Bike Build: Old Dog, New Tricks

[tobypaddock]

This is my first bike, as well as my first build.

I purchased a 1972 Honda CB350 last Sunday. The battery was dead, and it was freezing outside so I couldnt get it started - but the price was right so I jumped on it. This is how it looked the day I picked it up
http://imageshack.us/a/img138/3282/img4973jt.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img690/7159/img4974r.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img138/3282/img4973jt.jpg

[tobypaddock]

The bike is at my GF's parents garage as I will be building it with her Father, so progress may be a little bit slow.

My first day of tinkering with it and getting to know the bike resulted in me removing the sissy bar, the fenders, headlight, signal lights, mufflers/exhaust and centre stand.

http://imageshack.us/a/img442/7251/img4980c.jpg

My goal is to remove as much unnecessary crap/weight as possible.

[tobypaddock]

Friday after work I really got busy on the bike, stripped almost everything off the frame - but before doing that I brought my battery charger with me and tried starting the bike - it fired right up!

I am planning on rewiring the bike myself and keeping it very simple (lights, horn, distributor - undecided if i will keep the electric start or not) so tear down was easier as i was mostly just cutting wires.
only damage done was to the sprocket cover when attempting to remove the chain, so I will have to source a replacement

http://imageshack.us/a/img90/1893/img4987v.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img12/874/img4989c.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img689/6613/img4988qa.jpg

[tobypaddock]

this morning I snagged myself an amazing deal on what I believe will truly transform my bike. I know it is overkill for a little 350 but I couldnt resist, and if i ever build a bigger CB I will just use these on it and put the original stuff back on the 350 and sell it anyways here it is:

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/6676/img4995b.jpg

an entire front end off of a 2008 GSXR 600.

now I just need to figure out where i can get my hands on some spoked wheels for a GSXR to match my rear, or figure out a way to get a modern rear wheel and some disc brakes on the back.
suggestions?

[ExtraSlow]

legit.

[tobypaddock]

this is the bike that made me start looking for a modern front end:
http://imageshack.us/a/img534/9176/img4996a.jpg

I will also be doing small dual headlights like that bike.

if anyone can help me build some nice lights with halos in them (i know, not everyones taste, but i really want some new-school flavor mixed into an older bike/components) I would be incredibly grateful!

[tobypaddock]

I am still undecided on a colour scheme, the only thing i do know is that I will be putting on a brown leather seat.

I am going to clean up the engine and see what its like but its fairly corroded, I cant decide whether to paint it with Dupli-Colors Aluminum finish or this colour that I have yet to figure out what it is:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2704/4093311230_c332d39c26.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34828040@N05/4093311230/)
CB750_67 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34828040@N05/4093311230/) by modern.built (http://www.flickr.com/people/34828040@N05/)

[94_S14]

Please please paint it the above "Mystery" color. I love the idea! Cant wait to see what happens :P

[tobypaddock]

Yeah, if I can find that colour it is definitely the route I will go.
Still undecided on tank and frame colour tho.

[94_S14]

That color with black anodzied hardware :P

[legendboy]

I helped Hollywood modify 2012 R1 swing arm and front forks to fit his supercharged 77 KZ1000

turned out awesome

[tobypaddock]

Originally posted by legendboy
I helped Hollywood modify 2012 R1 swing arm and front forks to fit his supercharged 77 KZ1000

turned out awesome

PM'd

also, any pics of that??

[tobypaddock]

Bought all new cables for the bike today, along with new chain (gold), new filters, new fuel lines and these:

http://www.ukbikeparts.net/acatalog/HLUTRBLK.jpg



also picked these up, not sure on them but I think they will match the GSXR forks I picked up - they were cheap enough so if I dont like em I will just sell em and keep plain black rubber ones
http://74.220.215.88/~xfmotoco/piwigo/i.php?/galleries/XFmoto/10/XL-299-J/XL-299-J-me.JPG

Got the forks, rims and rear swingarm off of the bike and soaked everything in degreaser to get rid of the 40 years of grime. I will be heading back to the garage in the morning to pick up the frame and take it to my shop to blast it with the pressure washer on full heat.

Then I'll be grinding off all the tabs i won't be using. Im having a blast working on this bike so far!

should have more pics tomorrow

[cosmok]

Have you been over to http://forums.sohc4.net/ ? That's Rust-Oleum Hammered Gray, has a slight texture to it after you spray. Example here:
http://milltonedrums.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/hammered-gray-with-silver-celtic-braids-metal-slit-drum-by-milltone/

I can give you more details on the front end swap if you would like but your best bet is to head over to the projects section on SOHC4 and read up. It's been covered a few times there.

[tobypaddock]

Originally posted by cosmok
Have you been over to http://forums.sohc4.net/ ? That's Rust-Oleum Hammered Gray, has a slight texture to it after you spray. Example here:
http://milltonedrums.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/hammered-gray-with-silver-celtic-braids-metal-slit-drum-by-milltone/

I can give you more details on the front end swap if you would like but your best bet is to head over to the projects section on SOHC4 and read up. It's been covered a few times there.

haha yeah I frequent that site and dotheton.com

I will be ordering my all balls bearings for the front end right away. - too bad putting a modern rear end isnt as easy!

are you sure thats the rustoleum hammered gray? would that stand up to the heat of an engine?

the picture i linked to seems like its got a slight bit of brown in the gray, almost a dark champagne colour...:dunno:

[cosmok]

Originally posted by tobypaddock


haha yeah I frequent that site and dotheton.com

I will be ordering my all balls bearings for the front end right away. - too bad putting a modern rear end isnt as easy!

