1969 CL350 Head Ache!

[neildavies67]

Hi folks! What do people think? Is this cylinder head salvageable? If so, can someone reccomend a decent engineer? If not, does anyone have a cylinder head for sale to fit a 1969 Honda CL350 money pit? Cheers!

[kevski]

I bet that sounded nice when it went tit's up!

[AshimotoK0]

One for Trigger but looks a bit toast to me.

I probably have a full head spare but I hate parting with my 250/350 stuff (I believe the heads are the same). DK obviously have them but at a high price ..

If you don't get fixed up I will see what I have but I wouldn't have a clue what to charge.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB350K-CB350-K-1968-1974-Track-Bike-Project-Engine-Cylinder-Head-Valves-/311924609758?hash=item48a027d2de:g:UrUAAOSwrk5ZeF5c

[neildavies67]

Cheers AshimotoK0! I've fired off some e-mails and pics to some engineering firms so will wait and see what comes back! There are a few videos on YouTube showing combustion chamber repair by welding extra material and re-machining so I am "glass half full" at the moment! I will update as soon as I receive some replies!

[neildavies67]

I bet that sounded nice when it went tit's up!

I wouldn't know (although I wish I had known). I bought this beast as is (a non-runner with reasonable copression)! I gambled and am now paying the price! I haven't given up on it yet though!!!

[AshimotoK0]

Checked and all the spare heads I have are for CB250's and the 350 has a different  part number with a ---287--- centre part no. Lots cheap in the States but not a lot on eBay here. YOu could ask on Hondatwins.net if anyone in Europe has one to sell. I think any year would fit fine . 'Outobie' on there is the guy to ask.

[AshimotoK0]

See this:

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[neildavies67]

Cheers for looking AshimotoK0. I'm going to hold fire until I get some responses from my engineering enquiries! Exhaust studs are 8mm. I'm off to drown my sorrows now! Cheers again for the assistance.

[Bryanj]

That was a top ring shattering and exiting the ring groove whilst wrecking the piston.

used to happen a lot if owner thrashed bike from cold

Less bad ones would just rebore and replace pistons and not worry about head

[Trigger]

Hi folks! What do people think? Is this cylinder head salvageable? If so, can someone reccomend a decent engineer? If not, does anyone have a cylinder head for sale to fit a 1969 Honda CL350 money pit? Cheers!

I would look for another head, it will be a money pit if it needs new valves, valve seats and valve stems.

[K2-K6]

Neither the head or the piston seem to have that classic imprint of broken rings having been embedded into the metal,  from what I can see in these photos or the other thread with the piston pics included.

It looks more like detonation as the marks / pitting are soft and look more moth eaten metal than mechanical impact.

[kevski]

I think there has been something in the bore possibly some spark plug parts, whatever it was the head is toast, me i would go for another head.

[Moorey]

They will do well if they can repair that with weld without distorting the head. I wouldn't have thought it would be cost effective to repair compared to finding a good second hand head.

[neildavies67]

Thanks to everyone for their comments and advice! The consensus appears to be leaning towards"shagged". That's depressing but it is what it is! I agree with K2-K6 though, I haven't found any indication of mechanical damage, just the pitting. I would have thought that if there had been a stray piece of piston ring or plug in there at some point there would be more damage. Doesn't matter either way though I suppose, still shagged! I'm going to carry on drinking while I can still afford it! Thanks again everyone!

[Moorey]

I would be tempted to sort the valve seats and dress the damage carefully with a dremel. I don't think it will make a jot of difference, you wont be racing it no doubt.  Others may think different but it is your money.