Author Topic: '73 CL350, project "Lola" (Read 54473 times)

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2010, 11:00:16 PM »

The tool kit plug wrench is pretty worthless for removing stuck plugs. It will work great once you have freed them up. It's all I need to get my plugs out now but the first time I had to use a standard 3/8 drive ratchet for three and the breaker bar for the last one. After soaking and heating give it a try with a ratchet and if you need a bit more slip a short section of pipe on it. Even a foot long piece may give you the extra leverage you need. Use a 6 point plug socket. I got mine at Sears but it is also 18mm like your 650. I think they may be a bit narrower than a standard socket to fit better in tight places. The impact driver sounds like the way to go if you have access to an air compressor.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2010, 11:11:27 PM »

...some looking around, I figured out that I could go with 90/90 19 spitfires. At least I know those tires...

BlindJoe · « **Reply #27 on:** January 12, 2010, 11:16:29 PM »

how about these

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_145_153

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_138_142

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #28 on:** January 12, 2010, 11:50:48 PM »

I forgot to mention something about tires. Dunlop 404's are similar in price to the Spitfires.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2010, 12:25:10 AM »

unless I get verification that a 3.25 will be ok on the front, I'm not sure about the GS-11. I like the tread on 'em. I can put my fingers on either side of the tire with wiggle room (1/2" about, on either side) and three fingers (1.5") between the top of the tire and the bottom of the fender. That tells me that another quarter inch in width, over all, should be ok... but I dunno. $50 is a big enough mistake to make. The other thing about the GS-11s is that there are only fronts available in the sizes needed. Would that make a difference?

TomC · « **Reply #30 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:06:08 AM »

Hi Kit
You need a good old 13/16" spark plug socket.
TomC in Ohio

Quote from: Kit on January 12, 2010, 08:58:08 PM

All I've really tried so far, honestly, was to use the original plug wrench for the bike (btw, how many mm is that? I bought a 20mm deep socket and it's not big enough.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #31 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:30:30 AM »

cl350s supposedly have 2.15 front rims and 2.50s in the back, at least according to the few resources I could find.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #32 on:** January 13, 2010, 12:39:37 PM »

Alright. I just find that there is no real concrete 'yes' and 'no' on sizing etc. I have it on good authority from various anecdotal sources around this site that many put 100/90 on the front and 110/90 on the rear. Others say that the steering is oxy and scary with those sizes. Others say they've stuffed 120/90s on and enjoy the ride.
So much for real consensus, and on a forum everyone is an 'authority'.

That said, I'm going to go with your link to the roadriders. That's a really good price on them. The CHENG SHIN Tires thread from awhile ago went into the pros and cons of popular opinion about them to great length, before dissolving into a debate about peoples' morality etc. They're probably not really bad tires, especially if I were keeping this as a nice-weather, cruise around town kind of bike... but this will probably be my standby for all types of weather, and I just don't trust CS with my life and health enough. Those both bear high worth to me.

In other news, after a couple days worth of soaking with PB blaster and a little good torque with a 13/16" socket, the plugs came free just fine (Thanks TomC!). Threads are good. Cables and minor miscellany shipped from honda parts nation today and will probably be here in a week. Payday is next Friday, so if I don't figure I can afford tires yet, I'll be able to next friday.

750goes · « **Reply #33 on:** January 13, 2010, 02:41:03 PM »

MickeyX,

I'm sure Kit can look after herself, she asked for input on tyre choices and received a reply - and I'm pretty sure it wasn't intended to be rude - just advice and opinion given.. the reply was given a fair bit of thought and research as well.

