'72 CB350 K4 - 'ol no.7 - Swingarm progress

[Bobdot]

Hey all,

Been with the site for years now (4?) asking questions, trying to answer questions, buying stuff, and most importantly learning a lot and gathering an infinite amount of inspiration.

I started this project in 2007 and its finally coming to fruition 3 years later.  I havent been the best with photo documentation but Ive got some highlights through the years.  Getting better with all that now so the final stages with be well documented.  I got this bike the summer after graduating as a project to replace my RD350 I had since high school.  Looked the part but had infinite issues just trying to get it running.  Luckily, the good guys at Liberty Vintage here in Philly helped me out (and continue to) on all the mechanical things I either dont have the facilities for or the time.

who cares about the history mumbo jumbo?  I'll start from the begining the best I can with pics.  Any questions or comments let me know, I'd love to hear what you think.  Here we go...


how I got her



my apartment/garage "situation"

[Bobdot]

running, cleaned up a little, bar end mirrors



hockey tape to cover up some rusty spots

[Bobdot]

CL exhaust installed, straight pipes from DTT, sorry I cant remember who i got them from but thank you!

[Big Rich]

It's lookin good so far Bob! If you want to get rid of the tape on the fork tubes, check out my build thread - there's a little how-to on using some chrome pipe.

From Philly, huh? Did you check out thee DTT PA roll call yet?

[Bobdot]

Ringing in '09 by test fitting a new muffler




seat pan template

seat material, Plaid suit jacket fabric...

no.7 vinyl on the seat

[VonYinzer]

Ya man. Looks good. And BigR is right, head over and sign up on the PA roll call.   http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=14965.10

And maybe this is a dumb question, but you have a second muffler right? 

[Bobdot]

It's lookin good so far Bob! If you want to get rid of the tape on the fork tubes, check out my build thread - there's a little how-to on using some chrome pipe.

From Philly, huh? Did you check out thee DTT PA roll call yet?

Thanks!  I did check in, probably sometime in '08.  I keep forgetting it's there.  I'll keep an eye out, it'll be awesome to meet up with you guys in "real life"

[Bobdot]

Ya man. Looks good. And BigR is right, head over and sign up on the PA roll call.   http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=14965.10

And maybe this is a dumb question, but you have a second muffler right? 

haha, yea.  I can only upload so fast!  Here are some shots of the 2-1 collector I fabbed up.  It's not the "end all" design but it works just fine for now.


it's a bit lengthy for my taste, but i'll get to that later...

[Bobdot]

New seat, a bit more comfy on the old bum



engine after getting rebuilt at the shop.  Kitchen table=engine stand

Shiny

[Bobdot]

After getting the engine back, I decided to take some serious extra effort and do everything I've always wanted to do for this bike before putting it all back together.  Otherwise, I know I'd regret it and just have to pull it all apart again down the road (not saying that wont happen anyways but...)

Cleaning up the engine and adding a touch of paint



HOORAY!!!

I like!

[Bobdot]

Now the serious work.  Here's how she sat about a week ago.  Advancements include, but not limited to - SL350 rear shocks, clip-ons, re-wired electrics, remounted battery, de-tabbing, new custom guage cluster (no more tach for the moment), remounter ignition into said cluster and more that I'm probably forgetting.  It's been a good month!



Lucky enough to find an apartment with a garage in South Philly, putting it to good use.


my 350 in the middle and my roomates CB360T on the left and a newly aquired Kawy 100 project

[Bobdot]

My buddy Dan came over this weekend and snapped a few photos for me, here's a few of them...

Wrenching away





engine finally mounted back in, everything is starting to fall into place!

[Bobdot]

onto the new exhaust setup.  Traded stretch armstrong aka Mr.27" muffler in for a 17" compact version.  Took some liberties with the original CL heat shield and fabbed up a new one that matches the 2-1 I've got going on.  Mounting it was interesting seeing as how I hacked the original mounts off ages ago.  Alas, it all seems to be working out well, and I think looks a million times better.

Other improvements include painted forks, more shiny bits thanks to the addition of a 6" bench grinder/polishing station to the garage, and some tape on the headlight for style points.  Still undecided yet regarding the tape but its staying for now.  Sent the tank and tail out to a guy I found on craigslist to paint SATIN black....long story short, didnt work out quite as planned and now have two very MATTE black pieces which I'll have to paint myself anyway.  O well, win some and lose some.  More on that as the week progresses.

Here's a few more shots of the exhaust, etc.

[Bobdot]

Just a few more before I hit the sack, I know how much everyone loves the pretty pictures on here

Better view of the new cluster.  Laser engraved/cut 3/16" clear acrylic with LED's for the Neutral and signal indicators.



really like how the enigne is coming along

[teddpage]

Really like how the build is coming along!  You're doin awesome work.  I especially love the plaid covered seat!  Keep it up cant wait to see it completed!