Author Topic: New to motorcycles, found a CB350F. Good first bike? (Read 8691 times)

drj434343 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 06, 2012, 09:15:20 PM »

Slim pickings on the fours in general here, but I hear your point about the size. All I can do is sit on the 350 and try to figure out how cramped it is.

I've seen no 750's in all the time I've been looking, and only one 550. Looks to be in incredible condition, but the seller wants $3500 and doesn't sound like he will negotiate very heavily on price. That should give you an idea of the kind of prices I'm seeing here.

Stev-o · « **Reply #26 on:** August 06, 2012, 09:25:39 PM »

Have you seen this one? Looks pretty clean...

http://medford.craigslist.org/mcy/3171339077.html

Call him. Start shopping/learning about what you really want.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #27 on:** August 06, 2012, 09:25:50 PM »

Keep looking for a 550 or 750 at your size, you may have to be willing to do some traveling to find a decent priced bike.

johnny · « **Reply #28 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:08:58 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on August 06, 2012, 03:50:14 PM

IMO, price is high.

Man, you guys are cheap bastards. ;-)
Again, look at the photos - this is a running, titled CB350 (not a more common 550 or 750) in (apparently) good, original cosmetic condition and well maintained.
I know, we've all bought bikes for peanuts (I just picked up a CB550 a couple of weeks ago for $500) but I think we can all agree there is no such thing as a "free" or "cheap" bike once you dive in attempting to sort out all of the issues.
This one appears to be in good "nick" as my friends across the pond would say. Don't let this one get away. It it were closer, I would have already bought it from underneath you - because I'm kind of a jerk.

drj434343 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:23:03 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 06, 2012, 09:25:39 PM

Have you seen this one? Looks pretty clean...

http://medford.craigslist.org/mcy/3171339077.html

Call him. Start shopping/learning about what you really want.

Ashland is a 5 hour drive. I've never even sat on a Honda motorcycle before. Seems like an awful lot of time for a newbie to snatch one up long distance, I'm not even sure I'd be comfortable driving it back on the freeway.

I'm going to check the 350 tomorrow and hopefully learn a lot, even if I walk away.

Stev-o · « **Reply #30 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:34:19 PM »

Who said "drive" it back?! (FYI - you will learn to RIDE a motorcycle).
You don't know anyone with a truck?

Bottom line, if you can't find one in your city, you have to reach out. I have three Hondas in my garage, none of them were purchased in the state I live in.

scottly · « **Reply #31 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:41:20 PM »

Member Coke put some big miles on his 350 during this years relay, and Heffey put a few miles on his, too.

750K · « **Reply #32 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:59:33 PM »

That 550 looks sweet, if I was looking for a turn key bike I'd have no problem dropping 2000-2500. That is if I knew I didn't have to do anything to it but ride and do reg service.

PeWe · « **Reply #33 on:** August 07, 2012, 12:48:53 AM »

When I bought my bike (CB750) over 33 years ago I was looking for a 500cc or similar when it should be my first bike with license. (I had a Zündapp KS125 that I drove around for a while without license).

At the bike dealer I found my then blue 2,5 years old CB750 with17.000 km's, I fell in love and decided to go for it. It was not too big for me despite skinny body of 178cm and 63kg!! I was happy that I did not buy an underpowered 500cc.
(And very happy I did not buy a Kawasaki Mach 4 (750cc) 1974 I had looked at too. Dangerous to drive when it could work very bad and suddenly woke up with full 2-stroke power and off the road as I heard the guy that finally bought it did.)

I did not have any bike license then. I trained on my CB750 with a friend that had license driving car behind, later behind me on the seat screaming when needed. I month later I got the license.

I was very close to trade it in for a brand new Suzuki GS1000G black with blue stripes (no drive chain issues) 1981, but changed my mind in the last minute. 2 years later close to trade it in for a new Kawasaki 1000J but did not. So, now I still have my CB750....repaired, restored and modified it for thousands of dollars, again!

So, if you want an old bike that you can restore and have fun with, CB750 is the choice when you can find plenty of parts for it.
If you need just a bike and don't want to spend too much money, buy a much newer bike max 10-15 years old with low milage which is much better in all aspects than these old CB Fours. You get a good modern bike for what it can cost to restore, modify an old CB Four. $2000-4000US.
I restore mine because I like my bike and the history I have with it.

DJ_AX · « **Reply #34 on:** August 07, 2012, 01:36:53 AM »

... it's the "Bike of the Century"!

for very good reasons

johnny · « **Reply #35 on:** August 07, 2012, 02:40:49 AM »

So $1700 for a mostly stock survivor 350F is on the "high" side for some of you yet you are recommending the original poster drive 5 hours to buy a questionably modified $2500 CB550 from a vaguely worded Craigslist ad?! Apparently, that's not the only thing on the "high" side.

Sitarz84 · « **Reply #36 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:47:00 AM »

I just bought my first bike 3 weeks ago. Its a 1977 750. I'm 6'1ish and I'm about 175.
I feel great riding it and I'm not awkwardly big on it.

Tews19 · « **Reply #37 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:27:10 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 06, 2012, 10:34:19 PM

Who said "drive" it back?! (FYI - you will learn to RIDE a motorcycle).
You don't know anyone with a truck?

