Topic: 350 Twin questions

[GroovieGhoulie]

I'm looking for a bike for the GF and I'm probably just gonna get her a 350 twin or thereabouts until she gets better.  Something to bang around on and if it gets dropped or dinged, no big deal.  Then I'll get her the 350 Four.

Is a certain year more desirable than another?  Any pitfalls with them?  I like the earlier ones because of the rubber inserts on the tank and the higher redline.  Are these more sought after and hence, expensive?

How's the 360 as I might have a project 360 near me for sale.

[ohiocaferacer]

Hey Groov,

You cant go wrong with the 350 twin.....and actually....the twin has more horsepower than the 350four....and lighter in weight.

As far as years go....1969-1972 were all good for different things. The later model had a lower redline......but had the cam redone to reduce lobe failures with a different profile. Also....the 1972(only year with this & drum brakes) model had a better frontend, with internal fork springs and a piston actuated damper rod......plus an upper triple clamp that actually clamped to the fork to prevent fork twisting.

So.....for an everday rider.....i'd go with a 72 model. My red CR350 replica racer is a 1972 and I love it! Now....if you were eventually gonna use the bike for a racer.....i'd go with the early model, like you said.....1000 more rpms.

Hope this helps,
Greg

[Bill Vaughan]

No experience with the 350's, but I have restored 360's from the ground up.  Although I'm partial to the 360 for that reason, from all I've heard, the 350 is a better model.

If you do go the 360 route just be aware of the cam chain tensioner factory update for the '74 and '75 models.  If it hasn't been done already, it needs to be.  I've got a copy of the factory update procedure (if you need it) and the parts are still available.  Models that received the update (through a dealer) will have a colon mark somewhere within the engine's serial number stamping.

The 360 also has a six-speed gearbox.  Not a big deal, but the shorter ranges mean shifting more often.

[cb650]

There was a decent 360 on ebay in ohio the other day for cheap.   Saw a sweet 350 on the road yesterday.  One you wouldnt want to drop.  Seems some of the 350 guys dont like the 360. Mine has been great.  Put 12000 miles on it the past 3 yrs.




             Terry

[dusterdude]

my first bike was a 350 twin,sweet ride.i have one that has been sitting outside for about 15 years,im starting to getting a hankering to try and bring it back to life,but i will need a good parts bike for that or a good bike that needs some parts,whichever comes first.

[crazypj]

350 is probably better than 360 but I like the 360's. (anyone got one cheap with a title?) need some slight mods to cyl head so cam bearings survive. When bearings sieze on 350 its easy to change the end covers, 360 bored directly into head and repair is a lot more involved.
PJ

[Raul CB750K1]

You are probably aware that I'm restoring a 72 CB350. I also like the square tank for the earlier versions, so I was considering buying a cheap one out of ebay, with the matching sidecovers, and repaint them so I can have a second body set to change the looks of the bike. Can anybody of you tell me if the chassis is exactly the same, so any of the tanks will fit in it?

Best regards

Raul

[bill440cars]

  I don't really have anything to add to what's already been said. I do kinda understand the 350 guys not really liking the 360 at 1st (but not continuing to dislike them). When the CB350s came out, I was running a 66'CB72 250 Hawk and I didn't like the CB77 305 Super Hawk and CB72s being replaced by the 350. It took me a little while to get over it. This is kinda funny because, before I bought my CB72, I never really thought much about a motorcycle with the engine hanging in the frame. All the  ones I had seen and had any dealing with had the engine mounted IN the frame. The Cb72 completely changed  my whole outlook! Then they were replaced! Oh well, time goes on and I've got a CB77 Super Hawk that's waiting for me to be able to afford to gather up parts to bring it back to life. It's just one of my many projects. I've come to better appreciate the other models up to  and including the 360 (as far as the twins go & if I needed any help or input on them, I seek out those here on this site). Later on,  Bill

[Raul CB750K1]

[

Hey Raul, the chassis are not exact.   The seat mounts, latches, seat lengths, and tank lengths are a little different from k0 k1 onward.   I don't know enough about all the differences but I think you might run into problems fitting a 68 tank with a 72 seat (might look funny too).   You could swap tank and seat together for sure, but that would require welding/ altering the seat mounts on your restored frame  .

Jorge

I also thought about it, as the earlier versions had a seat with hinges in the rear, and not in the sides. Thanks for the advice Jorge. -with such a name you must speak spanish, don't you?-