Topic: Added Another To My Stable.

[bill440cars]

 
        I couldn't help it. I have a BAD habit of browsing ebay and came across this one while I was looking at parts for a '72 Honda SL350. For those who don't know, the '72 had alot of changes made by Honda, in a last ditch effort to save it and ended up bringing out the XL250 & 350 anyway. It's a little rough looking (dents in gas tank, air cleaners need replaced and the side covers are missing, the tail light is in bad shape and hanging and the clutch lever assembly is the wrong one,the seat is in pretty bad shape, the speedometer and cable are shot, but I have some SL parts and have most everything that is needed, to put it back like it should be. It's got an aftermarket 2 into 1 exhaust that is in good shape but looks totally out of place on this bike. But, it runs. There isn't a title, but he is giving a Bill Of Sale and Arkansas isn't too bad to get titles. I won't mind getting THIS one out and hitting the trails, as it doesn't have the perfect exhaust system, on it AND I DO have some exhaust parts that I think I can do up an adequate system from that. Then, I can do some detailing on the one I have and I have seen some on ebay, that aren't perfect, go for some pretty good bucks (more than I was originally asking for mine. Going after the newest purchase, tomorrow (to Jamestown, Kansas).

     I can't post just the pictures, so here is the listing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360379220860&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

[MoMo]

Bill,  that is a great find.  the SL was a bit of a sled but the shop I worked for back then sponsored an enduro rider who rode one to the heavyweight class championship so the bike can be competitive.  I always liked the stock exhaust(too bad yours is missing), front fender and shouldered rims. I'm sure you'll bring it back and enjoy a bit of dirt bike riding...Larry

[bill440cars]

Bill,  that is a great find.  the SL was a bit of a sled but the shop I worked for back then sponsored an enduro rider who rode one to the heavyweight class championship so the bike can be competitive.  I always liked the stock exhaust(too bad yours is missing), front fender and shouldered rims. I'm sure you'll bring it back and enjoy a bit of dirt bike riding...Larry

  Thank you, I was surprised to get it so easily. 

  I agree, they WERE heavy, but Honda made some improvements after the K0 and replaced the frame, replaced the CV carbs, dropped the electric starter, replace the fenders with aluminum ones, increased the front wheel size to 21", I think there were other things that were done, but I=can't remember right off. I do have other parts to replace those that are damaged and/ or missing, for the most part. If I can't manage to do something about the exhaust, I am thinking of taking the issue to a muffler shop that I have dealt with and see if they can bend up a set of twin "Scrambler Style" exhaust pipes (1 on each side) and put a set of short megaphones on them. The seat might take some effort too, but I think I have everything else covered. I DO have a pretty nice one, but the exhaust on IT, is mint! and I am almost afraid to do much with it, as a nice exhaust system for these, can bring a Big Chunk Of Money! Here is the one I have now ( I also have a couple of '72 SL Parts bikes) I wanted one that I could comfortably take out and ride the trails or whatever, without worrying about messing something up. I should have never bought the one I am showing you now. It just looked so nice and didn't seem to be that much. Now, I am seeing some wanting 1/2 again and close to twice that I paid for my Nice one. 

         

[dhall57]

Congratulations Bill, this will be a nice project for you. The pic of the one you already have is sharp. I always liked the SL's from Honda I never had a 350, but I had it's little brother a red 1971 SL 175. Great little bike, just the right size for off road and trail riding. Here's a pic of that bike and me when I was a little younger.
Have fun with your new SL.

dhall

[bill440cars]

Congratulations Bill, this will be a nice project for you. The pic of the one you already have is sharp. I always liked the SL's from Honda I never had a 350, but I had it's little brother a red 1971 SL 175. Great little bike, just the right size for off road and trail riding. Here's a pic of that bike and me when I was a little younger.
Have fun with your new SL.

dhall

          Thanks dhall, appreciate the compliments. Yeah, I too, have liked the SLs since Honda brought them out. I've heard lots of good stuff about the 175s too and thought they looked pretty cool. I am so looking forward to one that I can have some fun with.

[MoMo]

Bill,   that is one nice looking SL you have-it'd bring a pretty penny if you decide to sell .  I agree that the latter models were so much better looking and handling than the original.  I remember the rider I mentioned rode I believe a 72 to the championship-name was Alfie Hendricks from NJ. That was a real feat considering all the Huskies, Maicos, etc that he was running against...Larry

[coldwave007]

Very nice bike!  I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  My Dad's got a 1972 SL125 and it's just a little ball of fun!

[bill440cars]

Bill,   that is one nice looking SL you have-it'd bring a pretty penny if you decide to sell .  I agree that the latter models were so much better looking and handling than the original.  I remember the rider I mentioned rode I believe a 72 to the championship-name was Alfie Hendricks from NJ. That was a real feat considering all the Huskies, Maicos, etc that he was running against...Larry

   Thanks, I've seen some on ebay that looked pretty good, but with some scratches and such and they are listed between around $2500-$3500, on the average. Right off, my exhaust pipes are alot better shape than those I saw. I haven't SEEN it, but I have heard that the nice exhaust systems can bring around $1000. That's 1 reason that I don't ride this one much and only on the street, when I do ride it. That's no fun, that is why I am looking forward to getting this other one. I won't have to worry about scratches and dents. 

   Yeah, the 2 strokes can "Murder" one of these bikes. A person could work themselves to death, trying to compete with those 2 strokes. 

