Topic: 1973 Honda CB 350F control cables

[Kasindy]

   I'm getting ready to show my 350F again this year at the AMCA in Dixon, Ca.  Last year the judges insisted the control cables on this bike were originally grey.   Yes the 350 twins were, but none of the four cylinder bikes. They were all black.   I need some verification, anybody got a clue?

[jlh3rd]

I'll do some research. Do you happen to have an original, 1st edition Honda parts book. If you do either post the #'s or research them.

[jlh3rd]

so look at these pics. They're black and white. But if you compare the CL77 pic to the 350 F pic, you can see the grey vs black....
These pics are from the official Honda motorcycle identification guide book.

[jlh3rd]

from CMS  parts page:
CMS does pretty good at showing pics of original parts even if a part has been superceded.
So they show all black cables. Further proof.
And I know from my own research that the lower end ferrule shape shown was changed in following years, so that  is a pic of an original cable.

[jlh3rd]

I'm sending pics from research. You can do the same. Buy the ads off of ebay as proof on hand. Buy the magazines if you can. That's what I've done for my 550F.
You'll be surprised at what judges do not know. And trust me, I've gotten real good at proving facts over internet blather because I was forced to. I've been in your shoes.
Hope all this helps.
And when "discussing" this with judges, ask them to show you any official pics of 350F's with grey cables. They won't, because they don't exist.
I'm in the AMCA. You should hear my story.

[jlh3rd]

here

[jlh3rd]

here

[carnivorous chicken]

Black, not grey. I've bought 350Fs that had original cables. The judges might be confusing twins and fours...

[jlh3rd]

here

[jlh3rd]

here

[drodg33]

I have a 350F with what I believe are the original cables and they are black.   

[jlh3rd]

there's no doubt.

[Kasindy]

  Okay, this is great.   I'll copy this whole page and look for original sales pic's.   They looked hard to find something wrong and decided to mark me down for non-vintage innertube caps as well.
  I have restored a 1972 Honda CL350  and yes the cables were grey. I assume the CB350 twin was as well.

[jlh3rd]

lol...oh no, not the "vintage" inner tube cap BS....lol...but actually there is a certain "kind"
I just deleted awhile back the pic I took of various vintage 70's Honda caps..
You understand, that the caps are not honda but depend on what innertube you buy. So common tires were Bridgestones which came with bridgestone tubes....
So, what tires are on your bike, and let me see pics of the caps....Most were of a "dome" type. But they did change a little over the years, mostly the dome part.
If you look at a close up of the pic I sent....you can barely make out the style.

[jlh3rd]

found it....
vintage caps used back in the day...

[jlh3rd]

my original , unrestored '75

[jlh3rd]

current bridgestone tube cap for your 350F....from CMS
It's hard to see....a current bridgestone tube cap might be slightly different from a '70's ....

what is not vintage about yours?

[Kasindy]

     Here's the puzzle,  The AMCA wants these bikes to be road worthy so similar to original tread modern tires can be used.  Inner tubes would follow the same rule and the caps must represent the type most commonly found on Bridgestone's.  From what I can see they were simple domed caps. Maybe they had a B embossed??  The ones on there were flat across the top.

[jlh3rd]

flat across the top sounds like the kind that have a built in tire valve remover. Mostly found on dirt/trail/motocross bikes. So I'd have to agree with that. Easy fix.  I have never seen a "B" embossed cap.
A dome cap should be fine.
I'm in the AMCA. The only thing required is that the bike starts and runs, unless your chapter is interpreting the rules differently.

What else did they ding you for?

[Kasindy]

  There was some fading of the "Redline"  on the tach.   I purchased replacement discs  and had the tack and speed-o rebuilt.  I undercoated the underside of both fenders which is typical of my resto's.   I was able to remove it with gasoline.  Other than that 96 points.

[drodg33]

Well this is giving me the incentive to never take my 350F or 500F to be judged at an event.  I am new in this hobby but have a few collector cars and that is crazy also. 

[Kasindy]

Not to fear.  Nothing is perfect unless you uncrate a bike and take it directly to the show, and what's the point in that?  It's all about having fun and showing off your efforts.  The harder you try for perfection, the more critical the judging.  Ride-in shows are the most fun. Most of my collection is dedicated to riders and then there is one trailer queen.   

[drodg33]

Not to fear.  Nothing is perfect unless you uncrate a bike and take it directly to the show, and what's the point in that?  It's all about having fun and showing off your efforts.  The harder you try for perfection, the more critical the judging.  Ride-in shows are the most fun. Most of my collection is dedicated to riders and then there is one trailer queen.

I do like your outlook

[jlh3rd]

  There was some fading of the "Redline"  on the tach.   I purchased replacement discs  and had the tack and speed-o rebuilt.  I undercoated the underside of both fenders which is typical of my resto's.   I was able to remove it with gasoline.  Other than that 96 points.

I was gonna ask, unrestored, or restored.
So, yeah, a restored bike is dinged for "wrong" parts.
So now  the fenders are original? original chrome?....probably a little rusty underside...that'll cost points. That's the problem with a restoration but keeping good original parts......or are they re-chromed...

[jlh3rd]

Well this is giving me the incentive to never take my 350F or 500F to be judged at an event.  I am new in this hobby but have a few collector cars and that is crazy also.

If you go to share and talk to other enthusiasts about your bike/car, then the shows are fun.
 
If you go to "win the trophy" and fight over what's right with yours and wrong with others, then it becomes a burden.