Topic: Newb's 350F project UPDATED 7/27/08

[xProjectx2501]

Well, after reading about and wanting to restore a motorcycle for several years, I finally took the plunge and bought a CB350F off ebay for cheap. I've always been attracted to these bikes. Used to have a toy 550 when I was a lil' guy. So I understand that I may have a different view of this bike than other people (the usual reaction to the pic off of ebay is "You actually spent money on that?!")

For those of you who are familiar with advrider forums, you may have seen these pics already. They're the ones who pointed me in the direction of these boards.

Anyway, here's how the bike looked when I got it.




Gauges were in great shape!


I've since stipped it down and have really begun the repairs in full.


I'm really leaning torward a cafe project, but I'd prefer not to get locked in to any one idea just yet. I'll just go along with it and see what direction the bike wants to go in.

[snarferer]

It would be awesome to see another nice, restored 350F around these parts.

If you don't mind my asking, how much was the purchase price?

[my78k]

Nice looking bike...where did you find it? At the bottom of the ocean?? lol...just ragging on ya...Lord knows you have WAAAAYYYYY more vision and skill than I do to tackle that project. Just think of the bragging rights when you get to show before and after pics!!!

Dennis

[xProjectx2501]

snarferer: I think I got a pretty good deal on it. $31 dollars, plus the gas to pick it up about an hour away. But the engine is in much better shape internally than I thought.

my78k: Actually, it was sitting in a field in Texas for the past 20+ years. Which basically amounts to about the same thing, but with more spiders. 

[kslrr]

Wow!  May the motorcycle restoring gods by with you.

But as long as the engine is in good shape, the rest shouldn't be too bad.

[Johnie]

Hey just enjoy the trip man...once it is done you will have huge bragging rights from what I see.  I would have passed this one up even for $31.  Probably because I would be dead before I finished it.    Everyone here sure wishes you the best and keep us informed how it is going.  Guys here do remarkable things on these restorations.  And we love to see these old relecs put back on the road.  Good luck with your project and I hope I live long enough to see you finish it...

[Chad]

I'm really looking forward to watching this Phoenix rise from the proverbial ashes.   

[xProjectx2501]

Johnie: The way I figure it, there are enough good parts on this bike to sell, should I decide I've gotten in too deep, to recuperate the cost of the bike. It isn't like I would need to make much to break even! I also wouldn't factor in the time spent cleaning it up, because at least I'm learning an awful lot about these bikes that would help me on another project down the line. As long as you've gained something, even if it's just knowledge, you'll always come out ahead.

Anyway, I'm cleaning the engine pretty good right now. I've been letting it soak with a solution of grill cleaner and simple green, then spraying off the loose dirt with a hose. Hope to have it ready to paint by tonight. That dirt can sure be stubborn, though.

[kghost]

Good luck.

All it takes is patience.

[DarkRider]

WOW!!...and i thought my 550 was bad being fully disassembled before i even bought it...

[snarferer]

Not that you're going to keep that paint job  .....
But were the 350f's ever that color blue?  I've only seen/heard of silver, red, that blackish/blue deal and the best color of course green.

[xProjectx2501]

Actually, I don't think any of the 350Fs were that color. But I know for a fact that this model (72-73) was only available in candy bacchus olive and flake matador red. I'm still at a loss as to what color this bike was originally.

[DarkRider]

wears the shade of "just came out of the bottom of a lake" rather well...just messin with ya man.

[hoodellyhoo]

Not that you're going to keep that paint job  .....
But were the 350f's ever that color blue?  I've only seen/heard of silver, red, that blackish/blue deal and the best color of course green.

I've wondered this myself. Every so often some 350f body parts will go on ebay and be that blue color. And it seems they're always that same shade of blue. Maybe it was just a popular color for a repaint?

[strangedaze39]

Judging by the shape of the bike, the blue is simply a sign it used to be green. When they used to candy paint bikes they would use 2 different colors, and on the green CB350F's the first (bottom) color was the blue your seeing. This might be it, just my guess.

Also to the OP, good luck it's this bike needs a lot of love. The good thing about these kind of restores are how much the more the bike will mean to the owner rather then just being a CB350F. It's almost like building the whole bike yourself and more.

