Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350 " Bloody Wrench"

[pacaguy]

Well so far I've started up at the welcome center to say hi, now it's time to share what i've got and what to expect. First thing's first your looking at a 72' CB350 that I purchased from a member on a different forum ( sorry if I step on toes ,no disrespect ) where I put out a quick msg " anyone looking to sell a CB for 150 let me know, a week later Boom someone responded ( Big props to TJ ) 2 weeks later a pick up the bike


At first glance :

Yep them is bullet holes ( from a 44 magnum ) Natural air conditioning

last registered in 1983

Notice the Speedo milage, yep 3971 Original miles, the Tach -- Toasted

You know you have a barn bike when you open the headlight casing and ...

As of one week after purchase -- Hey ther not called broomstick handle bars for nothin !

Next week I hope to have purchased a chain breaker, then the chain, motor, tires. and forks come off.
Once I've gotten it to bare frame, purchase a tank I'll be sending those out for sanblasting along with a few other tid bits. The process of tear down will be a lot quicker than the build, funding... Iknow you've never heard that before. As i continue the build I'll keep posting the results.

 

[msimm43]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

That bike must have had one exciting previous life. Bullet holes and bees in the head light. All in under 4000 miles. Now that is doing something!

 

[midnightcafe]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

Bullet holes, are you kidding me! Did they all pass through without hitting the frame? I don't mean to insult you, but that is no barn bike; It definitely looks its age and then some. I've been there, restoring a bike bought cheap thinking it's the easiest means. I was wrong! everything on my bike had to be replaced or restored, which is no easy work. In hindsight, I should have bought a decent running bike to start with and spend less time and money on restoring.

I'm assuming that this is the route you're going for, but maybe I'm wrong. What's your budget on this build? If you're going to be relatively cheap, I'd ask you to reconsider. A total rebuild gets expensive fast, again, ask me how I know. I spent the last two years working on my gs750 and still haven't finished it. Its pains me to think I've wasted so much time rebuilding it when I could have been riding a different bike through college. You already bought the bike so you must have passion to build a bike regardless of the initial condition. good luck, I hope things turn out well and let us know the details!

 

[Big R]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

I thought you were joking about the bullet holes and photoshopped them in until I saw the exit holes on the other side! If you build your own seat, looks like you have a candidate for a bump stop already. Just take your time on everything and keep us up to date.

 

[pacaguy]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

Now to let you know about the tank, the tank itself is rusted out ( inside and on the outside rims ) so the previous owner took the tank off and used to for target practice. I just put it on the bike for reference. The seat is shot, the pan is useless.

Midnightcafe, I did purchase the bike as a restoration to cafe. As for cost on the restore I was aware that this would be a bit costly but it's the end product I'm looking for. Yes it would have been nice to find a runner in decent shape but putting the bike cost of 150 ( what I paid ) vs. 5 to 600 hundred for a runner, that extra would be best spent on other parts that change the look of the bike. It's a perspective thing to me. I'm aware that newer parts will need to be purchased, some things will take time to get. luckly the engine did turn over and ran for the prior owner, if it were frozen I would not even looked at it.

Time is on my side for this as I'm not into rushing through it, example.. once I have the bike to bare frame it will wait to be sandblasted until I get a new tank and a few other bits to also be under the blaster gun. Another item is wiring, there's a good chance that I may ( big may ) make a new harness due to the age of the wires, again more time. If this bike takes me into next season to finish, so be it. I want a strong runner that I don't have to worry about when I'm blasting down a counrty road in the middle of B.F.E. That's my take on this build.

 

[kadavenport]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

Good luck with the build. Heads up though, if that engine needs head work, or ur carbs are shot, ur gonna be in the $500 range right away. With being said, I bought less complete than urs and ive got it running for about $400, but I bought the bike for $50. Who cares though really, projects always exceed budgets. Do a lil at a time and have fun with it. Later.

 

[cafe kid]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

pacaguy where in Ohio are you located? My buddies shop is in Lorain and he does great carb and engine work.

