So, I decided to start a little project thread for my bike.
I'd wanted a CB350 Four ever since I started seriously looking at bikes, but couldn't find anything locally. The ones that did show up were either asking too much, or were a basket case. I had pretty much given up until I found out that the husband of my wife's cousin had the EXACT bike I was looking for.
For the next year, I basically hounded him to give it up. He finally let it go after his wife became pregnant with their second child and needed to downsize his collection. Since we ere "family" he gave me an amazing deal on the bike, as well as a nice assortment of original parts to go with it. Also, since he's just down the road, he'd be able to help out on anything that I got stuck on with the bike.
When I picked it up, it had been sitting for quite some time. The PO had basically left it in a barn after only 5k miles, but thankfully, it had been a Texas bike, so it didn't have any rust (still has a 1978 Texas inspection sticker on the fender). It had a new front tire, recent carb rebuild (so he said), recovered seat, and new paint on the tank and covers. The mufflers are Mac flare-tips, but are pretty rusty and un-salvageable. They shine up pretty well, though.
Before i took delivery, it was only running on 2 cylinders, so we decided to throw on some new points and do a quick oil change. Once we got it fired up, it was still running pretty rough, and the bowls were leaking gas pretty bad (stuck floats). At this point, I thought I was in over my head, but after giving it a ride around the neighborhood, the bike seemed to be doing better, and started to cleanup under power. We also threw a new older style tire on the back to match the front.
Once I got it home, I knew there was some shine under all that dust, so I started polishing the chrome and paint. And I have to say, it shined up pretty good.
At this point, the parts started rolling in. I wanted to do a slight Cafe look, but also wanted all the modifications to be reversible so the bike could be returned to stock with the original parts.
My first "mod" was to pull the rear grab bar, since I knew I'd be the only one on the bike. I also installed another taillight that was in better shape.
After messing around with the points just to get the bike running, I decided to go with a Pamco electronic ignition and Dyna 5ohm coils to round everything out. I also threw on a set of 7mm wires on the plugs. Good thing, too as the original wire for #1 snapped right off at the boot!
After this, I threw on a Lucas style tail light, as I found the stocker just too bulky. I also put on some new side cover decals as the originals were faded, and even miscolored on the right side. Finally, a set of GT style levers were installed as well.
I had picked up a new set of engine side cover bolts and 18T drive sprocket, but found the both of the top screw heads were completely stripped. So, out came the WD-40, and lots of tools...
With the bolts out/swapped, and sprocket installed, I decided it was time to see if the carbs had truly been rebuilt. Honestly, they looked pretty clean, but the jets were pretty clogged. Cleaned them out with carb cleaner, and they were good as new.
I had been putting off doing the bars for awhile, but finally decided it was time. In the process, I installed a new MC, and stainless brake lines. The longest part was shaving the control housings to run the wires out of them. In the process, I managed to pull out the kill switch wire, and also stripped the starter wire so it was grounding out on the bars, causing it to stick.
My wife helped rectify that problem:
You may have noticed the Dickey's cup next to the caliper. There's a reason for that. The PO (Not sure which one) decided to ditch the bleeder screw, and dropped in a HUGE bolt on the caliper instead. Because of this, it won't seal on the caliper anymore, so fluid constantly leaks out. GREAT.
So, here she sits until my new caliper, piston, seal, and hardline come in...
Fortunately, it's been raining every day here (in Texas?!), so I haven't really been able to ride anyway. Still frustrating to get this far, only to have a stupid decision by someone else keep you from finishing the job.
Oh well, she still sounds pretty good.
Startup and Rev...Stay tuned for more updates. Next on the list are turn signals, a new set of mufflers, and rear shocks. Haven't decided on stock or upgraded dampers yet...
