Topic: Price Check - 1973 cb350f

[kugouda]

First post here, would appreciate some input from you guys. Found a 1973 cb350f. 20k miles, current owner has had it since 2005. Wants $1000 for it. Little bit dinged up and needs at least a little work. Seller claims:

"It ran great for about 5 years. But because the carbs werent dialed in correctly it started back firing and eventually the baffling blew out. I have done a few things to it along the way like replacing the switches and ignition. It then sat around in my garage in texas for a while then I rebuilt the carbs. And got it running last year. It wasnt running super smooth because of the lack of back pressure. Drained the tank and it has been sitting until now."

Seller says he's selling because he's moving and claims it should run fine with a new battery and baffle. If I end up buying the bike I'll have it gone over to check everything and I'm sure I'll be putting some money and time into it. With that in mind, what do you think? 

[Stev-o]

I think you should never believe a PO.   Did he mention it has crash damage?  Personally, I would not buy that for a grand, $600 maybe.  Keep looking, you can do better.

[Jo3f1sh]

Just a few things stand out to me...

Rear signal bent/damaged (dropped?), missing one of the aftermarket mirrors on the same side, spark plug wire sitting on the exhaust(!), it's obviously been repainted (blue was never an original color), i see wires run improperly out under the seat going to the tail light...

To me, it just seems like the bike wasn't taken care of properly, and whatever little fixes were done on the bike were half-a**ed. This makes me wonder what all he did on the carb rebuild...or if it was even done correctly...

Like mentioned above, you can do better. This bike needs more than just a few fixes to make it reliable. I bought mine for roughly the same price w/ 5k miles (admittedly, i got a good deal), and it really didn't need a thing. Just a bit of polish.

This is a better example of a $1k CB350F: http://www.ebay.com/itm/191217924672?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[flybox1]

LOTS of patina 
BOTH side covers included?  and not cracked?  Needs a good wash and mirrors.
Non stock color.  Check back of covers or under tank for original color traces....
Crap 4 into 1 (might start w #80/35 jets and needle clip adjustment)
Seat needs replacement, but its good you have the original pan...
Coils were replaced, or wires to coils are not stock because length is not correct, check for splice.
Rear foot pegs?  I see the new exhaust can is using a rear peg mount, but no pegs?
$500-$700

[kugouda]

Thanks for being the voice of reason guys. Just wish there were more of these around.

[Stev-o]

Thanks for being the voice of reason guys. Just wish there were more of these around.

Theyre around, Fly found a nice one....


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=138830.0

[kugouda]

Thoughts on this one? http://fayar.craigslist.org/mcy/4521174645.html

[flybox1]

Looks way better kept, and cleaned.  Similar mileage.
2 into 1 jardines.  easily jetted for.
original color and patina.  (you wont have to deal with a bad rattle can paint job)
yeah, the seat sucks, but you cant win'em all 

expect to spend $150 (fiberglass cafe seat w minimal padding) to $300+ for an original
LOTS of seat choices in between....

Offer $800 and see what he says.  $1000 would be about right for that one.

[Jo3f1sh]

Were those pipes a factory option? Good grief, I see them on 90% of the 350F's I see.

Definitely looks more complete and original. Has a lot of mileage, but also means it wasn't put away and stored for 40 years.

"Runs good" could mean different things to different people, but if they've kept up with maintenance over the 25k miles, it shouldn't need much.

IF everything (or most of it) works, I give it a thumbs up.

And yes...throw that seat as far as you can.

[flybox1]

 350F's came with 4 into 4's.  The Jardines were only an aftermarket item.
I think they look, and sound good on that bike.

[Jo3f1sh]

I do like them. I wish I could find another set for my bike, but they're nowhere to be found these days. 

[flybox1]

I do like them. I wish I could find another set for my bike, but they're nowhere to be found these days. 

they do pop up on ebay once in a while, typically not including the headers.  keep looking.

[wardenerd]

The 800- thousand strategy is a good one.  Hope you get the red one because any work you want to do will not stop u from riding it.

[Stev-o]

Title??

Did you see how he mounted his satellite dish?!

[kugouda]

Has title. Going to take a look tomorrow. We're at $1000 now. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions once the fun begins. Thanks guys!


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[Stev-o]

Has title. Going to take a look tomorrow. We're at $1000 now. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions once the fun begins. Thanks guys!

Ok good. Check everything, starts, shifts, idles good. If he won't let you ride it, have him ride up and down the street a couple times.  Check all the lights and the chain and tires too.  If all looks good, a grand is not a bad price.  Any minor issues, deduct.  Good luck. 

[kugouda]

Bike checked out. Electric start is iffy but other than that it's just a dirty old bike. Ill post some before and after pictures after I clean it. Thanks again, can't wait to start the restoration.


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[kugouda]

Cleaned her up a bit, replaced the flasher and the front signals (were suzukis wtf), putting on an original seat I found for $40 on craigslist and ordered a new cover for. Cleaned all the connections outside of the handle controls. Avons, new points and carb rebuild kit on the way from 4into1. After I rebuild the carbs I'm taking it in to have the the avons put on and the brakes checked out. Anything else I should be doing?


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[Thamuz]

points, condensers, how are the cables, and how are the forks?  I never trust a PO.  These are normal ones I start replacing while doing other work.