Author Topic: '69 350 Scrambler in the works... (Read 31565 times)

MickeyX · « **on:** November 05, 2009, 09:37:24 AM »

Well, I really like the scramblers a lot and keep missing out on them in the area. I saw one on CL before work yesterday but it was on there since the night b4 so I figured when I called, it would already be gone. I left my message and lo and behold, a few minutes later he called me back. From the pics it looks to be in pretty good condition, well taken care of. Missing the front fender but otherwise a complete bike. Clear title too. (so many on there don't have a title to go with them) So, we talked, got an understanding of the bike compared to the pics and I will be driving an hour south on saturday with a uhaul MC trailer in tow to get it. He was nice enough to drain the carb bowls and stuff before he parked it 2 yrs ago in the garage. It'll still get a good cleaning and going over, tank too.

This is a departure for me from previous bikes and as far as the specifics between the years, I'm trying to find some info. So here I am... asking those who have or did have scramblers to pass on any knowledge you can. Crossover of years on parts from other sizes of scramblers and maybe CB parts that would fit. Aftermarket upgrades or changes like racks? I like the scrambler look and want to keep it factory.

Besides the fender the only change cosmetically is that someone painted the tank OD green at some point. I will be checking how good of shape this one is in and deciding if I will replace it totally or not.

I also have a question about tires and what style would normally go on this type of bike. I'm thinking an enduro kind of tread would be appropriate?

Pics to come after saturday.

Not bad for a few 100 dollars.

bill440cars · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:25:01 PM »

Hey Mickey, sounds like you're onto a good one there! Be looking forward to the pictures. Way to go!

MickeyX · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2009, 12:07:48 PM »

Well, from what I can figure out, I may be able to use some cb350 parts on this if I need to. They seem pretty close to the same bike. I have the cycle trailer reserved for tomorrow. I'm off to find a scrambler forum. I'm sure there is one somewhere.

I need some learnin'.

bill440cars · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:28:47 PM »

Quote from: MickeyX on November 06, 2009, 12:07:48 PM

Well, from what I can figure out, I may be able to use some cb350 parts on this if I need to. They seem pretty close to the same bike. I looked and it seems to be the K0 model as well. I have the cycle trailer reserved for tomorrow. I'm off to find a scrambler forum. I'm sure there is one somewhere. I need some learnin'.

Don't know, but you'd think that there would be one out there. They DO have an SL350 forum, but those bikes (especially the K1 and K2) are different. Engine is basically the same.

MickeyX · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2009, 05:07:21 PM »

Well, I changed the thread title to a '69 because that's how it's actually titled. Late year '68s were titled as '69s so I will have to compare the VIN to see if it's a K0 or not.
We picked it up today and it rained like hell the whole way.

He had the original 40 yo papers and title from the 1st buyer.

We got soaked just ratcheting it down. It's home and waiting to get cleaned up a bit and then see what we got in detail. So far, the tank has some nasty in it but otherwise, the bike looks pretty darn nice. Someone did in fact rattle can it OD green but it's cracking and we can see the original blue and white underneath.

Kit will work on getting the green off if we are successful in cleaning it out. Otherwise, I'll need a different tank anyway so why go through the work of wet sanding to the blue. Everything is original including the seat. Small tear on the side seam but good overall. It's missing the turn signals and side covers. We saw the wiring for the rear signals under the seat but not sure about the front yet. The engine gaskets are all holding nicely, no leaks or oozing anywhere that we can see. Need a good battery, will clean the tank and cap with "the works" toilet cleaner, pull the carbs (only 2!!

), check the plugs, air filter, oil, etc... you know, all the beginning stuff. Very minimal work at this point. Drum brakes front and back could use a look. They weren't holding too well when I was backing down the trailer. Maybe it was just me being a goof. I'm used to disc brakes. No battery in it at all so now I have to figure out what size and configuration it takes.

We took 2 pics of it on the trailer with the cell phone but I'd like to get some better ones to post.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2009, 06:22:18 PM »

Good find, they are a fun bike to ride. Not really engineered to be the easiest to restore

Have fun

P.S. check my sig for a build link so you can see all my mistakes........

Grnrngr · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2009, 09:05:23 PM »

Heh...if you need motor parts, theres an ad on PDX CL for 3 cb350 motors for $75....

MickeyX · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2009, 10:26:23 PM »

Thanks seaweb. I read your thread. Awesome restore on that bike!!

