How To Install A Honda CL350 Scrambler Exhaust System: Part 199

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/ bvmatson
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
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[@cylekeltner1261]

great videos...thank you for spending your time on these. Working on one right now...big help!

[@KeepOnWrenching]

My pleasure. Glad to hear that they are useful

[@greghamilton5461]

Thanks Brian. The pipes are the signature to the CL. But they make you pay when it comes to mounting them. I'll be watching this vid a couple more times. When mounting my exhaust pipes on the 71.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

They really are beautiful...functionally a bit of a chore. Glad you enjoyed the video. It’s all coming together. Thanks, Greg.

[@zachfender8693]

Looks awesome Brian

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Thanks, man. I think it’ll roll soon.

[@SaritaJacinta]

As you know, these beautiful high pipes are in the way of literally everything. When you have to get to the crank case, carburetor, etc. Do you have a preferred way of loosening up the exhaust system enough to get to the goods or do you just remove the exhaust system entirely to get in there?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I actually cut a slot out of the bottom of that cover so it slides up. Just gotta pop it off the grommet. To get it off I also had to loosen the rear hanger and center bracket. You can gain a couple inches. Just enough to get the side cover off. It’s still tight but doable. I also loosened the front collars a bit. I was worried about the copper seals but it all went snuggly back together.

[@donreed1133]

Great job Brian! Lol, I was wishing for a CB exhaust when I did this as well. I always thought the CL’s had a cooler look than the CB’s did. Nice video!

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Thanks, Don. Love the look too but man what a pain. Glad I shouldn’t have to mess with the timing anytime soon. :)

[@HepcatHarley]

Good stuff Brian, you didn't forget to add anti-seize to all them threads now did you? :D I would have verified the heat shields line up before tightening everything down but great work.....Gas n Go! :)

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Nope. Never. ;)

[@alekduggan938]

Thanks for the great video!!!! Did you ever get the torque specification for the mounting bracket?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I don’t think there was one that I found. I just did it tight.

[@jakefin6891]

Great Video! thank you so much for taking the time and putting out this video, I really needed it. I just had a question. Where did you get the brass crush washers from?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Common motor. They are readily available on any sites like 4into1, CMC, etc.

[@jakefin6891]

@@KeepOnWrenching thank you

[@stuartberryman8896]

Brian, I am currently working on a 73 CL 350 project and I have loved your videos to learn from when I am tackling something. How did you loosen the mounting bracket that is connected to the bolt just forward of the rear foot peg? I am trying to remove the air box covers and the thing won’t budge. It’s a strange looking bolt that has a golden nipple sticking out. Your bracket seemed to move so freely when you were mounting your exhaust. I have PB blasted it multiple times and I am afraid if I keep trying it might strip. Any advice?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

The whole thing comes out. Best to use a deep socket to protect the brass nipple then tap it out. The whole bolt with start to slide out…then you can pull it out. You’ll need to drive it out once you remove that slotted looking nut. Just don’t muck up the brass nipple as you pound it out. That’s why I use a 10mm socket over the nipple. Then pound on that. Make sense?

[@stuartberryman8896]

Brian thank you so much for your response! I’m sorry I am not sure I am tracking. I apologize, please speak to me like a child because I am a very novice mechanic. First this is probably a dumb question but it just occurred to me, is this an engine mounting bolt? Is it a lock nut? And can you walk it through for me one more time. Do I have to loosen the bottom nut first then while holding onto the slotted one or vice versa?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

@@stuartberryman8896 I think you're dealing with the swing arm bolt. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZysko2Gp8ZqrpY

[@cylekeltner1261]

Hey my friend....any vids on shifter? Could not find one. My shifter is sloppy sloppy any ideas?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Those original ones can be sloppy for sure. I really like the simple new ones you can buy that don’t have the linkages. CMC sells them. Otherwise you need to just fiddle with those adjusting screws. Easier and crisper function with the simple levers IMO.

[@cylekeltner1261]

@@KeepOnWrenching yes was thinking that... Minus nastalgia but plus the performance 😂 thank you. Your my go to.

[@davidellis67]

Brian, Where did you get the short little flange that mounts inside the lower muffler and over the lower pipe?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

It is a Honda CB350 / CB360 Exhaust Gasket: Graphite. I got one from CMC.

[@nikkighorpade446]

When correctly tightened, how close does the exhaust pipe joint need to be to the cylinder? Just trying to get a reference for mine, since I think there might be too much of a gap between the joint and the cylinder. Thanks!

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I think you’re referring to the flange and header connection to the exhaust ports on the front of the engine. I just went and measured the gap between the flange and the engine. It’s about 1/8th of an inch to 1/4.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Worth noting too is that there are two styles. Early models have a shorter (almost a small lip) on the header to catch the round flange. Later models had a beefed up lip on the header. Both had different lengths for the two inner pieces. If your gap is too big you may be using early length flanges with later pipes. Or vice versus. It simply won’t work. I hope that makes sense!

[@nikkighorpade446]

Brian Matson thank you for the comments! I have a 1972 CB with stock pipes, so a little different than the one in your video. The two inner pieces stick out a fair amount (need to measure) before the flange. I’m having some idle and performance issues and wondering if the flange needs to be closer to the head. Could a slightly loose flange affect engine power? Thanks!

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Yes. It would cause a high idle most likely...like a vacuum leak. Need a good seal on those. The CB pipes are easier to deal with than the cL pipes for sure. The two bolts holding the big flange on should easily pull it all together. Don’t forget the copper crush rings. If you’re having idle issues it could be a lot of things. It’s a rabbit hole for sure. Good luck!

[@KeepOnWrenching]

I measured all put together and tightened up.

[@CCitis]

Hmmm on my 450 there are some extra flanges that go inside the exhaust port. I cannot for the life of me get them to stay in place while I mount the exhaust.

[@KeepOnWrenching]

The struggle is real.

[@PvtGreatPine]

How do the exhausts come off, currently trying to remove them and I am unsure how to

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Take the front two flanges off the front of the motor. Then, undo the bracket in the middle of of the pipes. Then remove the hanger from the the grab handle in the rear. Should fall right off.

[@j.a.y.joyfullyawareyo7629]

Does the exahust need to be connected in order to start?

[@KeepOnWrenching]

It should be. You risk burning valves without it apparently.

[@j.a.y.joyfullyawareyo7629]

It’s easier to start to say the least. With the exahust in place!!

[@noelleonard2498]

You put some serious elbow grease onto this bike

[@KeepOnWrenching]

Yup. Sure did.

[@lescorox]

Hey Brian....I found that I didn't have the main bracket for my exhaust...for years, and I never had a problem. But being anal, I decided to track one down. The one I got is chrome for the short bracket and black for the long. I did not get bolts for it. Partzilla shows lone of the bolts being a special bolt. Can you tell me what you have on yours so I can go to the hardware store and hopefully track one down? Thanks!!

[@KeepOnWrenching]

It is a special bolt on setup. Omg. This is complicated. Send me an email. [e-mail] You’ll have to copy and paste. ;)

[@lescorox]

@@KeepOnWrenching Thanks! Done.