Back By Popular Demand - The Three Amigos Ride Again!

[Mscb1100_imp]

Finally found a copy.
I think this is the color scheme of the one in the museum
The Flying Dragon
Don Stockett, the owner of this 1972 Honda CL350 K4, has spent considerable time tracking down the history of paint sets that pop up for sale under the name Flying Dragon. The sets consist of a gas tank and side covers to fit either a CL350 or a CL450 Honda twin, model years 1972 or 1973. The sets come in a box marked “Honda Japan,” with a graphic depiction of the tank, but in a standard scheme with horizontal striping. A part number (06171-456-810 for the CL350 version followed by a two-letter color code) is stamped on the box, which is lucky, because no one would believe that the Honda factory would come out with something like these paint sets without a part number to trace back.

So far, Don has been able to confirm that sets came in four colors: gold/purple, silver/purple, green/purple and blue/dark blue. Don only recently verified the blue/dark blue set after locating one in Florida. According to Bob Kelly, writing in the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine, the official publication of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, American dealers were notified of the availability of the paint sets in a parts bulletin. The sets were also supposedly mentioned in a Honda accessories catalog. Bob has been looking for the parts bulletin and the accessories catalog for some time, but has not located either item yet.

Don has also invested considerable time and effort trying to uncover the details of how the paint sets came to be produced. Despite having contacts with many retired American Honda employees, he has come up largely empty. The only sure things he has confirmed are that the parts numbers are genuine Honda Japan numbers, not American Honda numbers, and that the sets were probably the work of a special project team in the paint department. At the time, Honda had special project teams within each department. The projects these teams worked on were authorized, but the existence of the project would not be widely known outside the team’s department.

It is also unknown how Honda created the paint swirls, but period customizers created similar effects by spraying a base color on the part to be painted, then floating a second color on liquid and dipping the part into the mix. So far, the green and purple sets have been the more common sets to surface, and Don thinks the reason they’re most likely to appear for sale is that they were the least popular, and thus the most likely to be put back on the shelf, to be found in a back storeroom years later.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Very interesting Honda history tidbit.

[Offroad]

I have GOT to get down there one of these days

Me too! Lets do it sometime...since I'm retired!

If you don't want to ride it, I'll come get you and we'll drive it.

[Inhouse Bob]

Great group photo in front of the sign. This trip looks like an awesome time. Be safe and enjoy!

[misterprofessionality]

I have GOT to get down there one of these days

Me too! Lets do it sometime...since I'm retired!

If you don't want to ride it, I'll come get you and we'll drive it.

Me too! Lets do it sometime...since I'm retired!

If you don't want to ride it, I'll come get you and we'll drive it.
My wife and I are going to be there for the vintage festival in October, hopefully with our small bores. There's no better time to go! see the races, the swap meets, the events, test ride booths, and the museum all in one big 3 day event!

[suhawk305]

Hey guys, I have been following your trip and enjoying your reports and pictures! It is great that your got together with mscb1100! Touring Barber is something I hope to do some day. Be safe.

Unfortunately, I have only one issue with a picture that I am struggling with. I need to consult The ferret, “Director of the CB1100 Forum Rally Group Photo Shoot”.

Ferret: take a look at the photo below. I am sure you will immediately notice that the Black CB1100 Standard front wheel is NOT positioned all the way to the left! This lack of action maybe be in defiance of proper forum group photo sessions protocol that is well established. We all know that our forum members in the photo are experienced CB1100 Rally attendees, and should know better! I suggest we need to identify the Black CB rider and get though to him how serious this is!



(Got a retort for this KE? )

[the Ferret]

yea I see it. A lack of symmetry, a disturbance in photo karma. also all riders should be standing on the same side of their bikes.

A bunch of outlaws I tell ya.

[The A-man]

Hey guys, back home now at my place. Kiowa Eagle and Mtneers are staying the night then moving on. So... I logged 2000.5 miles in 7 days, which I think is a record for me. What's the first thing you do after returning from a trip like that??? Ok, a cold beer is the first thing, second thing is to clean your CB1100. See evidence below:



Here's my favorite pic of the trip. Grand daddy of our CB1100 at Barber. Plus, I had the exact model in college:



I think we need to stage a protest out front to get our CB1100 entered into the museum!! Who's with me???

[the Ferret]

First thing after a 2000 mile trip, I hug and kiss my wife, but whatever floats your boat lol

Good job guys, glad you had a safe trip and a grand time.

Safe travels tomorrow KE and mtneers.

[Houtman_imp]

Amos , I am glad that all of you made it home safely so far and you deserve a nice cold beer !