TomC · « **Reply #34 on:** January 13, 2010, 03:45:05 PM »

Hi Tire Buyers
Cheng Shin,last I heard, is out of the street tire business in the US of A. I have used Cheng Shins on my Yamaha SRX250 with good results. I have a stack of bald Cheng Shins. I have switched to Kendas which I like better. On my CB400 four and CB750 four I use 100/90 on the front and 110/90 on the rear. Not because I am convinced that these are the best sizes for these bikes. But there what Kenda has available. I would say about right on the CB750 but maybe a size to big on each end on the CB400 four. The CB400 four being more or less a four cylinder CB350 Twin. On the CB750 I looked at going to a 120/90 but came to the conclusion that 110/90 was as far as I wanted to push putting a bigger tire on a narrow rim. I will review my thinking in a few months when I get my Cb350K4 on the road.
TomC in Ohio

Quote from: Kit on January 13, 2010, 12:39:37 PM

Alright. I just find that there is no real concrete 'yes' and 'no' on sizing etc. I have it on good authority from various anecdotal sources around this site that many put 100/90 on the front and 110/90 on the rear. Others say that the steering is oxy and scary with those sizes. Others say they've stuffed 120/90s on and enjoy the ride.
So much for real consensus, and on a forum everyone is an 'authority'.

That said, I'm going to go with your link to the roadriders. That's a really good price on them. The CHENG SHIN Tires thread from awhile ago went into the pros and cons of popular opinion about them to great length, before dissolving into a debate about peoples' morality etc. They're probably not really bad tires, especially if I were keeping this as a nice-weather, cruise around town kind of bike... but this will probably be my standby for all types of weather, and I just don't trust CS with my life and health enough. Those both bear high worth to me.

In other news, after a couple days worth of soaking with PB blaster and a little good torque with a 13/16" socket, the plugs came free just fine (Thanks TomC!). Threads are good. Cables and minor miscellany shipped from honda parts nation today and will probably be here in a week. Payday is next Friday, so if I don't figure I can afford tires yet, I'll be able to next friday.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #35 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:21:15 PM »

Quote from: 750goes on January 13, 2010, 02:41:03 PM

MickeyX,

I'm sure Kit can look after herself, she asked for input on tyre choices and received a reply - and I'm pretty sure it wasn't intended to be rude - just advice and opinion given.. the reply was given a fair bit of thought and research as well.

well, it was rude, but I figured it'd be pointless to call anyone on it. advice is advice, no matter the tone it is dispensed with.

MickeyX · « **Reply #36 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:43:58 PM »

Quote from: 750goes on January 13, 2010, 02:41:03 PM

MickeyX,

I'm sure Kit can look after herself, she asked for input on tyre choices and received a reply - and I'm pretty sure it wasn't intended to be rude - just advice and opinion given.. the reply was given a fair bit of thought and research as well.

well actually, I just looked over at her and asked how she felt on the subject before I posted.

MickeyX · « **Reply #37 on:** January 13, 2010, 07:56:10 PM »

chickenman... thanks for the advice. I'm sure you're right since it seems you know a lot about these bikes. since we don't know you well yet, maybe next time, try a smiley or two so we know where you're coming from.

750goes · « **Reply #38 on:** January 13, 2010, 08:35:19 PM »

Oh Crap I forgot to put smileys on - here you go

one for every day of the week....

Frankenkit · « **Reply #39 on:** January 13, 2010, 08:48:48 PM »

coldright · « **Reply #40 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:27:17 PM »

Hey Kit, have you talked to Havoc Turbo about tires? I think Joe is back in business.

There seems to be something about mid winter that makes folks a bit punchy. I just hope that everyone remembers to have fun here and enjoy themselves. Otherwise, what's the point?

Kit, I'm super excited to see this project take shape, I'm sure everything you choose will be spot on, I admire your thoroughness... as in, "Please see him Jeffery, he's a good man and thorough."

Frankenkit · « **Reply #41 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:38:18 PM »

Thanks.

Bikes are where my OCD tendencies can really shine. ...actually... come to think of it, I think that's the only place they exist.

Looking at the bike now, knowing the air filters were gummed shut, the carbs looked like someone's ashtray, and the plugs were all black (from running rich, from having the air filters gummed shut...) I think it'll run 110x better now... and it started right up on the first button push before.

