Death of a CB350

C

CB350

Been Around the Block
My 71 CB350 was on its way to Michigan this last weekend when the engine decided it was going to grenade. It basically blew up in the case and left most of its parts on the highway. I wasn't riding the bike at the time and the person who was gave me a 1985 Kawasaki ZX900 that needs some work but should be running by the end of the weekend. I also got a complete parts bike in the deal for $200.

The great big mess is a lot to explain. As it stands the new owner of my CB said his Dad or Uncle has a good engine he can use so it won't cost him a lot to get it going. It should only cost me time to get the Kawi running.

A sad day and death of a nice CB350 didn't turn out good when I got the ZX900 but at least there was one positive outcome.

Once I get the Kawi running I'm going to find a late 70s or early 80s Kawi and cafe the shit out of it. Actually, I will try to find something to cafe. A Yamaha 650 mgiht be nice too. Either way, you guys are still stuck with me since I like the people here. Hopefully, you will accept me with my new fangled 1985 model year bike. Pictures to come as soon as I can get them.
 
So are you saying you traded the CB350 for a ZX900 + parts bike and the new owner had the 350 blow up on him while he was riding it home?

Sheesh! Talk about rotten luck! Sounds like he was pretty understanding.
 
Not quite. We were considering the trade when we decided to exchange the bikes to see if I could get the Kawi running. The other guy decided to take the CB up to Michigan for the weekend. Nothing was set in stone yet and the CB blew up. There was no reason to think it would happen. It was also maybe not the best idea to run that thing up there yet since the deal wasn't really finalized.

Trust me, I offered to take the Honda back, that's what I thought would happen after it did its best Pinto impersonation. The other guy wouldn't hear of it and refused to return a "bike he broke." His words, not mine. Even after everything was settled I asked at least three times if he was sure about his decision and he assured me he was.
 
He said his father has one that looks just like it and bought it new. So, yep he really wanted one. Man, I still can't help but feel guilty.
 
CB350 said:
He said his father has one that looks just like it and bought it new. So, yep he really wanted one. Man, I still can't help but feel guilty.
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he have any other working bikes? he want borrow my 650 at this point i want some one blow it up and have replace it.
 
CB350 said:
My 71 CB350 was on its way to Michigan this last weekend when the engine decided it was going to grenade. It basically blew up in the case and left most of its parts on the highway. I wasn't riding the bike at the time and the person who was gave me a 1985 Kawasaki ZX900 that needs some work but should be running by the end of the weekend. I also got a complete parts bike in the deal for $200.

The great big mess is a lot to explain. As it stands the new owner of my CB said his Dad or Uncle has a good engine he can use so it won't cost him a lot to get it going. It should only cost me time to get the Kawi running.

A sad day and death of a nice CB350 didn't turn out good when I got the ZX900 but at least there was one positive outcome.

Once I get the Kawi running I'm going to find a late 70s or early 80s Kawi and cafe the shit out of it. Actually, I will try to find something to cafe. A Yamaha 650 mgiht be nice too. Either way, you guys are still stuck with me since I like the people here. Hopefully, you will accept me with my new fangled 1985 model year bike. Pictures to come as soon as I can get them.
Click to expand...

Ouch!!! That sucks big time!!! Now I am afraid, since I have a CB350 too. Anyone know what might of caused the blow up? Before buying my CB350 a did a bit of research and it seemed the engine was bullet proof, I guess in the sense it can take a beating, run without oil, run on one piston, engine can be unsiezed if stuck etc....
 
yeah... Why would it blow up like that unless there was no oil in the bike??

Man.. thats quite the story!!
 
The CB350's have oil passage issues in the head. The CB360t fixes these issues.
I'd say you made out. The kawai tomato tank is a killer bike!
 
I honestly have no idea why the CB350 blew up. Greg from OhioCafeRacers.com checked the bike over and said it was pretty sound for its age. The problem is I wasn't there so I don't know what happened. But, despite what I felt might have been a shot at my integrity it isn't quite a story - it's the truth.
 
A seized motor wouldn't blow up, the pistons would lock up and freeze. I'm guessing it was cam chain failure, those things take a a lot of wear and tear over a lifetime. Once that thing snaps the rest of the motor goes with it. But if the failure happened in the crankcase then something happened in the bottom end but I can't imagine what. That crank is massive and sits on some really beefy bearings. Get some photos if you can.
 
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