Motorcycle Investor mag Subscribe to our free email news
Spotted: Honda CB350 twin There
was a time when older Honda twins like CB350s
were a common sight on our roads. Not any more
(May 2024, Guy 'Guido' Allen)
Maybe we're easily pleased, but
we were delighted recently to be standing in a workshop
and in rolls a nicely-preserved 1972 Honda CB350, ridden
by an enthusiastic young woman. Variants of these relatively humble
machines were available in a range of engine capacities
and generally proved to be tough and reliable transport.
Though not over-burdened with power, the 350s had enough
to get along at a decent pace and provide a bit of
excitement. Honda sold something in the order of
300,000 of the 350s – a success in anyone's terms. There were three 350 models: The CB350 Super Sport street bike The SL350 street scrambler (our
favourite) And the SL350 Motorsport trail bike. That
last one was okay for mild trails, but was regarded as a
bit of a lump for any serious dirt work. You don't often see them on the market,
which makes you wonder if there are thousands out there
rotting away in sheds. We reckon a good one today would be
a fun way to get around, so long as you weren't in a big
hurry. Postscript Reader MH, on seeing this story, added: "I bought an olive green one (exactly the same as in
your workshop photos) brand new from a dealer in
Koornang Rd, Carnegie, in September 1972 for $815. "It was ridden to Melbourne University and back to Brighton every day for four years, and around Vic and NSW on solo camping trips during each semester break. "I can still remember my excitement when picking it up from the dealer after trading in my Yamaha 125 twin. "It never let me down although towards the end it
struggled going up hills. "The Honda was a great bike and a remember giving it
away to a friend of my sister, who was going to restore
it." And from reader AP: "In September 1971 (the week before my 18th birthday) I purchased a new red CB350 from Max Halton Honda in Barkly Street, Footscray. "Soon after in 1972 I joined the Air Force, ending up at RAAF Base Richmond, in the Hawkesbury Valley, about an hour west of Sydney. Over an 18 month period I not only explored NSW I also did (565 miles/12 hour) trips to visit family in Melbourne. "It was an excellent motorcycle."
SPECS Honda
CB350 twin 1968-73 ENGINE: TYPE:
air-cooled, two valves per cylinder, inline twin CAPACITY:
325cc BORE
& STROKE: 64 x 50.6mm COMPRESSION
RATIO:
9.5:1 FUEL
SYSTEM: twin CV carburetor TRANSMISSION: TYPE:
five-speed, constant-mesh, FINAL
DRIVE: chain CHASSIS
& RUNNING GEAR: FRAME
TYPE: Steel with single front downtube FRONT
SUSPENSION: telescopic fork, nil adjustment REAR
SUSPENSION: twin shocks, preload adjustment FRONT
BRAKE: drum REAR
BRAKE: drum DIMENSIONS
&
CAPACITIES: DRY
WEIGHT: 149kg SEAT
HEIGHT: NA WHEELBASE:
1300mm FUEL
CAPACITY: 10lt TYRES: FRONT:
3.00-18 REAR:
3.50-18 PERFORMANCE: POWER:
36hp @ 10,500rpm TORQUE:
25Nm @ 9500rpm
------------------------------------------------- Produced by AllMoto abn 61 400 694 722 |
ArchivesContact
|