Hey everyone,
As the title says... This is my first Motorcycle, and the first time I've worked on one at all. I have some experience with cars, and am working on my BS in mechanical engineering at Oregon State... So in theory I should at least know my way around a tool box and hopefully be able to get some stuff done on this bike (theory and should are the key words in that sentence). Anyway feel free to go easy on my lack of knowledge, but if I'm about to do something stupid go ahead and set me straight
.
I'm a pretty talkative guy so here's a little background (if it bores you or this much story telling doesn't belong in the project section you're welcome to scroll down to the project ).
Being a college student I'm on a very limited budget. To make a few extra bucks I've been buying and selling things on craigslist. Generators, lawnmowers, boats etc - things I can get running, clean up and make a bit of cash on. About two months ago I found a 1972 Honda CB350 on craigslist 2 miles from my house for $50. It had "died 4 years ago, and to have it diagnosed at the shop wasn't worth it so I parked it in the garage". It came with a clean title, and was all there with the exception of mufflers. It kicked over, sounded as though it had compression and shifted through all the gears. About an hour after it was posted on Craigslist I had it in my carport at my house.
Insert image here - the pictures of when I got it are at my house at school, I'll go down there and get them in a week or two.
Initially I had planned on selling it for a profit, but when I started thinking about my dad's bike (a 1978 GS 550) and the way gas prices are, and how cheap motorcycle insurance is I figured I'd fix it up and ride it (much to my mom's dismay). Work was postponed until finals were over and I could bring it to my parents house for the summer.
I planned on simply getting it running. The battery was dead so with some jumper cables and a car battery (clearly the best method...) I gave it a go. All the lights worked, and it cranked over fine. It seems the plug wires were completely shot, so with some temporary tinkering and a little starter fluid I got it to sputter. I figured this meant with some work it'd be good to go, so I started removing and cleaning things. Before I knew it I had this:
Once I got here, my dad came home from work and after looking at it we said WTF and decided to strip it to the frame and build it back up.
A few hours later the bare frame was on my patio, the motor tucked in the shed and boxes of parts filled my (moved out older) brother's room.
Here's the plans - not AT ALL set in stone:
Budget - as little as possible - If I can do it for a couple hundred that would be AMAZING - though perhaps that's wishful thinking... My dad does have a lot of connections in the car industry so those will certainly help. That and I browse craigslist almost religiously...
Frame - A friend of my dad's works at a professional media blasting place. He'll do the whole frame for $30 bucks. I have a small sand blaster available for use for smaller parts. I then plan on using the best primer rustoleum has to offer and the brightest red paint to grace a rattle can. I also found the fork bearings to be shot, so those will need replacing. Are the bearings for these available at a bearing place or are they something specific? All hardware possibly will be replaced with cad plated aircraft hardware, as my uncles have an aircraft business and I get it free or cheap. Also, reading my plans below, is there anything I should remove from the frame, or do before paint? I'd like it to have the minimum possible - nice and clean.
Engine - I bought a set of UNI pod air filters and two "shorty" mufflers off craigslist for $40... no idea how good a deal that was, and I'm told I'll need to rejet the carbs afterwards. Other than that it'll get a thorough degreasing, some paint and new plug wires, though it seems they're integrated into the coils? Not sure, here any ideas for the cheapest route?
Body - No clue here. The plan for the look of the bike is this - bright red frame, bare metal tank. The guy that does sandblasting can also paint, and has some amazing airbrushing skills (skillz?). Apparently they finally have a clear that lasts when over bare metal. Sounds like he'll spray it if he gets to do some creative with the airbrushing. I plan on cutting down the front and rear fenders and giving them the same treatment. Here's where I have major issues. I really would like to not have the factory seat! I want to go with something more cafe style. What I'd really like is a cafe seat, but to have the frame extended and a long seat that looks cafe but has room for two. The problems are this: I don't know of anything like this pre-made, and if there was one they all seem to be around $100 or more. That's half of my hopeful budget. Secondly, I have NO experience with bodywork, or fiberglass. Any ideas? I'd also really like it if whatever I did could hide the battery. I've seen people put them behind the seat and people extend the tank and put it there, but I really like the look of the center area open with just air filters.
Bars - I love the look of clip-ons, but they're spendy. Clubmans are pretty cool too... but still cost a decent amount. How about the factory bars upside down and backwards? Anyone do this?
Rear controls... Rear sets? Does anyone have some plans for making these? I have the ability to weld at my house. I can run a mill and a lathe though I don't have either available for use (aside from a 70 year old lathe in unknown condition). Are there some off another bike that can work and can be had for cheap?
That's basically it for now, if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions or pictures of similar bikes done up for motivation / ideas I'd love to hear / see it!
