Topic: CL350 Street Tracker / Cafe build

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Very nice prep and paint.

[madScientist]

Thanks fellas!

I haven't rebuilt the head yet. I have to get that fin fixed and get them bead blasted. I was thinking the same thing about the porting. If I get out to the shop today I was going to compare port sizes to the other head just out of curiosity.

Yeah I have a wide range of tools :-D. I dont like renting things as I know I'll end up needing it again later. So when I come across a need i either go out and buy the tool or wait until I can. I want to upgrade the compressor to a Quincy two stage and I could REALLY use a plasma cutter. I can get by without them for now.

[grcamna2]

That Quincy two stage is an excellent quality compressor,along w/ an old Kellog.
If you find either one,even worn out,they're Very rebuildable;just make sure your tank isn't rusted out...

[madScientist]

Back from vacation and got a little garage time in. Got the frame all painted up, installed the "All Balls" steering bearings, and put in the triples. The forks are still awaiting a rebuild. I also put in a purchase of various seals, swingarm bushings, and misc other parts. Should be able to make some good progress this weekend provided everything shows up.

Before I left I dropped the jugs, pistons, and head off at the machine shop for blasting and boring. I expect to hear back from them this week as well. The only thing I dont have to put the engine back together (excluding the head that needs to be rebuilt) is a cam chain roller assembly. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get one of the bore-tech ones since, it would seem an original is almost the same price. The chain guide is also shot so I'm going to have to source one of those. I would also like to put a manual cam chain tensioner on it if I can find one.

I did start putting the motor back together as well. I got the crank installed in the upper case half and started putting the gears in. However they are fighting me on meshing up and seating. I started getting frustrated so I left it alone.

Here's a shot of the frame with my dog photobombing...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Great work as always, MadS.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Do you have any pics of the seat you'll be using. I didn't see one in the thread. Could be glitch with my iPhone but some of the earlier pics are not displaying.

[grcamna2]

That's a nice 'shop dog' 

[madScientist]

Thanks. She's a great pup although she's gettin' old.

I dont have pictures of a seat yet as I haven't made it up. I'm going to be making a seat / cowl out of fiberglass similar to what I have on my F. I really like how it looks. The trick will be getting it to look right with the tank. The tank has a "bobbed" look to it which i dislike. I was going to put a CB tank on it as I think those are more "leaned forward". I will not be modifying my current tank as it's straight and fairly clean.

Similar to this:
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[grcamna2]

I like the CB tank myself

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks. She's a great pup although she's gettin' old.

I dont have pictures of a seat yet as I haven't made it up. I'm going to be making a seat / cowl out of fiberglass similar to what I have on my F. I really like how it looks. The trick will be getting it to look right with the tank. The tank has a "bobbed" look to it which i dislike. I was going to put a CB tank on it as I think those are more "leaned forward". I will not be modifying my current tank as it's straight and fairly clean.

Similar to this:
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I myself am a fan of the 750 SS style tank but that might be a little large for a bike like this. I wasn't sure if you were going to run a classic tracker style seat - flatter and winged outward by comparison.

Looking forward to what comes.

[madScientist]

Sorry i should have clarified...i meant a CB350 tank. I'm not going to try and jam an F tank on it. I still want to run a battery which is why I was going to put a hump in it. I am researching the smallest usable battery.

I hate kick starting...I'm intentionally withholding the electrical box pictures :-D

[madScientist]

After some research I found this guy:

http://shop.antigravitybatteries.com/antigravity-batteries-ag401/

At less than 4" tall and 1.25" deep I can probably stash it in the electrical box.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

After some research I found this guy:

http://shop.antigravitybatteries.com/antigravity-batteries-ag401/

At less than 4" tall and 1.25" deep I can probably stash it in the electrical box.

The four cell is only recommended for street use up to 250cc OR race use up to 600cc, so I think you might be pushing your luck with it for your 350 twin.  The smaller size is easier to hide, but  it might lack enough amps it your engine is cold.  I would recommend going with the 8-cell (http://shop.antigravitybatteries.com/antigravity-batteries-ag801/).

I have heard mixed reviews about Ballistic, nothing but good reviews about Shorai, and nothing bad about Zero Gravity or Alien Motion.  I have Alien Motion batteries in my 750 and 550.

[grcamna2]

That's a nice little battery;I'm sure you'll be going all through your electrical/charging system and 'feeding' that little guy just what it requires.

[madScientist]

i think I could hide that 8 cell fine. I am going to roll through the electrics and fix / replace most of the wires. I'll likely be fashioning up a new harness altogether as mines somewhat roached out. It's getting a recticfier / regulator from oregon electrical. Lighting will be LED.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

i think I could hide that 8 cell fine. I am going to roll through the electrics and fix / replace most of the wires. I'll likely be fashioning up a new harness altogether as mines somewhat roached out. It's getting a recticfier / regulator from oregon electrical. Lighting will be LED.

