1968 Honda CB350 KO

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The CB350 was the highest selling motorcycle in American history, moving more than 300,000 units in its six year run. Add the CL350 and SL350 variants and the figure goes to 626,000! The CB350 had a twin cylinder, over-head cam, air cooled engine. It had two carbs, a five speed gearbox and an electric starter (except for the later SL's). It proved to be very reliable, even without maintenance. It was truly an 'everyman' motorcycle that appealed to a mass audience. It made 36 hp @ 10,000 rpm, and weighed in at 370 pounds.

During the time these bikes were made they were titled by the year they were sold not by the year of manufacture, so if a 1968 CB350 sat on the showroom floor for until 1970 it was titled as a 1970 CB350. This is why the model is more important than the year.

Model Identification

CB350K1 CB350K0
Sell Date: 1968-69
Release Date: 02/29/68
Product Code: 287 (Middle number of Honda part numbers)
Frame number: CB350-1000001
Engine number: CB350E-1000001
Colors:  Candy Blue/White, Candy Red/White, Green/White
Features:
    Gas tank is two tone with white on the bottom half.
    The side covers and headlight shell are white.
    The tank also had rubber knee pads.
    Fork covers are primary colors.
    Non-pleated seat.
    Oval taillight lens.

CB350K1
Sell Date: 1969
Release Date: 05/01/69
Product Code: 287 (Middle number of Honda part numbers)
Frame number: CB350-1020596
Engine number: CB350E-1045165
Colors:  Candy Blue/White, Candy Red/White, Green/White
Changes:
    Stripe added to gas tank (under "HONDA" script).
    New wider gas tank with increased capacity.
    Pleated seat.
    Rectangular taillight lens.
    There was a single reflector on the front fender.

CB350K2
Sell Date: 1970
Release Date: 02/10/70
Product Code: 317 (Middle number of Honda part numbers)
Frame number: CB350-2000001
Engine number: CB350E-2000001
Colors:  Candy Blue Green /White, Candy Gold /White, Candy Ruby Red /White
Changes:
    Gas tank is two tone, no knee pads.
    Fork covers, side covers and headlight shell are primary colors.
    The seat was pleated
    Reflectors moved to upper fork.
    Front fender braces moved to bottom of fork tubes.
    Headlight shell is plastic.
    The taillight lens was rectangular
    The front reflectors (now two) were moved to the upper fork
    Black anodized aluminum switches.

CB350K3
Sell Date: 1971
Release Date: 02/08/71
Product Code: 317 (Middle number of Honda part numbers)
Frame number: CB350-3000001
Engine number: CB350E-3000001
Colors:  Derby Green Metallic, Candy Gold, Light Ruby Red
Changes:  
    Gas tank is one color with a black and white stripe, no wing, hinged cap.
    Side covers and emblems are new.
    Seat is hinged on the left hand side, new pleat design.
    The side covers and upper fork were the basic color.
    The headlight shell was also the basic color.

CB350K4
Sell Date: 1972-73
Release Date: 02/01/72
Product Code: 317 (Middle number of Honda part numbers)
Frame number: CB350-4000001
Engine number: CB350E-4000001
Colors:  Gentle Maroon Metallic, Candy Bacchus Olive, Candy Gold, Light Ruby Red
Changes:
    Taillight is larger.
    Side covers emblems are larger.
    Seat latch uses a key.
    The headlight shell was black

CB350G (K5?)
Sell Date: 1973
Release Date: 01/01/73
Product Code: 344 (Middle number of Honda part numbers)
Frame number: CB350-5000001
Engine number: CB350E-5000001
Colors:  Iris Purple Metallic, Tyrolean Green Metallic, Candy Orange
Changes:
    White fuel tank stripe is wider.
    The gas tank stripes were white and black
    Front brake is hydraulic disc.
    Upper fork covers are chrome with black fork boots.
    Side cover emblems are black on white.
    Chrome grip pipe behind seat.
    Instruments tilted toward the rider.
    The lower fork legs were polished aluminum

Honda CB350 Super Sport Specifications

Engine:  325.6 cc (19.87 cu in) OHC air-cooled 180° parallel twin
Bore / stroke:  64 mm × 50.6 mm (2.52 in × 1.99 in)
Compression ratio:  9.5:1
Electrics: 12v, coil and breaker points ignition
Carburetion:  Two 32 mm Keihin
Top speed:  110 mph (170 km/h) (claimed); 98 mph (period test)
Power:  36 bhp (27 kW) @ 10,500 rpm
Torque:  2.55 kg·m (25.0 N·m; 18.4 lbf·ft) @ 9,500 rpm
Transmission:  5-speed
Suspension:  Front:  telescoping fork; Rear:  swingarm
Brakes:  Front:  drum (1968–1972) disc (1973), Rear:  drum
Tires:  3.00 in × 18 in (76 mm × 457 mm)
Wheelbase:  52 in (1,300 mm)
Dimensions:  L:  80.3 in (2,040 mm), W:  30.5 in (770 mm)
Weight:  328 lb (149 kg) (dry), 374.8 lb (170.0 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity:  2.64 US gal (10.0 l; 2.20 imp gal)
Oil capacity:  2 US qt (1,900 ml)
Cost then: $800