WTB: Honda CL350 Scrambler

Moses · 06-21-2006, 01:39 AM

Yep, I'm looking to find yet another bike to add to the collection. I've tossed around the idea of a Yamaha YSR50, an Aprilia RS50, a TTR125 "super motard'ized" but realized those just weren't practical. I was basicly looking for something street legal to cruise around town on (I know the TTR125 isn't street legal).

So after alot of thought I thought it might be nice to get back to my roots. My first bike was my dad's old 1975 Yamaha 175 Enduro CT2. I've always been thinking about doing something like this ever since helping GODFATHER with his CB750 cafe racer <--- link to pic. Plus after seeing how much fun Andy is having on his and seeing one of the guys restored one's at the old Lake Country Motorsports, I'm now looking for a Honda CL350 Scrambler.

On top of that, my dad said he would like to start riding again...just something to slowly put around town on. When I told my dad I was thinking about trying to find a CL350 his eyes lite up and he said "a Scambler". I think this would be a cool project the two of us could work on. I would love to get my hands on one and turn it into a cafe racer.

So if anyone knows of a CL350 for sale in a close vicinity, please let me know. I might even be open to a CL450 even though (I believe) parts for a CL350 are easier to get. Hell, I've even looked at the 2006 Triumph Scrambler, but at a MSRP of $7,999 that's way too much.

Thanks!
~Brian

Murf99 · 06-21-2006, 11:37 AM

Brian - just a few thoughts about Cafe Racers and the like...

Scramblers and Cafe Racers are somewhat opposites. Scramblers were made for road/trail/off-road duty. They generally have knobby tires... etd.

Cafe Racers are the precursor to sportbikes - strictly on road tires, clip-ons... etc.

If you're considering a Cafe racer, the CL-350 might not be the best place to start. Maybe a CB-350 would be a better basis.

...or, the venerable Cafe Racer platform, CB-400 Four. C'mon - look at those beautiful 4-1 pipes and tell me you don't want one!

Something else to consider would be the 1989-1990 Honda GB-500. Cafe racer style and excitement with 90s Honda build quality and technology. I have a real love for these things!

Rogue6 · 06-21-2006, 11:58 AM

If you are going full out custom, a cl would be just as good as a cb. The cb had a different exhaust and a few other subtle touches. They were pretty much the exact same bike. They are both a lot of fun.

ajohn505 · 06-21-2006, 09:17 PM

My bro's got an excellent specimen of a 76 CB400f in Canary Yellow. You all may see it at TwT at Culvers, or at Rockerbox this year.

incognito0160 · 06-21-2006, 10:34 PM

there is one up on craigslist now, either in madison or milwaukee. I'll try to find the link for ya.

Jokertlr · 06-21-2006, 11:22 PM

I don't want to be picky Brian but it would seem that 2 bikes is a couple, 3 bikes are a few and 4+ bikes is a collection. I'm working on number 5 and a collection that definitely does make. So, unless you have a vespa you are not telling us about, you just have a couple of bikes and are working on making it a few..

Murf99 · 06-22-2006, 09:48 AM

Adam - those pipes are pure sex! Glad to see your bro is keeping the bike in such nice shape!

ajohn505 · 06-22-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murf99

Adam - those pipes are pure sex! Glad to see your bro is keeping the bike in such nice shape!

Oh yeah, every single weekend he's using my tools and spilling something else on the cement

. It runs really well too, though of course we're looking at getting it to run perfectly.

He just put some clubmans on as well, it looks even better. This weekend's project is probably going to be timing and plugs.

There's a very slight ooze of oil around the headgasket, but apparently that's fairly common on these 30 year old bikes.