1972 HONDA CL350

In the spring of 2019 I was on the lookout for another project bike. After a few weeks of following eBay ads I was the proud owner of Honda CB550. I told my dad, he didn't approve. "Why do you want to chop up another bike, can't you just ride one and enjoy it?!".
"Well actually dad there was a CL350 that I thought about having a bid on but didn't bother." "Why not, they're lovely bikes!!"
And that was that, a week later I was the proud owner of a CB550 AND a CL350. Dad loved it, and it was even allowed in his garage, whilst the 550 was banished to a storage unit.
She was another American import, and on close inspection was in need of some love. It was clear that the chain had jumped off the sprocket at some point, and wiped out some spokes on the way. So the rear wheel was re-laced, new sprockets added, and I re-did the zinc plating on all the sprocket carriers etc.
The first test ride was a huge disappointment, as it quickly dawned on us that someone had done some head work on her in the past, badly. After a short 5 mile trip she was pissing oil all over the floor. So, we pulled the engine and I took it with me to Belgium, where I was working at the time. The head was a little damaged from the previous work, but it was the copper head gasket that hadn't been annealed that was causing the issues. I took the time to strip off the paint that the previous owner had applied, badly, and re-painted the engine, fitted all new gaskets and seals, and polished up some covers.
A warning to always be wary of what you buy on eBay, but also, CL350's are absolutely badass, so definitely buy one!