Topic: well, i need help

[Dbarker]

I've returned to this site after some time gone.  Had to get off the interweb for awhile and focus on life. 

Now, that said, im single, and have quite a bit of free time on my hands.   However, I am not up to rebuilding my bike... Ive looked it over and am terrified to even try.   I tried fixing the gauge lights and that didnt work so well....  infact, it didnt work at all. 

Now... I need a basic guestimate for taking an ok shape, needs rebuilt cb350F and doing a complete restore on it.  im talking, down to the frame, clean the rust off, repaint EVERYTHING kinda restoration. 

The engine needs rebuilt BAD.  It gets about 5-6mpg and burns enough oil to create a military smoke screen.  and the rest of the oil leaks out the sides fast than well, the bike can go down the road!

Id like to just drop it off with someone who knows what the hell they are doing with this bike.  I can perform basic maintenance , but i dont have the tools or know how to do what is needed with this bike.

Im in Stillwater, Ok.  I know there has to be someone in the area who would be willing to go after this bike. 

Thanks everyone.  Believe me, I've learned a good deal being here off and on... and I know better than to ruin one of these classic bikes... yes, trust me... id break it and it wouldnt be fixable.

[d3buttz]

aw man thats the whole point! doing itr wrong and learning from it. if i had a list of all the stuff ive done wrong on my build-you would never believe i got my bike running. but it kicks ass now and is reliable as hell. i would buy a motor from a junk yard and put on all you parts on it(carbs-boots etc) i wouldnt be worse than what to got now and these motors are UNBELEIVABLY reliable, most of the bikes in the junkyars are there because of no title, not because of mechanical failure. and paint is easy.  dont look at a build as a whole-of course it looks hard!  do every thing as a separate project- carbs one day, paint next week, electrical next month. and get a clymer/hayes manual. the electrical diagrams looked like spanish to me-but after a little while i was a pro at do ing my wiring. label every thing too when you take it apart. the only way you can ruin this bike is letting it sit and rust. as far as tools go, get the cheezy chinese harbor freight tools-you dont need nice tools as a home mechanic.  here are some steps to take-
1. set up a work space
2. remove the battery
3. drain the fluids
4 . have fun taking it apart!
5. read thwe manual and ask questions- everyone here is super cool to beginners
if you paid someone to do every thing youwould be outof 6000.00$
labor is expensive-parts are cheap- plus oyu can say oyu did it all yourself!
id say dont try to modify anything- just make it stock to get comfortable
good luck!

[cbr-eric]

I agree, just take it in as a learning experience, you would be better off to buy a bike already done rather than have someone else do up that one.  especially if you have the free time, do it up!

[TwoTired]

Are you a staunch believer in having only one bike?

[Dbarker]

well, thats what got me to mess with my gauges.  you guys talked me into doing it myself last time i was on here. 

in the course of trying to change 4 lightbulbs i manages to completely BREAK the gauges.

so, no... your not talking me into it.  Im not a mechanic, and don't really aspire to be one.  Like i said, im ok with basic VERY basic maintenance, but outside of that someone else is doing it.

I work two jobs and while i have plenty of free time to jack with the bike... as soon as i get started im going to get too frustrated, or break something else.

SO like i asked before... is there anyone in the area who will do this.  I don't care how long it takes. 

I took it to a few honda repair shops and the ones ive been too couldnt even find parts for the thing in the computers.  And none of them had even heard of a 4cyl honda that old.

[Dbarker]

Are you a staunch believer in having only one bike?

no, im looking for another, newer, more reliable bike.

[1timduke]

I was just like you, not too long ago... I didn't know a tappet from a connecting rod    And I still don't know it all    

I had every intention of paying someone to rebuild my engine and get my hunk of junk up and running.   Another thing happened though.   My 'mechanic' turned out teaching me how to do things and letting me do them.   A lot of mistakes were made, but in the long run, it was the best decision I could have made.   I've moved away to another state now and maintenance/troubleshooting is now up to me since I don't know anyone here in SD.   This forum is the best ever and can help you a lot.   Nothing beats the feeling of riding down the road on something that was just in a thousand pieces in your garage!!!

It's an old bike and things are going to wear out/break as long as you have it.   You just have to decide who's going to fix 'em.   It'll get in your blood, man.   Go for it!                  -Tim

[Dbarker]

Noone here will talk me into doing this. 

As it stands I have to find new gauges.  im not kidding when i say i broke them trying to change the bulbs.

and the bulbs still dont work.  the electrical system is beyond me.  and looks to have some replacement parts from other bikes?

i know there are a couple of wires not hooked up with no apparent place to hook them. 

