1969 Honda CL350 K1 Scrambler

A short video tour of my bike. I purchased it in 2007 for $350 and it was truly a basket case. Six years later and a rolling restoration has resulted in a pretty nice bike that turns heads and has won a couple of trophies at local shows. A great bike for touring the city and short highway rides. A little heavy (350 lbs.) for off-road compared to modern bikes.
Fortunately parts are pretty plentiful as this bike was one of Honda's best selling models with 250,000 sold in the US in 5 years. You can even still get a few things at your local Honda motorsports dealer.

[@chuckster3629]

Beautiful old Honda. You did great work!

[@tomkozic8505]

Beautiful. Great work. I have a 72 CB350, but i love the CLs too.

[@go5582]

What a great job and motorcycle.

[@Roadghost88]

Nice job. Very classic. Not a rare classic, they made millions of them, but a true classic nonetheless. Great bike for a warm summer ride.

[@NPMCaptain]

Pretty nice bike, and great restoration job. She looks brand new. Congrats!

[@pamelapettit-holt1520]

I'd love to ride up the coast hwy here in California. I'd put a bag and one man tent and just the basics with me and camp along the beach all the way to Oregon.

[@phillipgraves4721]

You did a great job.

[@redfalkenny]

Well, I had a guy ask me what I would sell it for at a show once. I said I wasn't interested but thought it would probably go for around $3000. He said he would pay that, but you never know if he really would have followed through with it. I've seen some early 68-69 that were unrestored, low miles, excellent original running condition, no rust, and good paint and chrome go for $4000-4500 on eBay. I'm glad I got mine for $1 per cc but it took a lot of work and a bit of money to get it back to where it is now. But things are only original once and people sometimes pay a premium for that. Unless you plan on an engine rebuild, the easiest way to tell if it's good is to do a compression check on each cylinder. Remove both spark plugs (put them in the boot and lay them on the metal case so stray voltage doesn't damage your coil), throttle wide open, no choke. Crank until the gauge goes as far as it will, 10-15 cranks. If you get about 170 PSI and it's pretty even between left & right cylinder then you probably have a decent running bike. Hope that helps!

[@ignisfatuus3805]

redfalkenny i would pay 3k anyday! your comment is also for years old though and these bikes have definitely went up a bit. 3k was still a good deal in 2013 if i were you i wouldnt sell it for anything less than 6 or 7. these are gonna be the real collectible ones in a couple years. great job on the restore

[@dehoyosrudolph8885]

Great restoration, looks really sharp.

[@steveperry1344]

nice sweet bike, nice job of bringing it back.

[@redfalkenny]

I got the sissy bar at a salvage yard. It originally had an S-shaped scroll welded in the open space. I cut the TCB (Elvis) out of some thick sheet metal and gave it a rusted patina. It didn't have a pad so I made the base out of plywood, put on 4 carriage bolts to hold it to the bar. Stretched vinyl over it and mounted the TCB. Then I had a lady sew the pad cover and add foam. So I guess it's pretty custom! I sold the rack but kept the sissy bar in case I find another rack that fits.

[@davidtree1520]

Greetings again Kenny, THANKS matey for the link to your seat refurbishment.Its just what I needed to compare!! Your absolutely right bloke similar, but certainly not identical. The seat thats on the link I sent you is about a 4 hour drive from where I live. Its the closet match I have to a seat so my thought is to just grab it. My scrambler Kenny is ALL original, un molested & as it was found in the back of an old shed. For me its personal thing Kenny I just LOVE the patina look on anything especially bikes. So as far as obtaining the exact bum mat for this bike As long as I can get something that secures the seat closes the gap against the fuel tank & I can ride it comfortably im happy. Know what I mean??? I also have a complete & running 1976 Honda cb 500 four un restored & a 1976 CB 550 but that its 40 million pieces. Will keep in touch Kenny because I have sincerely appreciated your help & advice, safe travels Kenny

[@davidtree1520]

Hey Kenny, how ya travelin? Mate thanks again very much, for your assistance. Your measurements are spot on. I have the wrong seat! So I will have to chase one. May even make a you tube video getting my old dunger going, Anyways safe travels matey, kindest regards David

[@bentonbee1]

Beautiful Kenny. Just beautiful.

