Need informed opinions on CL350 Scrambler

[chuck hahn]

Got a guy that has a 350 scrambler for sale and mentioned it to me. 72 model year I think it is.

It needs a tank, turn signals are broke ( stems from being dumped, probabkly all new throttle and brake cables.

I am thinking about 350 or so in parts based on my Ebay searches.

The question is this..with it all mechanically sound and a nice ( but inexpensive) paint job, what can I expect for resale value? Are they very desireable these days? I can probably get for a song and dance!!

[Nessism]

Not sure on prices, but CL is going to be a fair bit lower value than a similar CB bike.

[koolaid_kid]

Not sure on prices, but CL is going to be a fair bit lower value than a similar CB bike.

Why is that, Ed? Granted, the CB sold more, but isn't it the same engine/frame, etc.? Or did they change the cams/jetting to suit the upswept pipes?

[chuck hahn]

I haven't even personally seen the bike. I got the jest from the owners description though..cruddy and in about the same shape as the KZ I am working on for Frank Z.

Heck I don't even know if the heart is frozen or not! Any major issues as far as the engines go??

[Big Rich]

If the CL pipes are in good condition, they sell for a couple hundred $ alone. Because of people making cafe bikes out of them, older Hondas have increased in value.

The motor went thru only about one change thru the years to change the camshaft and oil pump. As long as they get routine oil and "filter" changes, they tend to run forever. Valves are easy to adjust, more so than a GS in my opinion.

[chuck hahn]

I am thinking I will have maybe 500 or so into it..less a cheapy paint job. So can I maybe double the investment at least? Im not interested in being hung with it forever.

[Nessism]

Why is that, Ed? Granted, the CB sold more, but isn't it the same engine/frame, etc.? Or did they change the cams/jetting to suit the upswept pipes?

Not that many people into the scrambler look. CB outsold CL back in the day, and popularity today is same.

BTW, my first bike was a CL360. Decent enough bike, but the GS400 made it seem stone age in comparison.

[subid]

Because I have one, I track them on Ebay all the time. The average selling price is around $1800.

That is CBs and CLs. I haven't noticed much of a difference in selling price.

A few nice, low mileage originals have sold in the $3500-$4500 range.

These bikes really seem to bring a premium price in the early spring.

[chuck hahn]

Next question...if it needs pipes too then what about doing a café or go with make it as close to original as possible?

Pipes on Ebay seem pretty expensive..which of course drive down profit margin. I am not well versed on flipping, as some seem to think I flip a lot of bikes which isn't true, so that's why all these questions.

I think finding the bikes that are considered somewhat desire able and then fixing them to make a few bucks, and enjoy the working on them aspect, is appealing to me.

Café or try to keep it original???

[koolaid_kid]

Isn't the Honda 350 popular in racing circles? Classic racing or something like that? I wonder if it would be better to part it out to aficionados rather than spending time/money on repairing it. IDK, just asking the questions.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I am thinking I will have maybe 500 or so into it..less a cheapy paint job. So can I maybe double the investment at least? Im not interested in being hung with it forever.

With your track record, I'm wondering why you are even considering this bike. Why don't you just take your money and donate it to charity? At least SOME good will come of it!!!!!

[subid]

Here are a few examples

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Honda-CL-350-Restored-Classic-/321128832927?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=321128832927&_rdc=1&forcev4exp=true#v4-39

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/300887330981?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.shop.ebay.com%3A80%2Fi.html%3F_trksid%3Dp4340.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.X300887330981%26_nkw%3D300887330981%26_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_573wt_1167

[sedelen]

Is this the bike?
And does the girl come with it?

[GregT]

She'll be a grandmother by now.....

I wouldn't touch the bike unless it turns over freely. The odds on the crank being good are around 3 : 1 against....

I've built several of these motors for racing and it usually takes 3 or 4 parts motors to get enough good bits to build a sound motor.

[barnbiketom]

carb diaphrams are like GOLD.. hope you do not need one (or TWO???)