Author Topic: "Drag Queen" FKA 1972 Honda 350 four restoration. Leave no part behind! (Read 17244 times)

twincityrider · « **Reply #50 on:** July 16, 2010, 07:40:58 AM »

Pulled apart the gauge clusters, cleaned them up, lubricated the gears and reassembled. I used crinkle paint for the covers and polished the stainless back covers. I think the clubman bars are a nice touch. Part of the reason to go cafe on this resto was: the original bars are bent, the original rear fender was rusted out, the original tail light was a disaster. All in all it was almost cheaper to go with some quality aftermarket parts. Plus, great opportunity to get rid of some of the chunkiness of the stock rear fender setup.

When I bought the bike it had an aftermarket ignition reposition assembly. I actually like the setup. All of it was powder-coated.

twincityrider · « **Reply #51 on:** July 16, 2010, 07:47:25 AM »

Rear fender with Omar's sausage light setup.

twincityrider · « **Reply #52 on:** July 16, 2010, 07:55:40 AM »

The trick with this particular aftermarket seat was mounting it. I had to get really creative to use both the stock hinge and stock seat locking mechanism. In the end I made it work using plastic spacers. Between the frame rails and the seat I used silicon stoppers from my local home brewing store. These were screwed in from the top of the seat with flush self tapping screws. Weird I know, but they worked out beautifully. Can't see them when the seat is down and will be covered by the seat cushion.

I also want to be able to squeeze my wife on the back when we scoot around town. So I needed to brace up the rear of the seat to avoid potentially cracking the fiberglass. This also required some thinking, more thinking, and beer. Ultimately, I used hard plastic stoppers (again my beer store folks had them) bolted to the C frame in the back, with interlocking plastic stoppers attached to the seat with screws. This way the rear of the seat cannot be compressed down, or to either side. When the seat is down, the rear of the seat is locked in.

twincityrider · « **Reply #53 on:** July 16, 2010, 07:58:37 AM »

Kinda looking like a motorcycle.

twincityrider · « **Reply #54 on:** July 16, 2010, 08:28:52 AM »

Exhaust mounted, rear brake setup, center stand installed, side stand installed, front fender installed. I had to switch the gators because I had mistakenly interchanged them. Also put oil in the forks at the same time. I just pour down the outside of the tube 4 oz each. Is that correct? Didn't seem to want to hold the oil though. Kinda confusing. Some advice would be helpful. Firmed the forks up though.

So we have a name for the bike. The "Drag Queen." Seeing as how the bike is for my wife (and me haha) and we're keeping the drag pipes for the time being it only made sense. The pipes will be wrapped in exhaust tape later.

twincityrider · « **Reply #55 on:** July 16, 2010, 08:30:25 AM »

SOHC FOUR love. Bumper sticker from Zazzle I cut out and applied to the tank.

twincityrider · « **Reply #56 on:** July 16, 2010, 08:32:12 AM »

Stupid horn cover doesn't want to stay on. I'm thinking I'll leave it naked. I kinda like the look. Or I could put the cover back on (it's crinkle painted). Thoughts?

DHolbrook · « **Reply #57 on:** July 16, 2010, 08:41:43 AM »

Wow, glad you resumed posts here! Great build, great choices on the aesthetics. I'm itching to get my hands on a 350... Anyway, the color is by far my favorite part. The pearl white with all the polished bits really make the bike look clean and light. Are you planning to keep or eventually replace the drag pipes? Your clubmans are upside down, is that for comfort? If so, a set of euro bars could be equally comfortable yet more attractive. I like your gauge repaint, I'd try to get that horn cover to stay on if it is painted the same way. Super work, look forward to seeing more.

twincityrider · « **Reply #58 on:** July 16, 2010, 08:51:18 AM »

Hi DH. Haha, the clubman bars I just threw on for the picture. I haven't really fitted them yet. But yeah, I put em on upside down. Oops. I'll keep the drag pipes until I can find the $ for the aftermarket 4 into 4s. So expensive though.

DHolbrook · « **Reply #59 on:** July 16, 2010, 09:05:36 AM »

Yeah it's hard to get around the cost of a good exhaust. Keep up the good stuff. I'm already ready to see a video of Drag Queen or just even a pic in the sunlight.
Cheers,

bbullitt · « **Reply #60 on:** July 17, 2010, 07:03:36 AM »

Were you happy with the piston rings you received?

traveler · « **Reply #61 on:** July 17, 2010, 08:23:59 AM »

I have to say...I really like the way you went on this build. The color is refreshing.......not the same old/same old.

Yeah, the clubmans are upside down....I thought you wanted them that way. There's no rule that says how you must have them. Set it up for the wife, since it's her bike, IMHO. $:-\$

What would happen if you painted the horn krinkle black and left the cover off?

Again, VERY nice. Thanks for posting, and for the pics!