Please stop trying to encourage me to do this myself.  Thats not what im asking for.  Im asking for help in finding someone who i can trust to fix the bike, properly.  be it a member or a shop or a flying spaghetti monster. 

IF i can find this person and i end up learning how to do it myself fine.  but right now, with no idea wtf im doing, im not going to do it.  Someone is getting paid to fix it.

[Kalamazoo]

well... if your really not going to do it yourself, then sell the bike.
Buy one thats already done.
You will save quite a bit of money buying a bike that is already done rather than trying to find someone to do it for you.

[Dbarker]

thats the attitude i was lookng for.. geeze.

is it really so hard to just answer my question instead of having everyone toss in their two cents?

maybe i don't have the physical ability to fix it myself?  or maybe i don't have the space needed... or maybe I just don't have the time. 

I just want a simple answer.  Is there a person or a shop within the area (Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, & Oklahoma) who will do this project.

I don't want opinions on doing it myself, and i don't want to be told to sell the bike.  Millions of people have classic cars restored professionally all the time.  They could do it themselves, but noone tells them to just sell the damn car if they wont restore it themselves.

Millions more have their nice shiny newer cars fixed at shops EVERY DAY.  I bet half of the people on here drop their car off for a simple oil change.  They could do it themselves, but don't want to.  I guess they should just sell their cars if they arent going to do it themselves.  Right???

/rant...

someone PLEASE just answer my question.

[bender01]

Ship that bike to me with $3K and Ill send it back in a week looking just like this one. Running great! let me know

[Dbarker]

3k huh. 

alright fine.  i'll quit being pissy.

I need a list of EVERY tool i'll need, and EVERY part, and where to get said part. i don't do well with having to look for stuff, i usually end up with the wrong part.  so part numbers from specific parts dealers is suggested.

i hate you guys... your gonna make me crazy trying to do this.

[Kalamazoo]

   there we go.

[ieism]

If you don't WANT to do the work yourself, I see no point in trying.
You'll spend lots of money on parts and tools, and struggle to find motivation to finish the project.
I spend about $600 to get my bike good again , just mechanically(including tools). If you add your own hours, it might be more economical to just buy a restored bike.

I know this is not what you want to hear, but I'm just trying to be realistic and helpfull.

Ivar

[Dbarker]

well.. economical or not im not shelling out that kinda dough for a bike.  this ones "rideable" now and i only paid $500 for it.

so, yeah id rather not sink a fortune into it, but i want it done.  so, i guess i'll just do it.  and your right, i will struggle to find motivation to do it.  Then again i struggle to find motivation to do everything***

At anyrate, someone get me a list of MUST have parts, and probably all the going to want parts.  where to get them, what they cost etc.  I know there's an FAQ for where to get stuff.  it doesnt really help me.. i cant find crap in there for the 350F, all i see is 750 stuff.

I'll start clearing out the space in the garage.  think half of a 2car will be enough?  cause thats all i have that i can spare.

***like i said, no motivation... something im dealing with right now anyway cause thats sorta why im single.......

Now, i downloaded everything i could on the bike a few months ago manual wise.  and I have the clymer. 

[ieism]

Well than go for it. It might even be good theraphy

A small space is all you need. I would start by making a list of what works and what doesn't, and then ask the guys here. You could also start with a full tune-up:
Carbs, clean them like your life depends on it, including all the jets.
Set valve clearance, you'll need tools for this but it's in the manual.
New point and gap them.
Set timing
New airfilter
New oilfilter and oilchange.
Maybe new sparkplugs and load or check the battery.
If you find any broken parts along the way, just look up the partnr. And replace .

[Dbarker]

uh... well thats all good and well.. but like i said... oil POURS out of the engine, and what doesnt pour out of it gets burned off as a smoke screen to hide me from traffic that piles up behind me when it cant get up to speed.

I think its a bit beyond just cleaning and tuneups. 

[OldSchool_IsCool]

It's hard to provide you with a parts list as we're not sure yet what is broken and therefore what is needed.  Sounds like you want a reliable daily rider and not a showroom restore or a racer.  Is that accurate?  Perhaps you could tell us what is your most aggravating repair issue and we can start with that.

Locating parts numbers and ball park prices isn't too hard, I use the OEM parts finder on this site:

http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/catalogs/filters/19/aftermarket-offroad-motorcycle-accessories.aspx

Once I have the part number, I'll check with a few sites to see if they can beat the list price.  Often, calling the "Vintage Parts Desk" at www.westernhillshondayamaha.com will not only get me decent prices on parts and reasonable shipping, I can get some tips on installs and other related parts that I should check too.

As for motivation, see my sig below.

