1974 CB360 - My first cafe attempt

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

So I just joined the forum here after checking in for questions and answers and just looking around, I've finally decided to join up and show you all what I'm up to.

A couple years ago my daughter was born and the big, fast and expensive to insure litre sport bikes got sold and I found a '74 CB360 basket case literally lying in parts for a couple hundred bucks that peaked my interest. I never really had interest in old bikes but it was cheap and under 400cc, the cutoff in my area for super cheap insurance so I jumped at it and have been getting ideas all over the place and spending way too much time on Craigslist, Dime City and DTT sites ever since. Needless to say the vintage bike bug has bit, real good. So after almost two years, since I don't have much time to work on it, this is where I'm at. Just happy to show you all and maybe see if anyone has any suggestions. As with any project, it started out as just a simple get it going and ride it, then, let's make a cafe, then, let's cut and weld and powder coat the frame, then let's just make it with inverted forks and on and on it goes. Will I ever finish it? someday, but I've discovered that the best part of the project, is just that, having a project! The thing I'm most terrified of comes next... electrical...

Thanks for looking.

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

Yes, I was lucky enough that the bike actually came with an extra NOS never used still in the Honda wrap frame. So I had a spare to start with mock ups before building on a never used 40 year old frame.

First I just did a quick mock up to see what I had.

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

Being a carpenter and hearing that a local race bike builder and vintage Honda expert needed some work done on his shop, we made a trade. Some new windows and siding installed for a Botham Racing engine rebuild. Slight overbore, new Wiseco high compression pistons and a full tear down and rebuild with an added bonus, vapour blasting to clean and shine her up, plus added protection the way Vapour Blast Canada does it.

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

Once I decided to go the cafe route I decided to clean all the extra tabs off the frames and weld a new tail hoop, rearset mounts and few other things I needed for the cafe seat.

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

After a chat with my engine builder we decided to go with some Mikuni VM30 carbs and UNI filters. In goes the motor for the first time since I've bought the basket case. I've never seen the motor in the frame until now.

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

And then I saw a little ad for Cognito Moto in the back of Cafe Racer mag, and I was doomed. Having ridden the last 15 years on bikes like my FZ750, a couple different TL1000s, a ZX9R and a 1990 GSXR1100 that almost all had fully tuned and custom suspension, forks and shocks I really wanted my bike to handle, even it it was "just" a 360. I love corners, that is why I ride, I don't care about wheelies and straight line speed, although that was a great time on a tuned GSXR1100, my favourite thing is to hit a section of curves and hang with the boys on the big bikes. Nothing like giving everyone a good surprise as the underdog. So I bit the bullet and went for it. If you ever want to go inverted then give Devin and the guys at Cognito a call. You will have to wait, this isn't eBay pieces shipped next day, they make it, just for you. But if you have patience, this is worth it.

And for all the handling vs looks thoughts out there, it is going have either Fox Podium R or Ohlins rear shocks when it's done. This bike will handle. It already has all new bearing and brass bushings everywhere that moves and I can't wait to ride it and see what it's like vs my other stock CB360.

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

Well, that's where I'm at for now. Now I'll just have to be happy with my spare 360. There was a good little 360 for sale locally during the spring so I snagged it for spares and something to ride during the build. It benefitted from the rebuilt and powder coated stock fork, plus powder coated wheels and hubs and just a clubman bar for the summer, but other than that she's stock.

This will have to do until next summer. I'll keep some posts on here from time to time during the winter as I try get enough time to finish the build and check in for some advice.

Speaking of advice, I want to run an AntiGravity Lithium battery, I've done some research but just asking if anyone has done it to a small twin and have any suggestions about the charging system and if it should be upgraded or changed for a Lithium battery etc? Thanks!

 

[M.B Co]

Great build, that bike will handle like a dream I imagine. What size tire is on the back?

And for your other CB, I would recommend adding a upgraded Regulator/Rectifier.

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

Thanks for the electrical advice, I was browsing DCC and was thinking the same thing, upgraded regulator and rectifier for sure.

The picture of the back tire is a bit deceptive due to the angle of the pic. It's a 140/70 R17 sitting on a 17" x 4.25" Sun Rim so not that big, but it's pretty much the biggest 17" rear tire that clears the swingarm, and it just barely clears.

 

[xb33bsa]

good looking project, but the wide rims. tires and dual discs are a handling downgrade :-\
single disc up front and much skinnier tire/rim width within reality would handle much better
you got a 40 hp machine barely capable of the ton,see

 

[crazypj]

Looks like your building most expensive 360 ever, more expensive than any of mine 8)
Did you fit 17" super moto rims?
They look real wide.
Looks real; good to me though. You'll probably need some offset sprokets to clear tyres?
Personally I wouldn't go wider than WM3 both ends, the real wide 'sticky' tyres are going to stress the frame a lot (you'll probably need some extra braces welded in, I do rear of fuel tank section as I know it's a 'flex' area)

 

[M.B Co]

but the wide rims. tires and dual discs are a handling downgrade :-\
single disc up front and much skinnier tire/rim width within reality would handle much better
you got a 40 hp machine barely capable of the ton,see

Absolutely no way it's a "handling downgrade"

 

[xb33bsa]

Absolutely no way it's a "handling downgrade"

you don't know dick about motorcycles
just the fact that the wheels and tires are a lot heavier than if he had stuck with closer to stock sizes is a downgrade,downgrade on acceleration, and directional changes
then you get the extra width which in the rear can only be used if you have HORSEPOWER or maybe if you are doing sumo
just because a set of tires and wheels works on a 150hp race bike at 150mph does not mean they work on a 40hp bike at half the speed
to the contrary actually

 

[M.B Co]

you don't know dick about motorcycles
just the fact that the wheels and tires are a lot heavier than if he had stuck with closer to stock sizes is a downgrade,downgrade on acceleration, and directional changes
then you get the extra width which in the rear can only be used if you have HORSEPOWER or maybe if you are doing sumo
just because a set of tires and wheels works on a 150hp race bike at 150mph does not mean they work on a 40hp bike at half the speed
to the contrary actually

Not even going to respond to that because people like you make my blood boil. Take it as it is.