Bottom line, if you can't find one in your city, you have to reach out. I have three Hondas in my garage, none of them were purchased in the state I live in.

+1, Drove over 300 miles each way for two trips this summer for a great deal. Iowa and Minnesota... Well worth it. It's part of the nostalgia with Honda's. They take you on the most unexpected trips in life. My first time to Iowa with my old man. Even though he is not the best company we had an interesting trip to say the least.

Teatimetim · « **Reply #38 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:21:45 AM »

I would agree with those who say that at 6' to big for a 350f. I could easily ride that bike and one of my personal goals is to have every SOHC model from its first year of production. But it will be cramped, and way under powered if your over 200lbs. 550 minimum, even though it seems big, its not really, 750 is probably a good fit.

ADW · « **Reply #39 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:16:57 AM »

I'm afraid I disagree with most of you on this. I own a 72 CB350F, and am 5'10" and weigh 225 pounds. The 350F is no speed demon, and the people are right who said it's not a good freeway bike, but the FUN I have on that little 350F is absolutely worth it! Telling him he's too big and there's not enough power and you've gotta get something bigger like a 750 and .....not true.

If you enjoy a bike for what it IS instead of criticizing it for what it ISN'T, you'll have a helluva good time! I've got bigger bikes and smaller bikes in my stable...the 350F has it's place. And as other people noted it's also a bit of a rare bird, you don't see them very often. To the OP, go ahead and get it! You'll graduate on to other bikes, but you'll still love the 350F for what it does and how it does it!

Really? · « **Reply #40 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:32:25 AM »

Heck, I feel awkwardly big on the 750!!!! I fit my venture though.

johnny · « **Reply #41 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:36:09 AM »

Some of you are more trusting of strangers (and their mechanical competency) than I would be. There's no way I would buy a used vintage bike and ride it home for hundreds of miles - blissfully assuming the previous owner knew what the hell they were doing and didn't, for instance, conceal a broken exhaust bracket with a washer - only discovered when it came loose causing the right side pipes to nearly fall off the bike. Ask me how I know.

Stev-o · « **Reply #42 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:54:59 AM »

Again, who said ride it hundreds of moles home? And who said buy a "questionably modified 550""??

My intent showing that ad was to show the OP that there bikes out there.

Really? · « **Reply #43 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:00:44 AM »

I paid $100 for my '76 but it will prolly cost me 5K to finish it.

johnny · « **Reply #44 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:05:14 AM »

Don't take it personally - it wasn't my intention to single anyone out.
That Craigslist ad is terrible for someone asking a premium for a CB550. Two pictures (both of the right side of the bike?!). One sentence description. I'd probably pass on it simply because of the lazy seller. My point was: you can't compare a stock CB350F to a modified CB550 regarding price. They are two different animals.

Sniper X · « **Reply #45 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:24:03 AM »

on the bigger bike thing. Get the 350. I have had probably 200 motorcycles since 1972 to include some very fast ones. Like my Yamaha FZR750RR, a Honda RC30, Fireblade, ZRX1200R turbo, Turbo Busa....I did 208 on the Busa many many times, and wheelied it at over 150 many many times, and can tell you I weigh 195 and am not as tall but have so much fun on it it is impossible to describe. It ISN'T all about speed or power. It is about fun and practicality. Now granted, a 350 f might not be TOTALLY practical for every day riding if ANY of it includes a freeway where the cars go 75~85 or even more, but it will be an absolutely WONDERFUL little bike to tool round town and go for rides that include back roads, or hyways that have a limit of 55~65. I can also say, when I stop somewhere on the 350F it always gets great comments unlike my hot rod bikes did ever. So don't get it if you don't like a lot of attention! Oh, and that looks like some aftermarket header, not an original 400F pipe set.

Sniper X · « **Reply #46 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:27:22 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 06, 2012, 10:34:19 PM

Who said "drive" it back?! (FYI - you will learn to RIDE a motorcycle).
You don't know anyone with a truck?

Bottom line, if you can't find one in your city, you have to reach out. I have three Hondas in my garage, none of them were purchased in the state I live in.

He might be European, and we (and we Blokes from the UK too) use the term Drive for MOTORBIKES...!

DJ_AX · « **Reply #47 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:06:16 AM »

One of the OPs primary stated concerns was parts availability right?
The 750 wins that race by a mile!

drj434343 · « **Reply #48 on:** August 07, 2012, 01:22:58 PM »

First off, you guys are awesome. I love the passionate responses.

Second, I'm going to take all these opinions to heart and just go check the bike out for myself this afternoon. I have to get some hands on somehow, and this seller seems receptive. If the bike captures me, I might buy it and just jump in headfirst. I'll evaluate the size as best I can and go from there. If it really does end up being too small CC wise, we'll then I'll probably move up like the rest of you have. Worst case is I resell it, and if I do, it will leave my hands in much better condition that I got it.

I'll report back after the meeting.

johnny · « **Reply #49 on:** August 07, 2012, 01:28:52 PM »

Good luck!

News:

Author Topic: New to motorcycles, found a CB350F. Good first bike? (Read 8691 times)