[Dbarker]

Correct i want it to be reliable and FACTORY.  I want it to look BRAND NEW and run like it as well.  I dont want a hotrod bike. I f i wanted that id go buy a crotch rocket to kill myself on.

i dont know whats broken.  just eyeballing it.  the gauge lights dont work.  the wires to them are messed up.  when the ignition is set to parking nothing turns on.  no lights at all. 

bike starts and runs easily... but doesnt go over 35mph no matter how hard you try. ( yes ive shifted the gears.)  I THINK it shifts ok... kinda rough at times...  sometimes difficult to get into first while at a stop.  neutral can be hard to find.

oh and the engine POURS oil out of it at every seam.

Seats got a small tear in it.  crash bar is bent.

Headlight bucket is kinda bent up, and needs replaced with new screws as well.  clutch lever bolt is there, no nut on the back of it.

beyond that i havnt got a clue what works or what doesnt.  i dont have to use a battery charger on it, so i guess the charging system is good.

I cant find a fuse box.  theres some relay behind the left side panel that has two wires hooked to it. its a small black box.  theres a 3rd wire there, and nowhere to hook it.

its missing the small chrome handle for behind the seat.  has a rusty luggage rack instead.

throttle sticks.  grips are rock hard and brittle.

rims and spokes are rusty.  needs new tires. 

sounds fairly loud. and not cool oud, but just annoyingly.. i havnt been around another 350F, but this has 2 pipes, one on each side. 2 cyl. to one pipe.

tank has a couple dents, nothing bad.  looks ok inside. i dont know what its supposed to look like.  but i guess its a bit rusty.  I cant tell.

--------

After typing this im gonna say this. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.  I just know it doesnt work properly. 

Assume its been sitting outside for 30 years, its completely seized up, and has rust eating away at every inch of it.  what do i need.

I know - someone to do it for me.   But you guys wont let me do it that way.  So, we set here with you wanting to know whats wrong and me not knowing.  The vicious cycle will continue til some who knows what their doing with these bikes looks at it and says you need this this and this.

[d3buttz]

 a case of beer ALWAYS helped me get guys over to my place when i needed to borrow tools/lift the bike/figure out what i did wrong.  i couldve never done it w/o them.  hangin out in my garage drinkin beer and wrenching is fun for them and the bike gave them something to argue about who was right on what was the reason itwouldnt start/run/etc............ah good times.

[seaweb11]

Hate to sound like a dick head, but it seems you might be happier with a newer bike in better condition to start with. This one sounds like it would be a good project bike for someone who wants to restor/build a bike from scratch.

Sell it and start over, these 30+ year old bikes need a lot of love even when they are finished being brought back from the dead

Failing that ship it to me with a check for $7000.00 US and I'll ship you back a cool bike in 3 months.

[Dbarker]

which is why i wanted to ship it off in the first place to have it fixed. 

blah...

[ofreen]

The bike sounds pretty rough.  The problem you have is that if you can find somebody (a professional) who will do the work it needs, by the time it is done you will have way more money in it than it is worth.  Especially since you want it "reliable and factory" and "look brand new."  That is a very high standard and one that can be expensive (as in eye-watering) even when starting with a good example.  And you still run the risk that whoever does it may not do a good job.  

Others gave good advice.  If you don't do it yourself, you will be money ahead selling it and finding a better example.  They are out there.  Unless the bike has sentimental value to you, then only you can decide if the cost is worth it.

And seriously, others said they'll do it for 3 grand and 6 grand.  They must be philanthropists and will work for free out the goodness of their hearts for no other reason than to see your bike back on the road.  I'll do it for 10,000, but I can't guarantee I won't be back for more money before it is done, and I probably would be.  But I can guarantee it would be right.  Oh, and you have to wait until I finish my '42 GPW restoration, but it's almost done.

[Mod Newb]

After typing this im gonna say this. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.  I just know it doesnt work properly. 

Assume its been sitting outside for 30 years, its completely seized up, and has rust eating away at every inch of it.  what do i need.

I know - someone to do it for me.   But you guys wont let me do it that way.  So, we set here with you wanting to know whats wrong and me not knowing.  The vicious cycle will continue til some who knows what their doing with these bikes looks at it and says you need this this and this.

I gotta say that I love this guy.     I mean, this "frustrated-angry-I wanna kill you-but I love this damn hunk of 30 year old metal-tell me what the hell to do" attitude is the same one I've experienced a number of times.  I mean, he is so pissed off that he DEMANDS help including part numbers for everything that might be wrong on his bike.  I'm serious, this has got to be the most entertaining post of the year.

Now will one of you sons of biyatches tell me how to fix my bike too?   

[seaweb11]

start with changing the plugs


aaaaahhhhhhhh to be 24 again