[@TheBossManhunt]

awesome bike. I can't wait to get one.

[@tww1491]

I traded my 305 for one of these at a Honda shop outside Yokota AB in 1969 and shipped it to the US when I was reassigned. I did all my own work after the local Honda dealer in San Antonio was clueless in servicing it.

[@ryanblanco5866]

Awesome bike mate!

[@VADELMAHILLO-tt9dx]

i wishd id had bike like that thats is nice

[@redfalkenny]

Thanks! I'm sure the seat is correct for `69. I just recovered it and the one I bought was spec'd as only for `69. It looked like the old one I removed. If yours is without the pleats it may be from a `68. The front fender reflector was only on the `69. No front reflector in `68. In 1970 it was moved up to the side of the fork ear. If you want to confirm the year, you can call the state patrol and do a VIN inspection. They have a book that shows what VIN numbers correspond to which model year.

[@redfalkenny]

The rack was a "Triple A" brand marked for a 1972 Honda CB450. It was separate from the sissy bar. There are 4 carriage bolts that hold it on. When I finally got the correct `69 fender, it must have raised the taillight assembly a bit because it then rubbed and the rack would no longer fit properly. Triple A was a pretty popular brand in that era. They come up on eBay occasionally but I haven't seen one specifically for a 350 twin...yet.

[@curtn7076]

Great job. I have a 69 CB350 K1..I never saw the reflector on the front fender.. must be rare.

[@davidtree1520]

G'day Kenny, greeting from Australia.. Love what youve done with your bike, very, very nice. Kenny have just picked up a 1969 same as yours. Un restored, & thats the way its going to stay. But Kenny have a gap between tank & seat about 30mm thats not quit right?? Tank appears right, so does the seat. But I am at a loss as to why. So Ive been scouting YT for visuel assistence. Seeing youve restored any tips or advice on where my fault may be?? Cause Im at a loss. Thanks Kenny cheers

[@redfalkenny]

+david tree Hi David, Thanks for the compliments! It sounds like you either have a CB tank or seat. The CL350 has a shorter tank and a longer seat than the CB350. They look very similar but if you mix a CB with a CL you will end up with that gap.

[@amitdeshpande6349]

Kenny, great restoration job on the bike, looks beautiful! just curious, how much did the whole job cost you (approximately)? I have possible option of getting a running model for ~3K or a fixable unit for 1500. thoughts?

[@coloradocanuck]

Thanks for your quick response, that is great. Do you know what bike the sissy bar was off of? I love it.

[@playamar3114]

Hi Kenny, thanks for the cl 350 walk around. I have just purchased one. Could I ask when the choke lever is at 6 o’clock as in your video. Is this the open/choke off position. I am thinking choke on/closed is the 3 o’clock position. I hope you still have her. Michael. Northern Ireland.

[@redfalkenny]

Hi Michael! Good to hear from Northern Ireland! These are great bikes and I still have mine. Yes, you are correct about the choke position. At the 6 o’clock position the choke is off or open. Moving it to a horizontal position or 3 o’clock, closes the choke and it’s on.

[@playamar3114]

@@redfalkenny Hi Kenny, thank you for coming back to me so quickly. Much appreciated. Hope all is good in the USA. Believe it or not my 350 was imported by the previous owner from USA to Derbyshire England 2021. And has now hopped across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland. Stay Safe. Michael Dow.

[@petershapcott6759]

Hi Kenny, that is beautiful! Hope my one looks half that good when its finished. Could you tell me where you got the seat cover? Thanks

[@redfalkenny]

Peter Shapcott Hi Peter. Thanks! Sorry, I didn't notice this question until today. The seat cover was purchased off eBay from a Canadian company. The seller name is Gumtwo. I was impressed with the fit and quality.

[@pflewis]

I have a stock ‘72 CL. I wish I could find a new muffler. Pea shooters and other shorties just don’t look right.

