[Poll] Cafe it, or restore it.

[strangedaze39]

So I'm torn on what I should do with my 71' Honda CB350. I am assuming this bike is a really rare because of two things. The CB350 Four is fairly rare in the first place. The second reason, it's a 1971 bike, they didn't produce these bikes till 72'. I'm thinking this as it was either a prototype or show bike for the upcoming model. I could be totally wrong on this being rare, but thats why I'm asking you guys. What should I do to the bike.

1) Restore it- I think these bikes are beautiful already, but I do love putting my own personal spin on everything.

2) Cafe it - No holding back, just let my imagination run wild.

3) Bolt on/off Cafe - This is something I like the idea of, bolt on cafe seat/bars/tank/etc. while leaving the stock parts alone.

Here's how I bought it recently (pics),
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=4066.0

Please vote and if you want I would love to hear some more opinions.
Thanks 8) ,
SD

 

[Druro]

So I'm torn on what I should do with my 71' Honda CB350. I am assuming this bike is a really rare because of two things. The CB350 Four is fairly rare in the first place. The second reason, it's a 1971 bike, they didn't produce these bikes till 72'. I'm thinking this as it was either a prototype or show bike for the upcoming model. I could be totally wrong on this being rare, but thats why I'm asking you guys. What should I do to the bike.

1) Restore it- I think these bikes are beautiful already, but I do love putting my own personal spin on everything.

2) Cafe it - No holding back, just let my imagination run wild.

3) Bolt on/off Cafe - This is something I like the idea of, bolt on cafe seat/bars/tank/etc. while leaving the stock parts alone.

Here's how I bought it recently (pics),
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=4066.0

Please vote and if you want I would love to hear some more opinions.
Thanks 8) ,
SD

Well, I can tell you one thing... NOS exhaust will set you back about 2k

I might have some parts for ya, just drop me a PM.

Here's mine.

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=1965.0

 

[patricke9]

It's your bike, do what you want & I don't think you'll get as much crap here as you would from the guys over on sohc4.net (great source for parts & info) for altering a clean origional, if it were mine I'd probly but clubmans on it & call it good. The OEM parts are out there but very spendy. You might get it back if you ever decide to sell it, but then again, unless it's a second or third bike in the garage, how much are you going too want to ride a restored low mileage bike?

 

[intrudin]

So I'm torn on what I should do with my 71' Honda CB350. I am assuming this bike is a really rare because of two things. The CB350 Four is fairly rare in the first place. The second reason, it's a 1971 bike, they didn't produce these bikes till 72'. I'm thinking this as it was either a prototype or show bike for the upcoming model. I could be totally wrong on this being rare, but thats why I'm asking you guys. What should I do to the bike.

1) Restore it- I think these bikes are beautiful already, but I do love putting my own personal spin on everything.

2) Cafe it - No holding back, just let my imagination run wild.

3) Bolt on/off Cafe - This is something I like the idea of, bolt on cafe seat/bars/tank/etc. while leaving the stock parts alone.

Here's how I bought it recently (pics),
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=4066.0

Please vote and if you want I would love to hear some more opinions.
Thanks 8) ,
SD

;D ;D I think you should sell it to ME ;D

 

[strangedaze39]

Thanks for the input guys I don't think I would ever spend 2k on a NOS exhaust, but I'm sure I could find someone who is building a cafe or chopper w/e to sell me a used pair for a good price. I think I would have to semi agree with patrick. I would be happy with a seat, bars, but the rest of the bike I think is already.

@ intrudin, no way I've been dreaming about this thing for over a year. Since the first day I saw it, I've been begging the PO to sell. I can understand why you would want one though

I would like to hear some more opinions. A little insight into the whole 71 thing would be awesome.

-SD

 

[Speed2XS]

I would like to hear some more opinions. A little insight into the whole 71 thing would be awesome.

Maybe it's like cars these days; we bought my wife’s '08 Subaru in July of '07. What’s the month of production of your bike? Most likely July or later. Serial number? Prolly a low number.

Truly restoring a bike is monumentally expensive. And then you have a bike that you can’t ride and then have to find a special buyer for who looks for old Japanese bikes and will pay a premium over your costs of restoration.

If you have a clean motorscooter and you’re concerned about devaluation do what the other guys said. Replace parts that can be easily return to stock (like custom seat, bars, rearsets, etc…) and keep it in good running condition.

