My old CB360
- Thread starter Beau
- Start date
The 350 is a better engine, but the 360's are cheap and plentiful.
The 360's have more tubing in the frame, and not a fully stamped frame. The 360 only has a stamped backbone where the 350 has the whole rear section and backbone stamped. . Many of the 400/450-500/550 parts swap over to the 360. They made a CJ360 that was a kick start only bike, also.
The 360's have more tubing in the frame, and not a fully stamped frame. The 360 only has a stamped backbone where the 350 has the whole rear section and backbone stamped. . Many of the 400/450-500/550 parts swap over to the 360. They made a CJ360 that was a kick start only bike, also.
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
The CJ is the equivalent of the SL350 then, when talking about cases having no starter space at all.
I understand the desire for a tube frame. I don't know why Honda would go from the stamped Dream to the tube Bomber then back to stamping with a tube cradle for the 350, 100, 175, etc...
I understand the desire for a tube frame. I don't know why Honda would go from the stamped Dream to the tube Bomber then back to stamping with a tube cradle for the 350, 100, 175, etc...
carnivorous chicken
Over 1,000 Posts
Redliner said:
A 6th gear is one...
The frame is a big bonus, but it's more than just the technical stuff. The 360 is a bit quirky and has real soul.
That said, it's an excellent foundation for upgrades. It takes a lot less time, effort, and money to build a decent 360 than it does a 350.
On paper, most folks go with the 350 because it has an extra couple of ponies, but the 360 is more useful on the street, I find.
That said, it's an excellent foundation for upgrades. It takes a lot less time, effort, and money to build a decent 360 than it does a 350.
On paper, most folks go with the 350 because it has an extra couple of ponies, but the 360 is more useful on the street, I find.
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
The 360's sixth gear seems like a stop-gap, since I don't believe the engineers in Japan foresaw a necessity to take the 350 across the then-new American international highway system. People seem to view these bikes out of context but a look at 1950's and 60's America or even modern Japan is a fitting perspective for such small displacement low-geared bikes.
I will stick with the 350 but that's because I'm a rotten cacophonous bastard and like the 50's-era-based looks, attitude and quarks. The 360 is clearly more modern, bridging to the CM motors that would last to the 80's.
Thus to each their own.
I will stick with the 350 but that's because I'm a rotten cacophonous bastard and like the 50's-era-based looks, attitude and quarks. The 360 is clearly more modern, bridging to the CM motors that would last to the 80's.
Thus to each their own.
frogman
'74 CB360, '71 CB450, '75 CB550SS
The 6 speed is there for a reason, the bike has a much shorter power band than the 350 did, they stop making much power past 8500 where as 350s do at least another 1000 rpm. The gear ratios are shorter thus allowing you to keep in that power band area. Same reason diesel trucks have lots of gears. I believe final drive ratios are pretty much the same once you have both bikes in high gear.
Most people don't like 360s for the same reason that the 450s died in 74 and were replaced by the 500T which died 2 years later, they are starter bikes, Honda had perfected pretty much perfected the 4 cylinder engines by that time. Bigger and better things were available and if you had been riding a while, why buy a small rattly, weak-ass bike when for a few more dollars you could have a bike that needed less maintenance, could run all day and not make your ass go numb, and had double the power. No brainer really.
I like the older inline twins, they have a lot more character and soul, plus I'm a tinkerer and they need some to stay running well. They also suit my skinny ass just fine, its all I can do to get 1100ccs up off a kickstand and keep it there, with these its just like riding a dirt-bike, they go anywhere and they have fun doing it. I own a 360 and a 450 both are fun in their own right. I have a CB550 and the difference in how it goes compared to the other two is night and day, plus its smooooooottthhhheeerrrr.
Most people don't like 360s for the same reason that the 450s died in 74 and were replaced by the 500T which died 2 years later, they are starter bikes, Honda had perfected pretty much perfected the 4 cylinder engines by that time. Bigger and better things were available and if you had been riding a while, why buy a small rattly, weak-ass bike when for a few more dollars you could have a bike that needed less maintenance, could run all day and not make your ass go numb, and had double the power. No brainer really.
I like the older inline twins, they have a lot more character and soul, plus I'm a tinkerer and they need some to stay running well. They also suit my skinny ass just fine, its all I can do to get 1100ccs up off a kickstand and keep it there, with these its just like riding a dirt-bike, they go anywhere and they have fun doing it. I own a 360 and a 450 both are fun in their own right. I have a CB550 and the difference in how it goes compared to the other two is night and day, plus its smooooooottthhhheeerrrr.
