Topic: First post. Question about CB350/360 vs CB500/CB550

[acejcl]

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy my very first bike. I've been an active member on a car forum for close to 10 yrs but I don't know squat about bikes so I thought I'd reach out to you guys for guidance.

I'm pretty set on a Honda CB and have plans to turning it into a mild cafe racer. Been searching for a little over a month now I'm having a hard time finding one in good condition within my budget.

Can you guys tell me the main differences between a CB350/360 vs a CB500/550 besides the obvious bigger engine, more power? Is there a big difference in overall size? I'm not too concerned with power and performance, I just want a bike to go on occasional cruises once or twice a week.
I'm a bit hesitant to get a CB350 and then wish I had waited to find a 500/550.

[scunny]

very hard question to answer. it all depends on the riding you want to do. 500/550 have a few more bits to work on. can't go wrong with any choice there.

[Bluegreen]

I've never been on a 350T, the 360T is a lot of fun but the 5's have a lot more top end and are a lot smoother. The 360 vibrates a bunch more than the bigger two in comparison. They're all fun though. Oh and it is probably easier to find parts for the 500/550. But like Scunny said, not a bad choice in the lot.

[Scott S]

 If this is your first bike, and if you plan on doing much of the work yourself, go with the twin. This, coming from the owner of a CB500 and a CB550.

 Half the carbs to fiddle with, half the valves to adjust, etc. Plus, they're a marginally smaller bike, thus, easier to handle for a new rider. Oh, and whatever you get, get it running and fine tuned and learn to ride it before you start cafe'ing it out.

 My two cents....

[fmctm1sw]

Read that the 360T had issues with the cam chain tensioner...

[Johnie]

Yes, the 360 had a cam chain tensioner recall. If a dealer did the cam chain recall you will see a couple dimples next to the engine number. And I agree the 360 vibrates pretty bad. But I was comparing it to my CB750's, so I guess that is not fair. Sort of a small bike and I would get a bit cramped on it at 6 foot.

[acejcl]

Thanks for all the replies. It's exactly what I was looking for.

I found a CB360 in good condition but it's priced at around the same price as some CB550 that Ive been seeing. I'm leaning more towards the 500/550 but it will of course depend on what I find, condition, and price.

[Kermit]

I'm restoring a cb500 right now, and would suggest whatever you get prepare for parts to be hard to get, and expensive. the cb750 is a little easier to find parts for. The twins are easier to work on because of the amount of moving parts, and i think they have a little more class than the 4's. Don't get me wront i love the look of the 4 pipes though.

[coldwave007]

My first road bike was a CB350.  Good bike, relatively light, vibrated a lot though. If you look at a 350 make sure you take a compression gauge with you.  You really want a minimum of 160lbs per cylinder, preferably 180, IIRC.  Mine was 110 and 120 respectively, and could be a B!!!h to start and never had as much OOMPH as is should have.

About a year later I bumped up to a Honda 650 that I still love and ride.  It is a lot heavier though, so I'm glad I didn't learn on it. 

[johnny]

I've got a 350 twin, a 350 four and a 550 four.
The 350 twin is by far the most "aggressive" of the three in terms of torque. It will throw you back in your seat at a stop light. The vibration is noticeably more on the twin compared to the fours so I wouldn't recommend it if your riding will be at higher speeds. I think you'd fatigue easily.
There is a noticeable difference in size and weight between the 350 and 550 fours. Depending on your size, you may feel a bit more comfortable on one over the other.
Any of the bikes should be easy to find most parts for, as well as repair and maintain yourself.
Good luck!

[acejcl]

Picked up a '75 550 this week with 14k. Bike is running and all electrical are working fine.

Will take it to a mechanic tomorrow to get a check up. The clutch handle is extremely hard. Any idea on what the problem could be?

[dave500]

cable needs to be lubed.

[Rigid]

If this is your first bike, and if you plan on doing much of the work yourself, go with the twin. This, coming from the owner of a CB500 and a CB550.

 Half the carbs to fiddle with, half the valves to adjust, etc. Plus, they're a marginally smaller bike, thus, easier to handle for a new rider. Oh, and whatever you get, get it running and fine tuned and learn to ride it before you start cafe'ing it out.

 My two cents....

+1, "the newbie wants to build a cafe line forms to the left, please take a number" welcome to the forum. :-)

[Stev-o]

I highly recommend the 550.  I restored a 550f last year, parts are readily available and reasonably priced. 
Continue to look for both and literally put your hands on as many as possible, the answer to your question will then be more clear to you.
Where are you?

[wardenerd]

i am a mechanical spaz but a 1977 550f is managable mechanically.  I just take the carbs to my mechanic.  a man's got to know his limitations

[Rigid]

Get the best, most original, Honda you can for your money at any given time.  I know that is vague but it is how I rolled for years before I got into buying seriously junked out bikes and building customs out of them.  There is plenty to do to a nice looking bike that has sat for even a few months, or was neglected.