1974 Honda cb350 F (P's & Q's) Build.

[MartyMcFly]

Well I found this gem on craigslist, and went through hell and back picking her up, considering she was located 600 miles away, but what the hey, you only live once eh? She is a 1974 Honda CB350 F and is in overall good condition. No rust, 5500 miles, starts right up

I dubbed her P's & Q's because the first time I started her up it scared me with a back fire and I screamed s*&#, sounding like a little girl. I had to tell myself to mind my P's and Q's around people I didnt know Regardless, she already has the clubmans installed, a Kerker 4-1 exhaust, newish tires, tuned carbs, a ebay cafe seat (not installed), and various stock parts removed (which I have a whole box of sitting in my garage).

Heres how she sits right now. Im relatively new to bikes other then a 94 Honda CBR 600 I owned a few years ago, so I'm learning as we go. I suppose it wouldnt hurt to scrounge around in other people's build threads and learn from them. All I know is she runs awesome and Im so nervous tearing her apart, rebuilding, and having her not start back up, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

Heres a few pics (12 meg camera, but pics look like they were taken from a 2 meg cheapo deal you can buy at Walmart).

Cafe seat thrown on just for the heck of it

Any idea as to where to start or order parts would be MUCH appreciatted!

 

[MartyMcFly]

Well I figure I oughtta get started with some of the easy stuff.
Things I removed:
-headers & exhaust
-air box & battery
-rear fender
-seat
-tank
-various lights & such

Heres where I sit right now:

Headers, air box (pain in the butt), fender liner, and battery removed

I have a question, what on earth is this? Obviously it had a green, white and black wire attached to it.

 

[Big R]

I dont know what the box is either (green is ground btw) but TwistedWheels is working on a 350F as well.

Check out Dime City Cycles at the top of the page - they should have a vast majority of anything you may need. Super nice guys and great service.

 

[theboxrules]

Sweet bike! If everything runs well I'd leave the engine alone aside from tune-up and cleaning and save an overhaul for another day after you get the rest of the bike setup and finished the way you like it!

The box in my guess could be the blinker relay?

 

[Big R]

Nah, not the signal relay. It would have 2 wires, not 3. Maybe the starter relay?

FYI - the term "mind your P's and Q's" came from Europe. When a fight would break out in a bar the bartender would say "Mind your pints and quarts".

 

[teazer]

I'll guess it's the voltage regulator.

BTW, those are not clubman's bars. They are regular bars flipped to drop the height.

 

[tWistedWheelz]

From what little bit of wiring I have played with so far on mine, I think it is the Starter relay, but not 100% sure as I only took it off to get the air box out and then put it right back in.

I am interested to see this come together as I am building a 350f right now too. Check the link in my sig!

Good luck and I will be watching closely!

 

[MartyMcFly]

Hey guys! Thanks so much for the replies and information. I would love to reply to each and everyone of you, but that may be a little tedious. Everyones input is greatly appreciatted, especially site reccomendations for parts and other builds to follow along with. I guess the general consensus on the part in the picture is a relay of some sort.

Well today I had a few hours to dilly dally with the bike so I got a LOT accomplished in my feeble mind I got the wiring harness out which Id love for someone either on this site or a refferal to go through and slice out everything I dont need because its a rats nest worth of wiring. I also got the carbs removed, the chain cover, the chain, the headlight, handlebars.....You know what, screw this, everything is removed minus the engine and suspension

Here are a few pics:

Here is the rats nest worth of wiring and a box of parts which will either go on ebay or in the dumpster.

A question I have for you guys is: Im having trouble removing the engine. I suppose I have to remove the cover on the left hand side of the engine and remove from the right side? Im having trouble getting a phillips head to remove the screws, actually think I may have stripped a bolt. Ill go out here in a few and tackle the phillips screws again and see if I can get this engine out for you guys, since pictures are always fun to look at

 

[Big R]

I dont know what to tell you about getting the motor out (but it is easiest to lay down a blanket or something and lay the frame down).

For the wiring harness, find a wiring diagram (www.oldmanHonda.com) and you can use the stocker as a guide and make your own.

