Topic: First Post: Should I Buy?

[jason405]

Hey guy, long time reader of this forum.  Been wanting to build a brat tracker style bike for a long time and having never done it before, I have just spent a lot of time reading over some great builds people have done on this forum.

So I'm at the point where I am looking for a bike to buy to start the build with.  I have a friend with a CB350F in good shape, but completely torn down.  He is wanting $500 for it. 

Then there is this bike:
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/4139958896.html

It's a CB360E.  No title or key and it was running over a year ago the guy said.  He wants $350 for it. 

I would love to start with an assembled bike and tear it down myself, which is what makes the second one a good option, plus its cheaper.  But I have been reading on the 350 vs the 360 and it seems like the 360 had problems and potentially harder to get parts for etc.

So I would love to hear your thoughts on the two options.  Any help would be much appreciated. 

Thanks!
Jason


Update: Just heard through the grapevine that I should be able to get the CB360 for $180!!!  Should I just go for it? This will be my first bike, so I'm not concerned with getting super high performance out of the 360 motor.

What are some basic things to check if I go look at it?

[DJ_AX]

This summer I fixed up a 350G (not much different than that 360) twin.
While only two cyl is a little bit easier to work on... personally I prefer the smoothness of the four.

If it were me... I'd definitely go for the FOUR....
But $500 for a baket case? .... not from a stranger... (don't know it's history or what might be missing)
From a friend? .... only if they/you KNOW everything is there and fully functional.


A REALLY good friend would just give it to you... and appreciate seeing it come together.

[Stev-o]

First off welcome.

What are your mechanical skills, do you have tools and a place to work on it?

I agree with DJ, rather have a four cylinder.  But a 350/360 could make a good first bike.

Keep this in mind:  the cheapest bikes are the most expensive [because it takes so much to get it rideable]. Go look at them.....

Good luck...

[ekpent]

I'd probably go with a little light weight twin for a bar hopper brat bike and save the little four more for  a little week-end cruiser, especially if the 350 four could be brought back to a fairly nice stock condition.

[DJ_AX]

...  the cheapest bikes are the most expensive [because it takes so much to get it rideable].

+1
I got that 350 for free... But I spent almost $1,000 in parts.

[madmtnmotors]

What are you going to do with it when you're done without a title?

[jason405]

Thanks for the replies guys. 

I am an electrical engineer and have done a fair amount of mechanical work. I have plenty of basic tools but expect to have to acquire tools as I go along. Also have a garage bay I can dedicate as space to work on it.

I understand the cheap bike being more expensive but I thought since it WAS running that was a good sign.

I would really like to go with the 350F but I just hate the fact it is all torn down. 

Also, keep in mind, the ultimate goal is a Brat Tracker style bike. Similar to this.

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z388/hipshr/salty-5484_zps38f1081f.jpg


I am not sure about not having a title in the end.  What are my options?

Thanks!
Jason

[DJ_AX]

how "torn down" is it?
These machines are really quite simple in terms of puzzles.
Not really too many pieces... and thanks to the internet... the solutions are abundant.

One of the favorite games in these forums is ...just post a pic and say "what's this part?"
I'm always surprised how quickly people chime in, and what extra parts people find in their baskets.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Did you get a bill of sale from the guy you bought it from?
You will want to talk to your DMV and see if you can get a title with a bill of sale and a check of the frame VIN against the stolen vehicle database.
Here in Kansas if the vehicle is XX years old you can get a title with a bill of sale and a frame VIN check.

[jason405]

Ok, cool.  I have a couple cop buddies who I could get to run the VIN.

I haven't bought either bike. I am going to look at my buddies four tomorrow hopefully.   Don't know if he has the title for that either.  Guess I should find that out   

-Jason

[jason405]

Just talked to my buddy.  He has the title for the 350F. Looks like that is the better option. Here is a pic of the motor.  He tore it all the way down to clean everything and then just bolted it back together without the pistons or crank inside, because he says it needs new gaskets and new seals around the shifter and kick starter. 

Still looks pretty clean no?

[Powderman]

Too often I see people say not having a title is a deal breaker. Here in Ga. if it's older than an 85 model no title is required to register it. Unlike Kansas you can't get a title unless you have a title. It's makes for more options for me for bikes from other states and is a bargaining point if they don't know I'm from another state that doesn't require title.

When you start assembly and need powder coating done I know a good one in the OKC area, he is in Yukon, but when I was there that wasn't far from the shop he moved from in OKC.  (David at Custom Powder Coating, www.custompowdercoating@cox.net)

[jason405]

Thanks for the info!  I'll keep the powder coating contact in mind!

[Bankerdanny]

Based on what I can find on the Oklahoma tax commission website, no title = parts bike (which is what that CB360 is advertised as). Parts bike means you won't be able to license it.

If the 350/4 has title then that is the way I would go. But $500 is way too much, $200 is more like it.

Another option is get the 360 cheap (under $200 cheap) and look for a frame with title. They turn up pretty regularly in eBay. You could probably put the engine and most of the parts onto a CB350 frame, so that is an option too.

[jason405]

Ok. I looked at the site but could make much sense out of it. 

I pretty set on the 350F at this point. has the title and looks really clean.  I think it should make a pretty cool street tracker style bike to cruise around town on. 

Thanks so much for all the help! I will start another thread at some point once I get it to document the build process.

Thanks again guys!
Jason

[lone*X]

Since this is your first, I would be concerned about the engine/trans having been torn down and just getting a set of cases and a box of parts.   How were all the internals stored?  Bagged, labeled, rust proofed or just tossed in a dusty box?  Also since you didn't tear it down it does become a puzzle to put back together, plus all new rings, bearings, seals, and gaskets.   Without a title, unless I could get it for a lot less than the asking price of 500$ I would be looking for a complete bike.  Even if I had to do a teardown of the engine myself, it would be me doing the teardown, documenting, photographing each step, labeling parts in ziplocs, and assessing any damage and wear as I went.  This is all very helpfull when you start putting it back together.   What you described is truely a basket case, and they don't bring that kind of money.

[Bankerdanny]

Get the 350/4 for a the right price (and again, that would mean $200 or less in my opinion) and you can go looking for another with an intact and not stuck engine. Since you have a titled frame you would be in the position to buy a cheap title free "parts bike" or even just an engine.

[jason405]

Ok. Keep in mind the 350/4 DOES have a title.  And being a friend of mine who lives about 2 miles from me, we have already talked about him helping get it back together to a running state and then going from there.

I will have to work on the price though.  I agree $500 is too much.  Hoping he would take no more than $250.

[lone*X]

With his help it is doable.  Get the price down and go for it then.  Good luck.

[jason405]

Alright guys, I will post an update here when/if it gets bought.  Half of me says "what the H@## are doing" and the other half says "lets get going!"  haha

-Jason

[dlhoulton]

Jason405, with all the great advice that's been given I can't add anymore except just make sure it is a clean title. I live in Oklahoma and getting a bike with no title can be costly and very difficult get.

[jason405]

dlhoulton, thanks for the advise.  Like I said, the 350/4 has the title with it. 

I guess I could still have my cop buddy run the VIN.

[dlhoulton]

Jason405, when they "run the Vin" it will only tell you if it was "registered/tagged" within the last 10 years in OK only.

[jason405]

Hmmm well then what should I look for when I review the title?

[dlhoulton]

Just make sure it has good, real title (not photo copy or anything). If it looks suspicious, ask if you both can go to local TAG office and verify that it's a good title. Doesn't mater from what state it's from or what state the title is from. Just maters that his name is on title and he is selling it. Won't cost you anything.