CB350 Front End Question?

Cl750MA

Cl750MA

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Good Morning!

I'm working on building a CB350 "chopper," but its really a '72 CB350 with mix and match parts, and extended front fork tubes/big handlebars.
Just got the frame back from being powder coated- picture for attention!

IMG_6520.jpg

Anyway, I have to sort out what front end I want to put on this thing now. I'd like a nice clean look that won't require rubber gators. I have what I believe to be a CB175 front end in stock. Is there any reason I shouldn't use this? I'm used to my CB750, and my other 350 scrambler has a pretty rough suspension (for my tastes) as a 6'5" 240 pound middle aged guy. So my gut tells me I should go with something better. The only fly in the ointment is that I powdercoated a CB350 triple tree, that needs the threaded top cap to hold the fork tubes in.

Am I wrong? Is this an SL350 front end? Because if so...I guess my problem is already solved.

IMG_6526.jpg

So I guess I'm looking for any feedback on this from you guys. If I use a CB350 front end with external springs, will I be able to set it up like this link? Or is that unsafe?


I guess the first question is, what is this front end? Its got 33mm fork tubes on it. Is it an SL350 or 175?


Thanks guys! Looking forward to the feedback...
 
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I have no idea what those forks came off, but that aluminum fork brace looks like it might be an aftermarket addition. The 3H stamped into the front of the brace may be a clue — are there other markings?

The upper portion of the forks, where the cap bolts go in, does not seem to fit SL350.
 
Easy answer (as a spectator) would be to install it and if it handles funny then that's your answer.

What is the bike going to be used for?

I have a 350 w extended 33mm dia forks and brace. When I carry a passenger, we're over 240lbs and no safety or handling issues.

As a side note, there are lots of 35mm cb450 and 750 extended forks out there and I generally pref the 35mm tubes over the 33mm tubes... but like mentioned above, no issues w my 33mm tube setup.
 
stl360+450 said:
I have no idea what those forks came off, but that aluminum fork brace looks like it might be an aftermarket addition. The 3H stamped into the front of the brace may be a clue — are there other markings?

The upper portion of the forks, where the cap bolts go in, does not seem to fit SL350.
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Unfortunately, no other markings, but definitely aftermarket. I am supposing it came from a mail order company for guys making semi-choppers like I am doing now...
 
MrPepper said:
Easy answer (as a spectator) would be to install it and if it handles funny then that's your answer.

What is the bike going to be used for?

I have a 350 w extended 33mm dia forks and brace. When I carry a passenger, we're over 240lbs and no safety or handling issues.

As a side note, there are lots of 35mm cb450 and 750 extended forks out there and I generally pref the 35mm tubes over the 33mm tubes... but like mentioned above, no issues w my 33mm tube setup.
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This is great information...I should seriously consider a CB750 set up I suppose, as I am generally familiar having rebuilt mine.

The bike will be used for tinkering mainly, but general evening cruises around the outskirts of town, and I guess an occasional bike night. Just really for fun you know? Not planning to have any passengers on this one. Any pictures of your 350 front forks? Are they the external spring model forks?
 
Cl750MA said:
I am supposing it came from a mail order company for guys making semi-choppers like I am doing now...
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This would be a fun project to follow if you are up for creating a project thread.

The larger forks definitely make sense for this purpose. I recently put together a CB350 and used a front end from a CL360 to avoid the external spring setup. It's probably easier to find extended fork tubes for the 750 platform, anyways.
 
I had 10” extend forks on my CL350 back in the early 1970s. Your weight is shifted more rearward, so there’s not a lot of stress on the front end unless you beat on it doing wheelies. Mine had external springs and I had chrome spring retainers with set screws to keep the springs in place. A tweak bar like in the forks you pictured would serve the same purpose and work fine. Since I deleted the rear shocks, I used the chrome shock springs up front for better looks.

IMG-0844.jpg
 
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Lots of great thoughts you guys- I worked in the woods all day and you had me thinking.

I picked these two up this past winter, and they have been a lot of fun to flip through...

IMG_6546.jpg


Here's a picture of the bike mocked up last summer before I took it apart to start the project for realIMG_3705.jpg

This kind of all came together because I've been hording parts, and I was like hey...****, I have enough parts and pieces here to make a bike. And this is what came out.

Thats a great idea using the rear shock springs...I didnt know it was possible.

Im kind of behind the curve here, because I started with random parts and the intention of fitting them together. Sort of jumped the gun a bit I guess. But for now I'll use this tweak bar, and who knows maybe upgrade to 450/750 forks later, or on the next one!

By the way- this frame is the second non-titled bike I have been sucessful at titling with the Massachusetts RMV. A feat in itself!
 
Cl750MA said:
I wouldn't mind doing this if people actually wanted to follow along!
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That’s a big purpose of this forum. Otherwise those of us without active builds start shopping Facebook marketplace again…

Unique builds are fun as hell too, my GL is only a GL frame, engine and rear wheel

As a side note, I think the exposed springs on a period-style chopper-esque build are the way to go. Maybe get some rear shocks that are an inch shorter as well.
 
EzPete said:
That’s a big purpose of this forum. Otherwise those of us without active builds start shopping Facebook marketplace again…

Unique builds are fun as hell too, my GL is only a GL frame, engine and rear wheel

As a side note, I think the exposed springs on a period-style chopper-esque build are the way to go. Maybe get some rear shocks that are an inch shorter as well.
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…or struts in place of the shocks if your back can take it. 😉
I never liked the look of an extended fork with the rear end jacked up with shocks. We called them grasshoppers. If you go with with really short shocks, which are stiff and have so little travel they bottom easily, you might as well use struts and keep a lookout for bumps and potholes. If you do use the shock springs up front, don’t preload them any with the tweak bar, because they are stiffer than the OEM fork springs.

IMG-0875.jpg
 
1969 CL350 said:
…or struts in place of the shocks if your back can take it. 😉
I never liked the look of an extended fork with the rear end jacked up with shocks. We called them grasshoppers. If you go with with really short shocks, which are stiff and have so little travel they bottom easily, you might as well use struts and keep a lookout for bumps and potholes. If you do use the shock springs up front, don’t preload them any with the tweak bar, because they are stiffer than the OEM fork springs.

IMG-0875.jpg
Click to expand...
I think I got 1.5” shorter just thinking about the roads around here and struts in place of shocks.

Do you still have that 2-1 exhaust?
 
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