Author Topic: New to motorcycles, found a CB350F. Good first bike? (Read 8530 times)

drj434343 · « **Reply #50 on:** August 07, 2012, 03:39:08 PM »

Well, I got a call from the seller on the way to his house. Someone came with cash and payed full asking price. Gone.

camelman · « **Reply #51 on:** August 07, 2012, 03:46:59 PM »

Good luck. The 350f is a great ride especially when you get into the twisties!! Power is nothing special, but a ported head will get you what you need. I did an 800+ mike trip with my girl on the back and with hard saddlebags mounted. The bike was fine even on the interstate. It'll cruise a real 80 mph all day long. Granted, it is at 8000 rpm then, but that doesn't seem to bother it.

jackseattle · « **Reply #52 on:** August 07, 2012, 03:51:57 PM »

bummer, I know that feeling.... Another approach is to post a WTB ad on craigslist for the bike you are looking for. These vintage 4 cyl and 2 cyl motorbikes are hard to find in the PNW. You may have to look at some "problem bikes" and pay more because the seller is not always motivated to sell. It took me about 6 months to find a low mileage 400f with no mechanical issues but some cosmetic blemishes. good luck, these sohc4s from the early 70s are great fun.

drj434343 · « **Reply #53 on:** August 07, 2012, 03:56:16 PM »

I've seen enough bikes arrive and be sold on Craigslist now to have my own sense on price. I think the middle country folks have it good, here prices are simply higher and if I want a local one, I'm going to have to pay. I'll keep an eye out and post some others that look decent to see what you guys think. Thanks so far for all the help.

Stev-o · « **Reply #54 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:52:24 PM »

Don't worry, there will be others. Continue to look and check out bikes just to gain knowledge and Expearience.
Have you looked on eBay? There may be one near you.

Gordon · « **Reply #55 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:02:59 PM »

Just learn a lesson from the person who ended up buying the 350. Figure out what you want and have the cash ready to go for the moment you stumble upon it. I'm not saying you necessarily lost out on this one, because you're not even sure what you want yet, but when you do know, be ready to get there and put cash in hand the moment it becomes available, because if you aren't ready, somebody else will be. And don't sweat the ones that get away. There will be more... usually

DJ_AX · « **Reply #56 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:09:29 PM »

Yeah they'll come ... for a while here in Detroit they were all over the place .. cheap! ..
Haven't seen but a few in the last month & a half.

Oh yeah and the best deals come and go the quickest.
If you miss it .. just know you are on the right track

ADW · « **Reply #57 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:39:23 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on August 07, 2012, 05:02:59 PM

have the cash ready to go for the moment you stumble upon it.

^^^THIS. You gotta have a couple grand in the firesafe to be ready to hop on deals when you see them. Most real deals don't last more than a day so you've gotta have the money and the will to pounce when the opportunity arrives.

drj434343 · « **Reply #58 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:08:53 PM »

I'm a veteran buying good vintage stuff on the open market. I've been doing it with rare Volvo stuff for years. Cash in hand, and decision making aren't a problem. The key to success is knowing the market and knowing a good deal when you see it so you can move. I'm still learning the Honda market in this region. I'll get better and better.

To that end, a 550 just popped up. Original 4 to 4 exhaust. Ad copy below.

***********
I have owned for 2 years, no mechanical probs.. 24400 original miles and counting, orig. 4 into 4. Newer battery, newer tires ( 85+ percent), cafe bars, runs great! Front left fork seal needs replacement but i have 2 new fork seals and 2 new honda dust caps to go with ( 20 ea just for caps). I have a clymer book for it to help w the replacement which i ment to do... Seat was reshaped ( orig. Was stepped up high in the back) to sit lower and brand new seat cover! Daily driver hard to post but was thinkin of something newer, fuel injected.... Tank is damn near perfect, no dents. Maybe put new bars on to your liking if not into cafe.. i can provide half helmet, will entertain any offers.. Thanks for lookin

adair 5038887672
***********

Looks pretty decent, what do you all think? I'd have to replace the handlebars, I HATE the cafe bike stuff that EVERYONE seems to do around here.

