Author Topic: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down  (Read 2899 times)

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Offline gregwaits

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Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« on: May 03, 2007, 04:28:22 PM »
I bought a CB350 (twin) for $50 the other day. Needless to say it has issues! But I figure I can more than recover my money from stripping it down. The twin (non stock) exhaust seems in good enough condition.

The previous owner replaced the rear shocks with metal bars (talk about your hard tail!) and the front end is extended via 6" over tubes. Add to that his ape hangers and you have quite an ugly bike!  :o

The gas tank lid was a #$%* to open but when I did manage to do so I was very surprised to see that the inside of the tank is clean as a whistle!  ;D  No corrosion at all. The outside of the tank has no dents although there is a substantial amount of corrosion; not so much that it can't be undone though.

It has the side panels but the badges are missing.

For the life of me however I can't locate a VIN #. I can't even see a vin # plate like on my '73 CB500. Did some Honda models simply have the numbers stamped on teh frame members?

Also, where are serial numbers located on the 350 twin engines?
« Last Edit: May 03, 2007, 04:31:56 PM by gregwaits »
1978 CB750K8; 1970 CB450

Offline Gordon

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2007, 04:34:53 PM »
The VIN should be stamped into the front left side of the steering head.  As for the engine number, on my 360 twin it's on engine case directly behind the left cylinder, next to where the clutch cable enters the case. 

Offline Gordon

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2007, 04:36:09 PM »
Oh man!  If that thing were a horse, it would have been shot years ago! ;) ;D ;D

Offline gregwaits

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2007, 06:13:45 PM »
I managed to find the engine and frame numbers. And after some time online, I find that it is a cb350K1 (1969).

Too bad it was so abused.  :-\
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2007, 07:55:57 PM »
Too bad it was so abused.  :-\

It's found a good home, now! :)  I've seen many bikes that started in at least that bad of shape and were put back on the road looking beautiful and loved! 

Offline GNXFan

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2007, 08:03:13 PM »
The bike may ne a 69 but the tank is from a 73 CB350G which was the first year the CB350 came with a front disc brake.

Offline seaweb11

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2007, 09:09:48 PM »
Man, that thing looks great compared to where I started ;D

Offline gregwaits

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2007, 07:58:39 AM »
The bike may ne a 69 but the tank is from a 73 CB350G which was the first year the CB350 came with a front disc brake.

Yeah, that tank's paint job threw me for a curve initially. I thought it was much more recent a model than '69.
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Offline ProTeal55

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2007, 12:08:21 PM »
Get the thing running and leave it looking like it does.
Won't have to worry about anyone stealing it  ;D
Joe a.k.a ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Maker of Friends

Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2007, 02:11:22 PM »
Hopefully you are a patient man. You need patience, time and money in similar amounts.

Almost two years ago I bought a CB350. The second picture shows its actual shape. The engine is finished so I guess I'm almost done....


Raul


Offline GNXFan

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2007, 05:13:01 PM »
Raul looks like you had the same idea I did as far as protecting the frame prior to engine install.

Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2007, 05:31:05 PM »
Raul looks like you had the same idea I did as far as protecting the frame prior to engine install.


It was not my idea; I read it somewhere -probably in this forum-...

Offline gregwaits

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2007, 10:59:37 PM »
Man, that thing looks great compared to where I started ;D

When I took off the airboxes I was flabbergasted by all the spider nests, etc I found inside. This bke has sat around for way too long.

I am however pretty surprised at how easily I have been able to turn some of the bolts and screws. The wonders of penetrating oil at work!  :D
1978 CB750K8; 1970 CB450

Offline seaweb11

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2007, 12:55:13 AM »
Just pulled some cob webs and a nest out of the rear light on the little Twin Star today as well ;D 

After about 5 years they set up house

Offline Green550F

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2007, 01:51:25 AM »
My 350 project started as a back of barn freebie! I'm into it by about $500. I figure there's another 5 bills coming! ::)
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Offline gregwaits

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Re: Butt-ugly CB350 strip down
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2007, 05:55:52 AM »
I can relate. I am nearing completion of my CB500 project (with major assistane from a local mechanic). The dollars quickly add up.

That said, this guy works a lot cheaper than any shop around and his work is excellent.
1978 CB750K8; 1970 CB450