Honda sl350 details needed

[MAD-MUFFIN]

I am new to this site but from what I have seen already there is a wealth of knowlege to be had. I just got a Honda SL350 and have no idea what year it is. The book I have shows a vin plate on the frame behind the forks. It isn't there and doesn't look as though it ever was. Where else should I look for a vin? The number on the motor is - L350E-1003078 - my first thought was that maby it was made in 1978 but the last time it was registered, has a plate on it, was in 1976. Thanks for the help.

[Dadpole]

Is that a CL350 or SL35-? The SL has a pipe each side and the CL has them both on the left. There should be another letter before the L on the engine number and the frame number will be stamped onto the steering head behing the forks. It may be painted over. The engine number indicates that it is a 1970 - 71 model.
They are quite rare over here, as the XL models outsold them big time. I have never seen a CL350 and only 3 SL350s. One in 1974 and the other two in the last two years. They were a lot more common in the US and there are often a few bits on Ebay.
Have fun with the SL

[MAD-MUFFIN]

I tried to upload a couple pics of the bike. thanks for the help. You were right. I went back out and looked and it does say SL350E-1003078

[Paul in NZ]

Thats an SL 350 and while a few ended up here, they never sold in any numbers and are rare...

I'm not sure they had a vin plate on them at that time, just engine/ frame numbers.

They are a bloody nice bike though and I'm rather envious.

[Pwalo]

From memory the SL350 (and CL) was a CB350 with high exhausts, and perhaps slightly longer suspension, which shows how old the 'soft roader' type of bike really is.

This does mean that there should be lots of spares available for your bike. I'm pretty sure that the CB 350 is raced in the UK in the Classics classes so a bit of an interwebby searchy type thing should give you lots of info.

[Motu]

That's the 2nd model - the first ones had slide carbs,that one has CV carbs.Nice alright,and I always wanted one....but they are crap off road.I was watching The Omega Man the other night and Charlton Heston rides around on a blue one...I've never seen a bright blue one.It goes down stairs and jumps a car.A friend of mine has one with slide carbs - he ran it out of oil once and the cam bearings are stuffed....so there it sits with the mud from it's last ride still one it.

[Dadpole]

Nice alright,and I always wanted one.

Just to make your day... One sold in Featherston 2 years ago for $800. I was one hour too late as someone bought it over the phone. It was a nice little runner, all there and in fairly good nick. It went to someone in Wellytown I believe.

[MAD-MUFFIN]

I bought it for ..... your going to hate me..... $50 us. It doesn't run yet. I hope to have it running by summer. I have no idea when it ran last. I pulled the dipstick to check the oil level and it looks like it was just changed. The gas tank had about a qt. of gas/varnish in it and rust. I used my shopvac to suck it all out, what a smell. I will be taking the tank off and cleaning it out. Probly have to take the carbs appart also. will let you all know when I get it running.