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I have a mental dilemma. I am looking for my first cafe project bike and need a second opinion before I go spending money. I wanted to build a minimalist, lightweight cafe bike from a CB350k and be able to ride it back and forth from school and work, as well as just to have fun. But the more I though about this the more unsure I got. Those of you familiar with a CB350; will it ride 65 - 70 mph without a problem? I am sure it will run that fast, but my biggest concern is buzzing at high rpm for extended periods of time. I would rather have a 350 but if I must go to a bigger 4 cylinder I will for the comfort. Of course I could always drop a few teeth on the rear sprocket if it really came down to it... any thoughts?
No but seriously... If it were me, I'd go with the 350. I have big bikes and little bikes. There's just something fun about screaming around on a smaller bike that you can throw around like a bag of cookies. As long as its limits are within the boundaries of the application at hand, I'll take the little bike every time. And if you're after that minimalist look, you can clean up a 350 pretty easily whereas the 750 might take a little more work. Especially it being a 4-banger. Which is another great point made by backwithabang... I have a KZ650 and fiddling with the carbs on that thing is a huge pain.
Now that said. There are other things to consider.
- How tall / heavy you are can make a difference on your comfort on a 350.
- Do you plan on ever having a passenger?
- How much 70mph vs 45mph will you be doing?
- Going really fast is really fun.
Just a few thoughts.... Make sure you keep us updated on what you end up with. You honestly can't lose either way.
I think the answer is A KZ750 twin 750 could easily do the speeds you want and don't have to deal with 4 carbs, but a CB750 also sounds perfect for your situation
The CB350 is definitely capable of 70 all day, but they question is, are you? I love my CL, but it's like riding a hive of bees at 70, and I have to take a break every hour and a half. Luckily, the tank only lasts 120 miles, so I'm forced to take a break every hour and a half.
I find the whole "I don't need to go fast thing" kinda bullshit. It's like the tit phenomenon. Sure sure. Nice b cups are fine and they are until you have a set of double Ds flapping off your nose.
Not sure what year / model but based on factory specs (for shiggles), That CB750 is putting out 69hp @ 525lbs... This means every 1 hp is responsible for 7.6lbs of bike. The 350 is saying 36hp @ 327lbs... 1hp for every 9lbs
Now clearly the 750 has more hp / weight.... but the 350, weighing in at 62% the weight of the 750, is doing 84% the power-to-weight of the 750.
For this reason, I would pick the lighter, easier to control, easier to work on, easier to minimumify, (and let's face it), more fun to ride (unless of course you're on the interstate all day) CB350 over that piggy CB750.
But then, what do I know... I'd take the B's over the DD's......
I have nothing wrong with my 350. It's awesome. Redline at 10,500, super simple, light enough to flip around in the city. I think I've had it up to 95. In fact, it's much easier to ride at 70 than it is a 60. It smooths out a bit above 65.
I find the whole "I don't need to go fast thing" kinda bullshit. It's like the tit phenomenon. Sure sure. Nice b cups are fine and they are until you have a set of double Ds flapping off your nose.
Sometimes it's about more than displacement. Or speed. Which is why this is a Cafe racer forum not a Hayabusa forum. Obviously everyone here has put other priorities above speed to some extent. Neither the 350 or the 750 is going to be a rocket ship. If I was picking a commuter, fun bike, I'd take the 350. If I wanted more of a long haul rig, I'd get the 750.
Well I had both. One was fun like in a controlled sort of way. A well tuned 350 will move. The 5 speed 360s will too. But you will be screaming at high speeds. The 6 speed 360 is supposed to alleviate that but I found they just kind of suck compared to the 350s and 5 speed 360s.
Pros for the lil guy. Easy to handle. Push around. You won't look like a douche when you are trying to park the thing or stall. It's like a man's powered bmx.
Pros for the 750. Which is also fast but what you get with this is some power. Hard to explain unless you ride both. But in comparison it's tough to tune. Seems to run really damn hot and it's heavy.
But I would stick with those 2 options if you are dead set on a Honda. The aftermarket parts are widely available in those 2 models and parts bikes will pop up all the time cheap.
Stay away from cm400s. I have one and it's dialed but it may be the weakest ride I ever had. And it turns into michael j fox after 80. Even on a cool day your ass will be a swamp just from freaking out on the highway with the wiggles.
I support Hondas. I also love yamaha's. The rd series (I have a 200) is quick as hell and rides like a bmx. I pop curb cuts in traffic with that thing all the time and if you can dial in the teikei carbs it moves. Find a set of micron exhausts and you add double digit hp.
The xs650 is another easy and cheap option for a stock used bike. Easy to make cafe or chop or brat. Easy engine to work on, valves are easy to get to. And it is set up pretty much like a triumph so you would automatically be sort of familiar with those if you plan on making this a hobby .The bottom end is bullet proof if you run diesel oil. And there are again many aftermarket parts.
My only problem with yami's is they may have the worst charging system of all 70s/early 80s bikes. If you went 650 I'd drop the alternator /stator and go with a PMA swap. Run a small battery and mount a capacitor too. That way even if your battery goes dead. That thing will always kick on and get home.
I'm rambling. Just throwing in my 2 cents. Before you make purchase. I really don't know much about kawis or Suzukis so I'll stop there
Harley's on the other hand... Yea yea. Wrong forum
I have an XS650 and so far no problems othen then tired old coils. I have ridden CB350, CB550s, CM400s, '02 ninja600, GS650 and nothing is near as fun as the XS. All good bikes in their own way, but even the blistering acceleration of the ninja just didnt do it for me, felt like i was in a car.
If you're dead set on Honda (and there is nothing wrong with that) go CB350. Otherwise get an XS do the PMA swap and call it a day.
I have a little Nightster... It feels awkward, handles like poo, but damn is it fun to rattle around on... I can't wait to make it look less like a stock Harley (and even LESS like a "Custom" harley).
You nailed it... I can tell you, I got my Harley while I was rebuilding the BMW. It's a fun bike... looks cool.. sounds cool.. it will pull hard at any speed.. and I got a little scared I wouldn't want to go back to my little 650... First ride on the BMW and it was pure bliss. It's not as fast and doesn't have near the aggressiveness at 75-80 as the Harley (thing will just keep barking)... But it has its own qualities that make it my favorite ride BY FAR.
Part of this is why I tend to think you'll enjoy the 350 more.
Yea 650s when running right are easy to drive, quick, and have some balls. But as I said the electric system stocked in the bike just doesn't seem equipped to power it right.
Pma swap, drop the points for a Boyer or pamco and get a super coil from mikesxs. the moving parts, points and coils are probably shit advance rod springs shot. You can get a kit for like 240 that's has everything new with an pointless ignition.
Another thing to consider Is your size. I'm like 6'2" and lanky. So my chopped xs with me riding it is comical. Kind of like vin desiel on a big wheel. I hate forward controls so a jockey shift is an option I'm going with so I'm not banging my elbows into my knees
Just saying to sit on the bike and be aware. You may fit fine on a stock 350 but your ass is where the passenger would be. Throw a cafe seat on there and you lose some inches because of the fiberglass. Now you are looking at rearsets and linkage.
good question with all good answers. I have a question.. you always ride alone? If not, what are your friends riding? Getting left behind all the time gets old. Fast.
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