How To Assemble Top End of a Honda CB350 Twin Engine: Part 152

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Let’s start rebuilding this cl350 engine on the 1972 Scrambler!
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This video series features the complete restoration of a 1972 CL350 Honda Scrambler motorcycle. The videos should help anyone whether working on a cafe racer build or a full-on original restoration. I'm definitely not an expert so please refer to your manuals for proper disassembly and assembly instructions. Please leave comments if you have any questions. I'll be happy to help answer questions if I can confidently provide solutions. Again, I'm not a professional. This is my 2nd Honda motorcycle restoration and I'm learning every single day. I'd love to hear your tips if you have better ways to do things. I hope you find the series useful and entertaining. I strive to show as much detail as possible so that the videos can be used as not only a how-to resource but also a reference for the placement and original set up of parts and systems.
If you don't have one already please get a manual for your specific project. There are many available online for download for free.
Common Motor Collective, from which I source many of my replacement parts, has a fantastic resource on their website: bit.ly/CBManuals
You can also join groups on Facebook and get involved in the community.
Keep on wrenching, Friends!
b

[@mikeeger7581]

Dowl puns if necessary don’t forget em ! Thanks 🙏 Mike

[@mikeeger7581]

U are a much braver man than I by tackling a project like that bro I did a piston on my Yamaha 100 but I had much steady hands 40 years ago hahahahah lol 😂

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Thanks, man. It’s an adventure every single day!

[@tonystone3397]

Great stuff i enjoyed this vid.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

That’s great to hear! Thank you.

[@tedatkinson4547]

Much easier to not install cam sprocket until after cylinder and head is on. Very easy to grab chain and pull up after head has been slid on.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Thanks, Ted! I’ll try that next time.

[@jtrav77]

Hey Brian, any chance that CMC bolt kit guide/key mentions the length of the cam box to cylinder head bolts? I bought the kit from 4into1 and it doesn't have four matching bolts that look like the ones you used. 😖

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I found the part on cmsnl website. It says 6x50. I’ll measure one too. www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb350k3_model50720/screw-6x50_9350006050/

[@jtrav77]

@@KeepOnWrenching Awesome. Very much appreciated. I'm close to having mine back on the road and that is in large part because of your videos. Cannot thank you enough. 👏

[@bro-rockmobamba28]

HELP! I've been following along your series, and I am also rebuilding a 1973 Cl350. While I was putting the cylinder onto the pistons, my left piston got stuck inside the cylinder. It looked like it went in at first, but now it is not moving at all. Is there any way I can get it out? Do you have any ideas? Thanks!

[@KeepOnWrenching]

New pistons? Did it go in crooked at all? It also, did you check measurements? Don’t force anything.

[@woncameron24]

nice job. was curious if you were going to use piston ring clamp/pliers.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I almost bought a set...but the $100 price tag kept me away. I saw a video where I a guy did it by hand and decided to go that route. That tapered edge on the bottom of the cylinder actually made it very simple. I was surprised how well it went. Got lucky I guess!

[@woncameron24]

Brian Matson very. cool. I am close to doing the same gaskets so good to know.

[@glenndavidson2943]

Question on what you did with the cylinder head and valves, did you outsource that work? If so, just a local shop or what? What all did you have done?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Everything I did is in the previous videos in the playlist. I did all of it myself.

[@cyrilfiggis4429]

Hey is there a play list for the CB350 top end series ? Trying to find the videos before and after part 152 but not seeing them in you large collection.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I changed the playlist to chronological. That should help a lot!

[@mikeeger7581]

Is there no bearing that goes in rod before the wrist pin ?? On Harley s there is but Honda are easier , that’s why I love em

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Nope. Pretty simple setup.

[@mikeeger7581]

If it all goes together then don’t worry about it

[@mikeeger7581]

That one dowl pin looks like it’s sticking up much more than the other one

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Too late now! It did go back together as you said. :$

[@mikeeger7581]

Left dowl if u are sitting on the bike is higher

[@greghamilton5461]

Surprised Honda says not to use any gasket lube other than the one head gasket.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Agreed. I checked multiple sources and didn’t see a reference to that but for the one. I also watch a few vids and many didn’t even oil up the head gasket. Lots of nuances. Overall went pretty smooth. Cam and rockets next! Fingers crossed. All new territory.

[@greghamilton5461]

Brian This is my number one show so to speak. I'm trying to get a Basket case 71 Cl just to start so I can take it further. Thanks for doing these.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

That’s awesome to hear. I’m trying to be as comprehensive as I can. I’m glad they are helpful and motivating. Obviously this bike has never fired in my presence. If it does it will be a glorious day. Good luck to you! Things should start moving pretty quick from this point forward. Fingers crossed.

[@mikeeger7581]

That was me that said that. 😂

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Thanks for sticking around! Ha ha

[@mikeeger7581]

That’s why it’s easier doing the head when the engine is on the bike because you have the frame to tie UP the cam chain , but then u have to fight other bike parts as well

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I don’t think you can get the head off on a Honda twin while in the frame. The manual says to remove the engine. :(

[@mikeeger7581]

Top of the motor before you put the cylinder head onto the case

[@davidaldrich3488]

Good morning Brian, Having spent untold hours on my 1970 cb350 cleaning and polishing just about every inch of my engine and covers my anal side says it would have been nice to see you spend a little more time with the engine housing in the cleaning stage before assembly.....that's just the picky me lol

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Yeah I hear ya. From a galloping horse it’ll look great more concerned that it actually runs at this point. Thanks, David. I’d rather be critiqued on my cleanliness than my assembly! This one had me worried. I think I did it right tho...by the book at least. Fingers crossed.

[@derekwood3519]

Painful to watch

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Why? Luckily for you, there are millions of other pieces of content out there. Always learning. I love these old bikes.

[@antoniofraga9970]

bom dia amigo madi uma copia desse manual de serviço da cb 350 para min gente boa manda pelo meu gmail estou precisando

[@KeepOnWrenching]

One is available on the website.

[@tenshikyoto2204]

a magnificent job, thank you very much, it is very helpful for those of us who do not have much experience. Would you mind saying which manual you use?. Thank you