Topic: 1973 CB350F Build Log -- First Bike -- FINALLY FINISHED!!!

[GizmoDuck]

Here it is still loaded in the truck.


This is a sketch of what I am going for. Olive or dark green and dark brown metal flake with dark brown seat, matte black frame and exhaust.


It kick starts and runs ok but here are the lists of what I need to work on.

Must Do List

• Check/Rebuild Brake System
• Check/Rebuild Motor
• Sync Carbs (They should be clean)
• Install ignition switch (previous owner had it rigged to a switch from Radio Shack)
• Check electrical but from what I can tell most of it looks good
• Change oil and filter
• Remove rust from tank and coat inside
• Replace fuel lines
• Repair hole in right exhaust (have a friend at a muffler shop who should be able to weld this)
• Check chain and sprocket
• Fork seals and shocks
• Adjust the points (whatever that means)
• Transmission?
• Anything else?
• What am I missing?

Would Like to Do List

• Remove rust and repaint frame matte black
• Bend the Tank and paint exterior
• Cut and paint fenders
• Remove air box and replace with pods
• Install shorter bars or flip upside down (clip-ons are too expensive and I don't like the look of clubmans)
• Buy and install smaller battery (I think it is powered by a power wheels battery now) or install battery replacing capacitor to clean up the look
• Buy/build a smaller brown leather seat that fits tight to the frame.
• Fork gaiters
• Ammo cans for storage

I bought the Clymer manual but really have no idea where to start. Should I fix all the mechanical/electrical issues and get it running perfect then tear it down to paint or should I pull it all apart paint and reassemble? Any thoughts and cost estimates would be appreciated.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Perform major service - get a service manual
Replace steering and wheel bearings - All Balls
Replace swingarm bushings with bronze bushings
Replace fork springs
Replace shocks
Replace brake lines - braided stainless steel lines
Buy a multimeter to check the electrical
Buy an impact driver for removing frozen engine JIS screws

[GizmoDuck]

So do those things first? Is there a one stop shop where you would recommend purchasing all those parts from?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

So do those things first? Is there a one stop shop where you would recommend purchasing all those parts from?

There are many many vendors - not as many for 350/4 bikes specifically. Check the reviews in the Classifieds. Avoid cheap Chinese reproduction parts for anything other than cosmetic parts. It also depends on where you are located. If you are close to a Bill Benton, a member, he has a trove of parts.

[Justin]

So do those things first? Is there a one stop shop where you would recommend purchasing all those parts from?

There are many many vendors - not as many for 350/4 bikes specifically. Check the reviews in the Classifieds. Avoid cheap Chinese reproduction parts for anything other than cosmetic parts. It also depends on where you are located. If you are close to a Bill Benton, a member, he has a trove of parts.

+1 avoiding the cheap china products

[GizmoDuck]

Still not sure where to start.  Once the Clymer Manual comes in the mail I will do whatever regular maintenance is recommended.  Then I will start with the brakes, then steering, and then suspension. Then I will tackle the paint and tank. Patch the exhaust and then sync carbs and get new tires.  I guess.  So many vendors and parts.  Trying to spend less than $500 will have to see how far that will get me.

Any really detailed build logs you would recommend I follow?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

2strokeTrush did a detailed 350/4 build
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,133079.0.html

Your priorities sound good.

[2strokeTrush]

Oh I like this!

[GizmoDuck]

Here are some pics of the bike when I got it.  Should begin tearing it apart next week,

Some places where the left exhaust has rusted through.  Will cut these clean weld them shut and paint it with flat black engine enamel.


More pics of exhaust and rusted chain.


Under the rear brake you can see where the top of the exhaust has rusted through.



Under the seat old air filter, some random wires, and cardboard to keep the tank from wiggling.


The ignition switch has been replaced with a cracked fuse.


No idea what kind of battery this is.  You can see where some wires were cut by previous owner and a switch was poorly installed to turn bike on.