It’s a motorcycle, ride the damned thing.

 

[strangedaze39]

Thanks for the input Speed.

I definitely will be riding the bike, and not worrying about the milage ATM it has 10k miles on it anyways. I think my best bet is to get ahold of the PO and have him tell me how he got it, and what's the story behind it.

I think I'm going to do the bolt on/off method. That doesn't mean that I'm going to buy my parts though, as that term usually describes. It might be a slightly bigger challenge to do it this way, but it should turn out nice.

Thanks & still welcome to thoughts on the subject,

-SD

 

[JKR4]

Thanks for the input guys I don't think I would ever spend 2k on a NOS exhaust, but I'm sure I could find someone who is building a cafe or chopper w/e to sell me a used pair for a good price.

I looked for a set for 2 years best I could get was a pretty rotten set from england for $800 plus shipping that would have needed to be welded and re-chrommed these pipes always rotted out because there was no way for the water to drain and the pipes and were tilted up so they collect water. I would say good luck with that, so my vote is cafe it.

Just out of curiosity what leads you to beleive it is a 71'? does it have a 71' build date or does the title say 71'?

 

[strangedaze39]

Hey JK, I'll probably just end up with an non stock exhaust, which is fine for me. I agree I've seen these "fully" restored. But hardly ever with the original exhaust. I'm just after hearing those prices

About the 71, on the title it says 71. The PO (which is a real honest guy, I've known for a couple years but for the most part he's a family friend, he's also older then the bike and has a about 12 motorcycles. many are classics) said it is a 71. He started to tell me the story about it, and how it was special because they didn't start making "these" till the next year. I wish I got more info out of him, but I'll ask him next time I talk to him about it.

I'm not trying to say this is a really special bike and I'm positive on it's history/year, because I can only relay what I've heard so far and read on the title.

Another thing that crossed my mind a little while back, it could be a 71 Super Sport G. Did they even make these in four cylinders ???

Anyways I'll definitly try to get some more info, and let ya know.

Thanks.

-SD

 

[strangedaze39]

So I called Honda again, they said it's definitely a CB350F. Also they said they didn't have them on the market till 3-72. So it wouldn't just be one from 12-71 or something. Most likely it's just a ex show bike. So I'll just wait and see what the PO says. My ignition coil should be coming soon, hopefully I'll have her running within the next couple days.

Anyone have thoughts on rear sets, and seats?

Thanks,

SD

 

[JKR4]

the seat is unique to that bike as are many parts so I would recommend looking for a seat tor tail that fits a 400F as it is closest like this one: http://www.caferace.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=C&Product_Code=CB400T&Category_Code=RRBT

350 twins are way different so don't look there. If you weld or have access to someone who can weld you can run just about any rearset but if you want bolt on you would want to contact omars dirt track racing and get a set of raask rearsets that bolt up for the specific model.

Jerrad

 

[Druro]

Just a heads up... the CB400f seat doesn't fit the 350f.

 

[strangedaze39]

Hey thanks for the heads up and input. It probably would fit, but how much drilling and cutting that would take who knows. I think I'm going to make my seat from steel. I have access to welder and I feel pretty confident in my skills to get one done. I want to throw some sketches up here but I don't have a scanner, maybe I can take some pictures.

JK you mention to talk to omars dirt bikes? Not sure who they are. Do they make custom rear-sets?

Thanks

-SD

 

[Druro]

I missed your earlier comment on rear-sets....

The cb400f's pegs are rear set from the 350f's. You would need the full assembly along with the brake pedel. The downside to this is that if you want to use the kick starter, you'd be outta luck unless you come up with some interesting bends in the pedal.

 

[strangedaze39]

Hey guys, I found some stock exhaust. It looks pretty good accept it needs to have a couple small rust holes at the end of the pipes need to be filled somehow. And needs to be re-finished. Is it even feasible to fix the holes on these? I do have a relative thats been an Iron worker for 50+ years, and is extremely good with metal, but I still don't know about the repairs.

Thanks

SD

 

[RUDEBOY]

CAFE RACER SITE!!!..........I would say majority would say cafe....LOL at least I woud!?!?!?

 

[strangedaze39]

Yeah, but you would be surprised how often you'll here someone say, man are you sure you want to cafe it? That would be a good stock bike. Oh well, already decided to do a bolt on method and make the parts myself. Should be fun.

Cheers.
-SD