H
O N D A C L 3 5 0 H I S T O R Y
Honda
introduced the 350 scrambler with this single 8.5 x 11" color
page in 1968. This pre-production brochure was prepared using
a prototype aided by an artist and airbrush (note Honda's qualifier
"All specifications subject to change without notice" at bottom).
In fact, there were several changes between this image and the
export USA production run. Instead of black finish, as shown,
the headlight brackets (at top of forks) were painted to match the
color portion of the tank. A different front fender, lacking braces but
with a sharp cut front edge as shown, was used. The point
cover on production models was embossed to read "TYPE-1", and the 350
emblems on the air cleaner covers were fabricated of enameled metal,
with only the numerals "350" (the brochure shows an applied emblem,
perhaps just a painting, with a small encircled Honda wing). Although
the brochure below shows two separate chromed exhaust pipes exiting the
muffler, the
production models had two unplated exhaust pipes enclosed in a single
chromed
surround. The production CL350K0 also had both a center stand and a
silver-painted side stand.
Although the the interior was printed entirely in black
& white, the 1968 CL350K0 owners manual for USA export models
depicted the scrambler as it was actually manufactured. (below -
note exhaust)
Honda's
6 x 9" full-line brochure for 1968 listed the CL350 as available in
candy blue, candy red, and orange (see abbreviated chart below).
Although the new 350's were designed to replace the venerable
305's, in 1968 Honda offered both side by side in brochures and
on showroom floors. A painting inside the brochure shows the CL350K0
(with the production fender) against a background Grand Prix scene
reinforcing the promotional text: "During 1967 Honda won twice as
many world championships as any other make, and Honda has continued
its winning ways both in motorcycles and on the Formula 1 and Formula
II Grand Prix autumobile racing circuits as well. No other
motorcycle
manufacturer in the world has as impressive a record, on all counts."
The
1968 full line brochure (below) illustrated the CL350K0
in candy blue. The image used was a photograph of an actual
motorcycle from the USA export model production run. Note the many
closely spaced "extra" spoke holes in the front and rear wheel hubs.
Only K0 and K1 hubs look like this. The non-functional drillings
were eliminated on later models (beginning with the K2 introduced in
the USA in 1970).
The photo below, from a 4-page brochure printed in Japan in
1968 shows the USA production model CL350K0 in candy red and white. It
is useful for authenticating details of surviving originals or restored
motorcycles. Click
here
to see the complete 4-page brochure.
CLICK HERE
FOR PHOTOS OF CLEAN ORIGINAL EXAMPLES OF THE CL350K0 and CL350K1 USA
models
For late Sixties vintage Honda fans, especially those interested in the
first 350 scrambler (and vintage sideburns), one the most
interesting period publications is the Spring 1969 Road Test's
Quarterly
Honda Sport Cycle, which features the CL350K0 in color on the cover.
(Click on the image to view the complete CL350 article).
Interested
in Honda 450's too? Click HERE
to visit the non-commercial Honda 450 History website.
Interested
in learning even more about vintage Hondas? Join the Vintage
Japanese Motorcycle Club today! (click on image for info)
