FEATURE – 1972 Honda CB 350 restoration
Photos: Courtesy of the Honda CB750 Four Owners Club of Australia
Fittingly for its 50th anniversary, there’s been a lot of focus on Honda’s iconic CB 750 in 2019, but what about its siblings?
The immediate success of the CB 750 spawned a 500cc version in 1971, which in turn grew to a 550, then a 650 (actually 627cc) in the years that followed.
In 1972, another spin-off from the original CB 750 was released in the form of the CB 350, as represented by the unit featured here.
Small Four
When it debuted in ’72, the CB 350, aka CB 350F (‘F’ for ‘Four’), was the smallest capacity four-cylinder motorcycle available from a volume manufacturer. Honda had plans to go smaller again with a 250cc version but the idea never got past the drawing board.
An impressive motorcycle for its time, the CB 350 engine - a transverse SOHC 347cc four-cylinder - ran smooth, while the heavily-baffled 4-into-4 exhaust system made it quiet, too.
Features like chromed front and rear mudguards, twin-gauge instrumentation, electric start and a disc front brake were inspired by the larger CB models, but the fuel tank and side covers were unique to the CB 350.
Like its big brother CB 750, the CB 350 was well made, reliable and comfortable to ride, but struggled in the North American market. The USA had embraced the CB 750’s speed and power, so the 350’s 25kW (34hp) probably seemed a little feeble compared to the 750’s 51kW (68hp).
On the market for just over two years before it was replaced by the CB 400 Four, the CB 350 is rare today, at least compared to the larger capacity CB Hondas, so it’s good to see a good example.
Silver Star
The CB 350 presented here is a 1972 model – the first year of production – and is one of a trio of restored classic CB Hondas that are being raffled off for charity by the Honda CB 750 Four Owners Club of Australia. Money raised from the raffle (see breakout for ticket info) will go towards the Black Dog Institute mental health charity.
But rather than restore one bike and raffle it off, the club decided to up the ante and restore three. This ambitious undertaking has been years in the planning and execution, but the three restorations are now finished and the 350 version is arguably the most attractive of the lot. But it didn’t start out that way…
Rough to Resto
Purchased specifically for the charity raffle, the restoration was undertaken largely by CB 750 Four Owners Club members, with expert guidance from Andrew Barker of Pud’s Four Parts in Yarram, Victoria.
Those that know – and love! – their classic Honda Fours know Pud’s Four Parts, so Andrew was the natural choice to provide the necessary replacement parts and oversee each restoration.
Speaking of parts, this bike needed plenty of them, as it was in pretty rough condition when purchased back in December, 2016.
Described as having only a few small problems, closer inspection showed many more, with the bike ultimately needing a comprehensive resto that required not only Pud’s but several other specialty businesses to be called in.
“It was in really bad shape,” Andrew explained. “All the chrome work was rusted, paint work faded, tank dented, scratched and faded, rims rusted, spokes tarnished, etc.”
Andrew’s local contacts meant the club didn’t need to go far for specialty work, with the sandblasting and painting done in Yarram. Most of the other trade specialists were found in Victoria, too, but as this bike was being restored to a high standard, businesses as far afield as WA and Tasmania were tapped to assist, while many reproduction and NOS parts were sourced from overseas.
“About 40% of this bike’s parts are from overseas sources,” said Andrew. “Things like the fork tubes, switch blocks, spokes, front guard, seat and exhaust pipes, as well as a lot of engine parts.”
A snag in this resto, which many restorers of CB 350s would have encountered themselves, was the starter clutch. The springs in the clutch assembly often break, causing it to slip and ultimately leave the starter unable to turn the engine over. As this assembly is located inside the engine case of the CB 350 – “not the greatest design!” Andrew laughed – it makes the job very fiddly.
Completed in early 2018, the finished result is certainly a testimony to all those involved and remains true to the club’s intention to make this project as authentic to an original ’72 CB 350 as possible. Common-sense upgrades include an H4 halogen headlight globe, modern Pirelli tyres and softer brake pad material, but aside from that, the finished job is remarkably authentic to how a CB 350 would have appeared when new.
Even with the ‘many hands make light work’ of club involvement, the restoration took a solid 12 months, but Andrew says the time and effort – and occasional frustration! – has all been worth it: “After seeing what we had to start with, the guys that helped in this build have done a fantastic job.”
Businesses that helped bring this classic Honda 350 back to life include the following:
Yarram Sand Blasting - sandblasting of frame and metal parts (VIC - 0417 010 963)
Yarram Body Works - Painting of frame and tinware (VIC - 03 5182 5253)
Greg Cook Wheel Lacing - Lacing new spoked wheels (VIC - 0407 212 038)
Spoke Wheel Services - Supplying new wheel rims (WA - 0431 331 283)
Big Zinc Metal Zincing - Zinc-coating bolts, nuts and brightware (VIC - 03 9728 8311)
Hardy’s Garage - Roadworthy checks (VIC - 03 5199 2220)
Motographix - Tank decals and stickers (TAS - 0439 883 164)
Badge Replicas - Repro badges, tank and side covers (VIC - 0408 257 459)
Pud’s Four Parts - Supplier of spare parts (VIC - 03 5182 5704)
With the restoration complete, this bike, along with its CB 500 and CB 750 siblings, has been doing the rounds of various bike shows and events (you most likely saw the trio at the Broadford Bike Bonanza or Phillip Island Classic) promoting the Honda CB 750 Four Owners Club of Australia raffle.
Set up to ride and ideal for club events, this classic Honda will surely be enjoyed by its new owner. Want to be that new owner? See the details in the breakout and purchase your ticket soon!
Win this Bike!
For the chance to win this bike, simply purchase a ticket in the Honda CB 750 Four Owners Club of Australia raffle, supporting the Black Dog Institute.
Tickets are only $50 each and you can enter as many times as you like.
With three restored bikes up for grabs, the first ticket drawn gets their choice of any one of the three. The second ticket drawn can choose from the remaining two, with the third ticket drawn receiving the final bike.
Raffle tickets can be purchased by calling 0499 355 725 (9AM – 6PM weekdays only). Entries close on 17 November, 2019, with the winner drawn on 24 November, 2019.