[@coloradocanuck]

Awesome job. I have a couple questions for you. I noticed your 69 has a few different things from my 69. Yours has grooves on the seat and has a reflector on the front fender. Do you know what the difference is? Any clue what year the sissy bar is from? I'd love to get that exact one.

[@davidtree1520]

Hey Kenny, thanks for the info matey & getting back to me so fast. Very much appreciated. & thats sound advice. The tank is the same as yours & the seat hinges at the rear?? The tank does lines up with the rubber mount Kenny so im thinking seat? Found a YT clip showed a later model with seat lifting to the side not lifting towards the back. Kenny is your tank mounted with a bolt set up or just the tension of the rubber. Hope Im not becoming a pain in the ass with questions, safe travels cheers

[@redfalkenny]

Glad to help. My seat is hinged at the rear and the tank is mounted on two round, rubber bushings up front and a rectangular, rubber piece at the tail. This rear rubber piece is held to the frame with two bolts that mount the seat latch release spring lever. The seat measures 24-3/4" (63 cm) down the top from front to back. I'm guessing the CB and CL have the same release lever mounting position on the frame because the frames should be interchangeable. They just change the length of the seat and tank.

[@jamesmenard5450]

Well done, hope you still have it.

[@redfalkenny]

Thanks! Yep...still enjoying it. Hoping to squeeze in one more summer before I do an engine rebuild.

[@PrimetimeNut]

Hey Kenny, sweet bike! I am looking into buying a very similar bike. What do you think a fair price for almost identical bike would be? Thanks for you help!

[@tootall5559]

probably was optional on the CB and CL. I think it was standard on the SL. let's face it, they're all basically the same bike, all that really got changed was the pipes and fenders, maybe a bit on the suspension but not a lot. An SL wasn't really a dirt bike, but was good for a little more trail riding than the other versions. Myself, I was always partial to the CL, as that's the first real motorcycle I was ever on. I say real motorcycle, I don't count the mini bikes and the like, and the CT90 that everyone in the neighborhood learned to ride on. After all, a step through can't be considered a real motorcycle, more akin to a scooter in our minds, but was a tough son of a gun. I crashed it, the guy that owned it crashed it, well dumped it, we didn't hit cars or trees... and it kept right on going. I still like those too, tho I'm way too big for one, I'd still like to have one.

[@coloradocanuck]

Gotcha, thanks. Do you know what year of bike the sissybar came off of? Was the sissybar and the rack 2 seperate pieces? After doing a lot of research, I have found that I have the exact same bike as you but in Candy Red. I need to find an original tank and seat though. Currently I have a k2 1970 on mine. Also, you have the reflector on your front fender which is more rare, they only did that for a bit in 1969. My reflectors are on the forks.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

I had one of those. Honda dropped the red line because customers were blowing motors at the 10,500 redline, but I dont know why there is any reason to run one near red line anyway.

[@davidtree1520]

Gday again Kenny, David here again to bother you. Mate I am having big trouble obtaining a seat for my cl 350. Everything on ebay relating to seats is in your country. Nothing out here in Oz. Kenny ALL the seats on ebay that say 1970 ect dont show any hinges for the seat? Any suggestions, sorry to bother you. Its just doin my head in. Safe travels Kenny.

[@redfalkenny]

Hi David, I'm currently working on a `72 CB350 and there aren't what you might think of as typical hinges on the seat like my `69 has. There is 2 pair of double "tabs" that match up to another single tab on the frame. These each have a hole (about 5-6cm) that lines up and you push a pin through, held in place by a small clip. This pin acts as the hinge. Kind of hard to explain and I don't see a place to attach images here.

[@taylorsteinfeldt7631]

Im looking for new carburetors for my 1969 CL350 Scrambler. It is just like this bike but is the blue color scheme. If you could be able to help me, I would GREATLY appreciate it. They are surprisingly hard to find in good shape.

[@redfalkenny]

I don't have any carbs or a good source for them. I would just say to check your local craigslist, eBay, or a salvage yard if you're lucky enough to have one around. I would try to rebuild yours if that's possible. Rebuild kits with new gaskets, floats, and even CV diaphragms (JBM Industries) are available. Other than these things you just need to soak it in ChemDip and give it a good cleaning. Spray carb cleaner through the passages and blow out with compressed air. They're pretty simple carbs. Take lots of photos or video as you take one apart for the first time!

