[Getting carbs off the head]

I had to use a pry bar on mine too. 18" flat tire irons to be specific

I was careful to place it under a thick part of the casting and applied steadily increasing pressure.

You might also heat up the insulators with a heat gun or a hair dryer.

I used allen head bolts on the float bowls on re-install so I could R&R the bowls without removing the carbs.

I know this is an old thread but I've found that warming the engine up to operating temp the carbs come off real easy. Just loosen the clamps to the point you would to remove them and start the bike. When you go to reinstall them put a little grease on the carb boots

[Help, 1973 CL-350 twin]

I replaced the plug. I will try the wire swap when I get time. Taking the tank off is a pain because Honda made the fuel tank in two halfs and put the connector fuel hose under the frame.

Try and just snip about a 1/4 of an inch off the end of the coil wire where it enters the plug cap and replace the plug cap. If I remember rightly the coil wire isn't changeable of the old 350 twin. I think Aerostitch sells quick disconnects for fuel lines that seal when disconnected.

[How long should a chain and sprockets last]

I got 45K miles out of the original chain and sprockets. I do mostly freeway riding with about 30 miles of twistys each day out of a 186 Mile commute. The stock front sprocket is amazing. It had less ware in 45K miles than the stock front sprocket off of my Yammy FZ-1 with only 25K miles.