Sorry about the lack of pictures. I'll leave you with one of my brothers room full of parts, showing my other two wheeled hobby in the background - bikes you have to pedal to get around on
As the title says... This is my first Motorcycle, and the first time I've worked on one at all. I have some experience with cars, and am working on my BS in mechanical engineering at Oregon State... So in theory I should at least know my way around a tool box and hopefully be able to get some stuff done on this bike (theory and should are the key words in that sentence). Anyway feel free to go easy on my lack of knowledge, but if I'm about to do something stupid go ahead and set me straight
.I'm a pretty talkative guy so here's a little background (if it bores you or this much story telling doesn't belong in the project section you're welcome to scroll down to the project
).Being a college student I'm on a very limited budget. To make a few extra bucks I've been buying and selling things on craigslist. Generators, lawnmowers, boats etc - things I can get running, clean up and make a bit of cash on. About two months ago I found a 1972 Honda CB350 on craigslist 2 miles from my house for $50. It had "died 4 years ago, and to have it diagnosed at the shop wasn't worth it so I parked it in the garage". It came with a clean title, and was all there with the exception of mufflers. It kicked over, sounded as though it had compression and shifted through all the gears. About an hour after it was posted on Craigslist I had it in my carport at my house.
Insert image here - the pictures of when I got it are at my house at school, I'll go down there and get them in a week or two.
Initially I had planned on selling it for a profit, but when I started thinking about my dad's bike (a 1978 GS 550) and the way gas prices are, and how cheap motorcycle insurance is I figured I'd fix it up and ride it (much to my mom's dismay). Work was postponed until finals were over and I could bring it to my parents house for the summer.
I planned on simply getting it running. The battery was dead so with some jumper cables and a car battery (clearly the best method...) I gave it a go. All the lights worked, and it cranked over fine. It seems the plug wires were completely shot, so with some temporary tinkering and a little starter fluid I got it to sputter. I figured this meant with some work it'd be good to go, so I started removing and cleaning things. Before I knew it I had this:
Once I got here, my dad came home from work and after looking at it we said WTF and decided to strip it to the frame and build it back up.
A few hours later the bare frame was on my patio, the motor tucked in the shed and boxes of parts filled my (moved out older) brother's room.
Here's the plans - not AT ALL set in stone:
Budget - as little as possible - If I can do it for a couple hundred that would be AMAZING - though perhaps that's wishful thinking... My dad does have a lot of connections in the car industry so those will certainly help. That and I browse craigslist almost religiously...
Frame - A friend of my dad's works at a professional media blasting place. He'll do the whole frame for $30 bucks. I have a small sand blaster available for use for smaller parts. I then plan on using the best primer rustoleum has to offer and the brightest red paint to grace a rattle can. I also found the fork bearings to be shot, so those will need replacing. Are the bearings for these available at a bearing place or are they something specific? All hardware possibly will be replaced with cad plated aircraft hardware, as my uncles have an aircraft business and I get it free or cheap
. Also, reading my plans below, is there anything I should remove from the frame, or do before paint? I'd like it to have the minimum possible - nice and clean.Engine - I bought a set of UNI pod air filters and two "shorty" mufflers off craigslist for $40... no idea how good a deal that was, and I'm told I'll need to rejet the carbs afterwards. Other than that it'll get a thorough degreasing, some paint and new plug wires, though it seems they're integrated into the coils? Not sure, here any ideas for the cheapest route?
Body - No clue here. The plan for the look of the bike is this - bright red frame, bare metal tank. The guy that does sandblasting can also paint, and has some amazing airbrushing skills (skillz?). Apparently they finally have a clear that lasts when over bare metal. Sounds like he'll spray it if he gets to do some creative with the airbrushing. I plan on cutting down the front and rear fenders and giving them the same treatment. Here's where I have major issues. I really would like to not have the factory seat! I want to go with something more cafe style. What I'd really like is a cafe seat, but to have the frame extended and a long seat that looks cafe but has room for two. The problems are this: I don't know of anything like this pre-made, and if there was one they all seem to be around $100 or more. That's half of my hopeful budget. Secondly, I have NO experience with bodywork, or fiberglass. Any ideas? I'd also really like it if whatever I did could hide the battery. I've seen people put them behind the seat and people extend the tank and put it there, but I really like the look of the center area open with just air filters.
Bars - I love the look of clip-ons, but they're spendy. Clubmans are pretty cool too... but still cost a decent amount. How about the factory bars upside down and backwards? Anyone do this?
Rear controls... Rear sets? Does anyone have some plans for making these? I have the ability to weld at my house. I can run a mill and a lathe though I don't have either available for use (aside from a 70 year old lathe in unknown condition). Are there some off another bike that can work and can be had for cheap?
That's basically it for now, if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions or pictures of similar bikes done up for motivation / ideas I'd love to hear / see it!
Sorry about the lack of pictures. I'll leave you with one of my brothers room full of parts, showing my other two wheeled hobby in the background - bikes you have to pedal to get around on
