Topic: Introduction and My First Bike: A Rusted Out 1968 CL350.

[ZetecOwns]

After 25 years of wanting to own a motorcycle, I finally got one: a 1968 CL350. I scored it for free off of craigslist.com after searching the site for a while for one of these old Hondas. Of course, being a free bike, it needs some work...but therein lies the fun, right?

I will admit I don't know the first thing about these bikes, but I intend to learn during the rebuild process. The bike is in pieces and spotted in rust, yet most of it looks like surface rust (though I haven't checked the FAQ yet, I plan to: in the meantime, anyone know the best method of taking rust off the chrome fenders and the frame? I plan on painting them, so preserving the chrome is no big deal).

I'm very excited about the project, and hope to have her running by next spring. Something along the lines of a cafe racer look are in order.

There seems to be not only a wealth of information here, but a genuine group of people ready to dispense it. I hope to get to know you guys and keep you posted on this rebuild. It may have been a little much to take on considering my lack of knowledge and the state of the bike, but anything's possible, right?

Thanks guys,

Daniel

[kslrr]

Welcome.  Good for you for rescuing another Honda.  Post some pics when you can so we can see what you are up against .  Seriously, you have found a great site, a bunch of nice guys and gals with a ton of info and knowledge.  It will be fun for you and us to see how you transform the CL.

[seaweb11]

Welcome. I did a 72 a couple of winters ago. Check out the link below my post for a what to do and what not to do   They are a fun bike

[ZetecOwns]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Seaweb, I checked out the CL350 link in your sig. It is inspiring not simply because the bikes are similar, but because yours had a similar amount of rust as mine (not quite as bad though). I admire the work you put into that bike. I can only repeat what's already said in that thread thus far: you did an amazing job with that bike. I'm sure I'll turn to your thread time and time again for guidance and inspiration.

Thanks to you both!

[seaweb11]

Yeah, mine was a bit toasty

I think it did some time as a crab trap

But it can be done!

[steven400/4]

welcome from the uk
steve

[ZetecOwns]

Here are a few pics of the project. As you may be able to tell by the photos, the bike is plagued by a healthy coating of surface rust. After doing some research here, it seems there are many approaches to getting it off. I'm considering vinegar, but the electrolysis method seems interesting.

Oh, ignore the tank. I "mocked" it up on there just to get a better overall picture. 




Though she'll be a lot of work, I'm definitely excited. I think next week I'm going to strip her down to the frame and start tackling this rust problem, before I paint the frame and fenders.

[mikedialect]

That tank is worth the effort alone! Welcome and good luck

[burmashave]

I have a buddy who has a CL350 in amazing condition. I wonder if I should scrape cash to buy it. It has about 4,000 on the clock, and it hasn't been ridden since about 1975. The thing is, his dad just happened to garage it next to the heater. It has barely any rust. The exhaust is in great condition. The tires don't even have cracks after all those years. I love those pipes.

I like my relatively stock '77 CB750, but I'm thinking a CL350 would make a good cafe project. How much power do they kick out as stock? I'm a big guy -- 6' 3" 240lbs. -- and I'm wondering if it be underpowered for me. Prolly just idle speculation, but his bike is crying out for a resto.

[seaweb11]

Burma, compared to my 750 the CL is "Very tame" not even in the same category. I'm 6,2 185lbs. It's fun to boot around the Island on once in a while, but my wife ass looks a whole lot better on it than mine.  She's 5'2 110lbs

Sorry, but at 240 and 6,3 you will look like a shriner on parade

[burmashave]

Seaweb, thanks for the scoop, and you are fortunate to have such an attractive wife to follow. Now, I can kill the idle speculation. ;-) But my friend's bike begs for a resto. There are no cracks in the seat. The original "Honda" paint is still clear on the back of the seat, the paint on the clocks is not faded, etc., etc.

[seaweb11]

It's NOT the crack in the bike seat I would worry about!!!!!!

sorry, you left yourself WIDE open for that one

As I said they are a fun light weight bike, I've had Kathleens up to 85-90 but wow.............not what they were made for.
They do better at 50-60 tops.  Before I did the resto on hers I took it off road and it was a lot of fun. Lost of grunt and as I said very light. A nice on/off road fun bike......just what they were designed for.

I know guys here cafe, and race them, but I think it's for the smaller guys on the street.