Author Topic: Newb's 350F project UPDATED 7/27/08  (Read 5002 times)

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xProjectx2501

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Newb's 350F project UPDATED 7/27/08
« on: May 26, 2008, 07:17:29 PM »
Well, after reading about and wanting to restore a motorcycle for several years, I finally took the plunge and bought a CB350F off ebay for cheap. I've always been attracted to these bikes. Used to have a toy 550 when I was a lil' guy. So I understand that I may have a different view of this bike than other people (the usual reaction to the pic off of ebay is "You actually spent money on that?!")

For those of you who are familiar with advrider forums, you may have seen these pics already. They're the ones who pointed me in the direction of these boards.

Anyway, here's how the bike looked when I got it.




Gauges were in great shape! :D


I've since stipped it down and have really begun the repairs in full.


I'm really leaning torward a cafe project, but I'd prefer not to get locked in to any one idea just yet. I'll just go along with it and see what direction the bike wants to go in.
« Last Edit: August 26, 2008, 11:50:55 PM by xProjectx2501 »

Offline snarferer

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2008, 07:27:26 AM »
It would be awesome to see another nice, restored 350F around these parts.

If you don't mind my asking, how much was the purchase price?

Offline my78k

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2008, 07:30:35 AM »
Nice looking bike...where did you find it? At the bottom of the ocean?? lol...just ragging on ya...Lord knows you have WAAAAYYYYY more vision and skill than I do to tackle that project. Just think of the bragging rights when you get to show before and after pics!!!

Dennis

xProjectx2501

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2008, 12:01:54 PM »
snarferer: I think I got a pretty good deal on it. $31 dollars, plus the gas to pick it up about an hour away. But the engine is in much better shape internally than I thought.

my78k: Actually, it was sitting in a field in Texas for the past 20+ years. Which basically amounts to about the same thing, but with more spiders. 

Offline kslrr

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2008, 01:24:11 PM »
Wow!  May the motorcycle restoring gods by with you.

But as long as the engine is in good shape, the rest shouldn't be too bad.
Now  1972 CB350FX (experimental v2.0)
        1981 CB650c Custom with '79 engine (wifes)
        1981 CB650 engine
        2004 HD XL883C Custom
        1977 Yamaha XS750D (in progress)
Then 1972 CL175
        1964 Yamaha YGS-1T
No ride is a Bad ride

Offline Johnie

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2008, 03:23:24 PM »
Hey just enjoy the trip man...once it is done you will have huge bragging rights from what I see.  I would have passed this one up even for $31.  Probably because I would be dead before I finished it.  ;D  Everyone here sure wishes you the best and keep us informed how it is going.  Guys here do remarkable things on these restorations.  And we love to see these old relecs put back on the road.  Good luck with your project and I hope I live long enough to see you finish it... :D
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Chad

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2008, 03:51:27 PM »
I'm really looking forward to watching this Phoenix rise from the proverbial ashes.   :)

xProjectx2501

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2008, 04:22:06 PM »
Johnie: The way I figure it, there are enough good parts on this bike to sell, should I decide I've gotten in too deep, to recuperate the cost of the bike. It isn't like I would need to make much to break even! ;) I also wouldn't factor in the time spent cleaning it up, because at least I'm learning an awful lot about these bikes that would help me on another project down the line. As long as you've gained something, even if it's just knowledge, you'll always come out ahead.

Anyway, I'm cleaning the engine pretty good right now. I've been letting it soak with a solution of grill cleaner and simple green, then spraying off the loose dirt with a hose. Hope to have it ready to paint by tonight. That dirt can sure be stubborn, though.

Offline kghost

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2008, 04:23:59 PM »
Good luck.

All it takes is patience.
Stranger in a strange land

Offline DarkRider

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2008, 06:42:28 PM »
WOW!!...and i thought my 550 was bad being fully disassembled before i even bought it...
'84 Chevy C10
'73 MGB Roadster
'69 Ford F250

Currently a rider without a bike

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so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?   ;D ;D  ok.  where's my goggles?   8)

Offline snarferer

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2008, 07:20:50 PM »
Not that you're going to keep that paint job  :P .....
But were the 350f's ever that color blue?  I've only seen/heard of silver, red, that blackish/blue deal and the best color of course green.

xProjectx2501

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2008, 12:37:07 AM »
Actually, I don't think any of the 350Fs were that color. But I know for a fact that this model (72-73) was only available in candy bacchus olive and flake matador red. I'm still at a loss as to what color this bike was originally.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2008, 07:26:49 PM by xProjectx2501 »

Offline DarkRider

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2008, 02:17:21 AM »
wears the shade of "just came out of the bottom of a lake" rather well...just messin with ya man.
'84 Chevy C10
'73 MGB Roadster
'69 Ford F250

Currently a rider without a bike

Quote from: heffay
so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?   ;D ;D  ok.  where's my goggles?   8)

Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #13 on: May 28, 2008, 10:58:06 AM »
Not that you're going to keep that paint job  :P .....
But were the 350f's ever that color blue?  I've only seen/heard of silver, red, that blackish/blue deal and the best color of course green.


I've wondered this myself. Every so often some 350f body parts will go on ebay and be that blue color. And it seems they're always that same shade of blue. Maybe it was just a popular color for a repaint?
1972 CB350F (Back from the Dead!)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20822.0
1965? S65 - Coming Eventually!
1972 CB750K2 (father-son project)
1976 CB750K6- (sold) http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96859.0
1976 CB750K6 (sold)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=62569.0

Offline strangedaze39

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #14 on: May 28, 2008, 11:57:16 AM »
Judging by the shape of the bike, the blue is simply a sign it used to be green. When they used to candy paint bikes they would use 2 different colors, and on the green CB350F's the first (bottom) color was the blue your seeing. This might be it, just my guess.

