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The fashionable-day Honda CB350 is a kind of bikes we wished was obtainable in additional elements of the world. It first broke cowl in India, the place it’s produced, and later rolled out to Japan because the rebadged GB350. You may get it in Taiwan too, the place it’s formally referred to as the Honda H’ness CB350—however you possibly can overlook about shopping for one in Europe or the USA.
That’s an actual disgrace, as a result of the Honda CB350 is about as lovely and approachable as manufacturing unit bikes get. Its 348.4 cc single-cylinder engine squeezes out 21 hp and 30 Nm, and it sports activities trendy facilities like LED lighting. It’s not too unhealthy wanting both; good-looking sufficient in inventory trim to provide larger trendy classics a run for his or her cash.
As cute as it’s although, there’s at all times room for enchancment. Mark Huang of Mark Bikes in Taipei, Taiwan shares this sentiment—which is why he’s developed a trendy assortment of bolt-on elements for the Honda CB350 and GB350.
Plug-and-play kits have gotten more and more fashionable amongst pragmatic {custom} bike builders who’re searching for a gradual earnings to maintain the lights on. Costly one-off {custom} bikes are nice to ogle, however constructing them is time-consuming. A gentle provide of {custom} elements is sweet for enterprise—and it offers you a stash to dip into if it’s worthwhile to make massive modifications shortly.
There’s nothing over-the-top about Mark’s scrambler-inspired tackle the common-or-garden Honda CB350, however that’s totally by design. “As a result of the CB350 is a wonderfully proportioned bike,” he tells us, “I solely made modifications to some elements to make the bike higher mirror my type. And in order that the bike could be modified shortly, the elements could be changed with out modifying the body.”
Nonetheless, Mark’s informal method belies how a lot work went into getting this equipment from idea to manufacturing. He began by shopping for an appropriate donor to make use of as a check mattress, then stripped off every little thing that he figured might be improved.
The OEM gas tank and facet covers had been deemed tidy sufficient to remain, however the Honda’s modern-looking fenders had been binned. Mark designed new fiber-reinforced polymer fenders with a traditional road scrambler aesthetic. The fenders ship with all of the brackets wanted to suit them, and the rear fender wears a trendy Lucas-style taillight.
Mark’s Honda CB350 additionally swapped its alloy hoops for an all-new set of spoked wheels with alloy rims. They measure 19” up entrance and 18” out again, and put on Shinko dual-sport tires.
A 5.5” Bates-style headlight replaces the inventory unit, with a neat Koso speedo perched simply above it. The cockpit additionally options excessive, laid-back handlebars fitted with vintage-style switches, new grips, and a single underslung mirror. Mark properly stored the bike’s unique handlebar clamp; a branded half that remembers the designs on traditional Hondas.
It’s value mentioning that every one of those elements don’t simply include the bracketry wanted to mount them, but additionally each final wire and connector it’s worthwhile to make all of it work. Mark’s gone to nice lengths to guarantee that there’s zero guesswork when placing every little thing collectively.
It’s the identical story with the exhaust, the place a slim reverse cone muffler attaches to the inventory header by way of a custom-made connector pipe. Different add-ons embrace new rear shocks and classically styled flip alerts mounted on bolt-on brackets.
Perched atop the CB350 is an impossibly stylish seat that appears extra {custom} than off-the-shelf. You may order it in both leather-based or an artificial cloth. Ending the construct off is an eye-popping 70s-inspired paint job, courtesy of Mark’s buddy, Jeffery.
All the elements proven listed here are already obtainable, and Mark has wasted no time in placing them to make use of. No sooner had he buttoned up his prototype construct, than he received a fee for a near-identical Honda CB350 [below right].
The consumer needed a black and gray livery and decrease handlebars, however the remainder of the spec sheet is identical. And with its extra subdued tank graphics, it may simply be mistaken for a neatly restored traditional.
We might have been completely pleased with a bone-stock Honda CB350 within the storage—till we noticed these two bikes. The mixture of the CB’s finest bits (like its lovely black and chrome engine), and Mark’s even handed modifications, has taken it from unassuming entry-level retro to irresistible road scrambler.
Mark Bikes Fb | Instagram | Elements retailer
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