I first heard about this bike from a friend about 10 years ago. He wanted to buy it and cafe it out. I soon after moved to NC and forgot all about it. In those years I'd owned a few Honda fours: CB750A, CB550, CBR600F4i, CBR600rr.
After the fun of a divorce (and subsequent selling of all my stuff) I just recently moved back to NEPA. In some conversation or another the friend mentions it again. I was really surprised it was still there but jumped when he said the owner only wanted $250 for it.
Turns out it's a one owner bike that was purchased only a few miles from where it ended up for all those years. The original title, key and toolkit came with it along with the packing list that I'm guessing told what was in the crate when it was shipped. It managed 8,000 miles in 10 years and then was covered and parked. It's in really nice shape, with the pipes being really solid although I don't think they are original.
It also had a 4 foot high sissy bar on the back (who puts these things on???).
It being winter I decided to go slow and clean it up really well.
Luckily my girlfriend is understanding of bike parts in the house and not bad at polishing them up herself. A tube and a half of Simicrome polish later everything shined as well as it ever would. Tires, tubes, rebuild kits (carbs, master cyl, caliper), brake pads, a few lenses that were cruddy and of course the grab bar among a bunch of other things were purchased and installed. Maintenance wise all fluids and filters were changed, valve and points adjusted, chain soaked in kero and then relubed using modern lube, headstock and wheel bearings bearing cleaned and lubed, swing arm greased up all nice with a million things I'm forgetting right now.
Yesterday was the first ride. I only went a few miles but it was so much fun! This little 350 is easily one of my favorite bikes. Partially because it's great fun to ride, partially because I brought it back from the dead. It even fires on one kick from cold!
Still needs a few little things but it's just about ready for the spring.
If anyone has a front and rear rim in good shape please let me know. The front is straight but pitted and the rear has got a dinger in it. I would like to replace them sooner or later. I also need a front brake light switch.
Anyway, on to pics. I only took a few of them from yesterday. I don't take before pics because I think it jinxes you and I don't like to take a chance...
