Author Topic: 1973 CB350F "Freakshow Build" completed! Stay tuned for updates... (Read 84667 times)

Tim in Ohio · « **on:** August 10, 2008, 06:30:43 PM »

Step right up folks and gather round to watch the spectacle. I saw a similar post recently of two guys who are doing a simultaneous CB750 build-up, and thought "Why not me... and why not a CB350Four?"
Here is the skinny. I am 42 years old, and have spent many years wishing I was "one of those guys who knows how to work on/restore his own bike." Unfortunately, the Motorcycle Fairy never visited me in my sleep and waved her wand to magically give me those abilities. Recently, I decided to take the plunge and I bought an inexpensive, cool '70s bike that I could rebuild with my son as a project.
I literally am quite lacking in motorcycle know-how. That is where you guys come in. I have seen some BEAUTIFUL 350 resto projects, (Matt... Hoobly... others). I will be documenting and posting all of my trials and tribulations, and counting on the kindness of strangers (you... my new friends) to assist in helping me get 'er done!
I am not afraid to appear ignorant. I will not pretend to be more knowledgable than I am. Hopefully others who are lurking out there considering projects of their own, will be inspired to take the bull by the horns.
The project started today. I will put up some pics and detail the goofs I have already made on my first day. Oh yeah... One more thing. On the tech forums, some sincere people like to offer the advice of "seek out an experienced person to do this... or that..."
Great advice I am sure. But literally, if it is something that one can do in a home garage, without the need for some exotic multi-thousand dollar fabrication machine... I WILL BE DOING IT MYSELF.
I have spent my life handing it off to someone who has the experience. That is why I am 42 and still don't have the experience! Lastly, Please HELP me as much as you can. Bookmark my post and check in often, if only because you can't turn away from the freakshow. (Like watching a train wreck.) Again, come Hellor high water... I will be doing this myself, even at the risk of ending up with a butchered parts bike with some good parts to sell. But, that isn't what I intend to do.
I intend to bring this bike back to its original glory. Both appearance and performance-wise.
Thanks in advance for your support. If you are with me, please check in and say Hi.

RM81 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2008, 06:48:48 PM »

Well, I subscribed to this thread and will be watching closely. Good luck on your build. Hopefully, I'll get started on mine soon. I said the same thing when I bought my bike. "If I totally screw it up, at least I can sell it as a parts bike for what I paid".

Tim in Ohio · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2008, 06:51:10 PM »

First of all, I got the Bike last Sunday. It is running, and I have ridden it around a little but needs work... even more work needed now thanks to my initial efforts (stay tuned for details on that later.)
As you 350 entusiasts already know... the bike was meant to have a top speed of 98 MPH and to achieve a fuel efficiency level of 60-70 mpg.
Mine tops out at around 60 MPH and is getting a little under 37 MPG. This is not acceptable to me. Also, as you will see, the cylinders are leaking oil. In my completely unqualified opinion, I would say that I cannot achieve my performance goals of at or near original specs above by simply doing a carb cleanup and the usual freshen up measures. I am OK with not being able to ride her until our necessary work is done.
I have taken a number of digital pics, but because of the camera setting that I used, the are big files. When I shrink them down sufficiently small for this forum to accept, they get darn blurry. I'll take a new batch tomorrow and post pics at that time.
To give you a little sneak peak of my first goof... I removed the spark plug from cylinder #1. When I went to put it back in, it was binding. After 4 or 5 attempts, and no joy, a bad idea popped into my head... "Hey, maybe if I put my ratchet on it and apply a little pressure to get it going..."
Lesson One: DON'T DO THAT!!!
I ended up boogering up the threads in the hole. Repairing this will now be part of our learning experience. Stick with me guys, I may make every mistake so you don't have to.

Boogered Threads:

scunny · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2008, 06:57:04 PM »

goodluck and we are with you all the way to hell and back.
for pics get them hosted on photobucket then link them here, if I can do it so can you.

Tim in Ohio · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:07:15 PM »

Scunny,
Thanks for joining me. I have read your advice on other posts and repect your knowledge. Glad to have you.
Rusty,
Thanks for tuning in. I'll make mistakes so you don't have to.
Trying pic of threads via photobucket:

Tim in Ohio · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:08:49 PM »

Ok. One thing's for darn sure. I'm gonna have to get the hang of posting pics on this forum in order to get this off the ground! I'll go practice elsewhere... Stay tuned.

Tim in Ohio · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:21:48 PM »

Third time's a charm?:

mattcb350f · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:31:19 PM »

Pop corn.......check

Beverage.......check.

I'm in Tim

Now, To me, the threads in that spark plug hole are buggered to be sure. However, I can see that part way down, say 1/3 down the hole is only damaged and the rest looks ok.

It looks salvagable to me, but the engine builder members will know better how to fix it properly.

Matt.

scunny · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:33:37 PM »

see it's easy.

and you sure did bugger that, still it can be fixed, if you take the head off those threads can sometimes be fixed by threading your plug from the other side, if not it's timesert or helicoil

mattcb350f · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:38:02 PM »

That's what I was thinking Scunny,

If you're taking the head off, then wait till it's off to fix it.

