Author Topic: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project  (Read 51292 times)

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Offline Outlawdino

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Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« on: March 03, 2010, 05:50:14 am »
Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and slightly new to the love of vintage Hondas. I am in a postion to possibly purchase either a 1973 CB350 Twin or a 1972 CL350...both are available in my area. I really want the CB but the owner has an asking price of $1000 and I think that is a little steep based on its condition, ect. Can anyone shed any light on a major differences between the CL and CB models? I am interested in a restoration project that may include some light custom add ons such as clubman bars, ect to give it an aggresive cafe racer look. Thanks

Offline hahnda

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2010, 05:54:18 am »
Pretty much the same mechanically.

Differences that stick out-
Tank
Wheels
Exhaust
Handlebars
Seat

Check out http://www.honda350k.com/ for more info on the 350's.
Kevin
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Offline Outlawdino

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2010, 07:19:52 pm »
Thank you very much.....that really answers alot of questions. Same engine and frame? If so, may I ask a dumb question...why make the CL in the first place? What market were both the CB350 Twin and the CL350 to concentrate on? Both are Twins, right?

Offline Alan F.

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2010, 07:40:54 pm »
Yes, both are twins. The key marketing difference was that the CB model was strictly a streetbike, while the CL model was a 'scrambler' currently referred to as a 'dual-sport'
-Alan

Offline Outlawdino

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2010, 05:41:55 am »
Thank you Hahnda and Alan...I appreciate it.

Offline MickeyX

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2010, 06:29:53 am »
We have 2 350 scramblers. They are a good bike, good decent engine and trans. Much better than the 360, not as big as the 450. They originally got around 100-110 miles/gallon. We are waiting to see what they get with this ethanol crap. There is no dedicated 350 twin forum I've ever found but there is a 450 forum and twin forums. They can be a lot of help.
The CB is the street version, the CL is the dual sport and the SL is the all dirt. It all depended on what you needed it for. The forks seem beefier on the CL than the CB. The tank and seat are slightly different but will fit each bike, you just need to pair them up. Like... the CB tank is longer, seat is shorter than the CL by an inch or 2 so it could travel longer distances on the road. Some really like the pipes on the CL more. The heat shields give good protection against the hot pipes. In that respect, it's all about what style you like more. The CB pipes will fit a CL and are easier to come by, but I like the CL look better.

Pretty interchangeable, some things are slightly different through the years. Fork ears changed just enough to make it inconvenient. We are leaving one bike more stock, one we are modding more to a cafe look but not completely. You will see that the forks attach to the triple tree with a bolt instead of sliding up through. Clip-ons won't work and you can't slide them up or down to change the rake of the bike. Maybe the CB is different so that should be a consideration.

In reference, we paid $450 for the '69 and it needs cables, tires, cleaned up, air filters, plugs, etc. We paid just a little more than that for a running '72 that needs the same things but came with a bunch of spare parts including a clean tank, forks, wheels, etc. Both had titles. I will warn you... the air filters are around $35 each. Unless you need new jets for some reason, just go to Honda and get the carb gasket kit (#1 on the fiche I think?) for around $11 each carb. It will save you $$ and it's better quality than the stuff on ebay. There are subtle differences on the carbs through the years but they fit the same and the gaskets are the same. The floats are a little different on the really early ones and won't fit the newer round style. The years you are looking at should be fine though.

We found it hard to find tires in those sizes without going totally knobby or paying through the nose for street tires. There are some nice, cheaper Avons that a few of the local guys use and swear by them. Parts galore on the net/feebay and they can be had for cheap so that is good news. I've really gotten some incredible bargains. Don't go cheap on the cables for the throttle. It's one cable, split into 2 and you want the tolerances to be dead on since it needs to open both with one pull equally. There is some adjustment in the mechanism but you don't want to have to fight it. The original cables were gray, many now come in black, even the ones from Honda. I like the black better so no biggy there but if you want gray, go to feebay.
The sidecovers will fit all years but some have vents some don't. The emblems changed a little on the tank and sidecovers. Otherwise, crossover in fitment. The tail lights changed a little but bolt on the same. The turn signals on the front fit the ears differently but are the same signals thoroughout. The seat latches differently from '68-70 compared to '71 on... after 71 it rolls to the side and can be locked, before that it lifts at the front and there is no lock for it.
That's about all I can think of right now. We're still learning a lot, cleaning out tanks, cleaning up bikes, getting parts together to do one massive blow out of work on them in the spring when we have more light and warmth.

