'74 CB 360 Cafe Build - Luna - "Done"!

adventurco

Nick Ol' Eye
DTT BOTM WINNER
Hey Guys!

This is my first post in the forum, and my first cafe racer build. I recently acquired a 1974 Honda CB360G, all original parts except for a set of Moto Guzzi pipes (for sale, if anyone's interested :eek:) I will also be selling most of the factory body parts (gauge cluster, handlebars and controls, fenders, seat, etc.

I bought the bike about a month ago, in non-running condition with plans to completely strip, recondition and re-haul the motor, fuel and electrical system, as well as fabricate custom body pieces - standard cafe racer build. I have a background in 3d modeling and CNC/composite constructions, so I will be doing a lot of precision machining and fabrication.

So far I've completely cleaned and soaked the carbs, stripped the bike down to the frame, and I'm currently in the process of tracking down my electrical problem (suspecting its a ground problem - I've replaced battery, coils, points and condenser - I have power to the coils but no spark coming out....for another day).

Here are some pics of the bike as it stands right now:
 

Attachments

  • Photo Oct 21, 5 15 06 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 21, 5 15 06 PM.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 1,131
  • Photo Nov 03, 11 03 35 PM.jpg
    Photo Nov 03, 11 03 35 PM.jpg
    870.2 KB · Views: 1,058
  • Photo Oct 22, 5 44 28 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 22, 5 44 28 PM.jpg
    972.1 KB · Views: 1,057
  • Photo Nov 02, 10 02 17 PM.jpg
    Photo Nov 02, 10 02 17 PM.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 1,062
  • Photo Oct 23, 4 17 05 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 23, 4 17 05 PM.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 1,079
  • Photo Oct 22, 5 07 11 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 22, 5 07 11 PM.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 1,110
  • Photo Oct 22, 4 38 23 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 22, 4 38 23 PM.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 1,111
  • Photo Oct 22, 4 37 57 PM.jpg
    Photo Oct 22, 4 37 57 PM.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 1,125
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Welcome to DTT! If you didn't already get a manual, you can find one for free online. I would make sure your timing is correct as a lot of times that can solve a lot of spark issues. Also I recently replaced my points with some cheap things I found on eBay and it messed up my whole timing. You have to make sure the wires hooked up to the blades on the points are extremely tight and not sticking out too far where they ground out to your cover. Also make sure your ground is nice and tight and on contact to just the frame with no paint underneath.
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

I second the manual. This should be the first purchase or download with any new bike. hope this works for you and pay credit the OP - http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=6405.0
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Cool! Your 360 looks to be in pretty good shape. I can't see any rust! Looking forward to your build!
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Thanks guys. It is definitely pretty clean - minor rust and pitting of chrome but to be expected.

The guy had a Clymer's manual for me - as well as the Rick's regulator/rectifier combo.
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

A sucker is born every day. ;)

And get the factory manual. There are some pretty significant inaccuracies in the Clymer manual.
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

That Honda shop manual is a godsend - especially the wiring diagram. I'll be using the Clymer's to start a fire this winter...

Started removing some of the welded on weight this weekend, center stand, some tabs, etc. Flipped the bars so it would start looking like a bit of a cafe. Removed all of the wiring that I don't need to start her up (lights, old regulator & rectifier wiring). Hopefully have her firing up next weekend - then onto pulling the motor and really cleaning up the frame!

Also - any of you guys on here familiar with the paint code or paint color name for the 74? I found about 20 different shades of blue for Hondas and they all look slightly off, as js to be expected on a monitor. I'm hoping to find a close match to the stock color to repaint tank and seat pan.

And I'm looking to get a nice 2-into-1 clean, short exhaust. Anyone know of any companies that make a solid 2-into-1?
 

Attachments

  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415659978.659978.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415659978.659978.jpg
    320.4 KB · Views: 3,988
  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415659960.000403.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415659960.000403.jpg
    336.3 KB · Views: 4,019
  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415659946.927369.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415659946.927369.jpg
    336.6 KB · Views: 3,981
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

The color is called Hawaiian Blue Metallic.
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Question for those of you with engine overhaul experience - this machine has about 9,000 miles logged on the odometer. I was planning on pulling the engine to clean and detail it regardless, but with this amount of miles on the bike would you guys still recommend breaking down the block, replacing gaskets, checking the internals, making all the mods/adjustments I've read here?

I'm not afraid of a challenge by any means - just looking for some opinions.
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

If compression is good and the engine isn't leaking, I'd avoid creating problems where you don't have them. Might be worth removing the head and checking the cam chain tensioners and overall health, but I wouldn't mess with the bottom end (aside from the oil filter and pickup) unless you need to.
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Sonreir said:
If compression is good and the engine isn't leaking, I'd avoid creating problems where you don't have them. Might be worth removing the head and checking the cam chain tensioners and overall health, but I wouldn't mess with the bottom end (aside from the oil filter and pickup) unless you need to.

+1 and as long as you got the right cover open to clean filter cup. DEFINITLEY get a new o-ring for oil cup BEFORE you open it. they are cheap from the honda shop.

I would consider new clutch discs and heavy duty springs, (bore-tech.com, cb350 springs)

heres the info i posted about the improved oil pickup, sonreir is talking about. its a cheap and simple swap.

http://www.hondabrat.com/2013/12/honda-cb360-oil-pickup-possible-failure.html
 
'74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Thanks for the advice gents. I will definitely be doing clutch discs and springs. The oil mods are a must from what I've read, plus I've got some minor leakage from the oil pan or drain plug somewhere that must be remedied.

Still been chasing down my spark issue. Maybe you guys have some input?

I replaced ignition switch, battery, points, condenser and coils. With Key on (I bypassed the kill switch) I have power all the way to the black wire that splits to the two coils. When I turn the motor and put a test light on the points, no power ever reaches there. All wires and connections look good. I'm sure there's a variable I'm missing, but I'm currently stumped.

Freehand sculpted a couple of seat pan/rear fairing mock ups today. Came out a bit smaller than it should be (got carried away with the hot knife :D) but I'm liking the lines so far.

Til further notice.

-Nick
 

Attachments

  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416280511.820080.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416280511.820080.jpg
    343 KB · Views: 3,323
  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416280523.844984.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416280523.844984.jpg
    279.1 KB · Views: 3,309
  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416280531.585553.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416280531.585553.jpg
    293.3 KB · Views: 3,376
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Have you read power at the points with a multimeter?
 
'74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

@Sonreir - just read power at the points. I'm getting .2 volts at either side, open and closed. Reading ~10v at the killswitch connection, and ~9v at the black/white wire to the coils
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

And how about on the blue and yellow wires coming from each ignition coil?
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

I disconnected the blue wire to the point, and it reads ~10.5 off the coil and the same at the end where it connects to the point. On the yellow wire (which is still connected) I'm getting the same .2 reading.

Is the wire from the coil supposed to make contact with the point mounting plate or with the armature that is moved by the breaker cam? I may have these wired incorrectly causing a short?
 

Attachments

  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416857192.504830.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416857192.504830.jpg
    292.7 KB · Views: 2,540
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

A short in that location is far too common. It's a huge pain in the ass to sort out. Try different orientations of the wires. I've gone so far as to double up the gaskets and put a bit of electrical tap over the nuts.
 
Re: '74 CB 360 Cafe Build! (the beginning)

Got the short figured out, it was having to do with the connection of wires to the points. I swapped the wires around and voila! Nice fat blue sparks
 
Back
Top Bottom