Gabe
COVID-fefe
I'm inspired by Twitch Monitor's excellent CL160 build (http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317472), and I think I'm committed enough to start this thread. Last year, after some prompting from vintage-riding friends, I decided I needed a vintage Cafe racer. After much soul-searching and time-wasting, and for various reasons, I figured a 68-73 Honda CB350 was the way to go. Here are my reasons, which all you second-guessers, self-proclaimed engineering geniuses and poor-spelling know-it-alls are free to tear down, point-by-point. (Like you need my permission):
-Great availability: Honda sold hundreds of thousands of CB, CL and SL 350 Twins. Parts and parts bikes are everywhere.
-Engineering: Hey, it's a Honda! They run forever, right? Plus, the performance and tuning potential off this bike is well-established. Many AHRMA racers will tell you that it's the racebike of choice. If I can get 30 hp at the wheel (more than BARF's favorite bike, the Ninja 250) and get weight down to 300 pounds wet (a Ninja weighs 60-80 pounds more), and upgrade the suspension and brakes, I'll have a fun street/track/poseur ride for not too much money. I also considered the CB450, but it sounds like they aren't as reliable (older, more complex design) and are much heavier. And for all you two-stroke zombies: just save it. Sure, you'll pass me on the straights, but I'll pass you in the next turn, right after you seize and high-side.
-Looks: In my research I came across this bike built by Newfield High School near Ithaca, NY:
http://www.toolboxpro.org/classrooms/template.cfm?ID=1555
Sure, a Triton would be cooler but I am not going to buy a vintage British bike. Ever. Life is too short. This bike is exactly how a cafe racer should look. Lean and mean.
So who would build the bike? Not me, God knows: I can change oil or swap out parts, but I don't have the patience, attention-to-detail, tools, garage space or other resources to properly do this. Really. A friend offered to actually do the work for me for free, but I can't let somebody do that. So I emailed Charlie O'Hanlon. Charlie's Place (http://www.charlies-place.com/) is the leader in Vintage Honda restoration and repair, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a more enthusiastic partner for this project. Charlie instantly got what I wanted: a stripped-down, bare-bones street-friendly AHRMA racer. Now I don't need a complete bike: he has everything I need in his copious supply of 60s-70s Honda bits. Not the cheapest way, but again, using the Ninja 250 template, less than buying a new bike.
Here is what the bike will feature:
-Frame: Stock, but with excess tabs and other bits removed to save weight. The frame backbone will be welded for rigidity (a necessary mod, as the frame is stamped and tack-welded mild sheet steel). We'll also add a brace between the shock mounts to fit the seat and battery. New steering head and swingarm bearings/bushings.
-Front end: CB400F, so we can get a disc brake. We won't drill the disc, but I'll upgrade the master cylinder and add a braided-steel line.
-Wheels/Tires: Stock for now, but cleaned up and with new bearings. High-performance tires. Phase II will see aluminum wheels, Excel if I can afford them...
-Rear shocks: Works dual-rate springs with aluminum bodies.
-Engine: Charlie will inspect the motor he picked and do a top-end rebuild and replace all the doo-dads that commonly fail. Ignition will be electronic, courtesy of Dynatek. (http://www.dynaonline.com/skins/Default.aspx) We're considering a big-bore kit, but I'm not sure which to use. Charlie likes to use period kits when he can find them at swap meets or on eBay. Any leads or ideas would be appreciated. Charlie also likes to use period carbs, rather than use the flat-slide kits the racers use. He suggested a pair of Mikunis from a CB750.
Bodywork/Controls/Lighting: Glass from the Past did the seat on the Newfield bike, so I ordered one from them. $200 with the snap upholstery. Not bad! I want a '69 tank ('cuz that's the year I was born, and I like the kneepads) which I'd like to leave the stock paint: shouldn't a 40-year-old bike look 40? I'll run a fiberglass front fender if I run a fender. If I run instruments, I'll use a small Koso unit (www.kosonorthamerica.com). For lights, I'll sneak one of those LED bars under the tail section and a standard 7-inch headlight with aluminum brackets. I'll paint to match the tank in Phase II. I'll run clip-ons (haven't sourced them yet) and Motion Pro will do cables. Charlie like to re-wire these bikes himself.
