Author Topic: My new CB350F: Isn't she a beaut? (Read 5667 times)

HondaMan · « **on:** April 18, 2011, 05:35:55 PM »

Ever since they appeared in 1972, I wanted one. Here's my big chance!
Everything that came with it is on it: no tank, seat, or centerstand.
First things I have to find: a top triple tree and a centerstand.
Then I need the kickstart lever.
Anyone have these that might wish to part with them?
It came with a seat that appears to be for the 400F (hinge spacing too wide), so if someone might have a trade for a 350F seat...

Oh, boy, oh, boy...

MasterChief750 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2011, 05:41:39 PM »

hm you sound like a kid in a candy store

Greggo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2011, 06:19:32 PM »

Hey, looks like fun!! I'm about to install your ignition on my CA95

Keep us updated!

CycleRanger · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2011, 06:59:27 PM »

With those tires it's ready for off-road adventure!

cb650 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2011, 07:26:49 PM »

Joel used to have a complete on at rocky mt thunder. Looked complete and pretty.

GammaFlat · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2011, 08:49:56 PM »

Good luck with your new baby. I had been wondering when you were going to add one of those smooth purring machines to your garage. I hope we have some folks with parts on the forum that can help you out.

Congats!

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2011, 08:50:50 PM »

Wow Hondaman...wish I had the parts you are missing...I bet you got some good trading fodder!

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2011, 03:15:07 AM »

Way to go! You finally got one! Looking forward to any progress/wisdom that will come from this.

Johnie · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2011, 05:33:03 AM »

Any chance this might be the top triple you need? It came with a bunch of parts and this board thought it may be from a 350?

HondanutRider · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2011, 05:59:38 AM »

I'm certain she will be beautiful.

Looks like a nice project. What year is it - from the colour of the ears it looks to be a '74. So, when's the book going to be coming out?

HondaMan · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2011, 10:05:39 AM »

Quote from: Johnie on April 19, 2011, 05:33:03 AM

Any chance this might be the top triple you need? It came with a bunch of parts and this board thought it may be from a 350?

Thanks, Johnie: that looks to be for a CB/CL350 Twin instead, though.

Kanticoy · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2011, 07:58:18 PM »

I have a 400f top triple. Never saw a 350f in person to know the differences/similarities. Yours if ya need it.

HondaMan · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:15:16 PM »

Quote from: Kanticoy on April 19, 2011, 07:58:18 PM

I have a 400f top triple. Never saw a 350f in person to know the differences/similarities. Yours if ya need it.

Wow, you're a generous man!

I'll cover any costs, like packing/shipping...let me know and I'll Paypal or send funds.
From all indications, it seems the difference was in the loops that hold the instrument bracket: they are on the fork clamps on the 400F and in the mid-tree on the 350F.

My address: Mark Paris, 8903 W. Florida Ave., Lakewood, CO 80232.
How should I pay you back?

Here's what I plan to do, and already have the machinist on board for it: it seems the top tree on the 350F (in particular) is easily overtightened and cracked, as Honda spec'd a low toruqe for it and did not include a D-ring (like on the 750 top trees) to prevent damage if overtorqued. This part would be pretty easy to billet on a CNC (which we just happen to have access to...), so if I can get my hands on one that has the proper geometry (could be yours?) then we will create billet parts, starting with mine. The dirt bike industry does this constantly as a matter of course (for too much money): I intend to bring this to the SOHC4 community because of my soft spot for these Baby Fours.

Someone in these forums even has a 250F engine that he accidentally picked at a swap meet. That just makes me drool...

If I cannot find enough parts to fully restore this cutie (my first, second, and third choice) then it will become a cafe' of a class like this forum has only seen twice, capable of also hopping onto the track, if needed. (After all, I live at the foot of the Rockies...).

RickB · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:25:55 PM »

Now that last part caught my attention!

I'll go through my parts bin of left overs from my 400 and see if there's anything you could use.

HondaMan · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:43:15 PM »

Quote from: RickB on April 19, 2011, 09:25:55 PM

Now that last part caught my attention!

I'll go through my parts bin of left overs from my 400 and see if there's anything you could use.

I'm all ears!
Or, well, eyes...

HondaMan · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:44:25 PM »

Quote from: Greggo on April 18, 2011, 06:19:32 PM

Hey, looks like fun!! I'm about to install your ignition on my CA95

Keep us updated!

I'll be waiting to hear how that goes: there are some others who want to see one installed, too. Hiding the box will be hard, I'd bet?

