Topic: CB350f restomod

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Looks pretty clean.  Although you don't need a fork brace with the Upside-Down forks, you may think about a front fender/mudguard.  I doubt you'll be riding it too much in the wet, but it will keep pebbles, dirt, etc. from flinging onto your motor, headers and you.  Cliff Meyer and Cognitomoto make bolt-on aluminum fenders for the GSXR, that mesh well with a resto-mod.

Thanks.
It's a KTM fork. Not sure if a gsxr solution would fit.
I would definately look into a fender, but first I have to check clearance to the header. It's a bit tight...
I already have an idea how to make a fender, if it all works out.

Sorry, Erwin. I forgot this one had a KTM front.  I don't think any of those turn-key solutions would fit.

[jamesv220820]

Some progress:
Head refurbished with newly done valve seats (used Chemico paste)
Electrics are done, and a H4 headlight lens installed.
Due to chrome not being in the best shape, I painted the ring in sand-effect grey. Quite fond of the result, I think it resembles the CB1000r a little, fitting my new-meets-old theme on this bike.

Which headlight did you go with? Is it still the 6 3/8 inch size? Also what is the little switch for on the top of the bucket?

[Erwin83]

Some progress:
Head refurbished with newly done valve seats (used Chemico paste)
Electrics are done, and a H4 headlight lens installed.
Due to chrome not being in the best shape, I painted the ring in sand-effect grey. Quite fond of the result, I think it resembles the CB1000r a little, fitting my new-meets-old theme on this bike.

Which headlight did you go with? Is it still the 6 3/8 inch size? Also what is the little switch for on the top of the bucket?

I kept the original headlight bucket, and ordered an H4 conversion lens that fits precisely in the original ring.
These were available on a German CB parts website for not all that much cash:
https://www.cb-four.de/cgi-bin/shop/__Scheinwerfereinsatz-Honda-CB350F-CB400F-H4-neu__280244132720-32i_01.05.html

The switch on the top of the bucket is the original on-park-off switch for the headlight. This is standard CB350f.
One of the cool 'old fashioned' things of the 350f if you ask me, and one of the reasons I wanted to keep the original bucket:

[jamesv220820]

Some progress:
Head refurbished with newly done valve seats (used Chemico paste)
Electrics are done, and a H4 headlight lens installed.
Due to chrome not being in the best shape, I painted the ring in sand-effect grey. Quite fond of the result, I think it resembles the CB1000r a little, fitting my new-meets-old theme on this bike.

Which headlight did you go with? Is it still the 6 3/8 inch size? Also what is the little switch for on the top of the bucket?

I kept the original headlight bucket, and ordered an H4 conversion lens that fits precisely in the original ring.
These were available on a German CB parts website for not all that much cash:
https://www.cb-four.de/cgi-bin/shop/__Scheinwerfereinsatz-Honda-CB350F-CB400F-H4-neu__280244132720-32i_01.05.html

The switch on the top of the bucket is the original on-park-off switch for the headlight. This is standard CB350f.
One of the cool 'old fashioned' things of the 350f if you ask me, and one of the reasons I wanted to keep the original bucket:

Ahh you must be in europe or have a euro-spec bike cause in the states we have a plug there

[Erwin83]

Okay, so that took a sweet little while, but finally I got the cylinders back. 48mm is a small size to bore, and than Covid came and scrapped the planning and on top of that, one cylinder (the last one...) went wrong on the lathe. Luckily I had more on stock.

Anyways, finally got to start building the engine.
The pistons are Cruzinimage 1,00mm oversize.
Pretty nice stuff.

[Erwin83]

Damn it.. Broke 2 oil rings when installing the cylinders. My own mistake. New rings ordered from Cruzinimage, hope Japan post will drop them off in a couple of days...

[Jimcg]

Found your project thread today. I really like the look of your 350. The paint looks great as well and the little extra thickness on the tires is super. Hope you have luck with the oil rings so the build can continue.

/Jim

[Erwin83]

 
thanks!

[Erwin83]

Having to wait for the new piston rings gives one advantage: taking the time to paint the top end nice and black with heat resistant paint. Baked at 160 degrees C.

[Erwin83]

Jeez. My new piston rings spent almost 2 full weeks at the Dutch customs. Finally they were released and that means... progress!

This time I made sure to drop the cylinders extra careful...

[Erwin83]

Head is on. Exhaust headers are on. Carbs are on.
Starting to look like a proper bike.

Now I will let it sit for a day and will re-torque the head, just to be safe.

Those headers are sooo sexy 

[Jimcg]

I agree, the bike looks great!