 

[RedRocket]

I wouldn't think you need to take any of the side covers off, maybe just the oil filter housing. If it were me i would drain the oil, take the filter housing off, then like Big Rich said just lay the bike on it's side and work the frame off the engine.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Got it out!! I repeat, I got it out!! Took the oil filter housing off and the housing on top of the head? Not sure what that is called, but I used my 175 pounds of pure brute manliness and wiggled that sucker right on out! Behold *In Gods voice*

 

[MartyMcFly]

I dont know what to tell you about getting the motor out (but it is easiest to lay down a blanket or something and lay the frame down).

For the wiring harness, find a wiring diagram (www.oldmanHonda.com) and you can use the stocker as a guide and make your own.

Oh dang, Im loving the site my man!

Let me ask, is it entirely possible to remove the starter motor with all attached electronics and use the kick stand only? Thats how I want to roll.

Also Im looking for a decent value for clip on's, any suggestions?

Im wondering, since I have the engine out, would it be wise to at least change the gaskets or do any other preventive maintenance? Feel free to chime in guys, I now nothing about these things.

 

[Big R]

Ya, you can remove the starter & electronics. But you better have more than the kick stand on there.

Sorry, had to point it out.

Is the engine weeping oil? Depending what the po did, you may be good to go. Did you do a compression test? And you may or may not want to get a new cam chain roller. Old Honda rollers arent known for being great.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Kick starter I mean! Hah kick stand. Geez what was I thinking? The motor ran great but I suppose a compression test should definitely be a priority.

Cam chain eh? difficult replacment?

 

[rjz5400]

that three wire thing is the voltage reg.
my cb550 one had a little screw on it you could use to adjust the voltage minimally.
but yea power in, out, and ground with corresponding color wires.
google " honda ford voltage regulator " to see how people replace the old style with a new solid state regulator

great start and way to be full on!!!
dont let it whoop you!

 

[MartyMcFly]

Trying my best not to RJZ and thans for the suggestion.

Another problem Im having is..How on earth do I get the front forks out of the dang triple tree? I loosened the top caps as well as the two 12mm bolts down below on the wheels stud. All ive managed to do was get the spring to pop out of the fork sleeve somewhat. I cant for the life of me figure out how to remove the forks from the triple tree. HELP

 

[Big R]

They are probably just "seized" up in there. If you can grab the upper tubes and twist them, then keep at it. Some wd-40 and a rubber mallet tapping the top goes a long way too.

And the cam chain and tensioner isnt the hardest thing to do, but not easy either. It usually requires pulling the top end off the case.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Thankyou Big Rich for the suggestion and help. I managed to finally get the forks loose. I now officially have it completely stripped down to the frame! Go me!

Dont mind my neighbors beavis & butthead shoes and sock combo:

Now if someone wouldnt mind, If I just wanted to mount the engine with the battery tucKed under the seat, can someone be so kind to suggest what tabs I should cut off?? Also any maintenance performed to the frame while I have it stripped? Do most of you guys keep the center stand or just the kick stand? I like the look of the center stand better, but its hard to get the bike to sit up on it when its at full weight.

1 other question, and Im sorry if Im being a complete troll and not searching, but should I strip off the paint of the frame and prime then paint? I have some rustoleum satin black spray can paint, and it says its rust preventative and doesnt need primer. Thoughts? THANKYOU!

 

[Big R]

Hell, you can cut them all off ! You need to find out what each tab does and decide for yourself if you want it or not. The engine mounts and rear brake stay are fairly important though.....

For stripping the paint, a sandblaster will make quick work of it and any rust. Or there is aircraft stripper, but it wont remove rust. What color are you thinking for the frame - black? Appliance epoxy is some tough rattle can paint. No primer needed and holds up to a lot of abuse. With a couple coats of 2k clear on top, that frame will last another 30 years.....

 

[sumomo]

Stripping down to the frame is easier and faster than building it back up. Just my two cents but make sure you know for sure what colour you want it before you go for it cos I just finished turning my frame red and now I wish I had just stripped it to bare metal and clear coated it with por15.