Hello all,
I've read many great discussions here and picked up a good amount of tips and advice. I decided it is time to register, because this project is big, and I need the help!
Here's the scoop. My first bike was a 1974 CL360 that I picked up back in 2003 when I was 16. I crashed it a bunch, fixed it a bunch more, and eventually seized it when the engine filled with gas. I loaded it up in a friends ice cream truck, dropped it off at another friends house for storage while I was in the Army, and eventually it disappeared.
So when I was browsing Craigslist and saw 3 CB360's in various states (1 1974, 2 1975), I thought I should be able to make at least one damn good bike out of the 3.
So far, the '74 is the best of the bunch and that has been my focus. It ran, but would blow a fuse every 2 minutes. After many hours of searching, I discovered the loose wire was in the switch housing, running to the starter button. Not knowing how to solder, and wanting to get rid of the café bars as I plan to use them on one of the other bikes, I stole the bars and switch housings off of the '75. All was good, until halfway through the install I ripped the same damn wire off when I was closing up the switch housing. I figured "what the hell", at least I have the kick start. I taped it off and let it be.
Well, I had it running yesterday after all that, but it keeps stalling out unless I am giving it heavy throttle. No blown fuses, just stalls out. It obviously needs a lot more work.
Today, I took apart the front brakes and cleaned the caliper. The Master Cylinder was empty and missing the cap, so I bled the system a bit, but the bleeder screw is damaged making a socket the only thing I can crack it with. I ordered a new one so I can continue the bleed and get the air out. However, it is better than it was. When I was done, I kick started it and let it sit a bit. It still needed throttle to idle, so I attempted turning up the idle while warming the bike up. All was sounding good, but a bit loud and dry in the motor. I checked the oil and added about 1/2 ct. ( I forget if you check with the stick screwed in or resting at the threads). I got it running again, but the idle was too high. I stood it up to move it around in the driveway, and as soon as I did it started stalling and eventually did stall. It was unresponsive to throttle at that point. I managed to start it about 5 more times, out of about 150 kicks, and it is just wildly inconsistent.
I thought that perhaps I had messed something up when I adjusted the idle screw. I attempted so many different settings that I have no idea where I began, where it should be, and if it is keeping me from getting her running. I know - dumb.
Finally, as I was dripping sweat and my right leg was burning, I had a genius idea. Who the hell needs a horn? I pulled the tank and swapped the horn button wire into the starter wiring in the main harness. No more horn, but no starter either. Just one single click from the solenoid whenever I hit the button formally known as Horn.
Anyway, can someone stop me from creating chaos and let me know just what the hell I should be looking at doing next?
BTW- My plans are for one somewhat stock-ish bike for my girl to learn on, one racer as a fun project, and one rat bike I can take out and beat the hell out of.
Thanks for reading! All help is appreciated. And I have a service manual.
I've read many great discussions here and picked up a good amount of tips and advice. I decided it is time to register, because this project is big, and I need the help!
Here's the scoop. My first bike was a 1974 CL360 that I picked up back in 2003 when I was 16. I crashed it a bunch, fixed it a bunch more, and eventually seized it when the engine filled with gas. I loaded it up in a friends ice cream truck, dropped it off at another friends house for storage while I was in the Army, and eventually it disappeared.
So when I was browsing Craigslist and saw 3 CB360's in various states (1 1974, 2 1975), I thought I should be able to make at least one damn good bike out of the 3.
So far, the '74 is the best of the bunch and that has been my focus. It ran, but would blow a fuse every 2 minutes. After many hours of searching, I discovered the loose wire was in the switch housing, running to the starter button. Not knowing how to solder, and wanting to get rid of the café bars as I plan to use them on one of the other bikes, I stole the bars and switch housings off of the '75. All was good, until halfway through the install I ripped the same damn wire off when I was closing up the switch housing. I figured "what the hell", at least I have the kick start. I taped it off and let it be.
Well, I had it running yesterday after all that, but it keeps stalling out unless I am giving it heavy throttle. No blown fuses, just stalls out. It obviously needs a lot more work.
Today, I took apart the front brakes and cleaned the caliper. The Master Cylinder was empty and missing the cap, so I bled the system a bit, but the bleeder screw is damaged making a socket the only thing I can crack it with. I ordered a new one so I can continue the bleed and get the air out. However, it is better than it was. When I was done, I kick started it and let it sit a bit. It still needed throttle to idle, so I attempted turning up the idle while warming the bike up. All was sounding good, but a bit loud and dry in the motor. I checked the oil and added about 1/2 ct. ( I forget if you check with the stick screwed in or resting at the threads). I got it running again, but the idle was too high. I stood it up to move it around in the driveway, and as soon as I did it started stalling and eventually did stall. It was unresponsive to throttle at that point. I managed to start it about 5 more times, out of about 150 kicks, and it is just wildly inconsistent.
I thought that perhaps I had messed something up when I adjusted the idle screw. I attempted so many different settings that I have no idea where I began, where it should be, and if it is keeping me from getting her running. I know - dumb.
Finally, as I was dripping sweat and my right leg was burning, I had a genius idea. Who the hell needs a horn? I pulled the tank and swapped the horn button wire into the starter wiring in the main harness. No more horn, but no starter either. Just one single click from the solenoid whenever I hit the button formally known as Horn.
Anyway, can someone stop me from creating chaos and let me know just what the hell I should be looking at doing next?
BTW- My plans are for one somewhat stock-ish bike for my girl to learn on, one racer as a fun project, and one rat bike I can take out and beat the hell out of.
Thanks for reading! All help is appreciated. And I have a service manual.