Topic: Getting started with a couple CB350Fs

[mjhammer]

Just picked up my first motorcycle, a 1974 Honda CB350F (a pair, actually). I'm planning to learn on it and then bring it inside to clean it up over the winter and work on it a bit. Starting this thread to track my progress and get advice.

For starters, the bike came as a package deal - a 1974 CB350F (black), a 1972 CB350F with no title for the motor that is currently on it (red) and a spare (frozen) motor with a title. Got all this for $1400. I have just received an offer from the seller to buy back the red one and the spare motor, probably for ~$200-300. I guess he had sellers remorse and wants it as a winter project.

The black one starts right up and runs. I'm wavering between selling the red bike back to him, or keeping it and parting it out while keeping what I may want off of it. For people who know these bikes, is there enough demand for parts to justify parting it out? Or should I just sell it back and be done with it? I don't have a ton of space so I would likely have to disassemble the bike just to be able to store the parts.

Looking forward to updating this thread as I improve the bike!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That was an outstanding deal. If it was a friend, I'd give or sell back the extra bike.  If it's not a friend, it's really up to you. You should at least give the bike a generous inspection to see if you might need any spares from the non-titled bike or spare motor.

[mjhammer]

That was an outstanding deal. If it was a friend, I'd give or sell back the extra bike.  If it's not a friend, it's really up to you. You should at least give the bike a generous inspection to see if you might need any spares from the non-titled bike or spare motor.

That's why I jumped at it! It was out in the boondocks and took some effort to get to, so I think that brought the price down a bit. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can pilfer any parts off the red one if I intend to sell it back to the previous owner (who I don't know personally), as he is intending to get it running again and would be buying it back with the understanding that everything is still there.

Just looking around on eBay, it seems the two sets of carbs from the two engines alone are valued at >~$100 each. The main question in my mind is whether the parts would actually sell, or if they would just sit on eBay forever as the market is not big enough.

[Gene]

There's a market for parts, but it may not be as lucrative as you'd like. I'm seeing a lot of 350's around my area (Southern California) lately for sale. They're asking too much for the real value of the bike so they're sitting - but there is a market for parts and you'd probably make more than the 2-300.

If it was me I'd find someplace safe to store the non-runner til you can get to it, in case you need anything off of it for your project. Don't be in a hurry to move it. But that's just me.

The guy sold it to you, no do-overs!

[carnivorous chicken]

Good deal. There is someone on here from Canada who asked if he should consider buying a 350F with a frozen engine for $3k -- most said no, including me, saying there are way better deals out there. This is one.

There is certainly a market for 350F parts. Carbs at $100 a rack will sell quickly on Ebay, rebuilt for $250 or more. I've owned 10 or so 350Fs in the past 20 years and demand has gone up a lot. All sorts of parts will sell, chrome, triple tree, etc. And as Gene said, perhaps worth holding on to the spare 350F for now in case you need anything.
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Tons of info on here for these things. You should do a 3k-mile tune up right off the bat -- change that oil, valves, points, timing, plugs, etc. before you run that thing much.

These are great bikes.

[Shtonecb500]

Great buy my friend, that deal is done. I can't tell you how happy I am I have parts bikes for my CB500. I would keep the red bike 100% You can list parts for top dollar like most people do and end up sitting on the parts longer than  you want or you can choose to make your money back plus a little extra and move the parts quickly. Start with the heavy hitters, carbs, tank, covers, emblems, anything that is still original and in good shape. You will probably cover your overhead just by moving those parts alone. Then you can do what you want with the bike after. If you don't have the patience for this or don't think you will make your money back plus some then I suggest you give the bike to someone who will care for it and get it back on the road! (previous seller).

One of the 4 mounting bolts for the sprocket snapped off on my bike...there was no down time for me waiting for a new bolt to be delivered, no risk of damaging threads drilled out a broken bolt, I just used the part of the hub off another bike...3-4 day downtime turned into a 5 hour fix and I was back on the road.

Have fun and welcome.