Keep us updated, we love pictures 

SD 

Not that you're going to keep that paint job  .....
But were the 350f's ever that color blue?  I've only seen/heard of silver, red, that blackish/blue deal and the best color of course green.

I've wondered this myself. Every so often some 350f body parts will go on ebay and be that blue color. And it seems they're always that same shade of blue. Maybe it was just a popular color for a repaint?

[fixahonda]

That's excellent that the bike is being given another chance. Good luck to you. You will have a really special machine when you are done.

[xProjectx2501]

Well, I guess I should keep this thread updated. I'm hesitant to dip into my emergency fund so I'm trying not to spend any money right now on the bike. I've basically just been bouncing around the bike doing whatever I can until I can buy parts to do much needed repairs.

Anyway, I finally found my bolt cutters and got rid of those nasty old spokes. I'll be polishing the front rim, the rear rim has chome peeling off so I may replace it or just paint it black.


Glad I got that tetanus shot!


Also, Started polishing whatever I could. Here's a before pic of the nastiness. Looks like the PO painted over the original engine paint with silver lacquer.


Came off easily enough with some acetone and a little sanding. Can't wait to get it really shined up!


Engine cleaning has been taking up most of my time, for sure. Here's how it looked after several hours of scrubbing. This is actually an improvement! Amazingly difficult to get that crud off.


My exhaust valves has an impressive ammount of carbon buildup caked on. I really would love to clean up all of the valves, but I'm not sure I want to take the head off when the engine turns over just fine as it is. Only has 17,000 miles on it. Does it need a rebuild?


Anyway, if I can make up my mind about taking the head off to clean the valves I'll be sure to post pictures. I sure am curious what the cylinders look like after all these years!

[kslrr]

17,000 miles on the clock by itself is not a reason for a rebuild.  But sitting in a field for many years might.  Not telling what got in there.  Performing a compression check would be a good indication.  As far as the carbon goes, maybe there is a way of cleaning that out after you got it running.  TT, any ideas?

[Hush]

Gonna watch this rebuild for sure, nice find mate and great price.
That's just the sort of "Oh My God" project I would like for my partner, give her an appreciation of the work that it takes to do such a rebuild.
Pretty much if you get a full rolling frame, engine, wheels etc the rest is just elbow grease and parts (oh yeah and a wheelbarrow full of time).
Best of luck and lean heavily on the CB350F guys on here, they know heaps about these amazing little fours and are only too willing to share.
Previous owner should be left in a field for a decade at least, what a gumball! 17000miles sheesh it's only a baby!!!

[tom8Toe]

Nice looking bike...where did you find it? At the bottom of the ocean?? lol

Damn it... Coffee thru the nose burns.

[xProjectx2501]

FINALLY!!!! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ON MY BIKE!!!!!  Not that I've accomplished that much in my newly found time, but I've definitely made progress. For starters;

- Finished ripping into the engine. The cylinders are in great shape! No rust at all. Don't have a small enough feeler gauge to check the clearance between the pistons, however. But it looks like new rings and a honing of the cylinders will be all I need, internally speaking.

- Several of the grungiest parts have been polished or painted. The front and rear forks, especially, look fantastic with an almost chrome like shine. Very proud of that.

- Obtained last owner on record from dept. of transportation. Clear history and title. Not reported stolen. Looks like I'll be able to get a title for this thing after all!

-Been redesigning of my humble work space to accommodate the project and organize the parts and random bits as I remove them. I feel much more productive in the new work space.

- Most important, however, has been the actual parts hunt/budgeting of the project. I've tracked down nearly every part I need to finish the bike with a total coming out to, well, not cheap by any means, but certainly an amount I'm willing to pay for this project and cheaper by far for any newer bike I could find in decent condition.

If I can figure out how to export from excel I'll post my budget in case others are interested. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but the digital camera had a fall a few weeks ago and doesn't seem to want to wake up anymore. I'll see if one of my friends can lend me one of theirs for a bit (I wasn't the one who dropped mine, BTW).

I'd been holding off on buying things until I A) Had money to spend and B) knew the bike wasn't stolen. As a celebration for both counts, I just ordered a new set of bridgestone spitfires, tubes, and new spoke sets! Can't wait to get this thing running!