My 80 dollar CB350... sigh

Novafrk

Novafrk

New Member
Hello all,

My Big Arse Project started May 15th. The said "73 Honda CB350, runs, rides well, complete, rough, needs work - $200." Sounded like a good starter bike. I called the guy and first thing he says is "Well it's got title issues." <great I love a good challenge> He has a title that has been signed over to a guy that has since died, and the nephew of the dead uncle sold it to the guy I bought it from and I don't have a bill of sale... I'll pause for everyone to catch up... Wow that is a cluster fuch of a title issue but I ain't skeered came to mind and I went to look at the bike... what a train wreck. But it only had 9k on the odometer and I do love a mechanical challenge. <don't we all> Well the engine was froze, so the runs and rides went out the window, it was / is missing the side covers, there went complete, BUT in it's defense it was rough and did need work... so I negotiated the price down to 80 dollars... I now know I was taken... live and learn.

I got the bike home had the engine unstuck in 15 minutes, determined that the electrics were complete with no shorts but the rectifier was bad. The starter turned over the engine well, so I thought I had made good progress. Saturday morning I took the title and a bill of sale from the guy I purchased it from and went to the BMV. The woman actually said "Sir you are screwed." I laughed and she then told me I would have to take my story to a small claims court and hope the judge would award me a title. I went home slightly disappointed, to say the least.

I decided to buy a set of spark plugs and see if I could get the bike to run. The fuel tank smelled like an old can of turpentine... so I washed it out well and prayed that I got all the rust nasties out of it. Some fresh 93 octane, new plugs and a boost from the battery charger / starter and I'll be damned if the engine didn't fire up and run! Hope was restored. So on a wave of optimism I did a white pages search for the guy listed on the title. One person came back still living 5 blocks from where the bike was last titled and it had a phone number. I called and left a message and the guy called me back by 2. It was the guy that owned the bike and he was willing to get a duplicate title and sign it over to me! Yes I bought a lottery ticket, no I didn't hit.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk43/Novafrk/CB350G%20rebuild/100_2523-1.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk43/Novafrk/CB350G%20rebuild/100_2522-1.jpg

As she stood at the end of day two. I'll post more later.

Novafrk
 
Not sure how it works in Canada assuming thats where you are but in the states a whole lot of headache with the DMV can be avoided if you register the bike as an antique.

Also, throw some inline fuel filters on that 350 to keep rust from gumming up those carbs of yours.
 
Hello all,

The next two weeks after securing the title, was spent waiting for parts and rebuilding the carbs, replacing the rectifier removing all the superfelous stuff in an attempt to get the bike to idle without being hooked to a battery charger. This was eventually accomplished and I was able to ride the bike around the neighborhood for a day.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk43/Novafrk/CB350G%20rebuild/100_2604.jpg

Quite a peppy little bike if I do say so myself. It was during this time I discovered the frame was bent. <ebay to the rescue> and a suitable replacement was had for what I thought was cheap. <50 bucks shipped> It was around this time I realized that this wasn't going to be a quick clean it up change the oil and go riding project. So I decided the hell with it we're just going to do it right.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk43/Novafrk/CB350G%20rebuild/100_2653.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk43/Novafrk/CB350G%20rebuild/100_2669.jpg

The forks were rusted so badly under the factory covers that I couldn't use them exposed. They just wouldn't clean up enough. So again ebay <I'd go to swap meets but i'm having a helluva time finding any local> So far the biggest snag I've run into aside from the bent frame was the rubber cam wheels, which have been replaced with the bore tech piece.

I'm at the point of just doing some cosmetic engine clean up, re-install the wiring and brakes and plumb the fuel and I should be off and running.

This is how she sits tonight.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk43/Novafrk/CB350G%20rebuild/100_2720.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk43/Novafrk/CB350G%20rebuild/100_2723.jpg

I'll be installing led lights all the way around, drag pipes with slash cut mufflers, and if I can find some stock air filter covers I'll keep the uni filters that I have but I will probably go with the little cone filters.


That's my project in a quick minute. Feel free to ask questions or make comments, if you so desire.

Thanks everyone

Novafrk
 
Wow, you really got it cleaned up nice. Love how its looking so far. Great work. Keep posting the progress.
 
