I’m just looking to get out there, go for a rip and have some fun. If I do well, that’s icing on the cake. None of the MotoGP teams are going to be looking to recruit me.
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CL350 Vintage racer project
- Thread starter Emlupi
- Start date
Yes, many of us resemble that remark.Besides, I’m older than most of the bikes out there, anyway!
That GT750 front brake is going for around $500 on EBay. The whole bike didn’t go for much more than that!
I don’t really know the market on these things so I don’t have any baseline to go from. Anyone who may have some perspective on these I’m all ears. I know they are popular with vintage racers and cafe builders but I don’t know how scarce (or not) they are or what a fair price would be.
I don’t really know the market on these things so I don’t have any baseline to go from. Anyone who may have some perspective on these I’m all ears. I know they are popular with vintage racers and cafe builders but I don’t know how scarce (or not) they are or what a fair price would be.
Good evening everyone,
I see these raised portions of the front outside cylinder head studs and I know they are designed that way by the parts diagram. I assume the dark substance covering them is dried oil or sludge? I don’t want to start scraping it off before asking.
I see these raised portions of the front outside cylinder head studs and I know they are designed that way by the parts diagram. I assume the dark substance covering them is dried oil or sludge? I don’t want to start scraping it off before asking.
If they're damaged you can remove them, they're just factory vibration dampers as best we know. No oil flow happens on the forward studs.
Yes, base gaskets are among the hardest to remove. There's really no safe shortcut unfortunately. Some have tried paint remover, or soaking in the parts cleaner tank for days, but in the end it's time and patience. But never fun.
Ah, I didn’t consider paint remover, is it effective?
Haven't tried it but I understand it of some help.
I've had some luck with it, but nothing to write home about and certainly not a replacement for the inevitable - more scraping.
To quote a well-used expression, it is what it is.Disassembled the cylinder head. I’m going to have this rebuilt with new parts. I’m definitely no expert on the matter but these valves don’t look to have lived a very hard life.
Also scrubbed down the cases, cylinders, and head with engine cleaner/degreaser. I am planning on getting the whole works vapor blasted but I figured I would try and knock off the heavy stuff before I do. A few more pieces to clean but, out of time for today.
Also scrubbed down the cases, cylinders, and head with engine cleaner/degreaser. I am planning on getting the whole works vapor blasted but I figured I would try and knock off the heavy stuff before I do. A few more pieces to clean but, out of time for today.
Nothing much exciting going on right now. Mostly just cleaning up, scraping off old, stuck gaskets, etc. I’m going to be away on vacation for a while so it will be quiet on this project until I get back. Thanks to everyone for the help so far, I’m sure I’ll need more in due time.
Enjoy your vacation, we'll be here.
crazypj
Veteran Member
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Quick thread hijack
A.D., 1980's, I built a Suzuki GS550 for a friend who had a DUI.
On the street, it was faster acceleration than the 'new' Honda VF750 and had a MUCH higher top speed.
Anyway, he had way more money than sense, couldn't get around a track very well so sold it and bought an older RG500 (115bhp)
Rode that 3 times on track, crashed three times, spent more repairing in than original price.
Just agreeing with your better rider on worse bike does better than a crap rider on great bike.
I seem to remember Andrew sold RG and started building a fairly large yacht as he wanted to 'sail around the world'
No idea what happened to him as we fell out of touch when he sold house.
A.D., 1980's, I built a Suzuki GS550 for a friend who had a DUI.
On the street, it was faster acceleration than the 'new' Honda VF750 and had a MUCH higher top speed.
Anyway, he had way more money than sense, couldn't get around a track very well so sold it and bought an older RG500 (115bhp)
Rode that 3 times on track, crashed three times, spent more repairing in than original price.
Just agreeing with your better rider on worse bike does better than a crap rider on great bike.
I seem to remember Andrew sold RG and started building a fairly large yacht as he wanted to 'sail around the world'
No idea what happened to him as we fell out of touch when he sold house.
crazypj
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2020
- Total Posts
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I hate cleaning bikes but engine parts are a different matter.
I tend to make everything as good as possible when re-building then never clean it again (until next re-build or I sell it)
I tend to make everything as good as possible when re-building then never clean it again (until next re-build or I sell it)
After the vapor blasting be sure to run a rethreader or tap in every hole, flush and repeat. Inspect the hole to be sure there's nothing inside. The threaded holes have a tendency to collect debris each time a bolt is removed and it packs up at the bottom, get enough in there and it keeps the bolt from going all the way in before torque.
boddy
Veteran Member
You can also save yourself some cleaning time by using sacrificial screws in every hole. When I did my cases I used any gnarly screw I could find to protect the blind holes from blast media. I would still run a tap through every hole even if you have plugged them before blasting - you never know what was done by the PO.
Absolutely, thanks for the tip. I will be putting screws into every blind threaded hole in the cases when I get them blasted.
First I have to get all the stubborn gasket material off the case surfaces. A slow and steady task.
First I have to get all the stubborn gasket material off the case surfaces. A slow and steady task.
