Author Topic: cb350 bobber/rat inspired bike, new pics 10/17/09 (Read 12949 times)

Pete T · « **on:** February 16, 2009, 04:58:49 PM »

heres my first build, got this thing a while ago just didnt have any time to work on it because im always down at school and its at my parents' house. Its a 1970 cb 350 twin. Im going for a rat/bobber kindof look i guess, the rear struts were replaced by the previous owner with some twisted pieces of steel, not sure if i really want to keep them, but trying to keep the build under $500 including the price of the bike, which I got for $250, I will try and get some white wall tires for this thing, I think that would make it look pretty cool, any one know of a cheap online tire store that might have whitewalls??? anyway here are some pics of the bars and seat pan that I just made
thanks
-Peter

yes, that seat pan is cut out of a dishwasher door, my old man is a repairman so we usually have a bunch of crap like this laying around, it wasnt thick enough so I made a separate support for it out of steel rods.

I bent that back piece around the christmas tree holder thing in the background

here are some stock cut up bars:

rachet · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:31:14 PM »

Great start! I like that seat pan/Fender combo you got going on.

Rachet~

Pete T · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:54:35 PM »

Quote from: rachet on February 16, 2009, 05:31:14 PM

Great start! I like that seat pan/Fender combo you got going on.

Rachet~

thanks!, i think i might cover the seat with some leather if i can get some, make it a little more comfy

rachet · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2009, 06:12:01 PM »

I would hope at the very least you'd use some Leather! I would drop some dense foam and then wrap it in leather. It doesn't matter how cool a bike looks, if you can't ride it for longer then 5 minutes it's not much good.

Just my two cents~

Rachet~

Pete T · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2009, 08:27:16 PM »

hah yah, pretty good point, who would carry foam? fabric store? hardware store? any ideas?

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2009, 10:34:47 PM »

A store that specializes in upholstery fabrics should have it. We have one called Foam and Fabric. There are different densities so try out a few. Being that your seat may be a bit thin maybe something a little denser would work. The blue stuff is the most dense at least at our local store. Don't be tempted by cheap foam from some hardware store. With the little you need get the best it will hold up.

Pete T · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2009, 12:56:48 AM »

Quote from: srust58 on February 16, 2009, 10:34:47 PM

A store that specializes in upholstery fabrics should have it. We have one called Foam and Fabric. There are different densities so try out a few. Being that your seat may be a bit thin maybe something a little denser would work. The blue stuff is the most dense at least at our local store. Don't be tempted by cheap foam from some hardware store. With the little you need get the best it will hold up.

will do, thanks for the help, i appreciate it

CBGhia · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2009, 06:31:51 AM »

If you are looking at making the seat pretty thin, I have heard of people using carpet padding. I have no personal experience with it, I have just seen it done.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:55:06 AM »

What size whitewalls pete?

I might be able to get some.

Pete T · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2009, 04:06:42 PM »

well, the tires are 3.5-18 rear and 3.0-18 front, are there different sizes of the whitewall? is that what you mean?

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2009, 05:06:53 PM »

Have to do some checking on availability but yea... there are different sizes.

I'll double check for 18's.

DaytonGuy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2009, 05:44:36 PM »

I like what your doing. It's gonna look pretty sweet.

Can you throw up some pics of how you have the rear fender mounted? I would love to do the same thing. Also, is it a front fender mounted on the rear? Pics would be great.

78CB750CAFE · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:20:14 PM »

VERY cool start. I am getting ready to start up a similar project on a 69 CB450

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:57:52 PM »

try a cashel english saddle pad for the seat padding, you can get them in 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch thicknesses theyre very comfy an shock absorbing. i used my old one on the cafe seat i had. used it for years on a tender-backed thoroughbred i used to show too and she never had an issue with it. http://www.culturedcowboy.com/cashel/ halfway down the page the FLAT english pad. i used the 1/2" with great results thsi isnt the first time i've suggested equestrian products for motorcycles, i forget who it was now i suggested they use an english saddle gel pad for their seat.

