I definitely agree with you on the fact that the CB and CL 350 are very simple to work on. I recently bought a 1968 model and I am going through the entire bike. Nothing was overly confusing. If you have the service manual you are basically good to go. I love my CL 350 and I don’t ever plan on getting rid of it.
100% Agree, just got a 73 CB back on the road after a 10 year hibernation and have daily rode it for 2 weeks. Common motor was a big help for me. I got it running (not great) after having it home for 15min, but replaced a bunch of old crusty parts to ensure it wasn’t going to leave me stranded lol. First street bike for me but grew up on smallish dirt bikes and have fixed up several Honda three wheelers in my younger years.
My first street bike was a Honda 305 Dream. My second bike was a cl350. That was almost fifty years ago and like you say, parts are still available. I learned the lesson of finding a machine that was popular many years ago and restoring and using it today from my 1946 Ford tractor. I can walk into Tractor Supply and buy parts for that. They were popular and have hung on because they work, they are simple, and in the case of the Honda, a lot of fun and versatile.
Thanks for this! I rode them in college in the 80's and had a Shadow in the 90's pre-kids. I just bought a '73 CB350 for $500 with title, (it hasn't been running and was dirty and kind of a barn find, but there was compression on the kick). Gonna get it running and clean it up, ride it this summer and eventually give it to my kid as his first bike!
When it comes to a beginner vintage bike, you can't do much better than a Honda CB. My first bike was a 1975 Honda CB750 i picked up on Ebay for 2 grand. I had ridden a motorcycle in college, so I had some experience riding but I was clueless when it came to working on bikes. (I would have gone for a 350, 400, 500 or 550 if I had found one for the right price.) I was actually on the hunt for a vintage Triumph, but several motorcycle mechanics told me to start with a vintage Honda CB, learn a little bit about motorcycles and maintenance, then get the Triumph as your second bike, which is what I did. I pick up a 1964 Triumph 650 two years ago.
I could definitely see not starting with a Triumph as someone new to wrenching unless you have a mentor that is into old Triumphs. If you are going it alone and learning as you go a CB/CL350 is hard to beat.
I have a cb350 and cb360. I can say either are perfect for a newbie. The 360 has the pressurized oil system and a 6th gear and disc in the front, but i ride the 350 more often. Im gonna have to agree with you on this video!
Superb bike. It's often said that the CB750 was the bike that destroyed the british bike industry; nope, it was this little twin. And I say that as a Triumph owner.
I recently bought a 71 CL350 with a CB350 Panther Gold gas tank w less than 10K miles. On eBay, all the 350 parts are available, but beware of buying parts that are other people's junk. Like the 50-year-old brittle side cover I bought that shattered after I put a few pounds of pressure on it. Typically, a good used fender will be about $100-25, but a NOS wrapped in plastic $500-50. I also have an 80 CBX.
Great minds think alike, I bought a 72 Cl 350 from Kaplan Cycles for my son ,if you search it up you can see my maroon 72 ,I got her up and running it's a great little machine, It's barely broken in a miniscule 7800 miles on her, I have 4 motorcycles on the road somehow I find myself on the CL-350 at least half of the time
I have a -71 CB350 and, having slightly longer legs then average for a 5'8 guy, find the footpegs too high and forward. Really weird and cramped leg position compared to a 70s BMW for example. Seat foam is a bit dead on mine though so I may lose a half inch legroom or more. For a dachshund kind of guy, I totally recommend it though. Love the engine and simplicity of it. AND looks.
I am 5’11 and on longer rides use the rear pegs to give me a change of position. The CL350 is more comfortable for me because the bars are more upright.
@@motorcyclerewind Thanks for the tip, I'll try that if I go longer. Usually I spoil myself with a 1250GS for longer trips though ;) I find the bars quite high and backswept already on the CB, like on a typical US version of an old Triumph Bonneville. Can't really see a difference between CL and CK in pictures, at least for height.