Good luck!  :)
« Last Edit: March 04, 2010, 06:39:35 am by MickeyX »
1969 CL350 Scrambler... almost done!!! Well, until something else goes wrong. :)
2006 HD 883 Sportster, stock. No use changing it, it's still gonna be a Harley.

Offline westondc

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2010, 07:46:39 am »
They originally got around 100-110 miles/gallon. We are waiting to see what they get with this ethanol crap.

holy smokes, i need to know how to get that mpg out of mine. I'm getting about 40 mpgs right now. i dont think its i good idea to use ethanol since i've read that these bikes and parts weren't designed for that high alcohol content.

The CB pipes will fit a CL and are easier to come by, but I like the CL look better.

my CB350 came with CL pipes on it. i was going to change them back to standard pipes but i got so many comments on how sweet it looked that i kept them on it. I'll try to find a pic of my bike and post it.

In reference, we paid $450 for the '69 and it needs cables, tires, cleaned up, air filters, plugs, etc. We paid just a little more than that for a running '72 that needs the same things but came with a bunch of spare parts including a clean tank, forks, wheels, etc. Both had titles.

Bought mine for with title for $300 off CL: bad tires, torn seat, dirty carbs, and some much needed TLC


I will warn you... the air filters are around $35 each. Unless you need new jets for some reason

i put on some cheap pod filters and didn't need to rejet. side covers can be put back on and you cant tell that the original air filters and boxes aren't on it.

We found it hard to find tires in those sizes without going totally knobby or paying through the nose for street tires. There are some nice, cheaper Avons that a few of the local guys use and swear by them.

a local shop recommended some Cheng Shin street tires for my bike. i took the wheels off and brought them to the shop. they replaced the tires and tubes for about $160 i believe. i'm pretty sure they're these tires, C833 http://www.jcwhitney.com/street-tread-motorcycle-tires-tube-or-tubeless/p2003943.jcwx#
« Last Edit: March 04, 2010, 07:51:45 am by westondc »
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Offline MickeyX

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2010, 12:37:59 pm »
hehe. I meant to add that a lot of people go with pods and usually don't rejet or only one size diff. good catch westondc. Jets are cheap and easy to find. Beware, many on feebay will put stuff on there at ridiculous pricing and saying you can't that part anymore. Look on the fiche sites 1st. They usually have what you need and cheaper. I found these guys to be pretty cheap compared to the other online places... http://www.hondapartsnation.com/

As far as the gas, we have no choice. All of it has ethanol out here. I sold my Jeep Wrangler because the gas mileage, although bad on the east coast, dropped like a rock out here with this stuff.

True, cheng shin makes tires this size but, I have to be honest, I won't trust my ass to those tires with the amount of rain we get where I live. They're probably just fine if you don't ride in rain much.

I love the CL pipes. I've seen some pretty hot cafe'd CLs that give me ideas. Like this...



No saying the CB won't be cool too. The main difference is the pipes as far as looks. I'd go with which ever you can afford and is most worth the $$. A CL with other pipes...



then there's this CL modified... drooooool!  8) 8)



1969 CL350 Scrambler... almost done!!! Well, until something else goes wrong. :)
2006 HD 883 Sportster, stock. No use changing it, it's still gonna be a Harley.

Offline westondc

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2010, 02:57:54 pm »
Nice, i like the last pics of the red bike. not sure if i like the shorty muffs though.
B.O.X.N.I.F.E. Hospital fund https://www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/8352
Rider no. 115 on the 2012 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
Rider no. 274 on the 2011 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
1972 Honda CB500k1
1971 Honda CB350k3
the project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64499.0
Trip/Project Blog http://easterntowestern.blogspot.com/
Quote
just be a vagabond, living out of a backpack on a little Honda, cruisin all over the damn place....
"As your attorney, I advise you to buy a motorcycle. How else can we cover a thing like this righteously?"

Offline dusterdude

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2010, 04:44:52 pm »
excellent bikes,my first bike was a cl.damn,i miss it
mark
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Offline Outlawdino

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2010, 07:06:09 pm »
THOSE ARE SOME VERY SWEET PICS..THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION.

HondaDano

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2010, 07:13:27 am »


I restored this '72 Cl last year. It looks almost just like a CB except for the bars. Loved that thing. Super easy to work on and reliable. It was given to me in and had sat since '82. After a good carb cleaning it fired right up. Around 5000 original miles. Dano

Offline Outlawdino

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2010, 06:36:56 pm »
Thanks Dano!!

