Author Topic: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four  (Read 1609 times)

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Offline kasper.tyler

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1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« on: September 27, 2016, 01:36:44 PM »
Alright folks, I have a new project on my hands since my CB500 is on the back burner for a while.

Over the weekend, I picked up a CB350 Four from a local friend. I don't know the exact year yet, I'm still waiting on the title from him.

The long and short of it is that back when the bike was brand new, a father bought it for their son. Unfortunately, their son was killed in action and never came home. The father couldn't bring himself to get rid of it or do anything with it, so it sat with its original 274 miles on it for the last 40 some odd years. I know that most recently, it was outside, but covered with a tarp. Not sure of its storage conditions prior to that. It's... Rough. That's for sure. But for the low, low price of free, I couldn't say no.

Anyway, here's what it looks like. I have a few issues I'm already dealing with.

-The pistons appear to be a bit stuck, so hopefully they'll free up with a little work.

-The kick starter is very, very easy to kick over, and I don't believe it's even moving the pistons.

-I hooked up a fresh battery to it and the Neutral and Oil lights came on for a few seconds before turning off and not coming back on. I assume this is related to a fuse, but I think may also be related to the ignition kill switch.

Obviously the body is rough, but I think the bike deserves some life. I put more than 274 miles on my car in a week, so I think this thing needs to have some more before it hits the junk yard.

Thoughts?
















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Offline toytuff

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2016, 03:08:49 PM »
Hit the junk yard? Doable bike with time, effort and money.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2016, 04:12:09 PM »
Wow. 273 miles. It really did do a lot of sitting.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2016, 04:37:08 PM »
Wow. 273 miles. It really did do a lot of sitting.

Look closely at the gauges, they do not appear to be a perfect match. Speedo could have been changed.
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Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2016, 06:18:25 PM »
Could be some work, could be a quick tune and go.

The bike is probably a 1973 -- looking at the badge on the steering neck will tell you manufacture date, and I believe these bikes started in 1972 but were registered in the States as 1973.

If the kickstarter is moving easily with no resistance and you don't think the pistons are moving (but have you checked?), then it could be the teeth in the gear that engage it. Might be (reduced to) electric start only, but that would be odd for a bike with such few miles. (And the trip odometer doesn't match the bike odometer, but that could simply be someone turning the trip odometer over to 555 four miles ago...). If those are actual miles the thing isn't even broken in yet. Kicking these things over, there is not a lot of resistance compared to 550s or 750s or whatever bigger bike you might be used to. Clean off a spark plug hole, pull a plug, and have a look. Or open the points cover and see if it's spinning the crank.

IF it is stuck and the kicker is knackered, try pouring some marvel mystery oil (others will come along with their recommendations in a minute, Sea Foam, etc.) and letting it soak, then gently rocking it back and forth in a higher gear. Some have luck doing this and their bike fires up, the rings get unstuck, and they can ride it. Others break rings or wind up with too low compression. If your engine needs a rebuild, it'll be time and some money if you do it, or more money if someone else does. Up to you to determine if it's worth it -- nice 350Fs have a little value, but they're not crazy rare or super expensive.

Cosmetically, fine steel wool and water or chrome polish can clean up the chrome. Tank has a crazy paint job -- what's it look like inside?

If you get the engine unstuck, go through the 3000 mile tune up, valves, points, timing, carb sync, change the oil, new plugs.

Those are great bikes, be cool to see another on the road. If it's too big of a project, selling some parts might help someone else get on the road...
« Last Edit: September 27, 2016, 09:48:23 PM by carnivorous chicken »

Offline kasper.tyler

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2016, 09:19:30 PM »
Stev-o, I believe they're the original ones. It might just be the picture, but they look identical to me on the bike. I'll try to get a better pic of them.

And wow chicken, thanks for all the tips! I guess you're right, it does turn over easy, it could just be that it's not worn in still. I'll run through your suggestions this week and see what I can do.

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Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2016, 09:50:04 PM »
How's the exhaust, by the way? rotted out on the underside or where the headers meet the mufflers?

Offline b52bombardier1

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2016, 04:54:55 AM »
This bike has too much of a back story to be parted out. It must be reborn!!!

Almost any thin liquid poured down the spark plug hole will work. Diesel fuel, kerosene, etc. I'd stay away from gasoline - too flammable.  Use a socket on the flywheel bolt or maybe the clutch  to get things loosened up and try to avoid using the kick lever if you can get it to engage. The splines on the kick lever won't handle that kind of strain.

Also consider using a thousand watt heat gun all around the cylinders to loosen the grip on the piston. 

Rick

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Offline kasper.tyler

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Re: 1972 (?) Honda CB350 Four
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2016, 06:46:40 AM »
Rotted out past the headers, it'll sadly have to go, which sucks because I REALLY dig the four-to-four look.

And thanks B52, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I bought a handful of things to mess around with it this weekend, so we'll see what happens with it.

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