Restorations to like new condition are always nice to see, but sometimes it takes a creative mind to envision something a little different and in this case, the owner pulled off a great transformation. Starting with an old and tired 1970 Honda CB350 with a seized engine, he stripped it down to bare metal and began again.
A new single shock rear end was fabricated and it looks perfect. The front end is the ubiquitous GSXR, (has any other front end been used as much?) and seems to be a great choice. The engine was rebuilt with new pistons, rings, etc. and Mikuni carbs were installed, which he notes need some sorting since he moved after completing the build and the change made the jetting a bit off.
He formed the fenders on an English wheel and for a first attempt he gets high marks. The exhaust is TIG welded stainless, also by the builder. There’s a lot more, but the whole package comes together into a very nice reimagining of a fairly common, albeit over 50 year old, vintage bike. Overall, I give him an an A+. Nice work!
He has it up for sale on eBay, sale over
todd says
That looks really fun and the builder did a great job. I wonder why he’s getting rid of it? There are a couple things I may have done a little different; the rear for looks inadequate for a single shock. It was fine for dual shocks but now it has massive bending loads on it and it is just two small round tubes. I can picture the rear wheel flexing all over the place. I would also remove one of the rotors and calipers on the front wheel to lighten it up as the brakes no longer needs to stop a 400+ pound bike from 150+ mph. Last, it wouldn’t hurt to have more of a rear fender to keep rocks and water off you backside. I also appreciate lights and mirrors more than most people, apparently. Thats the great thing about building a custom bike, you can do it however you want and you don’t need it to be perfect or appeal to everyone’s needs – you can build how you want and then sell it to someone who wants to look like they built it.
Paul Crowe says
Looking at it a little longer, you have a point about the rear. It doesn’t need a massive swing arm, but something a little more stout than what’s there might not be a bad idea. I could see it twisting under load. The next owner can modify as necessary.