The Moto Collective Honda CL350 Wins the K&N Performer Award at Minneapolis IMS

Dec 13, 2017

The Moto Collective CL350 K&N Performer Award Winner in Minneapolis side view

Classic lines and cafe racer modifications define this labor of love

No matter what you call them - community motorcycle shops, DIY facilities, or moto co-ops – they represent an exciting trend in the motorcycling community. The Moto Collective of Minneapolis, Minnesota, focused a bright spotlight on the movement with a big win at the Minneapolis stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS).

‘Sage,’ a classic cool 1972 Honda CL350 custom, built by Chris Rotondo and Breanne Allen of the Moto Collective, rolled away with the K&N Performer Award at the Minneapolis J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. K&N sponsors the category, and two other classes, at each stop of the IMS. As you will see, the CL350 custom has a special significance to the builders.

The Moto Collective CL350 K&N Performer Award Winner in Minneapolis rear view

The custom headers and silencers complete the Honda build

“It completely embodies my love for the outdoors and the adventures it will take me on,” said Allen of the CL350. “After restoration, I was proposed to by my partner of five years.”

That partner of five years happens to be Chris Rotondo, the other creative force behind Sage. Yes, the two are partners in moto craftsmanship and in life.

The CL350 clearly retains its classic Honda looks. However, many of the parts are custom made. The familiar early-70s tank wears a great two-tone paint job and custom Honda badges. That tank is followed by a custom seat that has an earth tones motif. There is even a short, wooden rear fender to keep the organic theme flowing.

The Moto Collective CL350 K&N Performer Award Winner in Minneapolis seat view

Earth tones and a Southwestern look were integrated into the custom seat

The 350cc parallel twin engine breathes through a pair of carbs wearing screened velocity stacks. We know that when Allen starts her adventures, those stacks will be replaced with high flow K&N pods. The frame triangle behind the intake is uncluttered and open.

One of the most intriguing parts of the build is the custom exhaust. The twin headers are heat-wrapped for an old-school performance look. The silencing duties are handled by ultra-cool copper-hued twin canisters.

Sage rolls on adventure bike rubber spooned onto black anodized, spoked rims. The forks and rear springs are conventional and period-correct.

The shift linkage that leads to the extreme rear-set pegs are pure café racer. Up front, the café style is completed with low clip-on bars and minimalist lighting and instrumentation.

K&N congratulates Chris Rotondo and Breanne Allen on a fantastic build and their approaching marriage.

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