are you sure thats the rustoleum hammered gray? would that stand up to the heat of an engine?

the picture i linked to seems like its got a slight bit of brown in the gray, almost a dark champagne colour...:dunno:
Could be wrong, the VHT Engine Cast Iron is the sameish color, pops a little and is designed for high heat.

http://www.manualofman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/wpid-IMG_20130306_114703-300x300.jpg
VHT Cast Aluminum on Left, Iron on Right

You can see a better shot from that guys photo stream
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2581/4093313968_43b44698f8_o_d.jpg

[tobypaddock]

Originally posted by cosmok

Could be wrong, the VHT Engine Cast Iron is the sameish color, pops a little and is designed for high heat.

http://www.manualofman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/wpid-IMG_20130306_114703-300x300.jpg
VHT Cast Aluminum on Left, Iron on Right

You can see a better shot from that guys photo stream
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2581/4093313968_43b44698f8_o_d.jpg

I was looking at that VHT Nu-Cast Iron in canadian tire today - looks veerrry close, I am considering it, Im just worried it will be a tiny bit too dark - I am trying to stay away from all the flat black that everyone seems to be doing on these older bikes.

Maybe Ill pick some up and spray a few smaller parts and see how it looks

[tobypaddock]

was finally able to get ahold of the guy with the engine paint that I like, he tells me the colour is Duplicolor DE1651 Cast Coat Iron (https://www.duplicolor.com/products/enginePaint/)

I havent seen this engine enamel with ceramic in it at Canadian Tire, do you think they would order it in for me, or anywhere else in Calgary that would?

[tirebob]

I am following this thread! Nice bike... Can be made ultra sick!

[tobypaddock]

got a fair amount done over the weekend.

removed the front forks and front and rear rims/tires/brakes. and seperated the swingarm from the frame.
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/2924/img5038z.jpg

then it was a lot of degreasing and wire brushing to remove the 40 years of road grime on the frame and engine.

I didnt take before pics of the engine unfortunately but it looks much better than before.


http://imageshack.us/a/img94/9844/img5036bz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/img5036bz.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img845/8994/img5035u.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/img5035u.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/3049/img5034yi.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/img5034yi.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img543/718/img5033rw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/img5033rw.jpg/)


now I'm waiting for parts, will probably sandblast the frame, swingarm and tank soon too

[ryanallan]

Sweet man!

Subscribed :burnout: :burnout:

[tobypaddock]

Originally posted by tirebob
I am following this thread! Nice bike... Can be made ultra sick!

Thanks Bob, Im trying to take my time and do it right the first time!
Are there any spoked rims for 2008 GSXR's that you know of? I doubt it but its worth shot


Originally posted by ryanallan
Sweet man!

Subscribed :burnout: :burnout:

:thumbsup:

[tobypaddock]

Didn't get too much done today, Sandblasted the swingarm:

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5632/photo2qxf.jpg

and sandblasted about 1/3 of the gas tank and then the compressor at my shop cut out - hopefully it will be up and running again tomorrow and i will be able to finish the gas tank and get the frame blasted as well.

[tobypaddock]

got the frame sandblasted as well, and before i finished sandblasting the tank I gave half of it a quick rattle can job of a colour very close to what I am considering for the final colour on the bike:

http://imageshack.us/a/img256/1817/img5064kt.jpg

the actual colour I am leaning towards is Honda Polished Metal Metallic

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/2784824494_9e354b1811_o.jpg

but I might darken it just a touch.

anyways, here is the frame and tank as she sits now

http://imageshack.us/a/img585/7008/img5070uu.jpg

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1960/img5071m.jpg


I can't decide whether to fill in the indents where the Honda emblem goes and leave the tank one solid colour, or paint a honda emblem/use a decal - or whether I should just keep it original and put the emblems back on how they came from the factory.

Im leaning towards either keeping it original, or getting a decal made of the old honda logo from that era - in an off gold to tie in with the forks, handlebars and likely the rear springs
http://www.classicscyclecity.com/ebay_pics/decal_hm_wings_gold_2_l.jpg

[tobypaddock]

also, I just ordered this titanium exhaust wrap last night.

https://02de951.netsolstores.com/productimages/conquest/octanes/278.JPG

[94_S14]

Maybe keep the honda patch and have it painted a certain way? or modified to make it your own?

[Graham_A_M]

Originally posted by tobypaddock

anyways, here is the frame and tank as she sits now
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1960/img5071m.jpg


I can't decide whether to fill in the indents where the Honda emblem goes and leave the tank one solid colour, or paint a honda emblem/use a decal - or whether I should just keep it original and put the emblems back on how they came from the factory.

Im leaning towards either keeping it original, or getting a decal made of the old honda logo from that era - in an off gold to tie in with the forks, handlebars and likely the rear springs
http://www.classicscyclecity.com/ebay_pics/decal_hm_wings_gold_2_l.jpg

Id fill it in and use the stickers. One less thing to worry about if you`re ever worried about the emblem being hit and possibly wrecked. Besides it would look a lot cleaner too.

[tobypaddock]

NVM

[tobypaddock]

Originally posted by 94_S14
Maybe keep the honda patch and have it painted a certain way? or modified to make it your own?

these are the style of the original emblems:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/72-73-Honda-CB350-K-G-fuel-tank-emblems-/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$T2eC16hHJFoE9nh6qSR5BQ0-vkI2B!~~60_57.JPG


Im wondering how hard it would be to change the silver part to an off-gold? I dont know if i have small/steady enough hands or the patience to mask it all off properly...