My free SL350!

[Cornbread Red]

I have GOT to learn to electric weld.. Pretty stuff.

I'd still ask around about how much to powder coat that frame, you might be suprised..

Harbor Freight sells wire loom covers, pretty good electrical connectors, too. I'm doing a ATK wiring job over, and the HF stuff is easy on my budget.

Good luck with yours.

Chip

[pnhd65]

That's unbelievable how those panniers turned out. Can't tell they're made of wood. It's funny how many times you get into an older bike and find it needs frame repairs, even if it's low mileage or you thought 'lightly' used. Great job btw. How's about a picture of the ole MT 250?

[pnhd65]

Hey, I just noticed on those pictures of your repairs on the rear loop. When you look at those old frames, you can see how that's a stress point on them. Obviously I can't see what that looks like in person, but I always think, why did this happen in the first place? What can I do on my repair to prevent it from happening again? Would it be possible to get a short piece of tubing whose ID is close to the frame tubing's OD, cut a piece in half lengthwise and use it as a fishplate for reinforcement across the weld area and to beef up that point of the frame? Either way, keep up the good work, really enjoy seeing your progress.

[Barnone]

Great thread. I did a simpler rework on a standard 1982 Silverwing GL500 ($300 total) that I rode down to the Panama Canal. I wanted to make it a one way trip so took a throw away bike. Sold it for $500 in the no mans land between the borders of Costa Rica and Panama.

[Mr. Vintage]

Originally Posted by pnhd65

That's unbelievable how those panniers turned out. Can't tell they're made of wood. It's funny how many times you get into an older bike and find it needs frame repairs, even if it's low mileage or you thought 'lightly' used. Great job btw. How's about a picture of the ole MT 250?

I'll have to get a good photo of the Elsinore - it's not especially photogenic.

Some time in the past the rear frame loop was broken off and poorly repaired - not sure how it happened, but the factory welds were surprisingly lame to start with. I made sure that the panniers and rear rack bear only on the meaty part of the frame, and the loop just holds the fender and taillight.

Thanks for the encouragement and feedback.

[Mini Trail]

I have that exact Benelli 50cc. Mine is badged as a Ward's Riverside.

[Mr. Vintage]

Originally Posted by Mini Trail

I have that exact Benelli 50cc. Mine is badged as a Ward's Riverside.

Ditto, mine's the Wards version too. I live on a highway-ish road, so I don't ride it hardly ever - its just too slow. It tops at about 35 on level ground, and will barely pull 4th gear - I've been thinking that adding half again as many teeth to the rear sprocket would be a good thing. Is yours this way Mini Trail, or is mine just messed up?

[Mini Trail]

Mine is way overgeared. The guy I got it from (RIP) rode it a lot at our scooter meets. I think he actually upped the front sprocket. You have to really Rev it, slip the clutch and give a good push with your feet to get it going. It tops out faster than my 50cc four strokes and about the same as my 4-speed CT-70, but suffers badly on hills. I think it will pull around 40 - 45 when in full tuck which is about what is needed to run with the Cushmans.

[Mr. Vintage]

I'm not getting a whole lot done lately - the heat in the shop is worthless when it's 15F outside. I did manage to get the frame painted, and the swingarm and head bearings put together.

I also managed to pinch both tubes installing the tires...

[pnhd65]

Frame looks great, keep up the good work.

Both tubes huh?

I've had days like that.

[wheelgun]

I was hoping this thread would get bumped back to the top.

[Mr. Vintage]

Manged to brave the blizzard and venture out to the shop a few times lately. This weekend I cleaned the slime out of the forks, replaced the fork seals, and put the front end together, and this morning - wheels! Sorta looks like a motorcycle. I managed to restrain myself from polishing the fork legs - I keep having to remind myslef that it's going to get dirty. It's amazing how fairly crappy crome can be polished up to look respectable. Kinda lousy picture, but you get the idea:

[YamaGeek]

Jeff,

Nice re-build along, thanks for the photos.

Some errata, I used to own a '68 CL350, was a basketcase for $100 and ended up costing more because the rocker arms for the early 350's were rare and entirely different from the later engines. Honda wanted you to pay dearly for these bits, they were over $40 bucks each in 1978. The early engines (pre '69) a were in a lot higher state of tune than the later ones. I can honestly say my Cl was able to nudge within 5mph ( indicated..) of a ton with a slight tail wind. Damn scary on a bike equiped with Nitto universal tires.

I also owned a '75 MT250, nice, solid dualsport motorcycle that I ended up having to sell, to pay rent one cold winter in '84, I miss that bike also.

Very inspiring, I'm also in respect your ability with a Mig torch on your exhaust redo. Gets me fired up to get my LT5 a bit more ADV ready.

Thanks

[pnhd65]

Phukin' A, that looks great, didja decide on a paint color yet? There was, is, another SL 350 on these pages that was redone that burnt orange color, beautiful!!! If you paint it that orange color, I'll name my next born after you!! Course, I've had a vasectomy, but doesn't mean I can't try!! Anyway, keep up the good work!!




Orange with a black pinstripe and those black panniers, just do it!

[Mr. Vintage]

Originally Posted by pnhd65

Orange with a black pinstripe and those black panniers, just do it!

What, like a KTM? Isn't that blasphemy of some sort?

I'm still waffling on the paint scheme, so you'll have to stay tuned...

Thanks for the positive feedback.