The First One

2011

It all started with this 1976 Honda CJ360T that I bought spontaneously on eBay one night durring spring finals, a welcome and needed distraction. The bike wasn't running when I got it home, It wasn't even a decision in my mind to start taking it apart, I just didn't know when to stop.

Having never owned a motorcycle prior, this was the start of an immense learning experience on my behalf as I started about making my changes, reducing the vehicle to its necessary components, and improving what i could along the way. Inspired by the high efficiency minimalism and brutal engineering of 1960s race motorcycles, I went for a all business aesthetic sticking to raw materials, brushed finishes and simple lines. No part was left alone and soon enough a new form started to emerge. After almost a year of working on the bike, this is what i found underneath the layers i removed and reshaped.

Humble Beginnings



Taking It Down To The Basics



Fabricating The Rearsets



Building A Better Motor



The Payoff

Modifications List

Chasis and Suspension
Rebuilt forks, shortened and spaced springs, 15w oil
Rebuilt factory rear struts and springs
Bronze Swingarm Bushings
Non-essential brackets and tabs removed, rear hoop, steering damper mount, rearset mounts and seams welded
Battery box fabrication and re-location to swingarm
Fabricated rearsets
Clip-on handlebars
Refinished and shaped levers and controls
GSXR steering damper
Custom Seat
Rear fender relocated to swingarm
Bobbed" front fender
Relocated tachometer, horn and ignition

Engine and Transmission
GS850 69mm pistions
Engine bored to 378CC
Ported and polished head
Milled .030 in from head
3 Angle valve job
Slimmed copper base and head gaskets
6speed swap from CB 360 with 16-37 sprockets
Slotted cam gear, timing: exhaust lifts .040 40* BBDC
2-1 Factory exhaust minus muffler, using 2 inch outlet
Generic Pod" air filters
Modified Clutch basket, oil return galleys and baths in head
EBC clutch springs
Modified kickstarter

Carburetion
Stock Khein carburetors
70 primary
118 secondary
50 air jet drilled to top secret specifications
Idle screws at 1.5 turns out
Float level 19.5mm

Estimated ( from identical engine build ) 35- 40whp @ 11,000 RPM

Pending
Custom 2-1 exhaust
1/4 Turn throttle
35w H4 Conversion
Disc front brake conversion
Progressive dampening rear shocks
WM2 & 3 alloy wheel set
Cam oil feed


Complete build log can be found on Do The Ton