Topic: CL350 Questions!

[speedy_the_drummer]

I took my '73 CL350 out for my first long trip, since I usually just put around the city. Richmond, Va to the Blue Ridge Mountains and back. It was around 225+ miles.

The only real issue I had was once I hit about 52mph and around 5200rpms, it didn't want to go faster. I'd give it more throttle and it would just putt and lose a little power every 2-3 seconds. But if I was going down hill and let it hit around 58 mph and hit 6000rpms, it would get power back and i hit 72mph, which is the fastest I've ever had it go.
-What could that be?

A few small things that would have made it more enjoyable...
-My feet vibrated to hell. I know it's common, but is there anything to help tone it down?
-I got between 40 and 47 mpgs, is that good?

Also, is there anyway I can make this thing faster? I'd like to go 60 and not have it scream at me at 6000+ rpms.
-Can I get a sprocket with more teeth? Would I get new sprockets, or just a back sprocket?

I suppose that's it for now. Aside from needing a new helmet because my Scorpion XXL is too small... Every 40 miles I had to stop to take it off because it hurt so bad. I tried on a HJC CL-15 in XXL and it was sooo comfy. Will be mine next week!

[seaweb11]

Somethings wrong with your bike for sure.
Our CL350 will do 85+ easy

[speedy_the_drummer]

Well... that's what I just said. What could be wrong?

What rpm are you at when you're going 50mph and 60mph?

[seaweb11]

no idea. sorry. Count your sprockets and then compare it with a stock set up.
How clean are the air filters?

[speedy_the_drummer]

Any idea what the amount of stock teeth are? I was thinking of getting a sprocket with more teeth for more speed and less take off.

They are stock filters, since I tried pod things and they sucked. I don't know where to get OEM filters...
They are pretty clean looking for the age, slightly brown. Not too bad.

[seaweb11]

I assume you have read some of the CL350 builds here on the forum and that you have a manual?

You could click on my build in my sig and probably learn some things

[speedy_the_drummer]

The manual's at my brothers garage.

And I've been reading threads for 3 hours. And I've skimmed over tons of CL build threads. All of which has told me nothing about my problem with my bike.

Can't anyone come up with some type of culprit? This seems like something easy to me. I just can't figure it out.

[seaweb11]

Read page 3 on mine.

[speedy_the_drummer]

all i see is that your bike coughed and sputtered at 6000. Oil on the points. I just re-gasketed the top end and spent countless hours on the points. So I still have no idea what this is.

i ordered new air filters, the OEM ones that put a hole in my wallet.

[seaweb11]

all i see is that your bike coughed and sputtered at 6000. Oil on the points. I just re-gasketed the top end and spent countless hours on the points. So I still have no idea what this is.

i ordered new air filters, the OEM ones that put a hole in my wallet.

Well now we know what you have done to the bike in the past, and what isn't the problem.  Good call on the new air filters

[speedy_the_drummer]

Could a dirty air filter cause a bike to lose some power at certain rpms, but not others?

[Gordon]

Any idea what the amount of stock teeth are? I was thinking of getting a sprocket with more teeth for more speed and less take off.

Stock sprockets are 16/38.  You're not going to get a higher top speed from changing sprockets, though, unless a PO drastically altered the ratio and you're putting it back to stock.  At high speed your bike is fighting a huge amount of wind resistance.  Since the engine makes more power at higher rpm (up to a certain point, obviously), lowering the rpm at high speed can also lower your top speed.   

[2wheels]

My first bike was a CL350, many years ago.

If I remember correctly it was 50 MPH = 5000 RPM,   60 MPH + 6000 RPM,   70 MPH = 7000 RPM

I also recall there are some speeds (above 50) where it smooths out a little.  Every bike is likely a little different.

I did a few trips of a few hundred miles in one day.  Ouch
I sold it, bought a 750 for a trip out west.

Sorry I can't help with your lack of power problem. 
With one person 160 pounds on my bike it would climb up to 70 very quickly.  Then keep going up but it took some time to climb.

[rchrdms]

Did you check the compression? It would at least rule out any serious engine problems, like worn components. Also, get the Clymer manual for your bike. You can find one on Ebay.

If it runs worse after warming up, it could be in the valves. This was true of my bike(I have the same model). Again, a compression check might eliminate this possibility.

Good luck.

[speedy_the_drummer]

I don't have a way to check the compression. It had a bad gasket in the top end so i just re-gasketed? the top end and lapped the valves and cleaned everything up. So it runs a ton better since then, aside from this. And i do have 3 different manuals.