CB350 Crate Motors?

[Rude Boy]

Is there a company that sells CB350 crate motors? Similar to the whole chevy 350 v8 deal?

 

[Big R]

I think there is a place in Europe some where that will sell a "race ready " reconditioned motor. I don't even want to speculate on the price though.

 

[VonYinzer]

Best you'll find are rebuilt lumps like Rich mentioned. They are race prepped and will cost you about 3x what a complete 350 project bike will run. Best bet is a cheap, low mileage motor from a salvage yard or local parts hoarder...

 

[DrJ]

Last year at Mid Ohio, a friend said there was a vendor selling ready to install rebuilt CB350 motors. Sorry but I don't have a name or contact.

 

[VonYinzer]

Last year at Mid Ohio, a friend said there was a vendor selling ready to install rebuilt CB350 motors. Sorry but I don't have a name or contact.

Ya, there was a guy at the York PA swap doing the same. Likely the same guy. That kinda scares me though. Buying a "rebuilt" motor out of the back of a van could be a VERY expensive gamble. Haha.

 

[Aircooledrules]

Why not just get your current motor rebuilt ?

 

[crazypj]

There were over 90,000,000 Chevy V-8 motors made, less than 3,000,000 CB/CL/SL350's
There just isn't a market for them.
If you want motor re-built, probably look around $800~$1,000 for labour, plus parts, depending on what you want done

 

[Rude Boy]

Thanks for the fast reply guys.
Yep, rebuilt or race motors don't sound like my kind of pocket book. time to go lookin for scrap yards/part hoarders.
Anyone know of good ones in WA state?

 

[crazypj]

Unless the fins are broken off and cases cracked, you may as well just re-build what you have

 

[YogiBear]

Thanks for the fast reply guys.
Yep, rebuilt or race motors don't sound like my kind of pocket book. time to go lookin for scrap yards/part hoarders.
Anyone know of good ones in WA state?

I think even if you do find a used 350 engine with low miles you could still run into it having the valve seals be hard as rock or other problems from age. Low miles are great, but these bikes are getting old. that and you have no way of knowing how the previous owner treated it. I'm in WA as well. My friend is building a CL350 and had his engine rebuilt be a reputable and honest mechanic I know. His engine had been sitting in the bike since the 80s with the spark plugs out, uncovered, and left outside. The engine is ready to go now. I honestly think you would be better off rebuilding what you have.

 

[Rude Boy]

Thanks for the info, its been helpful.
I probably should have clarified that Im asking about this because of a cb350 rolling chassis being sold locally for dirt, I was exploring the idea of throwing in a motor and turn it for some profit. idealistic thinking. After your guy's comments I think I'll just keep my day job.
Im already mid-rebuild on cb350 engine and would rather get my eyelids cutoff than starting another simultaneously. ha

 

[teazer]

I'll sell you a CRATE motor. You find any old motor and ship it to me along with a crate full of money and I ship the empty crate back with a clean shiny motor in it.

In reality, 99% of old bike owners - or owners of old bikes like a CB350 will not spend that sort of cash on the bike. It's not worth it. 350 Chevy motor on the other hand has a large market of people willing to spend obscene amounts of cash.

 

[crazypj]

Yep, V-8's are expensive.
When I get enough cash together, I buy something for my Pontiac.
I just can't get bike finished, I know I'll have to sell it to pay for 'stuff'
At the rate things are going, it's possible I may get it done just about in time for retirement though ;D

 

[crazypj]

Without decent oiling, the cam bearings fail before anything else breaks.
BTW, 7071 doesn't exist until you find a specification for it, just because Japanese translation says it's made of 7071 doesn't make it so