New Member: Time for my first bike, looking at at CB350

[twelver]

Schools out and summers here, which means its time for my first bike!

After looking around on craigslist and local classifieds, I found a 1973 cb350 for $250 (ad said it was a 360, but I thought it was a 350 that year. correct me if Im wrong.) It has no title, no muffler, no carbs, and it needs a tank. I presume it is in non-running condition. My brother and I are going to go look at it sometime in the next three days. Thoughts on what I should look for or what I should avoid? I'm really just looking for a project to keep me busy rather than a motorcycle to ride.

Thanks

 

[VonYinzer]

They made both the 350, and 360 in 73. Last year for the 350, which means you'll get the shit disc brake up front. All of the missing parts will add up quick. It'll be expensive to get stock bits, and more-so to go aftermarket. Than theres the no title situation. Without one, the bike is scrap. If you have a way of getting one, thats cool. If not, walk away. Now, depending on how and how long the bike was stored, it probobly has a bunch of other issues. Those carbs act like big plugs when the bikes not together. Without them, all sorts of junk and moisture can find there way into the motor. Also, with no tank, Id bet the wiring harness is shot. You'd be better off finding a complete and titled (also preferrably running) bike to start with. The extra cash up front will save you a mint in the long run, not to mention the hassle of sourcing parts and fixing other issues.

 

[BCBarker]

whew! $250 with no title, mufflers, carbs, or tank!?? Offer him $100 cash in hand. if he won't take it, go to a local shop and see what they have lying around. I'd rather spend $500 on something semi complete for your first bike. You'd have a lot to buy otherwise.

 

[Sonreir]

The problem with most projects is that you'll pay more in parts than you will for a complete bike. Even if the guy gives you the bike for free, you're going to spend more than it's worth in time and money getting it running again. The only way you're really going to save money on this one is to look for a complete and titled bike that only has one or two things wrong with it and that's nothing something a first-time buyer can usually do.

Look for a complete, titled, and running bike in more-or-less stock condition and that will be the cheapest option. CB350s and CB360s in said condition can still be had for under a grand provided you don't mind shopping around a bit.

 

[Baffle]

As others have pretty much said, you should avoid this entire situation. The no title issue alone is enough of a hassle to stay away from this bike. With no carbs, tank or exhaust, the bike can't have been started recently. Something like this, in my opinion, is far too complicated and way too much of a headache for a first build.

 

[twelver]

The consensus is to skip it huh? Sad. I was happy to find something for less than a $1000. I don't don't know where yall are looking, but I haven't found any running or even complete projects for how much you guys are talking.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Where are you located, man?

 

[broncoboy79]

The consensus is to skip it huh? Sad. I was happy to find something for less than a $1000. I don't don't know where yall are looking, but I haven't found any running or even complete projects for how much you guys are talking.

The deals are out there. You just have to scour Craig's list like a maniac. I looked everyday at all the Craig's lists within 3 hours of my location for about 2 months then found one 30 minutes away. I paid a little more than I wanted but it ran and had receipts for the rebuilt motor last summer so I pulled the trigger.

 

[BCBarker]

Go to a local shop. See if they have any "projects" laying around. More than Lilly if the shop doesn't, a mechanic or employee who works there does and more than likely they would rather have the $$ if they havent started working on it. The best deals ive ever gotten were after chatting with mechanics about stuff. I once bought 3 bike for $50 bucks. The only catch was I had to pull them out of a poison ivy patch, but they were complete.