Vapor blasting will take care of that.
So, I am beginning to move on to parts inspection. I am beginning with the camshaft, rocker pins, rockers, etc. I have the later skinny cam which, I know, has different dimensions than those listed in the FSM. I’m having trouble opening the PDF’s located in the forum library. There is a file in there with cam information that is probably what I am looking for.
I am looking for the dimensions of the later cam (base circle, lift, etc). Can’t seem to get any solid information doing a search. Everything else is in spec and I’m pretty confident that the camshaft is as well but I would like to just make sure. Thanks.
I am looking for the dimensions of the later cam (base circle, lift, etc). Can’t seem to get any solid information doing a search. Everything else is in spec and I’m pretty confident that the camshaft is as well but I would like to just make sure. Thanks.
Tom or myself have to send a PDF link for one to be downloaded and opened.
Here you go https://www.idrive.com/idrive/sh/sh?k=c9g8m8o4u0 Link is good for 3 days/downloads
Here you go https://www.idrive.com/idrive/sh/sh?k=c9g8m8o4u0 Link is good for 3 days/downloads
Thanks LDR. I saw that post but it seems like people are just reporting on what they are measuring on their own cams. I’m trying to find a factory spec on acceptable tolerances for the newer cams.
Maybe I will ask over in the 350 specific forums.
Maybe I will ask over in the 350 specific forums.
I haven't found any specs on lift, duration, ramp, etc. other than what I've posted.
Might read the Cycle World article, only mod was changing the cam bearing material and clutch plates
vintagehondatwins.com
Stumbled upon this 350 scrambler photo from 1968
vintagehondatwins.com
One problem with the Allen head bolts is the hex tend to accumulate dirt and debris so they need to be cleaned out before attempting removal so the Allen wrench engages completely.
Also w/Stainless anti seize has to be used and torque values reduced by 25%
Also w/Stainless anti seize has to be used and torque values reduced by 25%
Untame
Well-known Member
I reached out to Megacycle and they were very helpful to provide me measurements for my CL360. They intend to get all this info published on their website, but they don't have the resources to do that right now. If you talk to Barbara you'll get more advice than you bargained for (good advice).
Jim is nice when you can through Barbara to actually talk to him. She must have softened in her older age, she wasn't nearly that friendly when I spoke to her in 2017 about debris left inside one of my 450 camshafts - twice. I suppose if she thought you might spend money with them, she held her tongue. Happy that you got the information.
Untame
Well-known Member
You have to know how to sweet talk the ladies.
bilbikek411
Veteran Member
I remember calling and speaking to Barbara 10 years ago
I recently called a week ago for information,also previously about 6 months ago and she was very pleasant.
I’ve got a bunch of stuff inbound for the project. I was able to find a 4LS Kettle front brake and the two cable brake lever to go with it. Also some front end parts to bump up the forks to 35mm, allow the use of emulators, and get the geometry numbers I am looking for. Working with a guy to set up the vapor blasting and I’m in contact with Schumann to get the cylinder head work done.
I’m also spending time cleaning up hardware and parts for the bike. I’m still amazed at what can be accomplished with some Evapo-rust and a little elbow grease.
I also need to get busy doing the cleaning of the crank and conrod sludge traps. Step by step.
I’m also spending time cleaning up hardware and parts for the bike. I’m still amazed at what can be accomplished with some Evapo-rust and a little elbow grease.
I also need to get busy doing the cleaning of the crank and conrod sludge traps. Step by step.
bilbikek411
Veteran Member
Pics ?
The stuff ain’t here yet.Pics ?
bilbikek411
Veteran Member
Which make/model bike did the 4LS Kettle front hub come from:donor ?
The “Kettle” is a nickname for the Suzuki GT750, aka Water Buffalo. It’s the least expensive 4LS brake available AFAIK. The Fontana, Ceriani, etc are all well over $1K. It’s heavy but the stopping power vs the other drum brakes is supposedly worth it.
That's a new one on me, only knew them as Water Buffaloes before. Must be a road racing nickname.
Forum | The Kettle Club
They have their own forum dedicated to their favorite machine. Not a road racing thing, I think it’s an English nickname for the GT.
Jimmy Greaves
Well-known Member
The Suzuki GT750 was always known as the 'Kettle' here in England, simply because it was water cooled.Forum | The Kettle Club
www.thekettleclub.com
They have their own forum dedicated to their favorite machine. Not a road racing thing, I think it’s an English nickname for the GT.
I've got the same Kettle bare hub (which cost me just £10 back in 1994) on my RSC/CYB tribute bike, but I made the rest of it.
Wow, learn something new every day.Forum | The Kettle Club
They have their own forum dedicated to their favorite machine. Not a road racing thing, I think it’s an English nickname for the GT.
bilbikek411
Veteran Member
Did you buy that one for sale($500)on Ebay ?
Nice Jimmy. I wish I had a Time Machine, the days of the cheap Water Buffalo brake huts are long gone .
bilbikek411
Veteran Member
Bobco? or a different seller ?