/Jim

[WhyNot2]

Yes, looks nice.....love those pipes too.

Might go out and pull the carbs on mine.......

[Erwin83]

Yes! First signs of life 

[Erwin83]

Very happy with this result so far.
She's not finished by the way.
- start button not working. The KTM bar is installed in rubber, i assume the lack of ground is the issue.
- oil drip from the sump plug
- cam chain runs somewhat noisy. I didn't reset the tensioner yet.
- headers leaking at the head. I don't dare to over torque the nuts yet.
- carbs are obviously not set. Just bench setting now.
- drive chain needs attention
- other muffler, this one is just temporary

Etc. Etc.

[Erwin83]

Update:

After first start-up, the engine was running with quite a ticking noise at the top-end. I guessed it was a exhaust leak right at the gasket at the engine, and after tightening it (I am too careful not to pull threads out), it finally runs quite smooth. Obviously, carbs need adjustment from here on.

I made a couple first test rides, but found I have no battery charging.
I'm thinking my reg-rec combo is not working properly, as I am not getting any 12V at the white wire which should activate the field coil, and therefore the generator.

I also ordered a new silencer.

Have to say, the bike feels real nice going around town.

[Jimcg]

Nice to able to get rid of a noise by tightening bolts.

Hope you will have more rides around town furter on now. The bike really looks great!

/Jim

[Erwin83]

Nice to able to get rid of a noise by tightening bolts.

Hope you will have more rides around town furter on now. The bike really looks great!

/Jim

Thanks.
Yeah, it's nuts right? (pun intended  ).

Charging issue is temporary fixed with another regulator, so I'm making daily rides now.
Looking to get a few kilometers on her, re-torque the head-nuts, check valve clearance and than sync the carbs.
Install my new silencer and look at jet sizes (running a 90 now, might be a bit rich).

[Erwin83]

Got the new silencer installed   
A silencer that actually silences! Unbelievable for <40 GBP (https://www.classicbikeshop.co.uk/short-daytona-36mm-44mm.html)

That means that this project is visually finished. Only some technical stuff to fix or improve:

- Carb jetting (main 90 now, seems rich) and need a synch.
- oil leak from the left side of the engine. Looks to be the O-ring of the oil gallery plug.
- Drive chain
- Longer jiffy (anyone know a plug-and-play option that is 1-2 inch longer?
- replace the R/R unit

[Erwin83]

Made the jiffy about 45mm longer, so finally no wooden block needed anymore.

Also went from main jet 90, back to main jet 85.
And replaced the O-ring of the oil gallery plug, behind the generator cover.

Let's see if this solves the oil leak, and if there will be less smell from the exhaust when revving.

[carnivorous chicken]

Made the jiffy about 45mm longer, so finally no wooden block needed anymore.

Also went from main jet 90, back to main jet 85.
And replaced the O-ring of the oil gallery plug, behind the generator cover.

Let's see if this solves the oil leak, and if there will be less smell from the exhaust when revving.

Just saw this, and from the other conversation about kickstarters was reminded of another change I made to my 350F with 400F exhaust and pegs: I cut the little loop from the side stand. I found it interfered with the shifter -- unless the shifter was too high up to be comfortable. I also grinded just a little of the linkage to make movement easier. Not sure if you're encoutnering these issues as well.

[Erwin83]

I literally just installed the longer jiffy, so haven't riden with it yet.
The shorter jiffy was one without the loop. You might indeed be right, seems like there is less space now to put my foot under the shifter.

Guess I'll have to try and otherwise get the grinder out again.

[carnivorous chicken]

I literally just installed the longer jiffy, so haven't riden with it yet.
The shorter jiffy was one without the loop. You might indeed be right, seems like there is less space now to put my foot under the shifter.

Guess I'll have to try and otherwise get the grinder out again.

Chopping the loop doesn't make it any hard to get the stand down. The loop is designed for the stock 4-4 pipes, which stick out, and the loop lets you get a toe on it. But without the pipes, no need for the loop!

[Erwin83]

Little soundbite right here:

New O-ring didn't solve the oil leak from the generator area unfortunately. Will need to dig deeper..

Edit: turned out to be the crank seal.
After replacing that, this bike was ready to ride. Unfortunately winter set in and I started another project (Guzzi 1100 caferacer) so now that spring is coming, I sold the yellow CB and will be riding the Guzzi.

I stilll own the black CB466f though.

Edit2: final carb jetting of this 350f with 4-1 header and daytona silencer, and small bread-box style filters:
Main 85
Middle needle clip
Normal idle jet.