Author Topic: Thoughts on CB360? (Read 3640 times)

Tugboat · « **on:** January 16, 2014, 09:29:19 AM »

I'm going to look at a '74 CB360 today, but don't know much about these except that they're 6-speeds and were only made for a couple of years. Are there any known issues with these bikes?

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2014, 09:48:37 AM »

Based on some reading I have done, it's heavier and slower than the 350. A case where more displacement didn't improve the bike. I don't recall seeing anything about chronic problems to be on the look out for.

tbpmusic · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2014, 10:10:02 AM »

Quote from: Tugboat on January 16, 2014, 09:29:19 AM

I'm going to look at a '74 CB360 today, but don't know much about these except that they're 6-speeds and were only made for a couple of years. Are there any known issues with these bikes?

If you want an old Honda twin, look for another model.
360's are prey to all sorts of top end problems, and there are no parts.
There are reasons it was only made for a few years..........

Johnie · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2014, 10:25:54 AM »

The early 360 had a cam chain / guide recall. The only way to tell if it was done is to look at the engine ID plate. If it was done there will be some punch marks in that plate area.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2014, 10:56:53 AM »

Here is a restoration thread that may help you decide.

http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5576

Tugboat · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2014, 11:13:38 AM »

So I know there was a recall to deal with a potentially-faulty cam chain tensioner on the older 360's, and that these issues were addressed at the factory on the later models. My question is: if you have an older engine that never had the recall work done, is it prone to failure regardless of whether or not you keep the cam chain properly adjusted? Or CAN you even keep it properly adjusted with the old tensioner?

Pecantree · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2014, 11:22:16 AM »

It's a fun city bike, but........
As mentioned they have top end probs.
They vibrate.
Parts are problematic.
You will not recoup your investment in rebuilding one. Even less than a 5 or 750.
There were two recalls, one involving the rocker shaft and one the cam chain slipper.
If the recall was done the " - " between the engine vin will have a dot above and below it.
If the recall has not been done make damn sure you keep the cam chain adjusted or it can catch on the slipper and bring you to an ABRUPT halt.
Oh, did I mention that they are a lot of fun as a town bike!
Good Luck
Steve

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2014, 01:30:19 PM »

I had one as my only bike for 3 years....enjoyed it...the 6 speed is fun...it was pretty dependable...never had to replace anything except a side cover and points/condensers, but yeah, there are no performance parts available. I have worked on a few during that time and since and none of them had anything wrong with the cam chain tensioner. Maybe all the bad ones already lunched years ago?

Tugboat · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2014, 01:41:38 PM »

^Yeah, I guess that's possible. That, and the later models had the top end fixed at the factory, so maybe you were seeing the newer ones? The one I'm going to check out is a '74, meaning it had the faulty parts stock. Hopefully the OO had it fixed and it'll have the little dots over/under the dash in the engine number. **NOT LIKELY**

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2014, 01:52:36 PM »

Mine was a '74...I never heard anything about the camchain recall at the time, so never checked for the dots.... $:-\$

Johnie · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2014, 02:28:37 PM »

This was a Safety Recall, therefore, Honda still has to fix it for free no matter how old the bike is. Oh, people say parts are not available for it, but my dealer repaired mine for free and that was in 2010. I have since sold the bike, but the recall fix did not cost me a dime.

Pecantree · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2014, 03:03:37 PM »

I'm amazed, That's on the 360?
Honda show's the replacement slipper as NLA.
Your dealer must of had a back stock.
That's the kind of dealer you want to forge a relationship with!

Stev-o · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2014, 04:55:37 PM »

I rented one for two days and rode it around the island of Oahu, had a blast!

Pecantree · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2014, 04:58:54 PM »

Johnie:
Forgot to add, that's a real pretty bike!

cb650 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2014, 06:09:17 PM »

I love my 76.

Johnie · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2014, 07:38:38 PM »

Actually, the dealer got the parts from Honda. It did not seem like such a big deal. He just ordered and they arrived. I think I gave him a copy of the recall too.

dhall57 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2014, 08:10:29 PM »

My thoughts on the CB360 are nothing but favorable. In 1974 I bought one of the first 360's my local dealer got in. Same color as yours Johnie only difference my had no front disc. The early models had only drums. It was my basic transportation my last couple years in HS and it did everything I needed it to do. Never had any problems out of it. I've looked and looked for a few old pics of it, but must of never took any

MoMo · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2014, 04:36:02 AM »

There was the recall back in the day, which should have been done on most bikes as the owner got a letter from Honda. We did tons of recalls where I worked, the 360 was one of the biggest selling bikes due to the phony gas shortage back then. Only problem I am aware of is the somewhat anemic charging system. all in all, an excellent commuter bike and pretty sharp looking IMO...Larry

Damfino · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2014, 04:57:59 AM »

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113661.0

Pecantree · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2014, 02:33:53 PM »

Tugboat
Didja get it??? HuH, HuH!!!!!!

gerhed · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2014, 01:37:53 PM »

I had one-a '74--worked well so I turned it in to something else.
Not too legal apparently--if a cop saw me, he stopped me.

Damfino · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2014, 05:19:38 PM »

What a contraption!!

Pecantree · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2014, 07:00:47 PM »

Thats......... special!

Tugboat · « **Reply #23 on:** January 21, 2014, 07:41:36 AM »

That IS awesome!

No, we passed on it. It had the dots on the motor number so the cam tensioner had been fixed at some point. But it was missing lots of little bits and the dude wasn't going to come down off his $500 asking price, which put it out of the running for us in our quest for a $350 <400cc bike. Still looking!!

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:27:45 AM »

True story, i pulled up to a stoplight last summer with my 350f running good, and what pulls up next to me? A 360! I have only ever seen 1 other vintage Honda here in Baltimore so this one stunned me. We exchanged glances and waves, then when the light turned we both went for it. Not to sound cocky, but i blew him away. After, we both pulled over and he rode my 350f and i rode his 360 for a mile or 2 just to see the difference.

My conclusion was, the bike was fast, not as smooth, but that extra gear made her much more enjoyable at highway speeds.
Unless your stuck on buying a twin consider the 350f or 400f. Both seem to be overlooked because of displacement sometimes.

News:

Author Topic: Thoughts on CB360? (Read 3640 times)