes with the forks from a CB400N, Morris wheels with twin disc and twin piston calipers off a CB900F

[Kemp]

Lots of go fast stuff available for these 350 twins as they are road raced in several vintage racing series including AHRMA. A common mod for suspension is putting on a CB500/550 front end complete. The forks are stouter 35mm and the offset is relaxed a bit to 45mm. This mod gives you a nice stiff front end with a bit more neutral steering so the bike isn't as hyper and much more stable at high speed. Guys usually add Progressive Suspension  springs and/or cartridge emulators to these forks to make them really nice and well controlled. Of course tapred steering head brgs and a fork brace complete this front end to perfection. Still looks the part of an old Honda but works much more like a modern sportbike.

[grcamna2]

I installed a pair of 75' CB400F front fork tubes & damper rods into my lower sliders on my 72' CB350K4 twin and I plan on installing cartridge fork emulators soon.The CB400F fork tubes are just a hair shorter & they have the same 33mm diameter as my O.E. tubes.No one can tell it's been modified until you drive it  .

[Killer Canary]

What is it about the 400F tubes that makes a difference?

[DesertLab]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I was looking to keep the stock forks with exposed springs. Curious if anyone has played with the valving by increasing or decreasing hole size. Also if there are re-pop springs available that are stiffer/softer/progressive.

[grcamna2]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I was looking to keep the stock forks with exposed springs. Curious if anyone has played with the valving by increasing or decreasing hole size. Also if there are re-pop springs available that are stiffer/softer/progressive.

The damper rods are an improvement over the CB350 style fork tubes IMO..and the fork springs are easier to change along w/ more aftermarket parts being available for that model.DesertLab's CB350 twin may be a K3 or earlier..,which has the old style exposed fork springs..,& they won't be compatible w/ the CB400F/CB350K4-5 style upper & lower triple clamps.I do like the CB400F forks lots better the way they're set up in my CB350 twin compared to my old forks.

[grcamna2]

Hi DesertLab, how did your front suspension come out on that CB350 twin ?

[DesertLab]

Waiting on new seals and powder coater. Will start a new build thread soon. Thanks.

[grcamna2]

I look forward to your build thread;I'm always interested in how to make the little CB350 twin handle as great as can be ! 
                           
                                         Bill