I suppose it depends where you live :) I live in the UK where we have some really silly rules for beginners - limited to 125 (or 11KW) unless you are old enough to do a Direct Access course (but then you have to be 'accompanied' i.e. with a trainer) PLUS all 1970's bikes now in the UK are way too expensive - so, while I do agree the CB350 is an excellent machine to start on, the UK government disagrees :( sucks to be us
It's hard to argue with you RE the CB/CL350s being a great starter bike or vintage bike entry platform. I have both CL72/77s and a CL350. Great machines for sure. BUT, for somebody entering the vintage bike hobby/collecting and riding, what about a good vintage two stroke twin from the same general era? Specially, a Kawasaki A7 Avenger 350 or even Suzuki Titan 500. Both are mid-sized bikes with great dependability and ease of maintenance. Of course, parts availability and overall vintage bike availability admittedly isn't a good as a Honda CB/CL350. But I'd recommend a two-stroke single or twin over a four-stroke for my first vintage bike IMHO/FWIW. Honorable mention? A good 175 to 250cc single two-stroke street scrambler. Kawasaki's F7 175cc comes to mind. Single cylinder....and bullet proof!
I have a 72 cb350. Had it running great on Monday, rode it everywhere but on Tuesday morning it died on me 2 miles away from home so I walked it back haha. It has gas and battery is good so I'm thinking a carb rebuild is up next. I have the kits and will do it this weekend. This is my first time doing it so any tips are welcome! 😊
Awesome. I would make sure you have spark ⚡️ first. Just to rule it ok. Ignition problems can look like fuel problems and fuel problems can look like ignition problems. May save you before you go down the wrong rabbit hole. Ask me how I know!!! Feel free to message me on Instagram or email motorcyclerewind@gmail.com. You got this.
I'm torn. After buying a 73 cl350 (my 1st vintage) in march 2023, and still not getting it to run well. Its running rich and cant figure it out. Maintenance wise, i think a cb350 is better just because of the need to remove the cl exhaust for a lot of the maintenance. I do love the cl look better than cb's.
@@averydavis4758 this motorcycle md just ran out of band-aids. 😁 Ive tried everything common motors has a video on and honda twins forum can offer. Im taking mine to a mechanic..riding season is too short!
@@brianallan4577 I can definitely understand that. If i had access to one i would’ve done the same. Wrenching is fun but not when it seems endless. What symptoms are you experiencing with the bike?
@@averydavis4758 thanks for asking about it. to begin it starts right up and has since i bought it. I think it would be easier to list what i've done: cleaned tank and carbs (replaced gaskets), replaced petcock with oem, new tires, brake shoes, clutch cable, front brake cable, new headlight, new intake manifolds. Set timing, valve clearances, reset cam chain. Mixer screws set to 3/4 turns each. But when i try to sync carbs, left cylinder runs rich but the bike won't idle on left side alone so turn screw in more. It eventually runs off left side but exhaust has irregular rhythm. I'm think i need to do top end rebuild? Check the rings, cylinders and pistons? I have no idea what's wrong and this is getting beyond my expertise.
It is to laugh when bikes like the great Honda 350 are considered "starter bikes." I've read of rank beginners and even motorcycle enthusiasts wonder if modern 600 c.c. bikes that crank out 90 horsepower are too small to start with. I started with a ancient scooter, then to a Yamaha 80 c.c., etc. Getting a Honda 350 or 450 was really making it to real motorcycling, and of course 650s and 750s were the big time.
I literally have never ridden a motorcycle before… but would like to try and learn how to ride and maintain one. Would a cb250 be better? There are a few on fb marketplace near me for around 2000$. Any advice would be helpful!
Hey Buddy.. I Watch all your videos.. Thanks for your expertise. What are the differences between the CB and CL.. I'm heading out tomorrow to buy a 73 450 CL
Basically they are the same except for the handlebars and the exhaust. CB has low pipes and lower bars. The CL has high pipes and scrambler bars. Other little things too. Really just a styling choice.