[bill440cars]

Very nice bike!  I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  My Dad's got a 1972 SL125 and it's just a little ball of fun!

           Thanks, this one is an occasional rider. But, when I get the other one here and go over it, I intend to have some fun with THAT one. Some years back, I had a '71 SL350 (before Honda put a 21" wheel on the front) and that thing was quite a lot of fun and had all kinds of "pulling power"! 

[lordmoonpie]

Cracking find Bill that looks like one fun bike. I love that 350 motor too having raced a K4 for a few years, they are brilliant fun to work on and sooo easy to maintain. You've scored a right bargain good on ya! ;-)

[bill440cars]

  Hey Simon, good to see you here. hanks for the input. I am looking forward to getting this one and see just what I can do with it. Having had one before, I had a ball with it and feel like this is going to be fun as well.   

                                                    Take care,  Bill

[bjatwood]

SL's are very cool bikes! I just got done redoing this SL70 for a customer of mine. And, I found a One owner SL350 in Omaha last month that had been sitting in his climate controlled basement for over 20 years! I picked it up and flipped/sold it to a guy in Texas. Wish that SL350 I found was only 285 bucks! Would have made quite a bit more $$ on it. 

[bill440cars]

SL's are very cool bikes! I just got done redoing this SL70 for a customer of mine. And, I found a One owner SL350 in Omaha last month that had been sitting in his climate controlled basement for over 20 years! I picked it up and flipped/sold it to a guy in Texas. Wish that SL350 I found was only 285 bucks! Would have made quite a bit more $$ on it. 

         Say, that's a mighty nice job, that you did on that SL70! I hear ya, on the price of the SL350. That one is pretty nice too. Good to see some of those out and about. That one I got off of ebay, will need some going over, but I have some replacement parts, that will help it out, though I won't be doing a nice restoration on it. Just want to get rid of dents and rust, you know.
 Thanks for showing those 2 SLs.

[bjatwood]

Thanks Bill, I really enjoy working on these old Honda's. Doesn't even seem like work 

[bill440cars]

Thanks Bill, I really enjoy working on these old Honda's. Doesn't even seem like work 

        I hear that. When I CAN get out to my garage and work on these things, I find myself thinking about my Granddad and my Dad, back in the day that they had the motorcycle shop and I remember alot of the goings on that went on each day. 

[bjatwood]

The thing I like best about working on Bikes is, my mind just concentrates on the task at hand not on the Million things I should be doing, honey-doo list, mowing the lawn, taking the dog for a walk yada yada...
Some people Golf, I work on Bikes. It works for me, and keeps my fingernails motorcycle'est perfect! LOL

[Killer Canary]

Work your magic Bill!

[bill440cars]

The thing I like best about working on Bikes is, my mind just concentrates on the task at hand not on the Million things I should be doing, honey-doo list, mowing the lawn, taking the dog for a walk yada yada...
Some people Golf, I work on Bikes. It works for me, and keeps my fingernails motorcycle'est perfect! LOL

               Oh Yes, I hear to loud and clear. At a time like that, nothing else matters.

Work your magic Bill!

               I'm hoping to do just that. 

[Killer Canary]

The wife and I just started restoring a '76 CB125 so that she can come riding. There's a definite family resemblance between it and yours.

[bill440cars]

The wife and I just started restoring a '76 CB125 so that she can come riding. There's a definite family resemblance between it and yours.

   Sound cool AND I'll be looking forward to Seeing and hearing about THAT one. 

[Killer Canary]

When will we have enough of this?

[bill440cars]

When will we have enough of this?

       Ummmm.    Never? LOL

[kirkn]

Work your magic Bill!

               I'm hoping to do just that. 

What does that mean - set it out back under a tarp and hope to get to it in 5 ~ 6 years??



 

Oh, come on, you know I'm jes' pullin' yer leg.... 

Kirk

[bill440cars]

Work your magic Bill!

               I'm hoping to do just that. 

What does that mean - set it out back under a tarp and hope to get to it in 5 ~ 6 years??



 

Oh, come on, you know I'm jes' pullin' yer leg.... 

Kirk

     Hey Kirk, leave it to you, to put some life in things.

[bill440cars]

  Could someone, "Work Their Magic" and post the pictures from the SL350 listing?

     http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360379220860&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT 

     I STILL don't know how to do that, if I can't click on it and get the "view the image" thing. I sure would appreciate it.   BTW, does ANYONE have a clue as to who made the exhaust that is on it? I have never seen one like this (of course, THAT doesn't mean anything  LOL )

    Right off, I know that it needs:

       a gas tank                                                                         I have one
      air cleaner side covers (air cleaners too, I imagine)           I have a pair
      tail light                                                                            I have one
      chain (maybe sprockets)                                                   Might have, will but 1, if not
      seat (recovered & pan straightened, at the very least)   I Might have a better one, maybe
      front tire (at least, maybe rear too)                                  Might have one
     carbs cleaned                                                                    I can handle that
     Speedometer & cable                                                        I have those
     Paint                                                                                 Can do
     has some pitting on the chrome                           Have to see how it look & see what I have
     needs wire soldered back on the horn button        Can do (might have a better one though
     Looks like the front fender is tilted slightly, with the front of it sticking up some  No Problem

                    Anyone else notice anything, that might need attention?
     
       Mind you, I'm not going to do a full restore on this, just fix it up a bit and make sure everything is fully functional while I'm at it. Will possibly be looking to do a different exhaust on it and raise it higher on the bike, to keep it from getting banged up and such, you know?