I think the new harness, reg/rectifier and LED lighting is a good call.  I have been the victim twice now of "roached out" wiring.  You will want to add an electronic LED flasher unit to that list, too.   

If you go with a LED headlight, like the Truck Lite, you will likely need a metal headlight bucket, as the stock will crack under the strain of the metal light housing.  No fun when you are on a ride, and the headlight bucket breaks after hitting a bump in the road.

[grcamna2]

i think I could hide that 8 cell fine. I am going to roll through the electrics and fix / replace most of the wires. I'll likely be fashioning up a new harness altogether as mines somewhat roached out. It's getting a recticfier / regulator from oregon electrical. Lighting will be LED.

I think the new harness, reg/rectifier and LED lighting is a good call.  I have been the victim twice now of "roached out" wiring.  You will want to add an electronic LED flasher unit to that list, too.   

If you go with a LED headlight, like the Truck Lite, you will likely need a metal headlight bucket, as the stock will crack under the strain of the metal light housing.  No fun when you are on a ride, and the headlight bucket breaks after hitting a bump in the road.

What does that LED headlight assm. look like CB750 CRF ?

[seanbarney41]

Sorry i should have clarified...i meant a CB350 tank. I'm not going to try and jam an F tank on it. I still want to run a battery which is why I was going to put a hump in it. I am researching the smallest usable battery.

I hate kick starting...I'm intentionally withholding the electrical box pictures :-D

uh oh...if you have never owned one of these little bikes before, you might want to change your mind.  Even when working perfectly, they tend to not want to spin the starter motor under many circumstances.

[grcamna2]

Sorry i should have clarified...i meant a CB350 tank. I'm not going to try and jam an F tank on it. I still want to run a battery which is why I was going to put a hump in it. I am researching the smallest usable battery.

I hate kick starting...I'm intentionally withholding the electrical box pictures :-D

uh oh...if you have never owned one of these little bikes before, you might want to change your mind.  Even when working perfectly, they tend to not want to spin the starter motor under many circumstances.

The battery has to be 'Hot' 100 % charge and I think(from what I've heard about those Rick's reg./rect. & stator pckges.)it should spin it better than stock.I've never owned or installed a Rick's set-up but I keep all my ground connections & rect. ground + terminals tight & shiny w/ a stock system.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

i think I could hide that 8 cell fine. I am going to roll through the electrics and fix / replace most of the wires. I'll likely be fashioning up a new harness altogether as mines somewhat roached out. It's getting a recticfier / regulator from oregon electrical. Lighting will be LED.

I think the new harness, reg/rectifier and LED lighting is a good call.  I have been the victim twice now of "roached out" wiring.  You will want to add an electronic LED flasher unit to that list, too.   

If you go with a LED headlight, like the Truck Lite, you will likely need a metal headlight bucket, as the stock will crack under the strain of the metal light housing.  No fun when you are on a ride, and the headlight bucket breaks after hitting a bump in the road.

What does that LED headlight assm. look like CB750 CRF ?

Truck Lite Headlight Assembly (heavy!)



New Chrome Emgo Headlight Bucket (the original plastic bucket cracked)



Headlight Off



Headlight On

[grcamna2]

Yeah OK;is it a 'blue' type of light ? Will it blind oncoming cars ? 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Yeah OK;is it a 'blue' type of light ? Will it blind oncoming cars ? 

Clean, white light and not ultra bright/obnoxious.  And a little different to get you noticed.

[grcamna2]

CB750 CRF, it prob. burns a lot less watts I imagine,less than a stock one ?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

CB750 CRF, it prob. burns a lot less watts I imagine,less than a stock one ?

Yes, there's quite a reduced load compared to the stock or halogen. 

[madScientist]

Thanks for the suggestions. I may stick with the stock headlight (for now) and put a kill switch on it for starting. Just to see how it behaves. I almost went with a truck light on my 750 but elected to use a halogen with relays to retain the stock bucket.

The bushings for the swingarm aren't going to be shipped until Friday which means I wont have a roller this weekend as i previously hoped. So now i'm going into "bounce between systems" mode to keep it moving forward.

Last night I put the trans in. I had a dumb moment and had a couple gears flipped in the clutch bank. After fixing that it went right in.

Aside from the shift drum, trans parts, kick starter, and crank...is there anything else i need to put in prior to putting the case halves together?  After that's done I'll pull the clutch pack off to put in the oil pump and gear shift parts.

I'll probably turn my attention to finishing the electrical box and mounting it in. Then start working on the wiring. I'm going to Vintage Bike Night on Monday and will try to get a bead on a CB350 tank to use. I'd like to refrain from starting to fashion up a cowl until I have the proper tank to keep the lines tight.