Charlotte, my side hustle: CB350G

[McQueen216]

“Wanna discuss mods for your old Honda CB?”

I have a laugh when the read me listed this, as why this section exists. Well… yes… I guess I would…

My current other bike a CB350G - a stock, original, complete-when-I-bought-it 1973 CB350. I’ve been Jonesing for a Classic ‘70’s Honda since… the 70’s. Probably since ‘73.

I was cheated out of some things, in my childhood.

Swindled. Robbed.

Earlier this year I found this ‘73 about ~100+ miles / 200km from me. I’d already looked at a variety of late model Honda twins - I know I wanted a twin and not a four, for reasons of… simplicity. And I had realized I wanted a ‘73 as it was the year with the front disc brake - brakes seemed important.

No dreams of a cafe racer. No dreams of some amazing show quality bike. A bike to take out and ride every day. Something rideable. Reliable. I wasn’t worried about stock, original complete so much as things like… health of the bike.

This one… sounded like it might be it. Long trip to see it, no plans to actually buy it. Seller was my age. Sound story for how he bought it, why he had it for… a dozen years. He knew the history of the bike for the last 30ish years. I looked at it all - carbs matched, exhaust even matched, clean for rust except for… inside of tank, of course. Bike seemed healthy, complete, all there. We shook hands and made plans for me to come back with cash and a trailer.

As the bike has been owner maintained for… 30+ years, and is going to be owner maintained how the next (x) years, I took it to a local one-man Honda Guru to give it a deep look, for its sake and my own. Fuel tank failed; I’ll feel to find a solution for that (solutions welcome, I have a stock in one fire on this that I’m happy to discuss). Original seat has a tear - I have a local seat… artist willing to create something out of my seat pan, but I’m in line for whenever they are willing / have time.

But… bike is back home now. Time to tack the clipboard to the wall and start the list of things to check.

[McQueen216]

here she is.

[JerryHawk250]

Looks good! My first bike was a CB200.

[McQueen216]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Looks good! My first bike was a CB200.

I would love, love, LOVE to have a CL as a trail bike. Like, a CL175 or a CL200. That would just be it. Of course, if we could have an EFI version of that… I’d know I’d have died and gone someplace…

[dirtbkr188]

Years ago I had a '74 CB350F1 4-cylinder in Glory Blue Black Metallic. It was a smooth fun bike to ride, my wife used it as a daily commuter (weather depending) to her job 4 miles from home. Sadly, I never took any pics of it while I owned it.

[cheesy]

Last bike BC(Before Children)was a 71 CB500. I both miss and do not miss that bike, though I probably would not walk away from another restorable CB500/550.

[TominMO]

I skipped that generation of Honda two-cylinder bikes. Went from a silver '67 305 Scrambler to a '80 CB400 Hawk, like this one. Same color. That was a sweet little bike.

Edit: Added pic of a CL77, 305 Scrambler.

[McQueen216]

Originally Posted by dirtbkr188

Sadly, I never took any pics of it while I owned it.

Kids today: What do you mean, you don’t have a picture of it?

[McQueen216]

Originally Posted by cheesy

… though I probably would not walk away from another restorable CB500/550.

Bring home another one. See what happens.

“You gonna ride that?”

“Every damn day.”

“What ‘bout them other ones?”

“Them too.”

[McQueen216]

Originally Posted by TominMO

…to a '80 CB400 Hawk, like this one.

Man… look at those lines. And they say nothing good came out of disco.

[McQueen216]

Originally Posted by McQueen216

I would love, love, LOVE to have a CL as a trail bike. Like, a CL175 or a CL200. That would just be it. Of course, if we could have an EFI version of that… I’d know I’d have died and gone someplace…

Oh, Lordy. I just checked, and there’s a ‘69 CL125 for sale in my city, asking price US$1250. Shiiiiiiiit.

(Checks pocket for loose change…)

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by McQueen216

Bring home another one. See what happens.

“You gonna ride that?”

“Every damn day.”

“What ‘bout them other ones?”

“Them too.”

I get that all the time when folks go into my shop for the first time...

I hear, "You can only ride one at a time!"
My answer, "You golf right? Do you go to the golf course with only one club in your bag?"

[dirtbkr188]

Originally Posted by McQueen216

Kids today: What do you mean, you don’t have a picture of it?

The cord on my phone wasn't long enough for me to take pictures of the bike in the driveway...

[Darkrider]

I had a '74 CB750K4 as well as a CB550 but i cannot remember the year of the 550. I want to say it was around a '75 or '76. If i were to pick up another motorcycle to replace the Harley that was repoed earlier this year i would prob look for a CB of some type at this point. Likely a 550 or 650. Unless i stumbled upon a CB700 NightHawk.

[2LZ]

Been trying to stay a little obscure with the new bikes I'm shopping for. I'd love to add a 350/4 to the collection. Gotta finish the other two first.....