As most of you are well aware, the CL series was Honda’s line of CB-based “street scramblers,” which often featured larger diameter front wheels, higher fenders, high-mount exhausts, and dual-purpose tires.
While the larger displacement CL350-450 twins are best known among enthusiasts, our friend James Fawcett of Missouri’s Slipstream Creations informs us that Honda produced a CL200 in 1974 — quite a rare machine!
Based on the CB200, the bike featured a 198cc chain-driven SOHC parallel twin engine with dual carbs and five-speed gearbox. While it was no motocrosser, the CL200 scored high in the fun department:
“Now…as far as off-roading goes. The suspension is not set up for rough terrain but, it is plenty to have fun through smooth single track or work roads. It is really small and light (under 300 lbs) and loves to go sideways just like a REAL dirtbike. The CL doesn’t do anything really well, but it’s fun doing anything with it!” —600RR.net
After inheriting this CL200 in the wake of his father’s passing, the owner turned to Slipstream Creations for a custom rebuild:
“We quickly aligned our vision to preserve the nostalgia of this bike, with some updates and custom touches to refine an otherwise fantastic little machine.”
Below, James gives us the full story on this 200cc scrambler.
Honda CL200: In the Builder’s Words…
Honda’s CB200 was produced from 1973 to 1976 and features a highly recognizable angular tank with a black vinyl tank pad down the center. This lesser-known scrambler version, the CL200, was only offered for one year in 1974. This marked the end of Honda’s small displacement scrambler lineup.
Having inherited a CL200 after his father’s passing, this scrambler’s owner turned to Slipstream Creations for a full custom build. We quickly aligned our vision to preserve the nostalgia of this bike, with some updates and custom touches to refine an otherwise fantastic little machine.
We updated the foundation first, by cutting away the stamped steel subframe and replacing it with a custom tubular subframe, upper shock mounts, and seat hoop. That, in addition to relocating the tank mounts, created just the right lines for this build.
This CL’s fork was swapped for a CB360T unit equipped with front disc brake, and the original rear shocks were replaced with a beefier aftermarket set. The new disc 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 stainless-steel spokes from Buchanan’s and topped with oversized Kenda dual sport tires.
Honda’s CL lineup came from the factory with high scrambler exhaust pipes, but knowing the owner’s kids would occasionally join him for rides, we opted to fit the standard CB low pipes to keep hot exhaust pipes as far from the legs as possible. The headers were finished in a Cerakote satin black, and fitted with stainless steel cone mufflers.
A new wire harness was assembled and paired with a single unit regulator/rectifier and a compact lithium battery that fits snugly in the custom fabricated battery box. Sleek bar-end turn signals were fitted to the low-rise handlebars, along with reproduction switchgear and a small analog speedometer to match. A small headlight bucket with LED bulb is mounted to the lower triple tree. The taillight and rear turn signals are integrated into the custom seat hoop.
We explored a variety of designs and color combinations for the tank and the seat upholstery. We landed on a gorgeous metallic blue and white tank and a brown diamond-stitched seat that do a good job of balancing the classic retro feel of the ‘70s Honda, while adding a bit of refinement and elegance.
All of the work to complete this Honda CL200 scrambler was performed in-house — custom metal fabrication, paint and graphics, powder coat, electronics, and upholstery. This restomod turned out to be a clean and tidy build. We’re ecstatic about how it turned out. And did we mention — it’s a blast to ride!