LWATCDR

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #13 on: March 15, 2010, 12:49:06 pm »
They are supposed to have made over 600,000 of them. I wonder just how many are sitting in basements and garages just waiting to be found or have they all been junked :) seems like a nice little bike. I would love to find one for a few hundred :)

Offline cb650

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #14 on: March 15, 2010, 03:55:19 pm »
Dont forget the SL's also.  Somewhere I have a pic of a really nice one.  Have to look for it.
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline OakBehringer

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2010, 08:46:28 am »
Or you can build a SICK bobber out of an SL350, like Shane of HalfFast did:

[youtube=425,350]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/youtube]
1974 350 Four - SOLD
1966 CL160
1981 XS650
1972 CT70

Finished CB350F

HELLS BANANAS

Offline cb650

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2010, 05:27:41 pm »
Found it.  Seat needs work.
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline ofreen

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2010, 05:35:24 pm »
Dont forget the SL's also.  

I had three of the '71 model.  IMO that's the one to look for.  It had the double down tube frame and no electric start.
Greg
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Offline HAIRHEAD

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #18 on: March 16, 2010, 07:56:10 pm »
thank you for heading my 72 350 in the right direction-inspired by the red 350 :o :o :o
hehe. I meant to add that a lot of people go with pods and usually don't rejet or only one size diff. good catch westondc. Jets are cheap and easy to find. Beware, many on feebay will put stuff on there at ridiculous pricing and saying you can't that part anymore. Look on the fiche sites 1st. They usually have what you need and cheaper. I found these guys to be pretty cheap compared to the other online places... http://www.hondapartsnation.com/

As far as the gas, we have no choice. All of it has ethanol out here. I sold my Jeep Wrangler because the gas mileage, although bad on the east coast, dropped like a rock out here with this stuff.

True, cheng shin makes tires this size but, I have to be honest, I won't trust my ass to those tires with the amount of rain we get where I live. They're probably just fine if you don't ride in rain much.

I love the CL pipes. I've seen some pretty hot cafe'd CLs that give me ideas. Like this...



No saying the CB won't be cool too. The main difference is the pipes as far as looks. I'd go with which ever you can afford and is most worth the $$. A CL with other pipes...



then there's this CL modified... drooooool!  8) 8)




77 R100/7 cafe,75 CB550 caffeinated,74 CB450(520)TWIN, 73TX650,72 CB750,72 CB350 TWIN,75 XL100,

Offline paulages

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #19 on: March 16, 2010, 11:57:34 pm »
We have 2 350 scramblers. They are a good bike, good decent engine and trans. Much better than the 360, not as big as the 450. They originally got around 100-110 miles/gallon.
Good luck!  :)

i have a reaaaaaaaly hard time believing a single cb/cl350 has every come close to that kind if gas mileage. i think 50 MPG would be lucky.
paul
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Offline MickeyX

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2010, 12:30:01 am »
I know but, that's what honda advertised.  I get 50 mpg with my HD so who knows. I know they won't get it with the #$%*ty gas we have now.




Edit: Now you got me wondering if I read it wrong. Hmmmm.  :-\
« Last Edit: March 17, 2010, 12:40:02 am by MickeyX »
1969 CL350 Scrambler... almost done!!! Well, until something else goes wrong. :)
2006 HD 883 Sportster, stock. No use changing it, it's still gonna be a Harley.

Offline paulages

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #21 on: March 17, 2010, 11:22:11 am »
I know but, that's what honda advertised.  I get 50 mpg with my HD so who knows. I know they won't get it with the #$%*ty gas we have now.




Edit: Now you got me wondering if I read it wrong. Hmmmm.  :-\

Manufacturers like to claim all kinds of things... ::) ;D
paul
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1974 CB550 (735cc)
1976 CB550 (590cc) road racer
1973 CB750K3
1972 NORTON Commando Combat
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HondaDano

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2010, 01:37:16 pm »
I got around 50mpg or a little more on my CL ;)

Offline MickeyX

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Re: Honda CL350 vs CB350 Twin project
« Reply #23 on: March 17, 2010, 05:58:23 pm »
So what you're sayin' is... my HD gets the same mpg as that little Honda? How the hell does that happen? I'm writing Honda Japan...  :D ;)

Either way, these 350s rock! I can't wait to get at least one of them done so I can ride it. Kit's will be 1st the way it looks. She's the only one with any $$ for parts. Damn starving students.  ;D
1969 CL350 Scrambler... almost done!!! Well, until something else goes wrong. :)
2006 HD 883 Sportster, stock. No use changing it, it's still gonna be a Harley.