[@taylorsteinfeldt7631]

Alright. Sounds good! I've had them apart probably 20 times. I think some small port must just be clogged. So i'll try cleaning them again and see if that solves the problem. Thanks.

[@shigotero1972]

I would pay $3,000 for that in a heartbeat!

[@NPMCaptain]

Btw: May you tell me where did you buy the Eletronic Ignition? I would like to install on my CB350 K1 1969. Thanks and regards from Rio de Janeiro.

[@malloryross3654]

how about the side cover badges ? are the restored ? Or can they be found new?

[@redfalkenny]

mallory ross If I remember, the left air filter cover badge needed some touch up with the white paint. You can find these on eBay either used or NOS but they can be expensive. I don’t think anyone is reproducing new ones.

[@broomie1234]

Kenny, where did you get the rear support for a bag or box overhanging the rear fender? I'm looking for something like this on my CL350. Thanks!

[@redfalkenny]

I've had several over the years but I think that one was from another basket case I bought. I've bought and sold a few on eBay too. You either need to make sure they are marked to fit the 350s or check measurements carefully for correct width and distance between attachment points. The one I have on now is much smaller and no sissy bar. www.hondatwins.net/forums/1-project-logs/30144-new-rack-my-69-cl350.html

[@philsimmons3829]

My favorite bike of all times, I would pay $3000 for it. If you ever consider selling it.

[@dsomas91]

How did you remove the emblems on the tank to paint?

[@redfalkenny]

I took 4 strands of dental floss and worked one set under the tip of the wing and another set under the opposite side. Then grab all the loose ends and pull them out. Rock back and forth as you lift. You might also try prying them out with a thin piece of wood or plastic. As long as it doesn’t damage paint. Each emblem has two posts that are held in by fixing nuts.

[@dsomas91]

redfalkenny good to know. I ground out the seams of the tank and separated the tank into two pieces. Top half and bottom half to wire wheel the inside of tank and fix a small dent that didn’t have creases. In doing so I noticed the emblem on the inside look like they are welded on to the tank. But I’m going to try your method. Good to know they priced off.

[@tootall5559]

If I remember right, the skid plate would have been on the SL version.

[@redfalkenny]

It may have came installed from the factory on the SL. I haven't looked into it but they are listed as available on the parts fiche for the CL. CMS doesn't have 1969 diagrams for some reason but here's some original scans for a `68 CL that show the skid plate as an option. Even the CB diagrams show it's available. www.cmsnl.com/honda-cl350-scrambler-1968-k0-usa_model546/partslist/F++25.html#results

[@kennylikins8920]

Thanks! The Newtronic ignition I bought came from www.motorcycle-ignition.com/default.htm in Australia. It took a few months to get one as they were out of stock at the time. I also had to make a couple of minor modifications to get it to fit better but I'm very happy with the performance. There's a write-up here www.hondatwins.net/forums/1-project-logs/4322-newtronic-electronic-ignition-69-cl350.html that talks about the install.

[@brianplatino7802]

Nice job Kenny, your efforts really paid off. Beautiful bike.

[@davidtree1520]

Yo kenny, hello again, mate ive lost that link you sent me. Just trying to set up an email contact with you but privatly though. Let me know the best way to do that matey, chow for now.

[@redfalkenny]

Here you go: www.hondatwins.net/forums/1-project-logs/19400-1969-cl350-seat-restoration.html I Googled how to private message someone from KZbin but I don't see the links mentioned in their write-ups. Frustrating!

[@davidtree1520]

Howdy Kenny, hows things?? Sent you an email through the email address on your seat restoration link you sent me. Cheerio

[@redfalkenny]

Sorry, I need to change that address! I don't have access to it anymore. Can you send a PM from that same link and I'll send my email. I don't see a PM function on KZbin.

[@amitdeshpande6349]

Kenny, great restoration job on the bike, looks beautiful! just curious, how much did the whole job cost you (approximately)? I have possible option of getting a running model for ~3K or a fixable unit for 1500. thoughts?