Are we talking in terms of riding or wrenching it? i would say both. It rides well, power is balanced, handling is good, braking is powerful (for the era). And wrenching and maintenance the same, easy to find used models in good shape, lots of parts still available, good aftermarket parts, its simple to work on, its robust and reliable. (can you tell i own one lol)
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I definitely agree with you on the fact that the CB and CL 350 are very simple to work on. I recently bought a 1968 model and I am going through the entire bike. Nothing was overly confusing. If you have the service manual you are basically good to go. I love my CL 350 and I don’t ever plan on getting rid of it.
The CL350 is one of my favorite bikes to ride. I love the riding position. Thanks for watching.
Common motor products and videos are the reason I was able to fix my bike. They have info I couldn’t find anywhere else. Good business
The best. They saved me from going crazy with my first CL350. Top notch folks.
100% Agree, just got a 73 CB back on the road after a 10 year hibernation and have daily rode it for 2 weeks. Common motor was a big help for me. I got it running (not great) after having it home for 15min, but replaced a bunch of old crusty parts to ensure it wasn’t going to leave me stranded lol. First street bike for me but grew up on smallish dirt bikes and have fixed up several Honda three wheelers in my younger years.
Congrats on getting your CB going. Send me pics I would love to see it. Instagram or email motorcyclerewind@gmail.com
I put my money where my mouth is. Just acquired a nice specimen, 72 CB350 for the family, and lovin’ it.
Awesome. I just bought a pair. One of each CB & CL
My first street bike was a Honda 305 Dream. My second bike was a cl350. That was almost fifty years ago and like you say, parts are still available. I learned the lesson of finding a machine that was popular many years ago and restoring and using it today from my 1946 Ford tractor. I can walk into Tractor Supply and buy parts for that. They were popular and have hung on because they work, they are simple, and in the case of the Honda, a lot of fun and versatile.
Crazy. My first motorcycle was a 305 Dream and my second was a CL350. Was just 12 years ago. Wish I still had the CL350. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for this! I rode them in college in the 80's and had a Shadow in the 90's pre-kids. I just bought a '73 CB350 for $500 with title, (it hasn't been running and was dirty and kind of a barn find, but there was compression on the kick). Gonna get it running and clean it up, ride it this summer and eventually give it to my kid as his first bike!
That's awesome! Thanks for watching
When it comes to a beginner vintage bike, you can't do much better than a Honda CB. My first bike was a 1975 Honda CB750 i picked up on Ebay for 2 grand. I had ridden a motorcycle in college, so I had some experience riding but I was clueless when it came to working on bikes. (I would have gone for a 350, 400, 500 or 550 if I had found one for the right price.) I was actually on the hunt for a vintage Triumph, but several motorcycle mechanics told me to start with a vintage Honda CB, learn a little bit about motorcycles and maintenance, then get the Triumph as your second bike, which is what I did. I pick up a 1964 Triumph 650 two years ago.
I could definitely see not starting with a Triumph as someone new to wrenching unless you have a mentor that is into old Triumphs. If you are going it alone and learning as you go a CB/CL350 is hard to beat.
I have a cb350 and cb360. I can say either are perfect for a newbie. The 360 has the pressurized oil system and a 6th gear and disc in the front, but i ride the 350 more often. Im gonna have to agree with you on this video!
Thanks. CB360 is a great bike.
Superb bike. It's often said that the CB750 was the bike that destroyed the british bike industry; nope, it was this little twin. And I say that as a Triumph owner.
I would have to agree. The smaller twins were less intimidating. Thanks for watching.
I recently bought a 71 CL350 with a CB350 Panther Gold gas tank w less than 10K miles.
On eBay, all the 350 parts are available, but beware of buying parts that are other people's junk.
Like the 50-year-old brittle side cover I bought that shattered after I put a few pounds of pressure on it.
Typically, a good used fender will be about $100-25, but a NOS wrapped in plastic $500-50.
I also have an 80 CBX.
You are so right need to look at the eBay pics carefully. Thanks for watching.
