Author Topic: CB350 Four - Three Wheeled Heap (Read 8800 times)

DollarBill · « **on:** June 13, 2009, 06:04:24 PM »

I saw this monster posted on craigslist a few months ago and even linked the listing here. It was hideous...yet intriguing. I saw it again a while back and some guy bought it the first time it was listed....now moving and has to get rid of it. The listing said make an offer. I offered the guy a $50 gift card for Bass Pro Shop that I got as a gift. He said he would consider it if he didn't get any takers.....needless to say he didn't and he took me up on the offer.

1972 CB350 Four with 80s Yamaha swingarm and forks.

I figured at worst I could sell the side covers and some engine bits for more than what the gift card was worth. The side covers are perfect other than faded paint. The gas tank has a couple small dings and is rusted in the inside with a couple of pinholes on the bottom...pretty much trash or seat cowl material. The petcock is good. Then engine covers look good as do the carbs and the hand controls. It has the original ignition with key. The frame is original but no title. The three wheeler swingarm and forks came off an unknown Yamaha model. It looks like no mods were necessary to make the swingarm fit. The guy who built it did weld on a mounting bracket for the monoshock and welded foot peg mounts and mounts for the rear master cylinder. If it wasn't so tough to get a title in Texas I might consider trying to bring the engine back to life and taking it back to stock but I don't think this beast is worth it....still debating though. Maybe I could lose the rear end and forks and tuck it away under my work bench for a few years while I think about it.

What say the rest of you?

Sell it for parts or make it a project and get it turning again?

jesus freek · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2009, 06:37:59 PM »

I've gotta visit craigslist more often!!

In my twisted and demented mind I feel this is an awesome find. If it were me, I would leave as is,and get it running. Great conversation piece!

750goes · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2009, 06:44:03 PM »

I think if you get it running -it looks like it would really rip up some good turf....

should have plenty of torque as well - get it running and send us the videos....

333 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2009, 06:55:35 PM »

I find myself with the crowd. A rude machine, yes. Should it have been done? No. But it's here now, and it is kind'a cool.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2009, 07:01:52 PM »

That could very well be the ugliest thing I ever saw. What's the extent of the mods?

jtb · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2009, 07:35:41 PM »

I really hate to admit this.

I kinda like it.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2009, 07:42:10 PM »

OMG!!!

Put some street tires on it and ride it.

Also can you PM me your email addy again.... I accidently deleted it.

DollarBill · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2009, 07:50:48 PM »

Damnit! Y'all are supposed to encourage me to sell off the bits and pieces! Truth be told I kinda like it too. I'm just afraid it would take more than I want to get it going. It sat outside for who knows how long with spark plugs unscrewed and the engine won't turn. I've seen several guys here work frozen engines loose and bring them back to life. What should I pour in it to try and ease it loose? WD-40? Motor oil?

As for the mods. It looks like the swingarm was a perfect fit. The frame at the swingarm looks unmolested. The frame itself has some crap welded on it. The three header pipes that are there have been moded to go around the side of the engine because I don't think they would last long underneath when going off road.

Off the top it would take an engine rebuild I am sure after working the pistons loose. After that a tank that doesn't leak. Brakes rebuilt. New cables maybe. Frame sanded and painted because it has some pretty rough rust spots. New tires because the front and left rear are shot. Chain is rusted. New battery. The harness looks good at least.

Sporkfly · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2009, 08:01:24 PM »

Strangely enough, I like it too. It's an oddball for sure, but it has charm.

I feel weird saying this, but great find!

DollarBill · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2009, 08:08:12 PM »

It needs a new name.

The Abomination!

captaincrash80 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2009, 08:34:39 PM »

Any chance you could find out what model the swingarm and forks came off of? I'd love to build something like that to use at the lake with my kids. Hell, if you were closer to KS I'd offer you $100 for it as is

DollarBill · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2009, 08:49:27 PM »

The guy I got it from didn't know. I'll take a close look tomorrow and see if I can find any part numbers or anything like that.

If I do decide to part it out I'll sell you the three wheeled parts. However, if you have a two wheeled 350 four I would gladly trade you!

AngryGreek · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2009, 08:50:56 PM »

Is it just me, or does it look like the header pipes would melt your shins/feet?

DollarBill · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2009, 09:02:17 PM »

Yeah...the pipes would need heat shields like a CL350. Dang it....see it's already getting expensive.

DollarBill · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2009, 09:13:16 PM »

I do think this gas cap would be a cool restore project. I could put it on my 350 twin....

Hush · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2009, 09:23:14 PM »

I could do with taht gas cap, I keep running out of gas cos I'm having too much fun.

Can you get them like that easily and do they work?

DollarBill · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2009, 09:50:01 PM »

Yeah it works...just needs new glass and straight needle. I'm going to try and restore it. I have run out of gas on my 350T before so it would be a welcome addition there.

DollarBill · « **Reply #17 on:** June 14, 2009, 07:39:37 AM »

I can see bits of leaves and crap down in the spark plug holes. What would be the best way to proceed in breaking loose the seized engine? I've read posts about PB Blaster, acid, and some other concoctions. Should I pour some product in through the spark plug holes regardless of what bits of nature may be there and then once it's freely moving take it apart and clean it out?

WFO · « **Reply #18 on:** June 14, 2009, 08:54:35 AM »

Another honda lost to the hands of a demented mechanic.

DollarBill · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:58:04 AM »

captaincrash80 - The swingarm, wheels, and forks came off of a 1985 Yamaha Tri-Z 250. I found one on eBay and the headlight, forks, and rims look exactly the same.

I think I am keeping the frame and engine. The three wheeler parts will go to anyone that wants them....but not right now because I don't want to take it apart until I find time to work on freeing up the engine.

My wife thinks I should have kept the gift card

captaincrash80 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2009, 08:53:55 AM »

Awesome. Let us know if she runs when you finally get that motor broke loose

rempy · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2009, 05:52:50 PM »

It's gotta be the state of mind i'm in right now, but...

That. Thing. Is. Absolutely. Beautiful.

I vote bring it back to life. Find some cheap pipes and a semi-stock headlight/mount, put street tires on it and you will have a line of people out the door waiting to ride it.

Zaipai · « **Reply #22 on:** February 07, 2010, 06:10:37 PM »

Well after looking at this, I don't know where you are at with it. As much as I like it, I have to agree its a bit of a money pit. If you take it on road, you will need speedo possibly a tach.. headlight, tail light etc.. At this point you still have to deal with a frozen motor and maybe a bad tranny.. Naw.. sell what you can and cut your losses.. Its a cool project for some with with lots of time and extra money..

.: Scott :.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #23 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:45:43 AM »

Quote from: Zaipai on February 07, 2010, 06:10:37 PM

Well after looking at this, I don't know where you are at with it. As much as I like it, I have to agree its a bit of a money pit. If you take it on road, you will need speedo possibly a tach.. headlight, tail light etc.. At this point you still have to deal with a frozen motor and maybe a bad tranny.. Naw.. sell what you can and cut your losses.. Its a cool project for some with with lots of time and extra money..

.: Scott :.

Oh you chicken!!!

mgbgt89 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 08, 2010, 08:29:30 AM »

That thing is too cool.. It would be a shame to build something like that now, but what's done is done. I'd say finish what the PO started!

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Author Topic: CB350 Four - Three Wheeled Heap (Read 8800 times)

jesus freek

AngryGreek