Pete T · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:26:38 AM »

hey thanks i will check them out, infortunately I wount be able to get any more work done on the bike untill mid march, the fender is actually not mounted, I just put it up there to see how it looks, i havent really though about how I might mount it, but I will definately post up a pick as soon as I will, and yes, its actually the front fender on the back, the bike didnt come with a rear fender when i bought it, so i am going to use just the front on the back, hah. here are some pics that I really liked and am going for a similar look:

Pete T · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:32:51 AM »

Quote from: 78CB750CAFE on February 17, 2009, 09:20:14 PM

VERY cool start. I am getting ready to start up a similar project on a 69 CB450

thanks, i went through your build thread and got a lot of cool ideas from your bike, that thing looks awesome!

Pete T · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2009, 06:27:24 PM »

2/27/09
Hit up the local junk yard!
got a new tank! i like my old one, but i might use this one cause its way badass, its really rusted, so maybe ill cut it down the middle and clean it out real good then weld it back up, and maybe try my hand at leading, anyone have any experience with this? will the tank warp if i try to weld it back up with a mig? anyway it was only $10 bucks so i couldent pass it up

I f ed up one of my carbs while trying to get one of the jets out, it broke while i was trying to uncrew it, then i tried to use an easy out and the easy out broke inside the jet, so then i drilled it out and used a bigger easy out, and that just made the whole wayyy big..anyway i figured it would be easier to pick up a new carb, got this this for only $10!

i also didnt like the headlight that came with my bike, it was too big, so i got this one, not sure what its from though, its got Lucas Motorcyle England written on it, soo maybe a triumph? i dont know but it looks pretty cool, got a huge dent in it though

i was missing one of the exhaust clamps, so i got some more, not sure they are the right size but they were only 5 bucks and in pretty good condition, so picked them up

Pete T · « **Reply #17 on:** February 27, 2009, 06:31:21 PM »

had a few more pics left over:

stresssolutions · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2009, 08:27:05 PM »

Quote from: Pete T on February 16, 2009, 05:54:35 PM

Quote from: rachet on February 16, 2009, 05:31:14 PM
Great start! I like that seat pan/Fender combo you got going on.

Rachet~
Brettuns Village Leather sells all sorts of leathers. They have some goat hide that would look great. http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/ Sign up for the newsletter, the guy is a pretty good writer. Must work his a$$ off, too.

thanks!, i think i might cover the seat with some leather if i can get some, make it a little more comfy

Pete T · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2009, 12:58:58 AM »

got some work done on the bike, welded up the frame where i cut it, cut up and fitted the new gas tank, I am now in a dilema of whether to go for the bobber look or the street tracker look, just wondering what you guys think, i like both looks so i might do a bobber look for now and if i get sick of it, ill just put on some longer shocks and different tank, so i get kindof a two bike in one...

RM81 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2009, 09:11:54 AM »

I like both tanks, but I think I like the first one a little better. Nice project so far!

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2009, 01:02:14 PM »

lookin good.

I'd roll it without a fender but that's just me.

BlindJoe · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2009, 01:09:45 PM »

Looking good, both tanks give the bike good lines, think the first one would be best for a bobber look if thats what you're goin for.

BT650 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 29, 2009, 04:51:34 AM »

I'd go with the cafe look with that seat. Then you can give me those rear struts!

Pete T · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2009, 04:56:22 PM »

Quote from: BT650 on March 29, 2009, 04:51:34 AM

I'd go with the cafe look with that seat. Then you can give me those rear struts!

hah, you like those? i was thinking of gettin some smaller shocks to replace those but may keep them to save some cash,

Pete T · « **Reply #25 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:29:56 AM »

a few days ago, when i started stripping the paint off, i saw a small crack in the bottom of the frame, i was bummed out but thought to myself "no big deal ill just weld it up" I started welding it and right away started blowing holes in the frame, so then i decided to patch it up, got some pipe and fitted it over the crack and started welding the pipe on, after i started welding that i realized that the entire bottom part of the frame is very close to being rusted throughm because i was blowing hole everywhere i was welding, so as i carefully welded up that piece i saw another crack and then another.. anyway you get the idea, looks like some water got down to the frame and started rusting the bike from inside.. soo what do you guys think.. is the frame salvageble? is there anything I can do to make it safe to ride? i doubt it myself but though i would get a second opinion.. it looks like i might have to pick up another frame : ( so i was wondering which other hondas have the same engine points and similar frame? cb400, cb550? my bike is a twin btw, so maybe a cb450 or cb400 ?

