My first project. 1969 cb350

[legendofjessica]

Hey guys. I just posted an intro, but I wanted to give a little more history about my new bike and myself.
This is my first motorcycle. Ever. My mother rides her own bike, and I watched my boyfriend, Travis, build up his cm400 over the past couple months. Last month, I rode it for the first time. Needless to say... I was hooked. So after spending some time looking through craigslist, I found my bike. An old, rusty '69 350.

The next day we drove 2 hours to San Diego to pick her up, and somehow fit everything in the back of my gti..(Travis played a lot of Tetris as a kid).

I only know what I have picked up from watching Travis work, so this is very new to me. He is giving me some guidance, but I want to build her up on my own.

I bought my bike from a dude who bought the bike from an old guy in his area. Back in the 70's he wanted to turn it into a chopper. He got started, but never finished. With the bike, I got some extra parts, the original shop manual, and the old dudes Honda catalog, clippings, drawings, and notes.

The carbs and engine were fully taken apart, cleaned and rebuilt by him, but has just been sitting for the past 10-20 years. Luckily, it was never exposed to the elements. So the inside is in fantastic shape. Engine turns but is not running. There is still A LOT I need to replace and buy. Thanks to this purchase and the IRS, I'm kinda broke. So this project will be going from paycheck to paycheck. In the meantime, I have been stripping it all down, sanding, and removing as much rust as I can! I'm already in love with this bike, and it's rad history.

I hope you all enjoy the journey as much as I will! I'll try to update this as often as I can!

This is all I've got to show you so far... I have a lot of work ahead of me.

(Most of the cables and wires are stored in my cabinets. Along with my gauges and headlight.)

 

[VonYinzer]

Very cool. The 350 is a great first bike. Lots of parts and knowledge floating around for them. Plus they've got enough zip to keep you interested without being hard to handle while learning. Make sure to ask around here for parts that you need as you go along. I'm pretty sure there are enough cb350 spares in the DTT garages world wide to re-launch the whole model line. Haha. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[legendofjessica]

Very cool. The 350 is a great first bike. Lots of parts and knowledge floating around for them. Plus they've got enough zip to keep you interested without being hard to handle while learning. Make sure to ask around here for parts that you need as you go along. I'm pretty sure there are enough cb350 spares in the DTT garages world wide to re-launch the whole model line. Haha. Good luck and keep us posted.

Haha, Awesome. Good to know! I'll definitely be asking around for some stuff. I've got a pretty solid list of parts I need that keeps getting longer and longer as I take more apart. Thanks!

 

[Sonreir]

Subscribed.

I love the VW bike hauler.

Here's mine:

 

[ILoveThumpers]

Is $500 reasonable for a parts bike in your area? I saw that ad and thought "I wouldn't go a bill over $200". But maybe that's normal for CA?

Either way, it sounds like you're well on your way and have someone with experience to help you out. Have fun!

-Deek

 

[legendofjessica]

Subscribed.

I love the VW bike hauler.

Here's mine:

Haha, Hell yeah! Even with my coilovers, I've never seen my car that low before!! Some heavy stuff, I love it!

 

[legendofjessica]

Is $500 reasonable for a parts bike in your area? I saw that ad and thought "I wouldn't go a bill over $200". But maybe that's normal for CA?

Either way, it sounds like you're well on your way and have someone with experience to help you out. Have fun!

-Deek

Yeah, It was a bit steep but I couldn't find anything under a grand. And if it was any cheaper, it was because it had a crap load of back taxes and other issues.

 

[Maritime]

Welcome to DTT, and 500 is cheap for Cali from what I have read. I have done the same with my X-Trail to get parts bikes home, no pics though.

 

[VonYinzer]

Haha, Awesome. Good to know! I'll definitely be asking around for some stuff. I've got a pretty solid list of parts I need that keeps getting longer and longer as I take more apart. Thanks!

Get a decent list together and post it in the buying section here. I have gotten rid of most of my 350 stuff but if I have anything left on the shelves its yours for shipping (that goes for any 350 folks out there).

 

[legendofjessica]

** This bike came mostly complete, so it wasn't a parts only bike! It was mostly taken apart when I picked it up.

There are some things currently missing/broken. See this thread in the buy section: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=54205.msg610917#msg610917

 

[legendofjessica]

Re: My first project. 1969 cb350 *Small Update!!*

Here's a little update. Last night I pulled off the back wheel, battery box and left over electrical crap and gave my frame a solid cleaning.
Took 2 hours, Lots of engine degreaser, simple green, and steel wool to get all the rust and built up gunk in all the small spaces. Next step, quick sand and re-paint (for now). I want to get the bike assembled and running before I sand blast and powder coat in case I decide I want to modify the frame later on (a friends suggestion). On my budget I gotta focus on getting the bike going before I get picky about cosmetics. I'll get there eventually.


Before cleaning:

After cleaning:

Not a huge difference yet, Paint will do the trick! Any tips before I get in there are always appreciated.

 

[Sonreir]

Make sure everything is as free of grease as possible and if you can control the climate, try to paint when it will be more than 70°F for at least 48 hours. Low humidity helps, too.

 

[legendofjessica]

Make sure everything is as free of grease as possible and if you can control the climate, try to paint when it will be more than 70°F for at least 48 hours. Low humidity helps, too.

Awesome, thank you! I'll probably give it another once over with more cleaner and rags before I paint.

 

[Sonreir]

I usually keep a tin of denatured alcohol and a bag of microfiber cloths on hand just for that purpose. It's possible to get a really good finish from a rattle can, but it's all in the prep. Count on spending about 6x the time prepping as you do spraying.

 

[ronnie]

Right before paint wipe it down with lacquer thinner or acetone on a rag, don't be stingy with it keep the rag wet and clean, to remove any last residue from grease or the degreaser. Prime with a decent primer and spray away with the paint.

 

[legendofjessica]

I usually keep a tin of denatured alcohol and a bag of microfiber cloths on hand just for that purpose. It's possible to get a really good finish from a rattle can, but it's all in the prep. Count on spending about 6x the time prepping as you do spraying.

Perfect. I'll grab some when I go to the auto store for paint today

 

[Doogie]

I just picked up a CB360 too...although I didn't have to pay California prices ;D

I went the same route you are going and painted first. I wish i would have gotten everything fitted, figured out and running before painting. Trying to fit things and be careful with paint is quite tedious.

Also make sure the primer/paint you get is sandable...ask me how I know.

Good luck.

 

[HerrDeacon]

First off welcome, secondly nice project. Nice to see you're going to focus on getting it working and running good before focusing on cosmetics, smart move. You mentioned that the carbs were very clean inside, have a look at the jets if you get a chance to make sure the rubber o-rings have deteriorated as it will cause problems if they are. Also, worth having a look at the diaphragms to ensure they are still nice an flexible and there are no holes or tears.

 

[legendofjessica]

Alright. Frame is done! Did a pretty basic paint job.. Used Rust-oleum self etching primer and black VHT engine enamel. I went through and washed everything using the suggestions I was given on here, it worked great! Spent 2 hours sanding it with 180 grit then a once over with 320. Did two layers of primer, and two layers of enamel. In between each layer of primer I sanded with the 320 grit sandpaper. In between the enamel, 600 grit. Letting her hang overnight to dry.
Before:

Primed:

After:

Tomorrow is pay day, so I should be able to start working on the good stuff.




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[Cookie]

Well done Jessica, nice looking job on that frame.