Topic: cb350 four complete tear down and fix

[Dos]

hey guys so today I'm starting the tear down of my CB 350 four.

History: when I originally got her she ran great. after 5000 miles( bought her at 6000 miles) I started to hear rattling and eventually it ended up with the cam needing replacement..which is what I will be doing soon.

Today: after taking her out of storage I started her up  and it sounds like little hammers are beating inside the engine and not in the good way. It seems like she is struggling and white smoke is coming out but it is probably  the stabilizer fuel.. I have a full tank with stabilizer and I want to run it out before I take the tank off and the carbs, etc.  This is my first time taking apart a motorcycle specifically my CB 350 four. If anyone has any advice or videos or tutorials please link them. I will be documenting everything I do and I'll be around the forums a lot. If anyone lives around New Jersey New York or Pennsylvania and wants to help out and get some extra cash let me know as well I am in northern jersey in Essex county.

She has 11,000 miles on her and she is still in great shape. The engine definitely needs to be cleaned out and looked at. I will probably have to buy some new parts as well as clean up the carbs and resyncing and doing things I do not know how to do but it is a learning process and I cannot wait.

[Dos]

when I took her out of the shed there was quite a big puddle it seemed to be gas and oil I know the very first carb on the left leaked a little .there may have been some stuff in the carbs and tubes before I winterized her

[Dos]

Here is a video i just made. make sure to watch it in 1080p because the audio will sound better.
I am afraid to run the tank through because i feel the sound she is making is NOT GOOD.

Let me know what you guys think, hopefully it's just the carbs

[iron_worker]

Sounds like the cam chain is really loose and whipping. Have you adjusted the tension on the cam chain?

IW

[flybox1]

+1 really loose cam chain.
Adjust it asap.  If your adjuster is maxed or borken DO NOT run the bike. 
You could jump a link and then you're in for a lot more $ to have the head and valve train redone.
Start a (re)build thread in the project forum, and post lots of pictures.  The forum will help you get through it.
Clear a place in your work area for storing things.  Get some plastic bins and baggies.  Photo, label and package the items you take off in their groups....It seems like a pain, but it'll make putting it back together much easier. 
For example....if you are taking out a bolt or group of nuts.  Label a baggie #123 (for example) in black marker.  Include the bag in your photo with your spanner on one of the nuts you are removing.    This way when you go thru your baggies....find the photo, and you'll know where they go.

[Dos]

thanks for the feedback guys the cam chain tensioner bolt is snapped off I'm no longer going to run the bike I'm currently debating doing this myself or bringing it to a guy  Adam at Liberty vintage motorcycle in Philadelphia. Have you guys heard of him?
http://www.site.libertyvintage.com
most of the people that I talk to about this ask around a thousand bucks( ridiculous) I figure if I bring my bike in for a thousand I could get the carbs cleaned and the motor completely cleaned and redone with new parts..

[ADW]

For what it's worth she's also idling WAY too slow. Should sound between 2 and 3x faster than that.
You can hear mine idling in this video:

[Flyin900]

Take lots of pictures and bag and label everything as suggested.

I am just finishing a 350F restoration started last fall I am really glad I took lots of pics, since the memory isn't that great when it comes to boxes of parts.

If you can get someone to rebuild both the engine and carbs for $1K, you are fortunate. Honda parts and the teardown/rebuild time and machining can be a killer.

Cheers,

[DaveBarbier]

Plus 2 or whatever on taking pictures. ALWAYS have your phone on you and take pictures constantly. There will be a time you'll be assembling and you'll find that ONE obscure photo you took has just the right angle for what you need.

Also, be as organized as your space allows. If one day you look around and don't think you're organized, then clean up and make it good.

Lastly, cut out cardboard pieces and outline parts on them with where bolts go. A lot of parts have different sized bolts to secure them on. This helps tell you where each bolt goes.

$1k for an old engine rebuild is not ridiculous at all. That being said, you can totally do it yourself. This summer I replaced the tranny and did almost a complete rebuild on my 550. Now it runs like a dream and I can't wait till the snow melts up here in CT. If I was closer I'd pop on down.




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1978 Honda CB550K