Topic: Here we go: the CB350F rebuild.

[HondaMan]

I finally dug out the CB350F today, located it's centerstand that I've been tripping over for years, and found a top triple tree for it on eBay. I've got 4 nice mufflers and somewhere 4 header pipes for it: I'd estimate I am missing about 30 lbs of bolts, screws, nuts, washers and assorted trinkets - but then, I have a lathe...and 2 sets of instruments.

Film at 11... 

[newday777]

I finally dug out the CB350F today, located it's centerstand that I've been tripping over for years, and found a top triple tree for it on eBay. I've got 4 nice mufflers and somewhere 4 header pipes for it: I'd estimate I am missing about 30 lbs of bolts, screws, nuts, washers and assorted trinkets - but then, I have a lathe...and 2 sets of instruments.

Film at 11... 

👍

[HondaMan]

Some more gruesome details...

[HondaMan]

...into the garage, next to my steed...

[HondaMan]

The plan is a close-as-possible resto to OEM look. Sounds simple enough, right? 
The first time I saw one of these I thought I really wanted one. Didn't need one. That didn't seem to matter?
If Sochiro hadn't made the CB250F for Japan only, I would have wanted one of those instead.
IMHO, these Baby Fours are the coolest bikes Honda ever sold, with the CBX Six a close 2nd. The 350cc Six racer could have been a contender, but with its 3k RPM idle 'twasn't a real good commuter.

[bek1966]

Awesome project, Mark!  And thanks for the sneak peek into the HondaMan Skunk Works.  As a fellow 350Fer, I'm following with interest!

Brad

[HondaMan]

"Skunk works" is closer (on 2 counts) than you might imagine! At the moment there are 7 engines in that pile of stuff, all in-process for something or another. I turned out my 10-year collection of old flannel shirts for this winter's rag supply, so it looks like someone is living in there. I never thought that losing my last (part-time) job would be such a boost to my garage economy.

The last CB500 in there was for a rider from a local Lockheed branch office (Colorado Springs). I was puzzled about why someone from there would bring ME his engine until I found he was a paper-pusher 'officer' who handles contracts. Still, it was fun to think I worked on an SOHC4 for a Skunk-works-er? 

[Godffery]

 First I'd like to thank Mark for posting photos that make me feel better about the space in my garage.   

As luck would have it, this particular rebuild thread comes along as I also have a 350F job on deck.  This one is a good bit shinier but has a couple of rather mysterious Un-Honda like issues with the motor, So I'll be taking note during that part of your project.

 Thanks Brad for the heads up on this thread!

[Trevor from Warragul]

IMHO, these Baby Fours are the coolest bikes Honda ever sold, with the CBX Six a close 2nd

It's nice to know I have the two coolest Honda's!

[grcamna2]

Mark,I have a Quicksilver,if you want it.

[HondaMan]

IMHO, these Baby Fours are the coolest bikes Honda ever sold, with the CBX Six a close 2nd

It's nice to know I have the two coolest Honda's!

Oh, yeah....

[edit]
Trevor, this reminds me: I'm also working on some electronics for the Kawi triple's CDI replacement setup. The transformer for the inverter is the current mystery part.

[HondaMan]

Mark,I have a Quicksilver,if you want it.

Thanks, Bill! I may take you up on that. Does it have a frame mount of any kind?

[grcamna2]

Mark,I have a Quicksilver,if you want it.

Thanks, Bill! I may take you up on that. Does it have a frame mount of any kind?

Yes,for the 400F.
I realize shipping sucks.. 

[MauiK3]

This will be extremely entertaining!!!!!!
And, dumb question, what is a Quicksilver?
Trevor's photo is motorcycle porn to the max, not enough x's to rate that!

[grcamna2]

This will be extremely entertaining!!!!!!
And, dumb question, what is a Quicksilver?
Trevor's photo is motorcycle porn to the max, not enough x's to rate that!

A Vetter Quicksilver fairing.

[HondaMan]

Mark,I have a Quicksilver,if you want it.

Thanks, Bill! I may take you up on that. Does it have a frame mount of any kind?

Yes,for the 400F.
I realize shipping sucks.. 

Sending PM.

[Stev-o]

I finally dug out the CB350F today...

How deep do you plan to go with it, HM?    Subscribed.

And I would like a rebuttal,  I think the CB450 [Black Bomber] is the coolest Honda!

[carnivorous chicken]

How deep do you plan to go with it, HM?    Subscribed.

Inquiring (impatient) minds want to know... cosmetics? Paint? What's the exhaust plan? Bars? where's the tank? And what's the deal with the plastic on the top of the engine -- no breather cover?

I've still got a little parts stash of 350F stuff including a tank that's in OK shape -- couple dings and a little rust -- in AZ and here in CDMX if you are looking for anything.

[MauiK3]

I'll get the popcorn.

[Stev-o]

Awesome project, Mike!

 

First I'd like to thank Mike...

Who's Mike?!!

[HondaMan]

How deep do you plan to go with it, HM?    Subscribed.

Inquiring (impatient) minds want to know... cosmetics? Paint? What's the exhaust plan? Bars? where's the tank? And what's the deal with the plastic on the top of the engine -- no breather cover?

I've still got a little parts stash of 350F stuff including a tank that's in OK shape -- couple dings and a little rust -- in AZ and here in CDMX if you are looking for anything.

I have the red tank hanging in the garage (just barely visible in the pics above, in the dark ceiling area, under where I trip over the oil pans on the left in front of my 750). It's all going to Candy Red in the end, [sort of] like Honda made it. I'm not sure about the inside of the tank yet: it's been hanging there 10 years, but I have a (8-year-old) POR-15 kit for it to try. It will need the vinegar treatment first, though.

About 10 years ago I bought a set of the 4 'trumpet' style mufflers for this project, still sitting in their OEM boxes under the workbench. I have 4 pipes that (the PO said) belong to this bike, which aren't too bad. I also have a set of 4 square-ish bent type headers (not my favorite look) of a size that could fit, but they will need a little bit larger flanges welded onto them to stay in the header clamps and clips. IIRC, it was your 350's trumpet pipes that inspired me that day to buy some? Not sure about that, it was a long time ago!

I don't have bars yet, and need both of the handlebar switches. The clutch-side one is broken off thru the mirror mount and the left one doesn't let the headlight switch move at all. Haven't been inside there yet. I have some handlebars, but they are all 750 size, too big.

The plastic is a bag holding one good idea the PO did have: there's a new Packard-plug fuseholder inside it that fits into the clip under the left side cover for the fuse. The Packard plugs are very waterproof, and for a 1-fuse harness like these bikes have, a good idea. It fits the ATC-style fuse, too.

I have to say, your 350F has long been the inspiration for this project!

[Godffery]

Awesome project, Mike!

 

First I'd like to thank Mike...

Who's Mike?!!

Woops... Mark.   

[carnivorous chicken]

All sounds good, happy to follow along! I've had my green one since 1997 and have had half a dozen or so more over the years. Great bikes!

[HondaMan]

The camchain tensioner was fully retracted tight, and removing the lockbolt wouldn't free it. So, with some work I finally got it out, only to discover SOMEONE DRILLED IT IN HALF. WHO WOULD DRILL A TENSIONER SHAFT IN HALF? HE left all the chips inside the hole, too. This caused the plunger to be jammed all the way down, leaving the cam chain completely loose.

...some people's kids... 

Now I have to find, or more likely MAKE, a camchain tensioner plunger.

[newday777]

The 360 uses the same tensioner rod.