MickeyX · « **Reply #42 on:** January 14, 2010, 01:19:12 PM »

I'm looking on the site Blind Joe posted. Very good prices all around. I'm impressed on how many sizes they have to pick from on each kind of tire too. Most sites just have one or two matching sets in the sizes I'm looking up. thanks Joe.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #43 on:** January 16, 2010, 07:12:03 PM »

So... Yesterday I went out and started polishing on things... got a nigh-mirror shine on both brake drums and one fork tube before I simply ran out of energy. I figure I can hit them with a buffing wheel sometime later on, so I didn't really go nuts.

Loosened bolts in the left crank case cover so when I get my clutch cable in I can take everything apart with a little less hassle. Cleaned the chain, puttered around.

Today my M bars came in and I'm stoked. Got a new clutch lever from Western Cycle Salvage and some replacement turn signals so my stock ones can go to MickeyX's ride. I'm deviating from stock quite a bit and she's not, so all the stock parts coming off my bike that'll fit hers are hers for sure.

I think that's about it for now.

MickeyX · « **Reply #44 on:** January 24, 2010, 01:30:04 PM »

So, last night we were at a local bike show. I mean local as in, the bikes were built up by local folks. All kinds of years and sizes... many bikes parked outside and few of them were CB/CL 350's, kept pretty original overall. I walked around trying to see what tires these people are running, along with some other minor mods. I saw some really old, rotting ones in regular sizes and I saw some newer ones that went up to 3.25-19 in the front. It fit but looked a little snug next to the fender, with 1/2 a finger width between. I couldn't see the size of the back one, it was too dark out. I think we should stay as close to 3.00 front as possible. I saw some of the Avons on one of the cafed ones inside but they had changed out the rims to lighter, alum ones and the whole sizing was off from ours anyway. BUT, those avons looked sweet on there. I talked to paulages while there since he's running the roadrider on the back of his racer and on his BSA and he really likes them on the wet roads around here. He says they stick pretty well on the turns, never felt it kick loose yet and they last pretty long compared to a lot of tires like them. Good pricing too. Thanks for all of the advice guys.

Now we just have to come up with the loot.

Only saw one bike there with the "M" bars and it was a new-ish Triumph sitting outside. They look really nice though. If this works out to be a comfy setup and I like hers more than mine, (I have the CB style bars, not crossbar) I may just go buy some and switch my bike over as well.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #45 on:** January 24, 2010, 01:41:39 PM »

http://www.dansmc.com/magneto1.htm
This appears to be an interesting way to set timing for the points. I do believe I still have some rizzlas from back in the day, too.

paulages · « **Reply #46 on:** January 24, 2010, 03:06:12 PM »

Quote from: Kit on January 24, 2010, 01:41:39 PM

http://www.dansmc.com/magneto1.htm
This appears to be an interesting way to set timing for the points. I do believe I still have some rizzlas from back in the day, too.

several bikes (T500 for example) only give timing specs by piston depth... my BSA uses piston depth or degrees rotation set by a relief in the crank accessible by a plug in the bottom of the crank case.

you'll have an easier time using the marks on the flywheel on your honda.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #47 on:** January 24, 2010, 03:07:56 PM »

ah ok. good to know.

Hasenkopf · « **Reply #48 on:** January 24, 2010, 03:11:35 PM »

hey, congrats on the bike by the way, I used to have a 73 with foam pods and drag pipes, it was a blast!!

MickeyX · « **Reply #49 on:** January 31, 2010, 04:59:24 PM »

We worked on Kit's switch pods last night and then I finished them this morning. We drilled them to run the wiring outside the "M" bars she has installed. Then we rounded and finished off the holes and polished the pods again. Re-soldered some wires having to PB Blaster some of the little screws. PITA. Stripped off the cracked gray covers on the wiring and re-did with black covers, cleaned up the ends and they're ready to be installed. Just need to clean up the adjusters yet. They are a little rusty looking.

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Author Topic: '73 CL350, project "Lola" (Read 54473 times)