The Honda CBs (350F, 200T)
Role
Restoration mechanic, Industrial design, Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance.
Started with
Some old small-engined Honda CBs, acquired for free. Engine locked up and leaking, carbs that were full of varnish (evaporated gas) and questionable previous modifications.
Ended up with
The most reliable and fun bikes on the road. The old Honda's need just a little love to bring them back. Updating the electronics and small amounts of work to the engine will last another 40 years. I sold the 200T to a girl in Santa Cruz, and the black 350F to my friend in Napa for some cases of wine. I have just the blue Honda cruising the streets of SF now.
1974 Honda CB350F (2 of them)
One I kept, hard mode
Engine was locked up and frame was bent.
One I sold
Fairly straightforward. Needed engine and body work. Frame was good.
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.
Restoration Gallery
Three Honda motorcycles, each with their own story
The Collection
The complete collection: Two 1974 CB350Fs and one 1974 200T
Detailed Work
From locked engines to smooth rides - the magic of bringing vintage Honda engineering back to life