Also to the OP, good luck it's this bike needs a lot of love. The good thing about these kind of restores are how much the more the bike will mean to the owner rather then just being a CB350F. It's almost like building the whole bike yourself and more.

Keep us updated, we love pictures  :)

SD 

Not that you're going to keep that paint job  :P .....
But were the 350f's ever that color blue?  I've only seen/heard of silver, red, that blackish/blue deal and the best color of course green.


I've wondered this myself. Every so often some 350f body parts will go on ebay and be that blue color. And it seems they're always that same shade of blue. Maybe it was just a popular color for a repaint?
1972 Honda CB350F

fixahonda

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #15 on: May 30, 2008, 05:18:04 PM »
That's excellent that the bike is being given another chance. Good luck to you. You will have a really special machine when you are done.

xProjectx2501

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #16 on: June 06, 2008, 03:16:07 AM »
Well, I guess I should keep this thread updated. I'm hesitant to dip into my emergency fund so I'm trying not to spend any money right now on the bike. I've basically just been bouncing around the bike doing whatever I can until I can buy parts to do much needed repairs.

Anyway, I finally found my bolt cutters and got rid of those nasty old spokes. I'll be polishing the front rim, the rear rim has chome peeling off so I may replace it or just paint it black.


Glad I got that tetanus shot!


Also, Started polishing whatever I could. Here's a before pic of the nastiness. Looks like the PO painted over the original engine paint with silver lacquer.


Came off easily enough with some acetone and a little sanding. Can't wait to get it really shined up!


Engine cleaning has been taking up most of my time, for sure. Here's how it looked after several hours of scrubbing. This is actually an improvement! Amazingly difficult to get that crud off.


My exhaust valves has an impressive ammount of carbon buildup caked on. I really would love to clean up all of the valves, but I'm not sure I want to take the head off when the engine turns over just fine as it is. Only has 17,000 miles on it. Does it need a rebuild?


Anyway, if I can make up my mind about taking the head off to clean the valves I'll be sure to post pictures. I sure am curious what the cylinders look like after all these years!

Offline kslrr

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #17 on: June 06, 2008, 08:46:36 AM »
17,000 miles on the clock by itself is not a reason for a rebuild.  But sitting in a field for many years might.  Not telling what got in there.  Performing a compression check would be a good indication.  As far as the carbon goes, maybe there is a way of cleaning that out after you got it running.  TT, any ideas?
Now  1972 CB350FX (experimental v2.0)
        1981 CB650c Custom with '79 engine (wifes)
        1981 CB650 engine
        2004 HD XL883C Custom
        1977 Yamaha XS750D (in progress)
Then 1972 CL175
        1964 Yamaha YGS-1T
No ride is a Bad ride

Offline Hush

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #18 on: June 06, 2008, 03:43:06 PM »
Gonna watch this rebuild for sure, nice find mate and great price.
That's just the sort of "Oh My God" project I would like for my partner, give her an appreciation of the work that it takes to do such a rebuild.
Pretty much if you get a full rolling frame, engine, wheels etc the rest is just elbow grease and parts (oh yeah and a wheelbarrow full of time).
Best of luck and lean heavily on the CB350F guys on here, they know heaps about these amazing little fours and are only too willing to share.
Previous owner should be left in a field for a decade at least, what a gumball! 17000miles sheesh it's only a baby!!!
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline tom8Toe

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #19 on: June 06, 2008, 04:38:46 PM »
Nice looking bike...where did you find it? At the bottom of the ocean?? lol

Damn it... Coffee thru the nose burns.
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"A model built for comfort, really built with style Specialist tradition, mama, let me feast my eyes" - Led Zeppelin

Current:
2014 Triumph Scrambler

Past Rides:
'89 Kawasaki EX500 (Crashed)
'72 BSA A75 Rocket3 (Sold)
'65 Honda CB450 Black Bomber (Stolen, never recovered)
'89 Honda GB500 (Sold)
'75 Honda CB400F (Sold)
'08 Triumph Bonneville T-100 (Sold)
'14 Triumph Scrambler

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xProjectx2501

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Re: Newb's 350F project
« Reply #20 on: August 26, 2008, 11:49:49 PM »
FINALLY!!!! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ON MY BIKE!!!!!  Not that I've accomplished that much in my newly found time, but I've definitely made progress. For starters;

- Finished ripping into the engine. The cylinders are in great shape! No rust at all. Don't have a small enough feeler gauge to check the clearance between the pistons, however. But it looks like new rings and a honing of the cylinders will be all I need, internally speaking.

- Several of the grungiest parts have been polished or painted. The front and rear forks, especially, look fantastic with an almost chrome like shine. Very proud of that.

- Obtained last owner on record from dept. of transportation. Clear history and title. Not reported stolen. Looks like I'll be able to get a title for this thing after all!

-Been redesigning of my humble work space to accommodate the project and organize the parts and random bits as I remove them. I feel much more productive in the new work space.

- Most important, however, has been the actual parts hunt/budgeting of the project. I've tracked down nearly every part I need to finish the bike with a total coming out to, well, not cheap by any means, but certainly an amount I'm willing to pay for this project and cheaper by far for any newer bike I could find in decent condition.

If I can figure out how to export from excel I'll post my budget in case others are interested. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but the digital camera had a fall a few weeks ago and doesn't seem to want to wake up anymore. I'll see if one of my friends can lend me one of theirs for a bit (I wasn't the one who dropped mine, BTW).

I'd been holding off on buying things until I A) Had money to spend and B) knew the bike wasn't stolen. As a celebration for both counts, I just ordered a new set of bridgestone spitfires, tubes, and new spoke sets! ;D Can't wait to get this thing running!