The wiring disaster from the other side.


So lots of surface rust and a wiring disaster.  Any thoughts?

[calj737]

Holy Fcuking Hell! Who wired that thing, Josef Mengele? Remove everything electrical, test each component, then replace them. A new stock wire harness is in order. Or a fully custom, properly wired bike by someone competent. Geez.... That scared me; and I'm fearless 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Yeah, that wiring is a hack job.  Not very safe looking.  I'd go with a stock repro or custom.

[GizmoDuck]

I may build my own off a diagram but any recommendations of where to buy a reproduction wiring harness? Found loads of old ones on eBay but I might as well rebuild mine over buying an old one. The previously owner was not electrically gifted because yeah its a mess.

[GizmoDuck]

Taking the bike apart


Bending the tank


Tank is currently soaking in vinegar then I will coat the inside once rust is gone, strip, prime, and paint outside.

Couldn't find anywhere to buy the Candy Bacchus Olive that Honda used in the 70's.  I wanted to paint the bike green and brown and my buddy just bought a new Toyota Tundra in a brown that I knew I had to use on this bike so I started looking at Tundra colors and found a green I like.

2015 Toyota Tundra Sunset Bronze Mica


2011 Toyota Camry Spruce Mica


Now I need to find a beige paint to match the lines that Honda had on some of the 1970's bikes and I am set with the paint!

[GizmoDuck]

Looking to paint my CB350F


A little more like this CB350

[2strokeTrush]

You can get it online from VMR I think it's called

[GizmoDuck]

Removed rear fender and pulled off the exhaust to have some cracks repaired

[GizmoDuck]

Cleaning up the exhaust.  Here is a pic of one down and one to go.  Took me about an hour to clean both.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Cleaning up the exhaust.  Here is a pic of one down and one to go.  Took me about an hour to clean both.

Is that mostly crusty grease or is there rust on them too?

[GizmoDuck]

Is that mostly crusty grease or is there rust on them too?

They are rusted like crazy several 2" x 1/2" gaps where it rusted through.  Trying to save them and have someone weld them on the cheap.  I cannot afford $300 for a replacement.  I could always cut the mufflers off and just have the headers till I violate some noise ordinance.  But would prefer to avoid that.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Is that mostly crusty grease or is there rust on them too?

They are rusted like crazy several 2" x 1/2" gaps where it rusted through.  Trying to save them and have someone weld them on the cheap.  I cannot afford $300 for a replacement.  I could always cut the mufflers off and just have the headers till I violate some noise ordinance.  But would prefer to avoid that.

Not only will it sound like dog poop (with massive holes in it) but it will perform awful too.

[GizmoDuck]

Is that mostly crusty grease or is there rust on them too?

They are rusted like crazy several 2" x 1/2" gaps where it rusted through.  Trying to save them and have someone weld them on the cheap.  I cannot afford $300 for a replacement.  I could always cut the mufflers off and just have the headers till I violate some noise ordinance.  But would prefer to avoid that.

Not only will it sound like dog poop (with massive holes in it) but it will perform awful too.

Oh I know I have heard it!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Not the easiest bike to sneak out of the neighborhood on Sunday morning.

[GizmoDuck]

Pics of holes in exhaust

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Have you considered cutting right after the collectors and installing new mufflers like the ones from Cone Engineering. You could order them relatively cheaply and have your local welding shop weld them up.  You may even have a bend inserted so they provide some additional ground/cornering clearance.

[GizmoDuck]

Have you considered cutting right after the collectors and installing new mufflers like the ones from Cone Engineering. You could order them relatively cheaply and have your local welding shop weld them up.  You may even have a bend inserted so they provide some additional ground/cornering clearance.

For $60 I could get two condensers, have them welded to the headers and then put an aftermarket exhaust on it.  Would have to be really confident about this as a solution before cutting my headers.  Do you know of anyone who has tried this before?