Some bikes don't need to be remade, just to have someone change four well-chosen things. The Honda CB350 is one of them, and Mark Huang, from his Mark Motorcycles workshop in Taipei, has put together a complete kit to turn it into a street scrambler without touching the frame or cutting a single wire.
A calm, well-proportioned base
The CB350 (called the GB350 or the H'ness CB350 depending on the market) is a 348 cc single with around 21 hp and 30 Nm of torque. It isn't trying to break records: it bets on relaxed riding and on a classic look that already works stock. Mark starts from that idea. To him the bike is so well proportioned that only a few parts needed changing for it to reflect his style, which is why he keeps the original tank and side covers.
A kit, not a one-off bike
What sets this project apart is the approach. Instead of building a one-of-a-kind show piece, Mark has developed a set of parts for anyone who owns a CB350 and wants to give it a different air. Every part comes with brackets, wiring and connectors, so it installs without modifying the frame. It's the bolt-on philosophy: bolt it on, plug it in and ride.
What they did to it
- Fenders: new ones, in fiber-reinforced polymer, with an urban scrambler look. At the back there is a Lucas-style taillight.
- Wheels: spoked wheels with aluminum rims, 19 inches in front and 18 at the back, with Shinko dual-sport tires.
- Lighting and dash: a 5.5-inch Bates-style headlight with a Koso speedometer on top, and classic turn signals on bolt-on brackets.
- Handlebars: tall and swept back, with vintage-style switches, new grips and a single underslung mirror. It keeps the original Honda clamp.
- Seat: a custom design, available in leather or synthetic fabric.
- Exhaust: a slim reverse-cone muffler, joined to the stock header with a custom connecting pipe.
- Rear suspension: new shock absorbers.
- Paint: a 1970s-inspired livery by Jeffery, a friend of Mark's.
Spec sheet
| Base bike | Honda CB350 (348 cc single, around 21 hp and 30 Nm) |
|---|---|
| Builder | Mark Huang, Mark Motorcycles (Taipei, Taiwan) |
| Approach | Bolt-on kit, no frame modification |
| Fenders | Fiber-reinforced polymer, with a Lucas-style taillight |
| Wheels | Spokes, aluminum rim, 19" front and 18" rear, Shinko dual-sport tires |
| Headlight and gauge | 5.5" Bates headlight and Koso speedometer |
| Exhaust | Reverse-cone muffler with a connecting pipe to the stock header |
| Kept stock | Original tank, side covers and handlebar clamp |
What we like and what gives us pause
We like the honesty of the project: it respects what the bike already does well and changes only what makes the visual difference. We also like that it's a real kit, with parts someone else can buy and fit. And the wheel change, with a 19-inch front, instantly gives it the stance of a scrambler.
The doubts are practical. A custom seat and a single mirror are aesthetic decisions that, in some countries, don't pass without caveats, and dual-sport tires need a little care in the wet. Also, the kit doesn't promise more power: it's a bike to enjoy, not to race.
What about Spain? What would need homologating
That a kit is bolt-on doesn't mean everything is free at the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection). If you fitted something similar to a bike registered here, these are the parts to check before you start, always depending on the case and what appears on the registration sheet:
- Wheels and tires: changing the diameter or size from what's on the sheet may need a procedure.
- Handlebars: tall, swept-back bars with different controls and a single mirror affect posture and visibility.
- Headlight and turn signals and taillights: they must be approved and fitted where the regulations say.
- Exhaust: noise and emissions must stay within the legal limits.
- Suspension: new shock absorbers may need to be checked.
This is indicative information and does not replace the judgment of the ITV station. If something like this interests you, see how homologation of modifications works or tell us about your bike (both in Spanish). For another CB350 with a very different approach, there's the Cognito Moto cafe racer.
A second bike, with a different character
Mark has already built a second bike for a client, with a black and gray livery, lower handlebars and much more discreet tank graphics. It shows that the same kit can serve two very different personalities. The parts are sold in his online store.
Source and credits
Bike and kit by Mark Huang, Mark Motorcycles (Taipei). The story was originally published by Bike EXIF. This article is our own summary and commentary.
