Topic: 2 dumb questions: non-standard CB350F (and others) points cover?

[carnivorous chicken]

Got another 350F today, will get around to checking compression and going from there, but there are two things on it I don't usually see.

First, the cover for the points plate is thick and unplated metal, not the usual thin and chromed points cover. Any ideas on this? Thick ones are aftermarket? Early bikes had thick ones, later had the thin ones?

Second, this 350F has the finned rocker adjuster covers that stick up about an inch and a quarter. I've seen them on other bikes, mostly 550s and 750s, and even a couple 400s, but not on a 350F. Doesn't really surprise me, but -- is there any evidence that these are effective (at what? keeping the rockers/valves cooler?) or do they just look cool? And by evidence I'm not looking for uncle Joe's ideas about what's good -- I demand science!

** changed title of the post to see if anyone else has an answer...

[Duke McDukiedook]

1. Could be homebrewed or likely aftermarket.

2. For looks.

[Powderman]

Factory valve cover caps seem to be pretty effective, so no extra cooling is needed. They are cosmetically cool. They're a piece of mind gimmick. No advice on the points cover. Pics or the parts don't exist.

[carnivorous chicken]

Factory valve cover caps seem to be pretty effective, so no extra cooling is needed. They are cosmetically cool. They're a piece of mind gimmick. No advice on the points cover. Pics or the parts don't exist.

I'll post a photo tomorrow. I've actually seen the same cover on another bike as well, and it's got the Honda logo which may mean it came from the factory -- but of course maybe not.

In 25 years I've never ran a bike with the finned rocker covers. Maybe I'll just sell em on fleabay.

[seanbarney41]

yep, none of that stuff is a performance advantage of any sort, just looks cool...I think 350/400's use the same points cover as a 500/550, actually even 750's are really the same too, just the bolt holes are clocked different...and all the sohc4's can use the same tappet covers

[carnivorous chicken]

Here are photos of the points cover. I worked on a bike that had the exact same cover, same mounting bolts as well (not the countersunk screws on the chromed covers). Just curious if this was an option, only on some bikes (Early models, e.g.), or aftermarket. Also: will it make my bike go faster? Just jokes...

[seanbarney41]

That is a very nice (and probably rare) part...have never seen one before.  No idea on the origin though.  Maybe HRC or sold by Honda aftermarket only?  Or is it off a cb650 perhaps?

[helltaco]

I have a points cover like that off a 650 that was chromed with the logo painted black, and it came with the same flanged hex head bolts. Looks good on my 550 and doesn't get smooshed as easily as the stock piece.

[Duanob]

Flybox might chime in here, he had a 350F. That's a nice piece and could be polished up easy enough.