Greggo · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2011, 09:03:03 AM »

Quote from: HondaMan on April 19, 2011, 09:44:25 PM

Quote from: Greggo on April 18, 2011, 06:19:32 PM
Hey, looks like fun!! I'm about to install your ignition on my CA95

Keep us updated!

I'll be waiting to hear how that goes: there are some others who want to see one installed, too. Hiding the box will be hard, I'd bet?

My bike's missing the tool kit, so I was thinking of mounting it hidden under the left side cover. If that doesn't work I might have to get creative

Johnie · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2011, 09:47:03 AM »

Mark...how about a little history on your find there. We like these stories...

HondaMan · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:04:17 AM »

Quote from: Johnie on April 20, 2011, 09:47:03 AM

Mark...how about a little history on your find there. We like these stories...

Well, there is this serviceman who has been deployed to Irag 3 times, is headed there for a 4th tour in a month. He had 2 of the 350F bikes, a frankenbike 750F2/K7/GL1000, a CB125 in pieces, and a poor-running, but nice-looking, CB100. And his back was nearly destroyed by an IED during one of his tours, so he carries his MRIs and Xrays around with him so he can pass security sites, because his whole lower back is largely metal. And, he has volunteeered to go back this 4th time, to help ensure his team makes the trip OK. You've just GOT to support a guy like that...

So, he had a shop "work" on his 750, and it turned out like a lot of modern-day bike shop stories: unrideable afterward. He contacted me and asked if I would consider a swap of one of the 350F bikes, the better one, in trade for fixing the Big Four. I jumped at this chance both to help him out and get my long-desired Baby Four. But, as he was loading up the 350 to bring it here, his wife asked, "Isn't that my bike?".

Oops....

So, we worked out a trade for his parts bike 350F, the 100, the 125, and then I fixed up both of the other ones. I have to finish up the singles to sell to try to come out on all the parts it took for the first 2 bikes, a considerable sum in the end. His 750 had been severely hacked by some real bad wrenches.

And, he brought these bikes first from 100 miles north of Kansas City to my house in Denver: last weekend he came up from Fort Hood, Texas, with the other 3 and took his 2 back, a 2-day trip each way, with 4 kids and his wife. He REALLY wants that 750 to run.

Glad I could help, and now I have a sweet project to tinker with in the slow days. I set up his 750 with the Transistorized Ignition, hotter plugs, lots of little touches, cleaned carbs, new clutch and cover, tires, brakes, electrical connectors, switch, the works. I just want him to come home from this tour, throw his leg over it, hit the START button, and blow some desert sand out of his hair when he gets home next time. He deserves it!

Johnie · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:26:48 AM »

Good story Mark. You took good care of him and saved another 750 in the process. Very nice...

Greggo · « **Reply #20 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:32:45 AM »

Quote from: HondaMan on April 20, 2011, 10:04:17 AM

I just want him to come home from this tour, throw his leg over it, hit the START button, and blow some desert sand out of his hair when he gets home next time. He deserves it!

Good Man!

HondaMan · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2011, 09:22:06 PM »

Many thanks to SoCalEnduro: I have a rear fender without the bullet hole, now! And, a [broken but installable] top triple that lets me roll the bike around for the moment, which will get CMM'd here shortly in the pursuit of CNC'd new top trees. It sure is nice to be able to wheel the bike around.

Slow bu tsure, parts are showing up. Got a tank, a seat with very old cover (will have to get a new one, it is cracking all by itself). Some more parts may be enroute from another one of our members shortly: much-needed stuff. I'm drooling at the prospect of a 12k RPM Four in my stable again.

RickB · « **Reply #22 on:** August 21, 2011, 06:19:24 AM »

What a decent bloke. Good on 'ya.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #23 on:** August 21, 2011, 07:53:42 AM »

Quote from: HondaMan on April 19, 2011, 09:15:16 PM

If I cannot find enough parts to fully restore this cutie (my first, second, and third choice) then it will become a cafe' of a class like this forum has only seen twice, capable of also hopping onto the track, if needed. (After all, I live at the foot of the Rockies...).

Oh no. A thousand time no! If I knew you were that hard up for a 350, I might have sold you one of mine

I have some stuff laying around in the garage, I'll look this afternoon.

Oops, just realized this post is 6 months old....

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** August 21, 2011, 10:54:39 AM »

HMan - how 'bout an update?

News:

Author Topic: My new CB350F: Isn't she a beaut? (Read 5667 times)