CB360 - Iowa (and........go)

[rj95lss]

The project:

I picked up a one owner '74 CB360 w/title about 2 weeks ago (non-disc brake) with 7,000 miles for $500. Put about 100 miles on it so yes it runs - lol. I wanted a 550 or 750 but this was a smash of a deal on a great bike (i think) so here I am. The CB400 I just sold is WAY to nice to turn into a cafe project and that is why I never had the heart to do it.

The concept for this build:

Simple, clean, no nonsense, no extras, and nothing without a purpose... This will not be a daily rider and this will also not be a track bike (both of which I have or will have covered by spring) Nor will it be a piece of art. I will ride it but do not expect it to be fast, stop quick, handle exceptionally well, or be all that comfortable (comparatively). Its just something I have wanted to do since 2001-2003 and I now have the space/funds/tools/drive to do so. If it is NOT mandatory in Iowa for a motorcycle manufactured before 04-01-1977 then it will not be on this bike (NO signals, horn, tach, mirrors, electric start, spark arrestor, fenders, kill switch, Etc).


Here is the only picture I took before I started tearing it apart (got ahead of myself).

And here it is currently:

 

[rj95lss]

So I had been worried about taking the motor out and going any further until I sorted out my rear-sets first. But as luck would have it I got this email tonight and about jumped for joy. Honestly its just about exactly what I had in mind excecpt I was going to have to buy some universal rear-sets, build the linkage, and chop my stock shift shaft. Which would have probably cost me $175 in the long run anyway.

Here you go:

I am BCC-ing this email to everyone who has inquired about a CB/CL 360 kit in the past few months. If I got it wrong, pls send message to the bit bucket and forgive my screwup.

I have spent some time with the CB360, and there is unfortunately no good way to bolt a plate to the frame without serious modifications. So this is not a flash kit (no place to engrave the logo!), but there is a solution.

It is a solution, but not as good as I would like. It uses the plate that mounts the passenger peg to hold the rider's footpeg. This does not allow for adjustment, but the plate could be drilled in alternative locations to provide some change.

This peg will stick out straight, without the rise of the stock passenger peg. This gives about 355mm (14") between the peg and the subframe rails.
Gives good room with stock seat, will be a bit more knee strain if you are going to run a flat, unpadded buttstop seat pan.

There is not much room below the levers for the exhaust, stock exhaust is NOT an option without significant changes. CL pipes work great though.

There is no good way to put on passenger pegs, but this is not a problem for the café conversion. Kick starter clears with no problem.

Will charge $175 for the "kit". Includes the pegs, levers, mount spacing, shift linkage (including shift-shaft arm) and brake pull-rod.

Take a look at the installation doc with photos at:
http://motobits.com/CB360.pdf

Will add to the website later.


Just thought I should share this...

 

[rj95lss]

UPDATE:::

I went ahead and bought a laminated hard copy of the Honda tech manual from a guy on fleabay for like $20. A manual is just about the first thing I buy whenever I buy anything that you have to have a license to operate as I work on all of my own vehicles (as much as possible).

I have sourced all of the needed parts to do my disc brake swap on the front end. I got them from a fellow forum member (jmemmert) - THANKS AGAIN....

I also got some 33mm clip-ons from a guy on eBay for $55. The welds look good, they are the right size/length, and i like the angle that they will sit at. But, the chrome looks a little less than premium and I am not sure if they will stand the test of time. I just couldn't see spending $150 on clip-ons for this bike (I know some of you do/did)...


And we (my fiance and I) have finalized the paint/color scheme for the project. Although I do not think I am going to advertise it as I haven't seen a bike on the forums with it yet and don't want to give it away until I have painted it and post up pictures during that process.



I have been working on my land rover lately (front main seal, water pump, Etc) so the bike was put on hold for a couple weeks but I should be updating this and making head way in the next few days.

 

[rj95lss]

Re: CB360 - Iowa (Back on in the oven)

So, I got back on this project a few weeks ago. Sorry guys, I had a terrible health issue for a couple months, lost my woman, and started a new career path - so it's been a while since I have been on here. PICS to follow tonight/tomorrow...

Tools/supplies update:
I got a bench mounted buffing wheel, parts washer, welder, supplies to make a paint booth, paint gun, respirator, spoke wrench tool, and a few other things.

Motorcycle stand/lift:
So, a couple months ago I made a motorcycle work stand with storage underneath that is on 250lbs castors so that I can move it around the garage. I also have a Condor adjustable front stand on it. (pics to come)

Parts:
Got my rear-sets in and have done test fitting and prep for mounting modification.
Picked up front/rear wheel bearings from AllsBalls.
Also, tapered steering bearings from them.
I have all of the laser cut graphics that were made for the bike. (again pics to come)
Probably other stuff I am forgetting about (I am at work).

Parts ordered but not received as of today:
tail/seat from caferace.com
2in flush mount tail/brake light
3/4in neoprene for seat pad

Work done thus far since last update:
Took the front wheel apart.
Stripped the bike down to just the frame.
Cleaned the gas tank out.
Cut some of the useless tabs of the frame.



So, again, I am excited to get this project going again and make some progress. My goal is to have this bike on the road (or at least started and playing with the carbs) by April 1st, 2012.

I will try my best to keep this updated, ad photos, and ask/answer questions.

Thanks again and LET THE FUN BEGIN...

 

[rj95lss]

Here are some pics of the stand/bench we made:

We just bolted a Condor stand to the front of it, works great. And of course, its on 200 lbs/each castors.

As you can see I made a shelf under the table top to house parts which will then roll with the stand around the garage. (hadn't cut the plywood to fit yet so it's just pushed in there)

After this project is over I am going to paint it red and then probably cover it with the drawer full of motorcycle stickers I have collected over the years.

 

[rj95lss]

Test fitting the seat:

 

[rj95lss]

Best $15 I have spent all winter...

Had to get the welder out for the first time tonight on this project. When I was cutting all the tabs off one of them pulled a chunk of the frame out with it struck with the hammer. So we had to add a little scape and grind it back down. You can't even tell there was ever a whole there.

 

[rj95lss]

Here is the pile of tabs that were removed from the frame. Step #1 complete...

Below are a couple of photos I took during the process. This weekend I am going to chop the subframe "U" down to size and weld it into place and hopeful figure out the battery tray, fuse block & rectifier location, and weld a cross member under the seat for another mounting location.

As the bike sits currently, going to sleep, good night guys.

 

[rj95lss]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... The 120 hole pattern front disc is done and ready to mate to the front wheel once its ready. I think its really going to look good.

 

[saywhat]

Make sure to use that heater in a well ventilated area, I believe those create a fair bit of carbon-monoxide ...

 

[rj95lss]

Make sure to use that heater in a well ventilated area, I believe those create a fair bit of carbon-monoxide ...

Thanks - yeah I have been trying to watch it and open the garage door here and there. Then when I am done for the night I open it all the way for a minute before I go inside.

 

[gckalnay]

Nice stand you built. I didn't even think of that, but I will probably be building one this weekend as well. It will be a life saver for my back. I picked up a 360 a few days ago, and I am also down to the engine, but have some frozen bolts, so I need to work on that first. This is my first bike, and I am learning as I go, but have found some great ideas and incredible info on this site. I'm looking forward to following your build...

 

[Big-D]

Always good to see another cafe in Iowa. Good luck with the build

 

[gearhead231]

Updates?