Author Topic: Full Frame off restore? (Read 3146 times)

hs2k007 · « **on:** September 05, 2008, 01:33:34 PM »

I am contemplating a full frame off restoration of my 1972 Honda CB350F. I will recondition most of the factory original parts, but replace old parts with new if it is a cost savings. This will not be a true factory original, but not a cafe custom. I will update a few things, but they will be in the style of the originals as parts availability and cost allow. The engine runs great right now, but needs new gaskets, as it is leaking oil around the fins. The carbs need a cleaning and rebuild, as the bike opens up when all four are working, but bogs when I can tell the jets are clogged. I have never worked on bikes much, mainly cars. I have completed a few basic things on the bike so far, but I have never completed a full restoration. I feel I can complete or source out certain things. The one thing I do not want to pull apart is the motor. I may source that out completely or just replace the gaskets, paint the engine, clean the carbs and go. This bike means a lot to me, as it was my grandfathers he purchased new in 72, gave to my dad in 82, sold in 92 and reacquired into the family in 2008 recently. Any help and suggestion would be appreciated. This site has already helped me. I located a good dealer to purchase new rims and spokes and a bunch of other goodies. Thank you for your help thus far.

Steven

kghost · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2008, 03:04:59 PM »

Problem with the 350F's is that their not bring the kind of money it takes to do a full restoration.

So you'll probably wind up with more into it then ya can get out.

Pipes are extremely expensive and hard to find if you want the original exhaust.

But it has sentimental value so go for it.

Hush · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2008, 03:46:26 PM »

Hey man that is soo cool!
Your Granddads old bike, you seriously need to go for that project, not sure if Granddad would agree to the cafe-racer look but hey at least it is back in the family.

KB02 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2008, 06:48:23 PM »

Lets see a pic of the starting spot.

Brian G · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2008, 07:07:54 PM »

Quote

This bike means a lot to me, as it was my grandfathers

Oh my Heavenly Day!! How to go about making me feel old - I worked (as a teenager

) in a Honda shop the year the CB350F was released

Yeah..., you have to do it. Forget about whether you can recoup the cost of restoration - you're not going to sell it anyways, are you? Your grandfather's legacy notwithstanding, the 350F was - and still is - a jewel of a bike which has more in common with the CBX than the 350 twin. Soichiro Honda's way of showing everyone what his company could do.

Your bike has sentimental value, as well as historical. Keep at it; buy something else if you need to ride every day, but your CB350F is something special. Maybe, after you have found the expensive exhaust and various other bits and pieces needed to restore the bike, you can pass it down to your son or daughter - and how cool is that!!

Best Regards,
Brian

hs2k007 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2008, 09:06:24 AM »

Just got my new rims and spoke in from Davis Silver Spares. They look unbelievable. I will take some close ups of the wheels and spokes prior to putting these on. I am going to polish or powder coat the hubs as well. So i will do before and afters. Here is the bike right now. By the way, the seat is gone already. Found the original in my dads basement

robscb350f · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:00:43 PM »

Quote from: hs2k007 on September 10, 2008, 09:06:24 AM

Just got my new rims and spoke in from Davis Silver Spares. They look unbelievable. I will take some close ups of the wheels and spokes prior to putting these on. I am going to polish or powder coat the hubs as well. So i will do before and afters. Here is the bike right now. By the way, the seat is gone already. Found the original in my dads basement

What a great project your working on. I am currently working on a hub of my 72 cb350f. I was planning on powder coating it, but after struggling to get one of the busshing for the the sprocket carrier off, I decided to just polish. Good luck with the project and have fun with it!

hs2k007 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:01:47 PM »

what are you using to polish your hubs? do you have pics?

mystic_1 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2008, 02:11:50 PM »

Awesome that you found the original seat. One assumes it's in at least reasonably good shape since it was stored away?

Bigger pics next time please, that little one is just a tease

mystic_1

hs2k007 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2008, 05:56:30 PM »

seat is in great shape. it does have one melted mark on the cover, as my grandparents smoked, but no holes. I need to replace the chrome trim around the bottom edge. anyone know where I can find it or a suitable substitute?

robscb350f · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2008, 06:28:43 PM »

Quote from: hs2k007 on September 10, 2008, 12:01:47 PM

what are you using to polish your hubs? do you have pics?

I am just about to starting the polish project. I have never done it before, but I have read alot on it, and feel confident. Once it's done I will post a pic up.

hs2k007 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2008, 12:57:30 PM »

Lost a bid on an exhaust on Ebay, but purchased new signal stems and new mirrors. I went with shorter stems, 1 inch as opposed to 1 and 5/8. The mirrors are some what oval and the arms will be lower that the stock mirrors. the factory mirrors are just too tall. I have the orginal seat back on with some hardware from the local store, not stainless, so I will need to upgrade later. I will take some pics of the parts as soon as they are in as well as the seat and headlight.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2008, 02:28:41 PM »

Original Exhaust are now available again, but for a price:

http://www.cmsnl.com/products/muffler-kitoem_01800333610/

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/part_42369/

hs2k007 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:37:31 PM »

new stems on (only 1 inch long), new updated mirrors on, pics of headlight and original seat on.

hs2k007 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:38:58 PM »

rear stems shorter

hs2k007 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:40:17 PM »

old stem length 1inch 5/8

hs2k007 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:41:20 PM »

new front stems 1 inch

hs2k007 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:42:25 PM »

old front stem length 1inch 5/8

hs2k007 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:43:52 PM »

new chrome headlight housing and top view of new stems

hs2k007 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:44:48 PM »

front view of bike

hs2k007 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:45:59 PM »

rear view with original seat back on, had to get rid of the sofa that was on the bike earlier, what was my dad thinking.

hs2k007 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:49:53 PM »

new mirros view from the riders view

hs2k007 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:54:03 PM »

Sorry for all the separate posts and pics, this site does not lend it friendly to pictures. The pics of my new rims and spokes are to large so I can not post them. Plan on loose lacing them in the new couple of weeks. My next upgrade will be the shocks. I found a set at Jerrys Cycles. Thinking about getting the Marshall Deeptone 4 into 1 exhaust. I may powdercoat mine because I love the sound. I will try to make a soundclip for you guys to here it.

hs2k007 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2008, 02:01:57 PM »

One last update today. Got the bike up to 90 mph on the freeway. The bike has really started running good other than the oil leaks around the engine.

hs2k007 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 29, 2008, 12:48:49 PM »

shocks are on the way as we speak. I also purchased a used master cyclinder on Ebay. mine does not have the original MC and it is leaking a little around the plastic dry rotted cup.

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Author Topic: Full Frame off restore? (Read 3146 times)

robscb350f

robscb350f