I'm not sure I want to do a full restore. It's in pretty good shape as is. I'm looking to get it running reliably and cleaned up pretty well. I like it a little rough and used looking. I'm missing a few small pieces that aren't a big deal and I can add them on anytime. The chrome is in great condition. The tank... another story. I never smelled gas that nasty in my life. It stank up our clothes, boots, everything to the point where we had to get away from it for the night. It looked like rootbeer when we drained it out.

That little cross over tube on the tank is gonna prove to be a PITA. I can see it already.

I'm not sure about removing the carbs and having to unhook the exhaust pipes everytime. I'm gonna take a closer look at the details in the daylight tomorrow while Kit is at work. I read you used the molasses trick on the tank. Kit has done that with rusted parts in the past but I didn't think of it on the tank until I read your post. We have The Works ready to go but may reconsider. I have a LOT of #$%* in there.

Where in the world is the oil filter? Kit is thinking it may be under the left side engine cover. I really need to get a manual for this thing.

I saw I can still get the OEM carb gasket kit from Honda for around $14/carb. Fleabay has a seller that includes the jets and stuff too for around $44/both carbs. I wonder if I really need all that? I think cleaning the original jets should be sufficient and just go with the Honda kit. Any thoughts, anyone?

We found original temp tag papers (before he received his plate) from when the 1st buyer bought it. It was in a 40yo sandwich baggy in the tool tray.

It cost him $3 to register it. We have the later ones, through to 1978, every 2 years. Then it seems he let it sit or just didn't put it on the road. He then signed it over to his brother in '98 who rode it on the dirt fire roads and the like for a short period of time. About 2 years ago, he sold it to the guy we got it from. He got it running a little bit then let it sit in his garage. (he's got way too many hobbies in there) It's been garaged pretty much it's entire life, out of the elements. Luckily, they don't salt the roads around here either. I feel lucky. So far.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2009, 11:09:30 PM »

Oil filter:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=61049.0;topicseen

Right hand side small circle cover.

MickeyX · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:11:04 AM »

Um, that link is this thread.

But thanks. I'll bring up a pic online and then head out to the garage. The oil is black, but not total crap like the gas was. I'm still gonna order a filter and change it out ASAP along with the air filter.

We will be replacing all gas lines and rebuilding the petcock. Depending on what I find with the petcock, I may just replace it entirely. Will be ordering carb kit, petcock, filters this week. I gotta pull the plugs and see what size they are too. Maybe the originals as well.

I'm thinking they may have changed out the front rim at some point. There is a 4.00x18 tire on there. It's huge. No wonder they took off the front fender. It wouldn't fit around the tire. I'll read the rim itself today in the daylight to make sure. Do any of you have pics of the original coils? Kit thinks these may have been changed.

Pics to come. I charged the camera.

tbpmusic · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:43:30 AM »

Oil filter on a 350 is under the right engine cover, along with the oil pump and clutch.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:08:01 AM »

oops sorry.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=4489.msg48231#msg48231

MickeyX · « **Reply #12 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:56:02 PM »

I downloaded a free manual in pdf. I can see changing the filter is going to be a little interesting compared to the cb650.

I'll take my laptop out to the garage and see what I'm supposed to be looking for.
I'm not sure if this tank is the original now or not. It looks a bit bigger than the ones I've seen pictured. When I push the handlebars the whole way left or right, it just barely touches the tank too. It fits front to back and looks like it clamps in perfectly with the stock clamp. I wonder if someone put a larger aftermarket tank on it at some point? Maybe I'm just seeing things.

I figured out which battery I need too. Getting that today probably so it can get trickle charged awhile. Off to get dirty...

edit: wait, was there a diff in the super sport? I keep seeing some called a super sport and that tank looks like mine.

GoatBaSS · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:32:13 AM »

I await with new ideas yet to be realized. Have one coming soon.

paulages · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:38:01 AM »

congrats mick! if you need any spare parts, i may have them. the crossover tube is not as bad as it seems if you do it just right... drain the tank on reserve, making sure to rock the bike left and right a few times to get as much fuel out as possible. tilt the tank to the petcock side to get it all out, the tip it the other way and remove the crossover tube from that side. needle nose vice grips (or locking forceps if you can ge a hold of a pair

) on the rest of the tube will keep any leftover fuel from spilling when you remove the tank. resist the urge to run that crossover line over the frame afterwards... it helps distribute the fuel when on reserve.

