LOT 127
1970 Honda CL350 Frame no. CL350-2035722 Engine no. CL350E-2098466
Estimate: US$5,500 - US$6,500
Lot 127
1970 Honda CL350 Frame no. CL350-2035722 Engine no. CL350E-2098466
The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction|23 January 2020, 12:30 PST|Las Vegas, Caesar's Entertainment Studios
1970 Honda CL350
Frame no. CL350-2035722
Engine no. CL350E-2098466
Frame no. CL350-2035722
Engine no. CL350E-2098466
From the 1950s on, scrambler-style motorcycles with their high-mounted exhaust pipes, cross-braced handlebars and go-anywhere attitudes have been a favorite of American riders. In 1968, Honda followed up their popular 305 Scrambler with the CL350, powered by the new-style 325cc twin-cylinder motor that would also find a home in the CB350 streetbike. Between the CB and the CL, plus the later addition of an SL variant, the Honda 350s soon became the best-selling bikes in the U.S. – indeed, some of the best-selling models of all time.
Despite its dirtbike styling, with distinctive mid-rise cross-over exhaust pipes and 'boom box' mufflers, the CL was much more of a street scrambler than a true off-roader, as pointed out by the linguistically hip editors of Cycle Guide magazine at the time. "Bold, beautiful and boss," they proclaimed in the CL350's glowing write-up. "The best part about the Scrambler is tooling it down the road. With the double-leading-shoe brake at the front and a single-leading unit at the rear, stopping is assured. Handling is more along the lines of a road racer than a scrambler." Summing up what would become one of Honda's most-popular models, they wrote, "The CL350 is a heck of a cycle."
Because these multi-purpose bikes were used for everything from commuting to backroading to long-distance touring, the likelihood of finding a complete low-mileage example these days is not very high. This particular third-year CL350 K2 is the happy exception, having clocked just over 4,000 miles when acquired by the Honda experts at Vintage Motorcycle Rescue. Mechanically sound and with its original Candy Ruby Red paint in great condition, all the bike needed was its CV carburetors overhauled and the usual 'perishables' like control cables and tires replaced. A regular runner, it has also excelled on the show circuit, notching an AMCA Winners Circle award, indicating a cumulative judging score of 95 points or higher.
Despite its dirtbike styling, with distinctive mid-rise cross-over exhaust pipes and 'boom box' mufflers, the CL was much more of a street scrambler than a true off-roader, as pointed out by the linguistically hip editors of Cycle Guide magazine at the time. "Bold, beautiful and boss," they proclaimed in the CL350's glowing write-up. "The best part about the Scrambler is tooling it down the road. With the double-leading-shoe brake at the front and a single-leading unit at the rear, stopping is assured. Handling is more along the lines of a road racer than a scrambler." Summing up what would become one of Honda's most-popular models, they wrote, "The CL350 is a heck of a cycle."
Because these multi-purpose bikes were used for everything from commuting to backroading to long-distance touring, the likelihood of finding a complete low-mileage example these days is not very high. This particular third-year CL350 K2 is the happy exception, having clocked just over 4,000 miles when acquired by the Honda experts at Vintage Motorcycle Rescue. Mechanically sound and with its original Candy Ruby Red paint in great condition, all the bike needed was its CV carburetors overhauled and the usual 'perishables' like control cables and tires replaced. A regular runner, it has also excelled on the show circuit, notching an AMCA Winners Circle award, indicating a cumulative judging score of 95 points or higher.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Client Services (San Francisco)
Client Services (Los Angeles)
Client Services (New York)
Auction Viewings
- 22 January 2020, 09:00 - 18:00 PST
- 23 January 2020, 09:00 - 12:00 PST
Bid now on these items
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1971 Kawasaki 500 Mach III
£3,000 - £5,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1926 Triumph 494cc
£4,000 - £6,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1934 Austin Seven 65
£4,000 - £6,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1936 Austin 7 Ruby,
£3,200 - £4,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
Triumph 5T
£3,000 - £4,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
Triumph Tiger 100
£3,000 - £4,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1915 Douglas 350cc 2¾hp
£4,000 - £5,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
Triumph 6T
£3,000 - £4,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
Triumph 6T
£3,000 - £4,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1921 Triumph 550cc Model H
£4,000 - £5,000
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1916 Radco 211cc
£3,400 - £4,400
United Kingdom
Coming soon
1974 Moto Guzzi 750S
£4,000 - £6,000
United Kingdom
A Michaux & Cie Velocipede, circa 1870,
£4,000 - £6,000