Anyway, no need to flood his build thread nonsense.

 

[Fr_Gus]

Great build so far. I love your front forks and beefy tires. Keep up the good work.

 

[sav0r]

Not my style exactly, but I think it looks cool. And the work you are doing looks top notch even if the style isn't mine, but that's why we do this, so we can do it the way we each like.

 

[crazypj]

you don't know dick about motorcycles
just the fact that the wheels and tires are a lot heavier than if he had stuck with closer to stock sizes is a downgrade,downgrade on acceleration, and directional changes
then you get the extra width which in the rear can only be used if you have HORSEPOWER or maybe if you are doing sumo
just because a set of tires and wheels works on a 150hp race bike at 150mph does not mean they work on a 40hp bike at half the speed
to the contrary actually

Not even going to respond to that because people like you make my blood boil. Take it as it is.

Anyway, no need to flood his build thread nonsense.

I doubt anyone except mydlyfcrizis has as much experience with CB250/360 as I do.
The bike looks way cool, I like it, but, that much tyre is going to really show frame limitations and will slow acceleration unless gearing is lowered or power improved (new pistons, etc will help 8) )
It's still going to be less than 40bhp, but, raise things up a bit for more ground clearance and it should get a 55~60 degree lean angle which will be plenty to 'frighten majority of sportbike 'squids on any sort of twisty road. If your only doing 70~85 mph but 'never' slow down, (even on 'hairpins' ) not many people can 'live' with you
Of course, you generally have to play 'catch up' all the time but if group wait for you before a twisty section you can generally 'show them the way' ;D

BTW, I have a pair of stupidly oversize 17" Continental SM tyres I didn't know what to do with (bought wrong size for Katana, they run 'big')
Crazy soft compound and designed for lightweight bike (supermoto 450, etc) I may have to build something similar

 

[98kellrs]

The current World Superbike guys are only getting a maximum lean angle of 60-61 degrees and that's with elbows on the ground nearly! I would very much like to see this lil CB get that low...

Great little bike though, USD fork conversions always looks sweet but not sure on those superbike tyres either. Kinda like putting Formula 1 tyres on a Fiat 500.

 

[pukhkan]

Very nice!!!!! Love the direction this is going in

 

[StillYoungerThanMyBike]

Wow, welcome to DTT eh? Cool to get responses even though what I asked for was if anyone had good advice for electrical like any particular charging system that works really well or something I should really stay away from etc. But I will give a response to the suspension and tires discussion going on, but after this I will only post about suspension and tires if it has to do with the build going forward, since I thought I posted in the build section...

1) My take on cafe racers and motorcycles in general is that bikes are awesome. They are so cool because we can all do different things with them and express ourselves, in a manner of speaking, through our bikes, and that's cool no matter what you build and ride. I love original factory restorations, classic cafes and brats with 18s and stock forks, lowered bobbers and street trackers, bring it on because bikes are just cool.

2) Secondly the picture of the rear tire is taken with a fairly wide angle lens on an iPhone 5s, from close and directly behind the bike. I enjoy photography and what you need to know is that picture is deceptive, that was kind of the point, to exaggerate the look of the rear tire for fun. It is a 140 size tire. Just to give an idea of how "wide" it really isn't, it clears the stock swingarm as well as the stock chain and sprocket location with ease.

3) The comments about it being a "superbike" tire: This 140 size Pirelli was not even available until a couple years ago when the introduction of some of the new, let's call them "city bikes" like the CBR400 and Ninja 300 arrived with this size rear tire as stock and then Michelin and Pirelli offered that size as well. And the 2013 Ninja 300 that sports this exact size tire stock boasts a whopping 35hp, and Botham Racing figures I'll be around 38hp - 42hp depending on exhaust, jetting and tune etc. So no, it is not overkill for the power.

4) The frame top hoop has had 3 extra lateral braces welded in place, including one heavy duty cross member exactly where the top mount for the rear shocks go along with upgraded brass swingarm bushings etc.

5) Believe it on not, the USD fork due to it's aluminum construction is actually lighter than the stock fork, only just, but it is. The front tire and wheel are actually lighter themselves due to the aluminum rim but the weight gain comes from the dual discs which I will take the tradeoff for the improved braking power

6) This is the ace up my sleeve. I have a great, no, an awesome suspension shop right here in my home town. Rod Matichuk from RMR Suspensions (http://www.rmrsuspensions.com/) has helped the whole way along with the tire size and selection, fork rebuild and spring rates, suspension setup as well as helping me choose the rear shocks when that time comes. He has set up many many race bikes including a few privateer AMA Superbikes, along with all my previous sport bikes. To add to that he is a certified Ohlins and Fox technician and just an all around suspension guru. So even though some of you have some valid points in and of themselves, as a whole, when the bike is complete I am willing to bet it will out-handle a stock 360.

7) The best part: I have two 1974 CB360s. And when this is done I can ride a stock one and this one back to back, same day, same roads, so until then, let's leave the speculation aside. If it sucks, I'll tell you. If it kicks ass, I'll tell you... my bet is the latter.

Cheers, and thanks for all the comments!