~Joe

twincityrider · « **Reply #62 on:** July 17, 2010, 12:36:48 PM »

Thanks Traveler. Yeah I'm happy with the bike so far. Getting close. Mostly just have to wire it.

Bbullit, I'll let you know in a week if I'm happy with the rings. They looked high quality putting them in. Managed to bend one putting it in though and had to reorder it. Not the rings fault, just used too much pressure.

Out to the garage now, I'll post pictures later.

Ecosse · « **Reply #63 on:** July 19, 2010, 12:21:25 PM »

i like the way this is turning out! the crinkle paint is very cool. use to paint car valve covers with that.

your choice of body color works nicely.

edit: house of kolor? first rate! diggin the sohc/4 sticker too.

twincityrider · « **Reply #64 on:** July 19, 2010, 02:20:08 PM »

Thanks Ecosse. Build is going well. House of Kolor is good stuff. Lays out well.

Update: front brake installed. Repainted with Dupli-Color to match engine. A while back last year I broke the bleeder valve off in the caliper trying to unscrew it. 40 years of contact between dissimilar metals will do that I guess. I used Motormite bleeder valve repair kit to fix it. Drilled it out, tapped it, plug and play.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_5012856-P_x_x?cm_mmc=CSE-_-Google-_-VALUE3-_-VALUE4&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=5012856

twincityrider · « **Reply #65 on:** July 19, 2010, 02:23:55 PM »

Started to wire up the Drag Queen today. Went well enough so far. I know I have an electrical problem to deal with once it's all back together. Starter button stopped spinning the starter just before the tear down. Not even a whir. Me thinks it's a fuse. Works fine when I short it out. I'll figure it out in due time.

twincityrider · « **Reply #66 on:** July 19, 2010, 02:31:49 PM »

Anyone know where I can find a good set of pictures for putting my handle bar controls back together (lots of soldering to do). Since it'll have clubmans on it I'll get rid of the pins. As of now I have two baggies full of parts ready to be put back together. Unfortunately I lost the pictures I took while taking them apart. Thanks.

Also, helpful note... Don't powdercoat the controls. Makes a huge mess of the lettering on the top side and soldering. Oh well.

andy8190 · « **Reply #67 on:** July 19, 2010, 10:12:46 PM »

DUDE YOU ARE USING THE COLOR I WANTED TO USE

hahahaha i still might have to use the same color, i feel like a copy cat haha

Accolay · « **Reply #68 on:** July 19, 2010, 10:42:18 PM »

Are the 350 handlebar controls anything like the 550s? If so, I have pics:

http://s581.photobucket.com/albums/ss258/accolay_accolay/1977%20CB550F/Handlebar%20Switch%20Disassembly/Right%20Handlebar%20Switch%20Disassembly/

http://s581.photobucket.com/albums/ss258/accolay_accolay/1977%20CB550F/Handlebar%20Switch%20Disassembly/

I painted my controls black after they were blasted, but it was still hard to get the lettering finished due to paint sinking into the crevices. Next time they will be anodized.

twincityrider · « **Reply #69 on:** July 20, 2010, 10:54:22 AM »

Hey thanks Accolay. Much appreciated. They look pretty much identical. Really appreciate it. Pain in the butt trying to find where the soldering is. This really helps. See you around Minneapolis. You hang around Bob's Java Hut with the cycle crowd? Pretty close to my house.

twincityrider · « **Reply #70 on:** July 20, 2010, 10:55:51 AM »

Andy,

Go for it. It's a great color. Don't feel bad haha. I'll take some pictures in the sun tomorrow and post.

twincityrider · « **Reply #71 on:** July 20, 2010, 11:16:13 AM »

Seat arrived yesterday. Fitted it this morning. Vinyl alligator skin top (animal friendly naturally) with black vinyl sides. I like it with the lines of the fender and tank. My wife didn't want just black vinyl so I went with alligator. The black sides make it pop a little bit more. All alligator was just too busy.

Wiring up the handle bars tonight. Then it's time to turn the key sometime this week!

tweakin · « **Reply #72 on:** July 20, 2010, 12:28:58 PM »

Very Nice! I love the color you went with.

Ecosse · « **Reply #73 on:** July 20, 2010, 12:36:04 PM »

wow... that seat came out nice. good call on the plain sides, gater top, decision.

Accolay · « **Reply #74 on:** July 20, 2010, 09:18:58 PM »

I'm not much of a cafe guy sometimes, but I really dig your build. That seat is great!
Not sure where Bob's is. Hennepin Ave right? Or over on Lyndale? I know I've seen it somewheres. As soon as I fix my dragging caliper I'll be out and about. Can't wait to see your bike on the road.

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Author Topic: "Drag Queen" FKA 1972 Honda 350 four restoration. Leave no part behind! (Read 17244 times)

traveler