MickeyX · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:15:53 AM »

Thanks Paulages.

I should have known you'd have some stuff around for these. It would have been nice to drain it through the petcock 1st but that thing was clogged with hardened magma.

We ended up cutting the line from the right side crossover (it was the only thing that wasn't clogged but it sure was stuck on the tank good) about an 1" back and then draining it like that. I would like to come up with some better way of doing this though. Kit had an idea to hook up a "T" drain on there, like a carb bowl drain line where it would be a pigtail straight down through the frame somewhere, on one of the sides to help get it all out before removal.

I have pics of stuff and will post later today. I have to do my homework 1st. (yeah, I'm taking some classes again. I just can't stop torturing myself)

MickeyX · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:50:07 AM »

ah, here's a sneak peek... full side nudity!

the red wire comes from the headlight bucket and goes back to the tail light where it plugs into the brown wire (as opposed to the orange or green) I will have to check on that closer and see why they needed to run a new wire

The rusty brown that you see in the pics is just dirt from the dirt roads they've been riding on. I was able to wipe it right off with a wet rag in most cases. I will have to use hondabrite on the whole bike, I think. Then see where that leaves me for detail cleaning. Small scrapes here and there on the frame that have a spot of rust starting will get taken care of and the covers on the pipes have a bit of rust on the back side. otherwise, just some new cables, check wiring/electrics, plugs, filters, fluid changes, carb kits, new rubber on pegs and handlebar area, wheel bearings and chain... and we'll see where we stand then. Oh, new tires. These are actually in good condition, but not what I would ride on the road with by any means. That front is huge and the back nobby is definitely not seeing the pavement.

MickeyX · « **Reply #17 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:59:24 AM »

Oh, I'm gonna need floats for the carbs. One was soldered pretty well. The other was beaten to death and then soldered.

paulages · « **Reply #18 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:15:22 AM »

Quote from: MickeyX on November 09, 2009, 10:15:53 AM

Thanks Paulages. I should have known you'd have some stuff around for these. It would have been nice to drain it through the petcock 1st but that thing was clogged with hardened magma. We ended up cutting the line from the right side crossover (it was the only thing that wasn't clogged but it sure was stuck on the tank good) about an 1" back and then draining it like that. I would like to come up with some better way of doing this though. Kit had an idea to hook up a "T" drain on there, like a carb bowl drain line where it would be a pigtail straight down through the frame somewhere, on one of the sides to help get it all out before removal.

I have pics of stuff and will post later today. I have to do my homework 1st. (yeah, I'm taking some classes again. I just can't stop torturing myself)

i've done this before... this way you can also clamp the tubes on either side and disconnect them in the middle without having to drain the tank at all.

paulages · « **Reply #19 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:17:06 AM »

Quote from: MickeyX on November 09, 2009, 10:59:24 AM

Oh, I'm gonna need floats for the carbs. One was soldered pretty well. The other was beaten to death and then soldered.

as long as they float, they'll probably be fine. leave them soaking in something for a day or so to see if they take on fluid or not.

paulages · « **Reply #20 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:27:18 AM »

Quote from: MickeyX on November 09, 2009, 10:50:07 AM

ah, here's a sneak peek... full side nudity!

the red wire comes from the headlight bucket and goes back to the tail light where it plugs into the brown wire (as opposed to the orange or green) I will have to check on that closer and see why they needed to run a new wire

The rusty brown that you see in the pics is just dirt from the dirt roads they've been riding on. I was able to wipe it right off with a wet rag in most cases. I will have to use hondabrite on the whole bike, I think. Then see where that leaves me for detail cleaning. Small scrapes here and there on the frame that have a spot of rust starting will get taken care of and the covers on the pipes have a bit of rust on the back side. otherwise, just some new cables, check wiring/electrics, plugs, filters, fluid changes, carb kits, new rubber on pegs and handlebar area, wheel bearings and chain... and we'll see where we stand then. Oh, new tires. These are actually in good condition, but not what I would ride on the road with by any means. That front is huge and the back nobby is definitely not seeing the pavement.

oh yeah, looks good! i'm guessing the PO had problems getting the taillight (brown wire) to come on with the headlight and ran that red wire straight from one to the other. i'm sure you'll be able to find the correct source. those are really fun bikes. you'll love riding it.

my general advice on keeping the CB/CL350 running well:

-when rebuilding the carbs make ABSOLUTELY sure that all air and vacuum passageways are clear in the carbs by blowing compressed air through them. if you want to bring them by for a dunk in the ultrasonic tank to be sure, you're welcome to. also make sure that there are no pinholes in the slide diaphragm. beware of carbs (or floats) from a different year throwing off your float height. there are three different floats/ float height settings- 19, 21, and 26mm.

