Fitted neatly together in a roll-up portable pouch, CruzTOOLS’ RoadTech M3 Metric Tool Kit packs many tools that Japanese motorcycles, old and new, may require on the road. And it’s more complete than a typical stock tool kit, with combination wrenches from 8mm to 14mm, a proper adjustable wrench and vice grips, a spark-plug gap gauge, a pencil-type tire pressure gauge, threadlocker, a 1/4-inch drive ratchet and 8mm, 10mm and 12mm sockets, a 6-in-1 screwdriver, Allen wrenches and more. It’s not a complete kit for Hondas, lacking as it does 14mm and larger sockets and a beefier 3/8-inch drive ratchet, but with careful use this kit could get through most of the CL350 disassembly (see the whole story, Resurrection Road).
Particularly handy was another CruzTOOLS piece, their Sliding T-Driver & Socket Set. Containing a long, nicely finished 3/8-inch drive T-handle, plus a mini-rack of 8mm to 17mm sockets, 5mm and 6mm hex bits and a #2 Phillips bit (perfect for the CL350’s case screws), it nicely supplemented the RoadTech M3 kit. Our only gripes are that the rack holding the sockets and bits seemed flimsy. Making up for this, though, the sliding T-handle made adding leverage easy.
Among CruzTOOLS, one of our most-often used was the PackWrench 3-Way Socket Wrench, which features 8mm, 10mm and 12mm sockets integrated into different arms of a single wrench. For vintage bike use, we’d rather the tool be a 4-way item that included 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, but it’s still quite handy.
Finally, CruzTOOLS’ TirePro Dial Tire Gauge got initially used to bring the CL350 tires up to spec for easily moving the bike around the shop, and then before road testing. But it’s so quickly identifiable and easy to use, that it became nearly a daily-use tool in the shop.
More info: Cruz Tools
For cleanup, repair, and detailing needs we went with Pro Honda products all the way. Our first step was hooking up the OptiMate 3 Automatic 5 Stage Battery Charger to maintain the scrambler’s battery during the down weeks of repair. It’s true, Pro Honda gets the chargers from OptiMate, but what we liked about this one is that it’s said to detect and defer damaging sulfates (i.e., it helps save dead batteries) and also has numerous diodes that show whether the unit is desuphating, charging, testing or maintaining … or there’s trouble. In short, it provides a complete snapshot of battery condition at all times.
Our most frequently used chemicals and sprays included Hondalube/Rust Penetrant, which crept into various fastener threads and interference fit areas, helping the ancient parts come apart easily. Then Contact/Brake Cleaner, whose high-pressure delivery and high cleaning ability swept dirty internal and external engine and electrical parts clean almost instantly. Later, when we found ourselves battling a recalcitrant carburetor float, Pro Honda’s Carburetor Cleaner confirmed that jets and air passageways were clean, and the float bowls sanitary.
Inside the engine, Pro Honda Anti-Seize helped fasteners go in smoother and easier — and guaranteed they’ll come out easier the next time this engine needs attention. While a drop of Hondalock 2HT ensured that the crucial 6mm camshaft-to-camshaft-sprocket bolts would stay put under severe use. And Pro Honda’s Silicone Spray helped rubber parts, such as the intake manifolds, air-cleaner spigots and gas-tank mounts, mate better with their associated componentry. As mentioned in the CL350 rescue story, after multiple flushes of the old bottom end, we ultimately performed three oil changes with Pro Honda GN4 oil — a formulation designed for 1970s bikes. It was thus just right for this older machine with its flat tappets and wet clutch — parts that modern car oils aren’t designed to protect.
More info: Pro Honda Oil
