Ignition Contact Points Kit | Honda CB350 / CB360
Points are a wear item. After forty years, the old Japanese-made NOS supply is gone, and every replacement set you can buy today is made in China with enough variance that they won't work correctly out of the box. This kit ships with a matched pair of points plus the shim washers, round file, and instructions needed to modify them so they'll actually set timing and hold it for 4,500–6,000 miles.
Why You Need This
Running an ignition system with worn points is a losing game. After a couple million open-and-close cycles, electrons start jumping across the gap and sculpt a crater on one contact and a peak on the other. The plastic rubbing block on the cam follower wears down. Gap accuracy disappears. Your bike misses, runs rough, fouls plugs, and gets harder to tune.
The problem today is that modern replacement points have manufacturing variances that the old Japanese-made factory points didn't. The cam follower rocks too much on its pivot. The mounting holes are slightly undersized. The contact surfaces come plated and need to be cleaned before first use. We've tested enough sets over the years to know which four things need to be addressed before any of these points go on a running bike. This kit includes what you need to fix all of them.
What's in the Kit
- Left-side contact point (SKU 3007)
- Right-side contact point (SKU 3006)
- Two M4 stainless steel shim washers (~0.030" thick) — one per point, to eliminate cam-follower play
- Round file — for enlarging the points' mounting holes by about 1 mm
- Written modification instructions
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Part Numbers (Left) | 30203-286-004, 30203-369-154 |
| Replaces OEM Part Numbers (Right) | 30204-286-004, 30202-369-154 |
| Fits Models | CB350 K0–K5 (1968–1973), CB350G (1973), CL350 K0–K5 (1968–1973), SL350 K0 (1969–1970), SL350 K1 (1971), SL350 K2 (1972–1973), CB360G (1974), CB360T (1975–1976), CL360 K0 (1974), CL360 K1 (1975), CJ360T (1976–1977) |
| Sold As | Matched kit — one left point + one right point + modification hardware |
| Points Gap (Honda factory spec) | 0.012–0.016 in. (0.3–0.4 mm) |
| Service Interval | Check timing every 1,500 mi / 2,400 km; expect 4,500–6,000 mi per points set |
Does NOT fit CB350F (four-cylinder). The CB350F uses a different ignition and a different points set. This kit is for the twin-cylinder CB350 family only. Also does not fit the CB450, CL450, CB500T, or the CB/CL175 / CB200 — those use different points sets with different OEMs.
Installation
Difficulty: Intermediate — the modifications take patience, the timing procedure takes a test light.
Tools needed: 14 mm six-point socket + 3/8" breaker bar (for the rotor bolt), 3 mm and 5 mm Allen keys, medium flathead screwdriver, 12V test light / continuity light (not a strobe timing light), 320-grit sandpaper, rubbing alcohol, white lithium or Moly grease.
Step 1 — Prep each point before installation (4 modifications per point):
- Shim the cam follower. Remove the e-clip, pull out the factory washer, drop in the CMC-supplied M4 shim washer, grease the pivot, reinstall. This kills the excess up-and-down play in the follower that causes timing inconsistency.
- Lubricate the cam follower pivot. White lithium or moly grease. Modern points ship dry.
- Clean the contact surfaces. Light pass with 320-grit sandpaper to remove the factory plating and any residue, then wipe with rubbing alcohol on a clean white paper.
- Enlarge the mounting holes. Use the round file to open each hole by about 1 mm so the points have enough range of motion to actually set the timing. The right-side points typically need this more than the left — check both.
Step 2 — Install and set timing. With both points modified, mount them on the breaker plate. Put a small smear of white lithium grease on the points cam so the follower doesn't wear dry. Confirm the centrifugal advance mechanism under the plate spins freely before buttoning up. Use a test light connected between the point terminal and a good ground to find the exact moment the points open — rotate the engine counterclockwise and watch for the light to flip as the "LF" mark (left fire) or "F" mark (right fire) aligns with the index on the stator. CMC sets timing this way because in real-world CB350/CB360 engines the gap is less important than the exact opening point; a test light shows you that opening point precisely, a strobe doesn't.
How-to guide: The Points Situation — Modifications Necessary for Honda CB350 / CB360 Ignition Points walks through the same four modifications in written form.
Our Ignition Points Modification Guide for Honda CB350 / CB360 / CL350 & CL360 Scrambler video covers the four modifications in detail. Pair it with our How To Set Ignition Timing on Honda CB350, CB360, CB450 and CB500T video (youtu.be/nDvghJiJGFc) for the test-light timing procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do these points need modifying? The old Japanese ones didn't.
Correct — the original NOS points had tight manufacturing tolerances that aren't being reproduced today. Modern replacement points are made in China with enough variance in the cam-follower pivot, the plating on the contact faces, and the mounting-hole positions that you need to shim, clean, lubricate, and file them before they'll seat and set timing consistently. This kit includes everything you need to do that; the written and video guides walk through it step by step.
What's the correct points gap?
Honda's factory spec is 0.012–0.016 in. (0.3–0.4 mm). That's a useful reference when you first set the points. In practice, though, CMC sets timing with a test light rather than a feeler gauge because the exact opening moment of the points (relative to the "LF" and "F" rotor marks) matters more than the numerical gap on these engines. See the timing video.
How do I know if my points need replacing vs. just a re-gap?
Pull the breaker cover and look at the contact faces. Honda's manual shows four conditions: normal, worn, partial wear, and fouled (CB360 shop manual p.104). If you see a pit on one face and a matching peak on the other, or if the plastic rubbing block is worn flat, it's time for a new set — that crater-and-peak pattern is what points wear looks like after 4,500–6,000 miles.
How often should I check the timing once this kit is installed?
Every 1,500 mi / 2,400 km, per Honda's service interval and our own workshop experience. At 4,500–6,000 mi you'll be replacing the points again.
Does this fit the CB250 or CL250?
Honda's factory shop manual for the CB360 also covers the CB250 / CL250 / CJ250T, and the ignition architecture is shared across the family. We do not officially list the CB250 on this product's fitment, but if your OEM part number matches 30203-286-004 / 30204-286-004 / 30203-369-154 / 30202-369-154, this kit should fit. Check your number before ordering.
Can I skip the points entirely and go electronic?
Yes — our Shockwave Electronic Ignition Kit (CB350 / CL350 / SL350) and the Shockwave Kit (CB360 / CL360 / CJ360) eliminate the points entirely and replace them with a Hall-effect sensor. No more gap, no more shimming, no more 1,500-mile timing adjustments. If you're planning to ride the bike regularly, it's a one-time upgrade.
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Last updated: April 2026
