Topic: 1973 CB350F

[PeteyWash]

Hello to all.  My name is Peter Washam, and I am currently residing in Miami, Florida.  I recently purchased a 1973 Honda CB350 Four, which has 25k miles on it and runs pretty exceptionally.  However, I do have a few concerns that you guys may be able to help me with.  The bike will start pretty much first try every try once I have warmed it up and have ridden it for a bit, but the first time I start it each day I seem to have to resort to giving it a jump with my car.  I try to toggle with the choke as well as start with the choke all the way in, but it is to no avail.  Secondly, the tops of my pipes have a purple tint to them which I understand to mean that there is some gas making its way down to them.  All replies are appreciated, and I will attach some photos of the soon.

[toytuff]

Welcome!

I have a 1972 myself. The bluing is normal. The dead battery is either a short or a bad battery. Do yourself a favor and order a sealed battery.

tt

[Stev-o]

First off welcome!

+1 - get a new battery. A good battery should spin that motor effortlessly.

What is your cold starting procedure? These bikes are not like a modern car, they like to be started a certain way.

And when was it last given a "3000 mile" tuneup? If you don't know, it may be time.

Have fun!

And when d

[PeteyWash]

First off I want to thank you guys for your help.  Today I was able to start the bike cold with out needing a jump, but it did take a couple goes.  That being said, I found that closing the choke to about a quarter or so was the best method to start the bike, and then give it a little throttle before opening it all the way.  Now moving on to the 3,000 mile tuneup.  The story goes like this, I purchased this bike off of craigslist from a guy who claimed to have purchased said motorcycle from a mechanic who had "re-built the front end."  The guy that I purchased the bike from claimed to have put around 1k miles on it in the year that he owned it.  I do believe that you guys are right and a battery and tune up are in store for this motorcycle in the near future.

[PeteyWash]

Also, should I be taching 5k rpms in fifth gear going around 45mph?

[toytuff]

When I trained for my pilots license the saying was:

 "In GOD we trust, everything else we check."

tt

[PeteyWash]

Ok guys, I got a new question.  When I slow down and come to a stop it sounds like air is being pumped out with breaks in between around 1 or 2 seconds.  Almost like exhaling .  My bike was worked on yesterday and turned on its side for a moment, which caused the gas to overflow a little bit.  What do I do?

[PeteyWash]

picture

[Charlie1717]

So people don't have to open up word to see your pic :p Here it is as a picture attachment.

[PeteyWash]

Thanks a lot man.  I'm still figuring out the ins and outs of this forum....... Anyways, the plan is to begin work on this bike in about a month, starting with some fresh clubman handlebars.  After that, we'll see what I can do with the money that I have coming in.  I've heard changing handlebars can be a pain.  Any suggestions?

[PeteyWash]

Been making a couple changes...... btw, running wires through clubman's suck

[bking]

When you get the bars you will have to cut the hole in the bottom of the bars where your wire harness will go through, that is under the switch assembly on both ends. There is also a hole in the center of the bars where the wire comes out. Just use the old bars as a blue print. Then I first fished through a 23 thousands mig wire.  Then I wrapped and taped a 14 gauge wire to the mig wire and pulled it through the bars. Then I wrapped and taped the 14 gauge wire to the end of the wire harness. I used dish soap as a lube. I pulled on the 14 gauge wire as my son helped to feed the factory harness into the bars. It is not a fun job at all but looks great when it is done.
Good luck

[PeteyWash]

Thanks a lot man, but I actually already did it.  The new picture is my motorcycle with the new bars... but thanks anyways