Topic: Progress on my CB350 bobber

[JLeather]

I got around to working on my CB350 with my time off this weekend.  Here are the before shots





I've had the bike for about 8 years, but it's been setting for a few years now and is in pretty poor shape.  Thus the bobber idea.  Here she is now after a weld-on hardtail.  Not sure what to do for rims/tank yet.  I've got a really cool ribbed rear fender for it, and a set of forks with external springs for that bobber look.  Whad'ya guys think?

[cleveland]

Very nice!!!

[legendary]

John,
           Really, really like it! In the first of the "after" shots...the stance is perfect.

Tank and rims... just my opinion, but the tank suits the bike and the size of the rims is good as well.

I'd take a look at those large diameter spokes for the rims... just a suggestion, but I think it would look phenomenal.

Looking good!

Steve

[SEBNN]

For rims I would definitely go with a 16" rear rim and fat tire along a Honda shadow or cx500custom styled gas tank.  Get the sloping tear-drop style.  Sure it would be a traditional chopper look, but while your going that way....  Anyways, looks like a nice start.

[Aaron J Williams]

That's a helluva start for sure! I love it when projects actually show some progress and yours is looking good so far. Keep us posted, I can't wait to see it with the visible spring front end on it 

[Whitehurst]

Little bike like that - those 20 inch dirt bike rims will look kickin!

[bender01]

12 years ago before I had a computer  I sold a bike like that for a 1$ the motor was stuck and we didnt have the means or brains to fix it.The title was wanted for some scheme and the bike got tossed. I still weep. It was a cl and my friend took the pipes off and let it sit outside under a tarp for three years... then I got it for a couple years. EVERY time I gather a little info off this site I shudder. I think it only had 6k miles. Its NOW obvious it was a carb problem. Oh well . Ive got some twisted iron bar 70s era flip down front highway bars that you might like. they came off my 550 so not sure if theyll fit.the Chrome is flaking some. I need mirrors for my 350f or a rear grab rail.I can send a pic if your interested.
  Ben

[savannahcafe]

Where did you get the weld on hard tail? Im planning a bobber project hopefully soon.

Mark

[JLeather]

The hardtail came from TriumphWizard on eBay.  Search around, he'll put another one up soon if he hasn't already.  He's been making them for like 30 years and his shop, as it turns out, is about an hour from my house.  I bought it through eBay and then drove over to get it and talk to him.  It's actually a bolt-on.  It uses the lower engine bolt, the place where the swingarm used to be, and you drill two holes in the back of the seat-tube for the top.  I used the lower engine bolt, and then welded everything else so I can mold it after the engine's out and it won't shift later.  It's about 4 inches of rear stretch.  Took a little grinding and fitting to get it right, but it's a decent piece.

[andy750]

Looking good and I really like the colour and look of the tank on there. The paint scheme on the tank also really helps - very nice!

Looking forward to the next update. Keep us posted!
cheers
Andy

[cleveland]

EVERY time I gather a little info off this site I shudder. I think it only had 6k miles. Its NOW obvious it was a carb problem. Oh well .

That's the price of inexperienced.  I had a 74 750 with title that had finned covers, no visible engine leak, and frankly speaking a great looking bike.  I needed space in the garage and ended up selling it for $250 because it wasn't running.  The guy took it home, slapped on a clean set of carbs and has been riding ever since.    I bet neither of us will make that mistake twice. 

[ProTeal55]

Bike looks amazing !
Can we get some better/clear pics of it ?
This is exactly what I am gonna do with the new CB450 I bought.
Do you have a link to the auction for the hardtail you picked up ? (as I want to insure
I get the same one for my bike)...

As far as wheels go, I would def. throw a 21'' on the front of that thing (like I did on my old
CB750) --->

I ran a 16'' in the rear, but big or small would work on your scoot...

[JLeather]

That's a nice look for sure ProTeal.  Here's another auction for the same hardtail.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Chopper-350-CB-CL-Bolt-on-Hardtail-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35585QQihZ011QQitemZ320201264979

If you want to know what else he makes eMail him.  He had a couple different hardtail jigs, one was a triumph.

[Pwfyrcat1]

You know,

If I ever have the opportunity to build a bobber in a couple of years, I hope that guy is still around.  He might be an hour from my job.

JL, keep us posted for sure;)

[ProTeal55]

I actually did email Mr. TriumphWizard and he said he will be making more hardtails come Feb of 08. I am guessing their is a difference in one for a CB450 Vs. a CB350 (Not sure what that could be)...

I need to start buying parts for this project so I can get it rideable for the 08 season.
I look forward to watching your bike progress...

[Andoo]

I have the same hard tail section for my 350. Any tips for me when I do it?  Thanks!

[JLeather]

A couple more pics.  First, the ribbed rear fender I'm gonna be using:






The exposed-spring front end:



Drum front wheel (I think it's an earlier stock CB350 wheel)



And the best part, the billet aluminum CB350 top tree:




Now, the exposed springs and drum sliders are on +6 tubes right now.  How do I rebuild my stock-length front end with new seals so I can put these springs and sliders on that frontend instead?

[ProTeal55]

That top triple-tree is MASSIVE !
I like the overbuilt look very much...

[JLeather]

Well, the bobber mockup continues. I spent 6 hours today modifying the backbone to accomodate a BSA B50 alloy gas tank. Anyone familiar with a CB350 twin knows that the backbone is a crappy pressed-tin piece that tapers out starting at the motor mount. To fit the BSA tank I had to cut out 3/4 of the backbone and graft on a normal tube by wrapping parts of the original pressed metal around it to weld to. It's pretty ugly, but it's strong and I'll bondo it smooth after I'm done welding. Here's shots of the bike with mockup parts on it. The angle of the seat is wrong, which is a problem since the springs are already 4-5". Not sure I can go any taller. Maybe I need to rework the front mount to level it out a bit. I love the stance still, and it's really coming together now.  Sorry for the dark pics...

[JLeather]

With the mods I've made to the backbone I'd definitely prefer to keep the seat tube in place.  I might try and figure something else out though.  Thanks DG...

[ProTeal55]

Looking good.
It kinda looks like you need to move the entire seat back (towards the rear fender).
Hard to tell from the pics, but you are def. making progress...

I am just waiting till Mr.Triumphwizard makes a hardtail for a CB450 and then I can
start my bobber build...

[Andoo]

looking good! Can you take a close up picture of were you welded the upper frame to the back bone? I'd like to see how they merge.

[JLeather]

You mean where the hardtail meets the original part of the frame?  I need to grind the welds a bit (flux core spatter) but I'll try and snag some pics tomorrow evening.

[ProTeal55]

Any recent progress pics on this great build ?

[JLeather]

I'm still searching for a good tank.  I need something with a deep, wide tunnel.  May end up going back to the stock tank anyway.  Nothing new lately.