CB350F Cafe in my spare time

[Koncretekid]

While in Colorado for the last 10 weeks, away from my B50 APS build, I needed a project so I did this.  It's a 1973 Honda CB350F.  It was a non-runner when I got it with a few parts missing, so I did a Cafe type conversion to run as a street bike.  The motor is stock with a nice valve job by The Engine Shop in Longmont, the seat cusion by Dave Brown, and the rest of the work by me.  Only about 35 hp so not too fast, but it loves to rev.  I have to admit (my first 4 cylinder) that the sound of the open carbs at 10,000 rpm is somewhat intoxicating!  I guess the nice thing about only 35 hp is that you can use all of it on the street without alarming the local cops or running over everyone else on the road.

I took it on the 150 mile "Old Bike Run # 10" last weekend and had a blast on the twisties in the Colorado Front Range around Golden, Co.

Now I could run this in the new AMA/BUB Classic Bike class, but I'm afraid any good running CB350 twin or RD350 would run away from it.  And then there is the salt...........

Tom

[Captthundarr]

SOOOWEEEETTT.

[ol38y]

It's a looker allright. Nice work... 

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Show it to Keith Turk.  He collects older Hondas - and though I think he's more of a 550 fan than the 350 -- he'd be one to appreciate it, for sure.

[McRat]

Very nice, I remember those!  10,500 rpm redline?

[Peter Jack]

Very nice Tom! Looks like fun. 

Pete

[Cereal KLR]

The 350 and 400 fours were very nice runners indeed. Unfortunately the BUB Classic class starts at 500cc (Chapter 12, paragraph D of supplemental regulations)

We have a couple of nice old 305 Superhawks we wanted to run but at this time have no classic class.

[wobblywalrus]

Too nice for the salt, Tom.  That is done in the theme of the cafe racer time.  Good job.

[55chevr]

Superhawk ... had one in 67 ... good stuff

[Koncretekid]

Thanks for the complements!  I, of course, told the wife I was building it to sell, but then, I didn't say when!  SSS - I don't know Keith Turk, but if I meet him I'll have a yarn with him.  Yes, the redline is 10,500.  I have a couple of friends who road race these little guys and don't bother with a tachometer - - just rev them 'til they stop pulling before shifting.  Although I have seen one with it's leg sticking out thru the front of the case.  I hadn't noticed that the new BUB class started at 500cc.  Just as well so I won't be tempted.

Tomorrow I head back to Nova Scotia where I'll finish the BSA partial streamlining in preparation for Loring. New exhaust required, relocating gauges and coils, air ducting, changes to footpegs and controls, extra braces on fairing to sustain the breakneck 130 mph I'm hoping for, finishing and paint, and oh yes, I have to shorten the tail to 8" for BUB - - bummer.

[Animedevildog]

Thats a sweet lookin Honda you have there. I have an 80 Yamaha XS650g I am gonna turn into a cafe racer myself.
Just remember, it's better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. On the street, all these liter size sportbikes are barely chugging along at road speed, yet with these smaller bikes, you really can ride it to their potential.

[wobblywalrus]

Tom, this might help you.  All from an article in April 2012 Classic Bike on the Honda 400 four.  A close cousin of the 350.

David Silver Spares (England) www.davidsilverspares.co.uk
CMS (Netherlands) www.cmsnl.com
400 Four bits (England) www.400fourbits.co.uk
Phil Denton Engineering www.phildentonengineering.com
D&M Engineering (England) www.d-mengineering.co.uk
Honda sohc forum (England) www.sohc.co.uk