The Honda CBs (350F, 200T)

Intro

I have always loved working with machines... although after reading ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ I felt Pirsig really captured the essence of mechanical work and classical thought using the motorcycle. Moreover, small engine old Hondas have a special place in my heart. No idea why. I have always gravitated towards them since I was young. And I seem to be collecting them (not intentional). I ended up with the two 74 CB350Fs as free projects. The 74 (yes.. all the same year oddly enough) 200T was a $75 bargain that has always been dead reliable. The 350F's had needed a little more finesse.

• Euro “low rise” 400F handlebars for better aerodynamics
• New suspension - Rebuilt front forks and new adjustable rear shocks
• 400F 4-into-1 exhaust with new muffler (extra quiet)
• Replaced old selenium rectifier and added a modern efficient silicone radio shack version(25A, 50V Full-Wave Bridge Rectifiers).. now the battery is charging much more efficiently
• Replacing all incandescent bulbs to high efficiency LEDs (less draw)
• Hella Supertone horns
• Stainless brake lines
• HID and Halogen front headlight with projector lens
• Modified tank to fit with seat lines
• shortened rear fender

First Moto restore

I came across this particular 200T purely by accident and was not in the market for a motorcycle at all.. but it had been sitting most of its life and it needed to be back on the road (sometimes I think I should start a machine rescue…). With only 1798 original miles, extremely sun-patina’ed exterior and significant amount of missing parts – the owner claimed it was a “parts bike” – I picked it up for a song ($75). I immediately disassembled the 200T and began repairs – with a few purchases on ebay and adding new points to the ignition she started right up! After that it has been a labor of love. With the engine being this fresh and some additional tuning on this little 200cc I can squeeze out 121 MPG! (employing hyper-mile’ing techniques such as shutting off the engine when slowing to a stop light and immediately starting again when green, etc) On average I get about 85-95MPG on 87 octane. Although I am currently piecing together an EFI system to gain even more economy (think 200+MPGs for this little guy) – or very small turbo to bump up acceleration (EFI=infinite tuning possibility)

I really wanted to preserve the stock look and did not want to ‘cafe racer’ this amazing motorcycle. It has served me well in the last few years and worth every penny of that $75.

Here are some of the simple stock+ improvements I have made:

• Euro “low rise” handlebars for better aerodynamics
• Heated bar grips
• Using old ripped seat as a template made new seat from brown pleather (and cutting out some front original foam)
• Replaced old selenium rectifier and added a modern efficient silicone radioshack version(25A, 50V Full-Wave Bridge Rectifiers).. now the battery is charging much more efficiently
• Replacing all incandescent bulbs to high efficiency LEDs (less draw)
• Moped Michelin 18″ tires (less resistance and price)
• extremely quiet silencers welded on with custom braket (they are from a Harley Ultra.. but picked them up for $20 locally)
• Rebuilt magnetic pickups on gauges (surprisingly not direct-drive cable driven)

The pack has slimmed down

After owning some form of small engine Honda CB for 11+ years I know the ins and outs of these fine machines. And I am sure when I see ones that needs saving in the future I will get it running again.

The spoking processes

Rather meticulous, but pattern driven.