Topic: New guy, new to motorcycles also, in Ohio

[Ryanscb]

Hey, my name is Ryan, I am new to motorcycles so expect a ton of newbie question, but please be nice. I picked up a '73 CB350F, it needs a good amount of work, but I'm excited to get into it. One of my first things to work on is the starter, the electric start doesn't work so only kick starting, haven't decided if I want to try to fix the electric start or to just take it off and use the kick all the time. Only worry with that is debris getting in the mounts? I picked up a clymer manual but it doesnt seem to be very detailed, guess I'm used to Bently's manuals. I'm leaning toward the cafe style with the bike. I really like that look just have to get a game plan together. In true new guy wanna be cafe racer style I did pick up some clubman bars... just have to figure out how to get the hand controls off the original bars without messing anything up, so anyone who whats to show me the right bolts to take off to get them off would be great since the clymer certainly doesn't. The paint wasn't so great so I started sanding on the covers and tank before taking the pictures, hoping to paint everything in the spring.

Here's the bike. pictures aren't that great, but I'll be taking tons along the way

[Brown Bomber]

Welcome to the forum Ryan. Looks like a good bike to get started with. I wouldn't yank the electric start off right away, it may be something simple, and they are nice to have. The wires to your controls run through the handlebars so switching to clubmans will require some patience. Study one of the online parts diagrams like this;
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb350ffour-usa_model435/partslist/
I'd get some new sneakers on it, clean it up a little, get it running as good as possible and ride it some before doing anything to it. 

Have fun

[bgfootball67]

Welcome to the forum Ryan, that 350 should be a great starting point for you!  Make sure once it warms up a bit, you meet us out in the short north for Columbus VinMoto on Monday evenings.  A couple of the member have awesome 2 cylinder cafe versions on the 350 and quite a bit of knowledge.  Good luck, have fun and take a ton of pictures...

[Ryanscb]

Thanks for the link, those diagrams will help a lot. Looking forward to coming out to the meets. Went for about a one mile ride today just so it doesn't just sit. Am going to try to diagnose the starter issue this week since I have a few days off. Not sure if this post will show up since I'm doing this through my phone, but here goes it 

[onagd]

Welcome Ryan. I have one of these little fours, and thoroughly enjoy it. Before you go to the trouble of pulling it apart, I would also suggest you get it running as well as you can, ride it, and enjoy it. It funny how these baby honda fours grow on you. Mine started out in a little bit better condition than yours, i.e. not quite as much surface rust, but it is running well and is a nice little bike to ride. Have fun.

Brett

[Ryanscb]

Other then the starter part the bike runs great, doesn't look so great, but runs good. Been trying to clean up the surface rust with some steel wool and semichrome but its just not coming out as good as I'd like it. If anyone know any better ways that would be awesome.