MosquitoJones · « **Reply #26 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:53:42 AM »

Quote from: Pete T on February 27, 2009, 06:27:24 PM

i also didnt like the headlight that came with my bike, it was too big, so i got this one, not sure what its from though, its got Lucas Motorcyle England written on it, soo maybe a triumph? i dont know but it looks pretty cool, got a huge dent in it though

Oh dear god, run away now.

martino1972 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:57:22 AM »

yeah,I would not trust that frame...!!!!!!!!! if she is weak there,she will be weak somewhere else too.....don't risk your life on it...get another one..........

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 31, 2009, 12:34:05 PM »

Where do you live pete.... I could probably fix it.

Pete T · « **Reply #29 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:01:16 PM »

Quote from: HavocTurbo on March 31, 2009, 12:34:05 PM

Where do you live pete.... I could probably fix it.

hah, very far away, san francisco... how would you fix something like that if you dont mind sharing?

Pete T · « **Reply #30 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:02:11 PM »

Quote from: MosquitoJones on March 31, 2009, 11:53:42 AM

Quote from: Pete T on February 27, 2009, 06:27:24 PM
i also didnt like the headlight that came with my bike, it was too big, so i got this one, not sure what its from though, its got Lucas Motorcyle England written on it, soo maybe a triumph? i dont know but it looks pretty cool, got a huge dent in it though
Oh dear god, run away now.

hahah, what? please elaborate?

MosquitoJones · « **Reply #31 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:28:48 AM »

Lucas is world-famous for their #$%*ty electronics. You can find Lucas jokes all over the internet, such gems as:

"The three-position Lucas switch--SMOKE, SMOLDER, and IGNITE."

"The original anti-theft devices--Lucas Electric products."

"If Lucas made guns, wars would not start either."

And my personal favorite:

"During the 1970's, Lucas diversified its product line and began manufacturing vacuum cleaners. It was the only product Lucas ever offered which didn't suck."

78CB750CAFE · « **Reply #32 on:** April 01, 2009, 06:37:19 PM »

Maybe you could appease Joseph Lucas, the Prince of Darkness with some sort of blood sacrifice?

I love the quote attributed to him (real or not, I don't know) when he was asked about the performance of his lighting products, and he stated that no decent person would ride a motorbike after dark.

Loose
Unsoldered
Connections
And
Splices

Pete T · « **Reply #33 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:56:08 PM »

hah thats funny, well it fits the bike and i think it looks good, i dont plan to use the wiring from it, only the casing..
anyway i found another cb350 at a local junkyard, it pretty much complete and only $75, just have to make sure it doesnt have any backfees.

Pete T · « **Reply #34 on:** October 17, 2009, 01:19:51 PM »

worked on the bike over the summer, didnt have much time but definately made some progress... havent posted in a while though, the donor $75 bike turned out to have a rebuilt motor, wired it up, put oil in it, rebuilt carbs, new plugs and whooallla it started. had a problem with the coil though, one side did not fire, and the bike was running on only one cylinder.. got another set of coils.. was getting spark in both plugs, and now i think its not firing one side again.. the same side coil looks to be burned up again..what kind of wiring problem could cause this? anyway still need to make the seat and get some rear struts( seat in the picture and hardtail struts are just temporary), the seat pan i made from fiberglass. also made a new set of bars aswell. cut the front springs about 1" (dont know if that was such a great idea)
thanks for looking
-Pete

Industrial Rat400f Killer · « **Reply #35 on:** October 17, 2009, 01:55:30 PM »

Nice, can we git a straight on side pic?

kerryb · « **Reply #36 on:** October 17, 2009, 08:39:34 PM »

I liked the original bars better, was the reach too far?

A good source of seat foam is a higher-density closed-cell polyurethane foam sold as a sleeping pad at the local camping store. Got mine for ten bucks...enough foam for several seats. Shaping is easy with a random-orbit sander and 80 grit paper. Glue together with contact cement.

Good choice on the tank. Bike looks good.

News:

Author Topic: cb350 bobber/rat inspired bike, new pics 10/17/09 (Read 12949 times)

fuzzybutt

BT650