Neat story man... and the bike is looking great so far. Keep the progress coming.

RT
 
Just a note on getting the pics to show up here. If you use the "IMG" code on photobucket, it will post them as images instead of links.

Build is coming along nicely.
 
philos1 said:
Just a note on getting the pics to show up here. If you use the "IMG" code on photobucket, it will post them as images instead of links.

Build is coming along nicely.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll try that. I've had problems on other forums giving me an error when I try to use anything but a direct link.

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best results on cleaning / painting or polishing the engine / cases. It appears that it was painted. I don't know if that was factory or not. I've always liked the look of raw cast AL. Polishing and painting seem like they would both be labor intensive to keep looking good.
 
Novafrk said:
Does anyone have any suggestions for the best results on cleaning / painting or polishing the engine / cases. It appears that it was painted. I don't know if that was factory or not. I've always liked the look of raw cast AL. Polishing and painting seem like they would both be labor intensive to keep looking good.
Click to expand...

Typically, it seems that covers were polished/cleared and cases/jugs were painted.


Easy-off oven cleaner seems to do well with the paint/clear coats that were used on the cases/covers. Paint can look pretty good on the actual cases next to polished covers, but do what you like as it's your bike.

Additionally, polishing between cooling fins is a PITA. (that's why I like paint).
 
Damn man, looking good already.


Keep us posted. Also FYI to post pics directly into this thread so we don't have to open URL's, simply go to your photobucket album and choose the picture you want. Then under the picture it will have a list (about 3) of options. Copy the IMG Code text and paste it into your post.
SamplehowtopostonDTT.jpg


Hope that helps, keep us updated on the bike 2 :)
 
I never thought of Easy off oven cleaner. I'm going to pick some up tomorrow and have a go at it.

Here's some before shots just to try out the IMG code thing.

100_2741.jpg


100_2742.jpg


Late

Novafrk
 
Novafrk said:
I never thought of Easy off oven cleaner. I'm going to pick some up tomorrow and have a go at it.


Late

Novafrk
Click to expand...

Make sure you use it in a WELL ventilated area,because that stuff will eat up your lungs if you breathe it in.
It really is some nasty,caustic stuff.
 
Well after cleaning and powerwashing the engine, I've decided to paint everything but the case covers. The covers I'll polish the hell out of. No new pictures as of right now. More by the weekend.

Any advice on getting a stuck piston out of the front caliper... I've tried compressed air to no avail. I'm down to drilling and taping the piston to attach something I can pull it out with and then try welding it back up or getting a new piston. Any ideas? <I haven't searched the forum yet>

Novafrk
 
If the piston is seized so badly compressed air can't force it out (be careful with those as when it goes, it will pop like a champagne cork) I'd start looking for a replacement caliper altogether.

Drop the entire unit in some penetrating oil or something for a few days to loosen things up.
 
Well, I've had the caliper in P.O. for two days now... can't budge it. I'm thinking instead of drilling it, I'll just weld a bolt to the face of the piston... that way if I do get it out I can smooth up the face and it should still work fine. I'll let you all know how it goes sometime this weekend...

Just in case... N E one have a front caliper for a 73 honda CB350G?


Novafrk
 
Hdaddy said:
Have you tried threading in a grease zerk and pumping it out? Messy but it works.
Click to expand...

No I haven't tried that. It's a good idea though... off to the parts store.

I've just finished painting the engine case/cyl/head etc. It looks pretty darn good. I just hope the header paint holds up. I'll post pics tonight or tomorrow.

Nova
 
If you master cylinder works, use it. They are really good at making the pistons move.
 
Re: My 80 dollar CB350... Splee!!!!

Hello all,

Well I got the engine painted and installed into the bike. It's coming along quickly now. I plan on riding it Labor day. As far as the front brake caliper goes... I'm going to use the master cylinder as suggest to try and push it out. I'll be doing that sometime this week. If that doesn't work... I'll punt. Still have a lot of little things to get done but I think i can do it. Wish me luck.

100_2754.jpg


100_2756.jpg


I think I'm just going to run the drag pipes for the rest of this riding season. I'll Figure out the mufflers over the winter. I may make the mufflers work with the factory pipes and see which one I like best.

What do you all think?

Nova
 
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