Great minds think alike, I bought a 72 Cl 350 from Kaplan Cycles for my son ,if you search it up you can see my maroon 72 ,I got her up and running it's a great little machine,
It's barely broken in a miniscule 7800 miles on her, I have 4 motorcycles on the road somehow I find myself on the CL-350 at least half of the time
We’re geniuses. 😂🤣😂 Thanks for watching.
I have a -71 CB350 and, having slightly longer legs then average for a 5'8 guy, find the footpegs too high and forward. Really weird and cramped leg position compared to a 70s BMW for example. Seat foam is a bit dead on mine though so I may lose a half inch legroom or more. For a dachshund kind of guy, I totally recommend it though. Love the engine and simplicity of it. AND looks.
I am 5’11 and on longer rides use the rear pegs to give me a change of position. The CL350 is more comfortable for me because the bars are more upright.
@@motorcyclerewind Thanks for the tip, I'll try that if I go longer. Usually I spoil myself with a 1250GS for longer trips though ;) I find the bars quite high and backswept already on the CB, like on a typical US version of an old Triumph Bonneville. Can't really see a difference between CL and CK in pictures, at least for height.
I would agree with you. They are very rear here in New Zealand and expensive.
The CB/CL350 is such a great platform. Thanks for watching.
Sweet ! I had a '68 CL in in high school in '69.
The CL's are my favorite Honda 350's. I had a blue 68 CL350. Thanks for watching
I suppose it depends where you live :) I live in the UK where we have some really silly rules for beginners - limited to 125 (or 11KW) unless you are old enough to do a Direct Access course (but then you have to be 'accompanied' i.e. with a trainer) PLUS all 1970's bikes now in the UK are way too expensive - so, while I do agree the CB350 is an excellent machine to start on, the UK government disagrees :( sucks to be us
Damn UK 🇬🇧 government!!!!
It's hard to argue with you RE the CB/CL350s being a great starter bike or vintage bike entry platform. I have both CL72/77s and a CL350. Great machines for sure. BUT, for somebody entering the vintage bike hobby/collecting and riding, what about a good vintage two stroke twin from the same general era? Specially, a Kawasaki A7 Avenger 350 or even Suzuki Titan 500. Both are mid-sized bikes with great dependability and ease of maintenance. Of course, parts availability and overall vintage bike availability admittedly isn't a good as a Honda CB/CL350. But I'd recommend a two-stroke single or twin over a four-stroke for my first vintage bike IMHO/FWIW. Honorable mention? A good 175 to 250cc single two-stroke street scrambler. Kawasaki's F7 175cc comes to mind. Single cylinder....and bullet proof!
Those are all great points. I want a Suzuki Titan. Such cool motorcycles.
I have a 72 cb350. Had it running great on Monday, rode it everywhere but on Tuesday morning it died on me 2 miles away from home so I walked it back haha. It has gas and battery is good so I'm thinking a carb rebuild is up next. I have the kits and will do it this weekend. This is my first time doing it so any tips are welcome! 😊
Awesome. I would make sure you have spark ⚡️ first. Just to rule it ok. Ignition problems can look like fuel problems and fuel problems can look like ignition problems. May save you before you go down the wrong rabbit hole. Ask me how I know!!! Feel free to message me on Instagram or email motorcyclerewind@gmail.com. You got this.
I think your right. I have a cl100 and the do just run.
Honda's are incredible!
You hit the nail on the head, best bikes to work on and fun to ride. Don't forget the little slopers CL175 great bikes to tinker with
I like both the CB/CL175’s so much fun.
Perfect timing in finding your video! I’m looking at buying a 1972 CL350 Scrambler.
Cool
I'd say the CL350 Scrambler is the best 'collector' bike in that class.
Can't beat the pipes on that.
Agreed. I believe it has a great riding position with the higher bars. Thanks for watching.
I can't disagree with you. I have a CB450. It wasn't my first bike, but I could see how a CB350 would be a perfect begineers bike.