It's really hard to use a tap to fix it from the outside since the tap won't align with the threads further down making an even bigger mess.

If you tap from the inside out then no problem.

Matt.

78CB750CAFE · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:52:26 PM »

Good luck, and I will be watching (reading)...

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2008, 07:53:46 PM »

Since matt's resto is done and there's no new 736 resto to watch, you have officially become the most intreresting (to me) project thread. Shoot, I might even be able to help out at some point so that makes it even better. Don't you worry one bit cause you know the people on this forum will get you through this, even if we have to push pull and drag you.

Tim in Ohio · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2008, 03:47:53 AM »

Guys,
I'm feeling pumped already. Matt: Welcome! I loved your 350 build-up. Hoodellyhoo: You are another one of my inspirations. Both of you guys are who I was referring to by name in the first post on this thread. (Hoodelly, sorry about butchering your name and calling you "Hoobly"... I read your resto on Annie from cover to cover. Hope I got her name right!).
Looks like the team is coming together nicely!

rohit · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2008, 11:45:10 PM »

Tim
I am half way though my rebuild. its been tough but worth it. I am starting a thread of my rebuild myself. And i will be watching yours.... Good luck

Rohit

Hush · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2008, 12:40:25 AM »

So Tim, you have a running version of the CB350F by the look of it and this is a second bike for your son, well done that man, way to father son bond.
I have fixed a few nasty plug threads over the years by simply using a brand new plug straight out of the box, they have a really sharp thread and if you keep it dead straight it will cut the thread back into line for you.
Warning: you need to be very sure you have the right angle on the new plug going in so don't attempt it after a six pack.
And as the others said, if you have to tear the head off then you can do the backward thread trick which is way more reliable.
Now couch pulled up, Olympics on tv in the background and a few cold ones in the chilly bin......right go for it Tim, redo that SOHC 4 for you young fellah and we'll watch your progress with interest.

.........Hush.

Sully_PA · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2008, 04:28:06 AM »

Good luck with the build!

keiths · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2008, 07:46:10 PM »

Pass the popcorn.

Spikeybike · « **Reply #17 on:** August 12, 2008, 08:28:32 PM »

insert generic comment to make thread easier to follow here
uh -

dummkauf · « **Reply #18 on:** August 12, 2008, 09:25:06 PM »

Good luck!!!

I'm in a similar boat with my CB750 cafe racer build, first bike I've ever built or ever really worked on. I have a bit of mechanical knowledge of cars but that's about it. I too will be relying on the kindness of the strangers on here to help me with my questions as well as I am fortunate enough to have a couple friends who do work on bikes to laugh at me and offer advice as well

fixahonda · « **Reply #19 on:** August 13, 2008, 02:00:08 PM »

Good luck on the build! Ask any question you might come up with. I just finished my 350F this spring. Everything is still fresh in my brain and I'd be glad to give any advice I can.

Mine went 8200 miles in 35 years and then 2500 miles in 5 months. She is a happy bike now I think.

Johnie · « **Reply #20 on:** August 13, 2008, 02:14:34 PM »

Best of luck on your project. It will be rewarding for you. The guys here are the best, but remember pics help a lot. So when you figure it out put some pics on here. I put my pics on without the use of photobucket. I download right from my computer to this site. All you have to do is resize the pic and save it that size. The go to this site and click "additional options" on your reply area and hit "browse" to find it on your computer. Pretty easy...

Spikeybike · « **Reply #21 on:** August 13, 2008, 02:53:16 PM »

i like photobucket because then you can make the pics big on the page , when attached through the site , they are 1/3 of the size .
and useng photobucket keeps more space on the forum servers

Johnie · « **Reply #22 on:** August 13, 2008, 05:13:13 PM »

Quote from: spikeybike on August 13, 2008, 02:53:16 PM

i like photobucket because then you can make the pics big on the page , when attached through the site , they are 1/3 of the size .
and useng photobucket keeps more space on the forum servers

Hmmm...I just click on the pics on this site and they become bigger.

Spikeybike · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2008, 05:33:28 PM »

this is true i guess, but they are at a lower res.

i guess it bugs me to shrink a photo and loose resolution, when i spent all the money on a nice camera (7 mg pxl)

Tim in Ohio · « **Reply #24 on:** August 13, 2008, 06:17:08 PM »

Hey guys, welcome all. I will be looking forward to your help every step of the way. After you "get to know" my approach, maybe you can even kinda anticipate what I might screw up on the next step and give me a little forewarning. Please don't assume that ANY forewarning would be too obvious, basic or insulting to my intelligence.

Thanks for the tips on fixing the threads in the sparkplug hole. I will definitely take the head off and thread one in from the other side to fix it. We will keep our fingers crossed that will take care of the prob.

Well I took the carbs off. Here is how she looks now:

Notice I got a little overzealous when separating the carbs from the rubber things [A little vocabulary help here please]. I tore the one on cylinder two. Will need to replace it.

News:

Author Topic: 1973 CB350F "Freakshow Build" completed! Stay tuned for updates... (Read 84667 times)

rohit

Sully_PA

fixahonda