Topic: CB350F Basket Case - Real Time Project

[weekend_junkie]

I found a CB350F for sale a bit ago, not running, no title.  The guy wanted $400.  We settled on $90.  Sooooooo.... On with the new project!  I literally just started tinkering around with this today so keep your expectations low.

It's in really rough shape but the bike is complete and the motor turns over.  The paint is trashed so I'm going to get creative.  I started to strip the tank (original green 350 paint) and the metal is blue underneath!  What's up with that? More pictures to come...

[fmctm1sw]

That might be a base coat.  Those candy paints had a colored base coat from what I've picked up in these forums...

[johnny]

Can't wait to see what you come up with! I just finished my 350F.

[Kong]

That's not the metal, you got a long way to go.  Do you have any kind of sander?

[MoMo]

That's not the metal, you got a long way to go.  Do you have any kind of sander?

One original color for the 350f was green, possible you just took a repaint off...Larry

[weekend_junkie]

Well, a little more work this morning and the stripper is getting through the blue a little bit.  Yes, I realize how much I have to get through and I like the way the stripper is working.

I have a mouse sander for later on but I'm just having fun at this point, no serious timeline or anything.  I've never (successfully) done bodywork so everything is learning process.

[weekend_junkie]

SLOW progress on this project, I spent some time sanding/stripping last night and... ta-da! Bare metal!  My little Black&Decker mouse sander is an awesome tool.

What I would like to do is get a brushed metal finish on the tank, but I'm concerned that it will rust.  I was thinking of doing the brushed finish with sand paper and doing a clear coat to seal it.  Anyone have experience with doing this?

Also, I pulled out some suspension options from my parts bin.  I have comstars and forks/triples from a 1980 CB750F that I am considering.  I know it's only a 35mm front end upgrade compared to the 33mm, but it's a quick route to dual disks up front.  I'll have to get some shop time to see how compatable the steering stem is, but I assume my worst case scenario is to grind out the 750 stem and press in the 350 stem. 

It's funny, but the most enjoyable part of this is the fact that I'm just going into my parts bin and not trying to buy anything for this project. Wish me luck!  Oh yeah, comments are welcome.

[unitedguitar]

This stuff works great for stripping paint. I used it on my tank and it took it straight down to bare metal from four different colors of paint on the first spray.



It is very strong so I don't recommend it for plastic. It also burns a little if you get it on your skin. It is cheap though and you can get it at Wal Mart or other chain store that has paint products.

[weekend_junkie]

I've been using this stuff, but it's coming out lumpy from the can. 



It only takes 1 coat off at a time and I have to apply it by brush, but it was already in the closet so I'm not complaining.  I thought it was the strongest stuff I could buy at the time, so I wonder what the difference is between my gallon jug and that spray can.

[unitedguitar]

It may not be the stripper but the paint. If the paint on yours had been set out in the sun and baked on for years it may be too hard for the stripper to remove in one coat. My tank had been setting inside a shop for many years and was relatively soft compared to some tanks that I have stripped down. The two two types of paint stripper may be different formulas as well. Too many variables to really say for sure.

[weekend_junkie]

Project update:

I installed a 1980 CB750F comstar front end on the bike and it seems to be pretty smooth sailing.  I had to grind down the steering stop on the 350F frame, but the rest of the assembly went smooth once I found the correct wheel from my parts bin.

I wasn't as lucky with the rear... I have a complete 1980 CB750F rear end as well so I pulled the 350 wheel and swingarm to do a test fit, here were my problems:
the 750 swing arm pivot was too wide for the 350 frame
the 750 swing arm shock mounts were too wide for the 350 shock mounts
750 comstar wheel itself was too wide for the 350 swingarm
750 comstar axle was too wide for the 350 swingarm

I know anything is possible with the right amount of machining, but this is a lot of negatives to overcome.  Anyone know of a rear wheel, preferably with drum brake, that swaps in easier?

[weekend_junkie]

Well, ya bums, I had to figure this out ON MY OWN!  Looks like I got lucky, because this old CB400T wheel fits nicely into the swingarm.  I'll have to massage the spacers, but that should be the hardest part.  Since this build is certainly not for looks, I want the practicality of tubeless tires and these comstars will do the trick.

By the way, you think I have enough suspension in the back???