I have a 1968 CB450 K1 and it is an amazing bike. Love the CB/CL 450’s. Little bigger extremely capable just a shorter production run.
I was close. I have a CB360. Wish it was a 350 but if I had my pick I would have chosen a CB500T for the extra top speed.
I like the CB360. Cool bikes. Loads of fun.
I just bought a 71 cl 350 scrambler for all the reasons you stated
Awesome. I just picked a pair of 350’s one CB and one CL.
I'm torn. After buying a 73 cl350 (my 1st vintage) in march 2023, and still not getting it to run well. Its running rich and cant figure it out.
Maintenance wise, i think a cb350 is better just because of the need to remove the cl exhaust for a lot of the maintenance.
I do love the cl look better than cb's.
You're right about having to remove the exhaust but worth it for the styling.
Playing motorcycle doctor relentlessly sucks i know, but it’s so rewarding when it works out
@@averydavis4758 this motorcycle md just ran out of band-aids. 😁 Ive tried everything common motors has a video on and honda twins forum can offer. Im taking mine to a mechanic..riding season is too short!
@@brianallan4577 I can definitely understand that. If i had access to one i would’ve done the same. Wrenching is fun but not when it seems endless.
What symptoms are you experiencing with the bike?
@@averydavis4758 thanks for asking about it. to begin it starts right up and has since i bought it. I think it would be easier to list what i've done: cleaned tank and carbs (replaced gaskets), replaced petcock with oem, new tires, brake shoes, clutch cable, front brake cable, new headlight, new intake manifolds. Set timing, valve clearances, reset cam chain.
Mixer screws set to 3/4 turns each. But when i try to sync carbs, left cylinder runs rich but the bike won't idle on left side alone so turn screw in more. It eventually runs off left side but exhaust has irregular rhythm.
I'm think i need to do top end rebuild? Check the rings, cylinders and pistons?
I have no idea what's wrong and this is getting beyond my expertise.
It is to laugh when bikes like the great Honda 350 are considered "starter bikes." I've read of rank beginners and even motorcycle enthusiasts wonder if modern 600 c.c. bikes that crank out 90 horsepower are too small to start with. I started with a ancient scooter, then to a Yamaha 80 c.c., etc. Getting a Honda 350 or 450 was really making it to real motorcycling, and of course 650s and 750s were the big time.
I agree. Thanks for watching.
I literally have never ridden a motorcycle before… but would like to try and learn how to ride and maintain one. Would a cb250 be better? There are a few on fb marketplace near me for around 2000$. Any advice would be helpful!
That would be a great bike to start with. Do yourself a favor and take a motorcycle safety course. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Hey Buddy.. I Watch all your videos.. Thanks for your expertise. What are the differences between the CB and CL.. I'm heading out tomorrow to buy a 73 450 CL
Basically they are the same except for the handlebars and the exhaust. CB has low pipes and lower bars. The CL has high pipes and scrambler bars. Other little things too. Really just a styling choice.
@@motorcyclerewind Cool.. figured that the difference was minor. Thanks for keeping we ole grey beards learning 😁
Alternative; 1980-82 Honda CB/CM400 as long as they are NOT automagear models.
My wife has a 1978 CB400A and loves it.
@@motorcyclerewind poor girl
Yes
Just subscribed to your channel look forward to watching your videos!
KX 500 all day... na JK. Love the Honda 350's
Those Kawasakis are awesome. Thanks for watching.
Homdamatic is the best beginners bike
They are great bikes, We have one!
Just picked up a 400A and it's very easy to ride.
Are we talking in terms of riding or wrenching it? i would say both. It rides well, power is balanced, handling is good, braking is powerful (for the era). And wrenching and maintenance the same, easy to find used models in good shape, lots of parts still available, good aftermarket parts, its simple to work on, its robust and reliable. (can you tell i own one lol)
I think both. For the exact sakes reasons you listed. Thanks for watching
CB350Four or CB350T?
Nothing wrong with CB250 CB450 KZ400
I agree! Thanks for watching