So that's where I am right now. I've paid Charlie a deposit; he has set aside parts and he'll start on the motor soon. I've also hustled up some parts:
Stay tuned!
-Great availability: Honda sold hundreds of thousands of CB, CL and SL 350 Twins. Parts and parts bikes are everywhere.
-Engineering: Hey, it's a Honda! They run forever, right? Plus, the performance and tuning potential off this bike is well-established. Many AHRMA racers will tell you that it's the racebike of choice. If I can get 30 hp at the wheel (more than BARF's favorite bike, the Ninja 250) and get weight down to 300 pounds wet (a Ninja weighs 60-80 pounds more), and upgrade the suspension and brakes, I'll have a fun street/track/poseur ride for not too much money. I also considered the CB450, but it sounds like they aren't as reliable (older, more complex design) and are much heavier. And for all you two-stroke zombies: just save it. Sure, you'll pass me on the straights, but I'll pass you in the next turn, right after you seize and high-side.
-Looks: In my research I came across this bike built by Newfield High School near Ithaca, NY:
http://www.toolboxpro.org/classrooms/template.cfm?ID=1555
Sure, a Triton would be cooler but I am not going to buy a vintage British bike. Ever. Life is too short. This bike is exactly how a cafe racer should look. Lean and mean.
So who would build the bike? Not me, God knows: I can change oil or swap out parts, but I don't have the patience, attention-to-detail, tools, garage space or other resources to properly do this. Really. A friend offered to actually do the work for me for free, but I can't let somebody do that. So I emailed Charlie O'Hanlon. Charlie's Place (http://www.charlies-place.com/) is the leader in Vintage Honda restoration and repair, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a more enthusiastic partner for this project. Charlie instantly got what I wanted: a stripped-down, bare-bones street-friendly AHRMA racer. Now I don't need a complete bike: he has everything I need in his copious supply of 60s-70s Honda bits. Not the cheapest way, but again, using the Ninja 250 template, less than buying a new bike.
Here is what the bike will feature:
-Frame: Stock, but with excess tabs and other bits removed to save weight. The frame backbone will be welded for rigidity (a necessary mod, as the frame is stamped and tack-welded mild sheet steel). We'll also add a brace between the shock mounts to fit the seat and battery. New steering head and swingarm bearings/bushings.
-Front end: CB400F, so we can get a disc brake. We won't drill the disc, but I'll upgrade the master cylinder and add a braided-steel line.
-Wheels/Tires: Stock for now, but cleaned up and with new bearings. High-performance tires. Phase II will see aluminum wheels, Excel if I can afford them...
-Rear shocks: Works dual-rate springs with aluminum bodies.
-Engine: Charlie will inspect the motor he picked and do a top-end rebuild and replace all the doo-dads that commonly fail. Ignition will be electronic, courtesy of Dynatek. (http://www.dynaonline.com/skins/Default.aspx) We're considering a big-bore kit, but I'm not sure which to use. Charlie likes to use period kits when he can find them at swap meets or on eBay. Any leads or ideas would be appreciated. Charlie also likes to use period carbs, rather than use the flat-slide kits the racers use. He suggested a pair of Mikunis from a CB750.
Bodywork/Controls/Lighting: Glass from the Past did the seat on the Newfield bike, so I ordered one from them. $200 with the snap upholstery. Not bad! I want a '69 tank ('cuz that's the year I was born, and I like the kneepads) which I'd like to leave the stock paint: shouldn't a 40-year-old bike look 40? I'll run a fiberglass front fender if I run a fender. If I run instruments, I'll use a small Koso unit (www.kosonorthamerica.com). For lights, I'll sneak one of those LED bars under the tail section and a standard 7-inch headlight with aluminum brackets. I'll paint to match the tank in Phase II. I'll run clip-ons (haven't sourced them yet) and Motion Pro will do cables. Charlie like to re-wire these bikes himself.
So that's where I am right now. I've paid Charlie a deposit; he has set aside parts and he'll start on the motor soon. I've also hustled up some parts:
Stay tuned!
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