Topic: 1/2 of an sohc4 picked up today

[MoMo]

I  was given a free 1973 Honda CB350 today complete with title.  Not a bad deal, yeah right, you know how inexpensive free bikes wind up .  Not sure what I am going to do with it, but one good thing is for sure and that is a ton of the parts will work on the 400 fours I own.  First thing I did was check the carb diaphragms, one is soft and pliable the other is as hard as plastic.

Actually, the bike is in fair condition seeing as it sat outside for a year. Motor does turn over, inside of the tank is immaculate, seat is intact, chrome is rusted but not severely pitted. Has potential and my first "big bike" after my Harley Hummer was a 69 CB350 so I may be inclined to bring it back to life.  Anyhow, here are some photos...Larry

[hoodellyhoo]

Nice bike. That's my favorite color for the twins. Any specific plans for it?

[MoMo]

Thanks, it should clean up well but I am not sure what I want to do.  Some of the parts, like front fender and wheel could be used on  my 400F resto/cafe.  I never liked the purple but have come around to it. My main concern is the one carb slide-those things are real pricey if you can find one.  I had a NOS one I sold several years ago for $70 and they are no longer available. Also, the air cleaners are trash.  Still have to check compression.  However, bike is complete-PO has another box of parts that he cannot find..Larry

[MoMo]

Went over the 350 with an close eye to label pluses and minuses.  First was a compression check, but before I could do that I had to repair the stripped right spark plug hole because I have a thread in  compression tester. Happened to have an insert laying around, which worked  out well. So I thread the compression tester in, kick over about 8 times and come up with 30psi-not good on the right cylinder and 120 of the left. Add some Seafoam, come back in a couple hours, recheck and both are 120 .

Then made a list of the pluses and minuses-5 pluses and 14 minuses.  So it looks like the 350 may be parted out in the near future. Best plus was the exhaust-mostly surface rust, no holes .  Worst was one of the diaphragms for the carb is rock hard and cracked...Oh well, might be posting the parts soon, but, then again, I hate to see a potential Honda resto taken off the road...Larry

[kirkn]

Yeah, it's your money and all that, but it sure would be a shame to part that out.  1973 was the last year for the 350, and lot's of unique bits - that purple color, a front disk, chrome headlight ears, rubber gaiters, the separate indicator bulb pod....

Too bad you're so far away from me - I give you 4x what ya paid!   

Kirk

[MoMo]

I keep gone back and forth as to part it out(most profitable probably) or get it running and sell it as a running project-that is my latest thought as I just got a call that a friend  picked up a carb with a good diaphragm. . Plus, there is something in my make up that goes against parting it out.  If I can get it running and not have trouble transferring the title(it has been signed but not notarized, and that is a problem in PA  ...Larry

[hoodellyhoo]

I'm usually in the "don't part it out" camp but a cb350g really isn't all that rare. Plus, I think we are all happy when we find used parts for sale in good condition, and they gotta come from somewhere...

[MoMo]

I'm usually in the "don't part it out" camp but a cb350g really isn't all that rare. Plus, I think we are all happy when we find used parts for sale in good condition, and they gotta come from somewhere...

Thanks for the input.  Aren't rare, I'm   . Really, I think at one time there were more 350 Hondas sold than all Brit bikes combined.   However, if I can  get it running easily, I'll sell it complete; if not, it goes as parts.  Decent exhaust, side covers, tank is clean inside but dented. I'm getting the carb today and compression came up, I'll see if it starts...Larry

[hoodellyhoo]

I'm pretty sure it was the highest selling motorcycle for something like 3 straight years (71-73) before the other companies started making small 4 stroke twins.