- Original tank restored and painted with custom Honda graphics
- Custom subframe with integrated LED taillight and turn signals in seat hoop
- Custom seat pan and seat upholstery
- Custom fabricated battery tray mounted under seat
- Full CB360T front fork and disk brake
- Cerakoted CB200 low pipes with stainless steel cone mufflers
- Custom fabricated headlight mount
- Bar-end LED turn signals
- Custom front and rear fenders
- Aluminum oversized rims laced to original powder coated hubs
- Oversized dual sport tires
Follow the Builder
- Website: slipstreamcreations.com
- Facebook: @slipstreamcreations
- Instagram: @slipstreamcreations
More Slipstream Creations
Backroads Scrambler: Honda CB360 - 1975 CB360 from Slipstream Creations… Introduced in 1974 to succeed the highly successful CB350 twin (actually 325cc), the Honda CB360 boasted a number of upgrades over its predecessor: more displacement (356cc), along with a […]
Retro Roadster: Honda CB360 Custom - Slipstream Creations turns out a CB360 retro roadster… While the Honda Fours of the 1970s enjoyed the lion’s share of media attention, the CB/CL350 twins sold like hotcakes, topping 250,000 sales between 1968 and 1973. […]
Slipstream Creations: 1974 Honda CL200 Scrambler - As most of you are well aware, the CL series was Honda’s line of CB-based “street scramblers,” which often featured larger diameter front wheels, higher fenders, high-mount exhausts, and dual-purpose tires. While the larger displacement […]
Slipstream Creation: Honda CL350 Scrambler - “All of the little, BIG details…” The Honda CL350 was the scrambler version of the beloved CB350 twin, featuring several off-road-inspired elements such as high pipes and larger 19-inch front wheel. While it was more […]
Slipstream Creation: 1974 Honda CL360 Scrambler - Slipstream Creations builds a leaner, more refined CL… From 1974-76, the Honda CL360 was available as the street scrambler version of the CB360. While these lightweight twins shared the same 34-hp / 356cc engine and […]
City Scrambler: Honda CB125 by Slipstream Creations - Slipstream Creations builds a sweet CB for a SoCal native… Available from 1973-1985 in the US, the Honda CB125 featured a 122-124cc single-cylinder SOHC engine that put out 12 horsepower at 9000 rpm. Weighing in […]
All The Little, Big Details: Honda CL350 Scrambler - Slipstream Creations builds a more versatile, capable Honda Scrambler… Introduced in 1969, the Honda CL350 was the factory scrambler version of the CB350 twin, one of Honda’s most successful machines. The 324cc, 33-horsepower parallel-twin engine […]
Honda 125 Scrambler by Slipstream Creations - Anyone who works on bikes for any length of time quickly accumulates a surplus of parts in their garage, shed, or shop. James Fawcett of Slipstream Creations is no exception. When his 13 year-old son, […]
Honda CB360T Scrambler by Slipstream Creations - The Honda CB360, built from 1974-1976, succeeded the well-known CB350 twin, offering a 34-hp parallel twin, 6-speed transmission, and one of the handsomest tanks Honda ever produced. James Fawcett of Slipstream Creations is no stranger […]
Honda CB200T Café-Brat by Slipstream Creations - ”A solid, reliable bike, good for transportation of the impecunious.” This is how the Honda CB200T has been described. The bike was the largest of the Honda CB Twin series that included the CB125, […]
Honda CB360 Tracker by Slipstream Creations - The Honda CB360, built from 1974-1976, was the successor of the venerated CB350. The parallel twin machine offered 34 horsepower at a dry weight of just over 350 pounds, and served as an alternative to […]
Just perfection as always! Fantastic bike Slipstream!! ????????
Yes indeed! Slipstream is so good at taking an old Honda & giving it a new life. And it will be a long life, because these are all beautifully crafted. So good to see smaller bore bikes being used. It is more fun to go fast on a slow bike, than be forced to go slow on a fast bike.
Great bikes! Don’t agree with scrambler classification, these are street trackers. Why? Scrambler has, small headlight, larger rear tire than front tire, upswept exhaust, rubber fork boots, small front disc or drum brake-if retro, fenders, and single or shorter seat
I have a 1974 Honda CL 200 and trying to get it back on the road. My question is about the carbs and did Honda use the same carb setup for more than 1974? My bike is missing the carbs and needs to track them down. Do you have any suggestions about where to find some? I need the carbs and cables. Thanks for any help you provide