1974 Honda CL360 Scrambler Restomod

A fresh look at an iconic Honda scrambler.

Small displacement Honda twins have become something of a specialty here at Slipstream Creations — and we love building them! With several successful CB360 and CL350 builds under our belts, we were excited to get our hands on a Honda CL360 scrambler. 

We took advantage of the notably shorter tank Honda used on the CL360, and paired it with a long, slightly upswept saddle and subframe to create a more prominent and cohesive foundation line. The original tank was sealed and outfitted with graphics that combine elements from both the stock CL360 and the very popular CB360. The vibe will feel familiar to any fan of older Honda twins, while still offering a new, custom take on the iconic tank. 

A two-tone engine sets this 1974 CL360 apart from previous Slipstream builds. Black epoxy finish on the cylinders is paired with bright silver engine case and various covers. The engine was sealed up with fresh gaskets and a set of stainless steel, socket cap hardware. 

This CL’s fork was swapped for a CB360 unit equipped with front disk brake, and the original rear shocks were replaced with a beefier aftermarket set. The new disk brake was matched with a woven stainless steel brake line, new master cylinder, and rebuilt caliper. New black aluminum rims and freshly powder coated hubs were laced with new spokes and topped with oversized IRC Trail Winner dual sport tires.

The bike’s original CL360 high pipes were Cerakoted black, wrapped and finished with new shorty chrome mufflers. The original rust-pitted heat shield was reworked and powder coated with a durable multistage chrome-like finish that could fool most.  

A new wire harness was built in-house and paired with a single unit regulator/rectifier and a compact lithium ion battery that fits snugly in the custom fabricated battery box. The bike was fitted with new Dynatek ignition coils and electronic ignition from Charlie’s Place. Low profile, LED bullet style signals and brake light top off the electronics to create a style reminiscent of stock Hondas without all the bulk. 

Low rise handlebars house new, original style controls and a small analog speedometer/tachometer set to match. A custom fabricated headlight mount ties directly into the upper and lower triple tree, holding the bucket snuggly under a handmade gauge mount and cable shield.

This 1974 CL360 Scrambler style restomod incorporates a number of design elements that nod to the Honda’s original glory as well as some firsts for Slipstream. When working on this build we tried to enhance the bike’s classic look instead of just replacing it — a sentiment we carry through many of our projects. We aimed to sculpt the original Honda design down to a leaner, more refined version of itself, and we think we hit the nail on the head with this one. 

All of the work to complete this bike was performed in-house — custom metal fabrication, paint and graphics, powder coat, electronics, and upholstery. We’re really happy with how this bike turned out and we’re excited to see it on the road!

  • Original tank and badges restored and painted with custom Honda graphics
  • Custom subframe
  • Custom painted two-tone engine with powder coated covers
  • Custom fabricated battery tray mounted under seat
  • Custom seat pan and seat upholstery
  • Full CB360 front fork and disk brake
  • Cerakoted original scrambler exhaust headers with chrome mufflers
  • Custom fabricated headlight mount
  • Custom front and rear fenders
  • Aluminum oversized rims laced to original powder coated hubs
  • Oversized dual sport tires
  • All of the little, big details

Creativity & Craftsmanship

We pride ourselves on creativity & craftsmanship — finding unique ways to re-purpose parts and hardware, striking just the right balance between a variety of materials. By letting function drive form, we’re able to achieve an industrial style that looks like it works hard, and hard work is a beautiful thing.