Jason

Stev-o · « **Reply #59 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:18:47 PM »

Call him now! Set an appt to go see the bike in person asap
Have him start it and hear it run. Looks to be an original '78 K model.
Check it just like an old Volvo, look for leaks and anything rigged. Check the tires, ask questions about everything. Sit on it and see how it feels. Don't worry about the handle bars, easy to change for less than $40 bucks and you can sell the club mans.
Bring two grand and if you like it make an offer...

Good luck

derelicte · « **Reply #60 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:26:10 PM »

I hear these two are local, ask them to go along and they will haggle a deal. Pretty sure they're not interested unless its cafe

drj434343 · « **Reply #61 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:31:02 PM »

You pegged me, I LOVE Portlandia. Not sure which character I identify with more...

drj434343 · « **Reply #62 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:46:36 PM »

Talked to the guy. Rougher than it seemed (aren't they all).

Weeps some oil from the right side fins, not sure if its the head gasket or something else. He says minor, a drop occasionally he just wipes up, been driving it for 2 years like that.

Bad news, the 4 to 4 exhaust has some pin holes in the bottom, probably a couple very small holes.

He would go as low as $2200 which is what he says he bought it for.

Seems high to me given those two issues. I've heard new 4 to 4 exhaust is big bucks, even if you can find one. I'm not afraid of mechanical work (I rebuild Volvo engines), but $2200 as a start seems high.

Opinions?

DJ_AX · « **Reply #63 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:59:50 PM »

Seems steep to me... unless it looks really really good and just needs a tune up ...
or if it looks ok but is running tip top...

The costs of turning it into a reliable running ride might add up if you need to:
> Get new tubes and tires
> New chain and sprockets
> Cables
> Pipes (you already mentioned an issue there)
> Steering bearings
> Points & condensors
> Battery
> etc...
could add another $500 to $1000 pretty quick ...and that's if you do all the work.

Pictures are always very helpful in assessing some things but you must check out these and some other items to assess whether or not it's going to be worth it.

DJ_AX · « **Reply #64 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:01:20 PM »

and a little oil weep is not uncommon and not bad.
A whole lot of oil ... could be bad

Stev-o · « **Reply #65 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:17:32 PM »

A minor oil leak is common, not an issue. Could be gaket or pucks.
Pin holes in the exhaust very common too. If on bottom and out of sight can be repaired.
The bike is 30+ years old, if you want a "perfect" one expect to pay double his asking price.
Go check it out in person, you have nothing to lose. If it feels right, you'll know it.

drj434343 · « **Reply #66 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:50:45 PM »

Sounds like you guys aren't completely turned off by the asking price. I was under the impression getting another set of 4 to 4 pipes is in excess of $1000.

So the oil weep is common? If gasket, how difficult is it to pull the head and put a new one on? (I've done head gaskets on overhead cam car engines. What are the pucks?

I wasn't going to look, but maybe I will drive over and check it out.

Jason

johnny · « **Reply #67 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:07:48 PM »

Why don't you take a road trip and pick this baby up:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/mcy/3185393293.html
I'd have purchased it already if I had the room.

Stev-o · « **Reply #68 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:11:15 PM »

Look here...

http://www.westernhonda.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2036769&category=Motorcycles&make=HONDA&year=1978&fveh=123326

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #69 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:30:20 PM »

Quote from: drj434343 on August 07, 2012, 03:39:08 PM

Well, I got a call from the seller on the way to his house. Someone came with cash and payed full asking price. Gone.

Wow, I thought that was a bit much on the asking price. Perhaps I should move to OR and sell mine?

Tews19 · « **Reply #70 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:55:46 PM »

I sold my 78 550K a few months ago for 2200. had I think 8 or 9 thousand miles. I missed her for a while, had sellers remorse... But got over that and bought another 750 and a few bike parts

Sniper X · « **Reply #71 on:** August 08, 2012, 11:44:08 AM »

Too bad you are all the way up in Oregon, I'd sell you mine for 3K and you wouldn't have to put one cent into it.

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Author Topic: New to motorcycles, found a CB350F. Good first bike? (Read 8530 times)