-replace the screws that hold down the points plate and the points themselves with little button head allen screws. these strip easily, and when timing slips on these, you're stuck on the side of the road. make sure the timing is SPOT ON.

-follow the tuneup procedure in the correct order, making sure that after the carbs are synced the cables are synced perfectly as well. if one pulls before the other, it'll run like #$%*.

MickeyX · « **Reply #21 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:44:15 PM »

Gonna replace pretty much all the bolts and nuts on this thing. Mostof the phillips heads are crap. I'm wondering about the threaded studs coming out of the head for the exhaust... one is crossthreaded and chewed and all of them are rusted. Can I back these out somehow and put new ones in?

yeah, I kinda was wondering about the cables since they go into separate carbs. thanks for the advice. Just what I'm looking for.

I do have a manual now so that is helping a lot. It's making it easier to find things to be checked. This is going to be another restore winter...

I got 2 spare keys made for it today. Ya can never have too many keys for these old bikes. They are harder to come by for the blanks. $15 each since they are so old and hard to find. worth it to me though. really good key guy up the road from us. He has blanks for stuff you'd never think he would. I'll be taking Kit's hardbags to him to match up the blank setup to have a spare cut for that too. We have a key but since they are extremely rare blanks, he wants the lock right there to double check before cutting.

Looking for a source for decent air filters for these. Mine currently have foam tied on with a string. Nope. Not kidding. They are falling apart. Aftermarket works for me. They are over $43 each new from Honda. Ouch. Ebay has some but most are used or the same price as Honda. They are the same from 68-74 as far as I can tell. CB350s are the same too for those years. I'll be googling this tonight unless someone on here has a place.

Paul... I'm wondering if Doc might have some stuff for this bike? I'd rather keep my $$ local, ya know?

j-conn · « **Reply #22 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:46:49 PM »

nice grab!!!

Grnrngr · « **Reply #23 on:** November 09, 2009, 03:15:04 PM »

very cool!
I like the color too...

paulages · « **Reply #24 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:13:24 PM »

Quote from: MickeyX on November 09, 2009, 01:44:15 PM

Gonna replace pretty much all the bolts and nuts on this thing. Mostof the phillips heads are crap. I'm wondering about the threaded studs coming out of the head for the exhaust... one is crossthreaded and chewed and all of them are rusted. Can I back these out somehow and put new ones in?

yeah, I kinda was wondering about the cables since they go into separate carbs. thanks for the advice. Just what I'm looking for. I do have a manual now so that is helping a lot. It's making it easier to find things to be checked. This is going to be another restore winter...

I got 2 spare keys made for it today. Ya can never have too many keys for these old bikes. They are harder to come by for the blanks. $15 each since they are so old and hard to find. worth it to me though. really good key guy up the road from us. He has blanks for stuff you'd never think he would. I'll be taking Kit's hardbags to him to match up the blank setup to have a spare cut for that too. We have a key but since they are extremely rare blanks, he wants the lock right there to double check before cutting.

Looking for a source for decent air filters for these. Mine currently have foam tied on with a string. Nope. Not kidding. They are falling apart. Aftermarket works for me. They are over $43 each new from Honda. Ouch. Ebay has some but most are used or the same price as Honda. They are the same from 68-74 as far as I can tell. CB350s are the same too for those years. I'll be googling this tonight unless someone on here has a place.

Paul... I'm wondering if Doc might have some stuff for this bike? I'd rather keep my $$ local, ya know?

gene will probably have some things, but he'll grumble and gripe about cables and such. probably nothing used, and definitely no air filters. don't be tempted by the uni foam filters. these really prefer the OEM paper filters to run well. yes, they're pricey but you can sometimes find NOS replacements on ebay. part of why they're so expensive is that the filter is permanently attached to the metal backing. i probably have a pair, but they're likely no better than what you have. you'd be suprised how well those can clean up though.

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Author Topic: '69 350 Scrambler in the works... (Read 31565 times)