 

[Rocan]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

at least the guy didnt use bullethole stickers. its WAY cooler this way

 

[VonYinzer]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

I have faith in you young Jedi... Ive seen bigger P.O.S's turned into something great. Im sure you'll do the same.

 

[pacaguy]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

pacaguy where in Ohio are you located? My buddies shop is in Lorain and he does great carb and engine work.

I'm In Garrettsville, about 20 minutes north of Warren. surprisingly the carbs are in pretty decent shape, as for motor work, I'll see how she reacts after she starts up, But Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks " Yoda" lol - The frame is looking decent for just having surface rust, I'm really hoping to have the bike down to bare frame by next week, time permiting. then it's clean frame,primer and paint ..... you get the picture ( which I'll post when I get to that stage ).

 

[pacaguy]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

Okay finally got the engine out along with the rear brake set-up, Damn those little cotter pins on the brakes !! It took me about 5 minutes to figure out that the engine has to pulled out on the right side (smack to the head). plus I made sure to bag and tag the bolts for reference later on, not sure if I will re-use them or not.

Prior to pulling the monster out of the shell I realized that I had to unbolt the electric starter to get the engine pulled forward and out of it's little back compartment, the things you learn along the way.

Engine on the floor, I took a good look at the underside and I'd say the only thing that needs to be done is a new oil drain plug and seal. the underside looks great.

Now for my first glitch, for some reason the rear bolt holding the tire on is giving me some problems as in will not come out without banging the crap out of it. Big concern here is I don't want to F' up the threads on the bolt. Any idea's or is there something I'm missing here ???? I did notice that hole in the bolt, is that for a specialty tool to remove it properly ??

Once that wheels off the front will come next, I'm slowly getting this beast pulled apart, But Damn it's fun !!!!

 

[VonYinzer]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

Make sure the rear wheel stays atraight up and down... Than just get a small metalt pipe and tap it through to push the axle out. Go slow and you'll be fine.

 

[Big R]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

You can put an allen wrench in that hole to help pull the axle out.

 

[pacaguy]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

Thanks guys, I had a feeling it was just a tap and go scenario, I just did not want to strip the threads. I did blast it with the ol' PB just to help it along.

 

[pacaguy]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, as of Saturday I've finally stipped her down to bare frame, here's a pic of all the big parts off. you maybe able to notice the forks, the one on the right I gave a light sanding on the main tube along with using some rubbing compound on the bottom base to shine it back up.

Here's a pic of the fork ( on the left ) that I gave a light sanding to, anyone know of a product to get the fork's back to a decent shine ?
buffing compond maybe??

After I pulled the triple tree off these little beuties were pulled out,
If possible is there a sealed bearing kit available to replace this mess ?

Here's my mystery question, as I was pulling the engine out of the center post (these two popped out as well, now the one on the right suggests a normal spacer. the one on the right, not so much. any clue ??

Now that I'm at the frame cleaning stage, should I take the seat tabs off or should I consider using them on the cafe seat that will be used ?

Just for fun I thought I'd show you my extensive work table area with cheapo tools and I did at least make sure to place the smaller parts in bins to keep them some what organized

Now let those fingers fly with suggestions !! I'll be cleaning the frame / swingarm / centerstand first to get that ready for primer and paint. God I love working in the garage when it's 20 degree's and no heater ( not )
_________________
If it ain't broken, then break it and make it look better.
Pic of what I hope to accomplish.

 

[2.3efi]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

After I pulled the triple tree off these little beuties were pulled out,
If possible is there a sealed bearing kit available to replace this mess ?

AllBallsRacing.com has a needle bearing kit that is really nice. I just installed it on my bike.

 

[pacaguy]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

2.3efi, thanks ! I just put that into my Fav. lists so I don't lose it.

 

[pacaguy]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

I know it's been awhile but today I was finally able to get back to the bike. lots of parts have been etch primered, I did that a few weeks back, nothin better than a good neighbor and a 70,000btu heater to use to get the primer done. USE Duplicolor etching Primer that stuff is the Bomb !! even light coats and that rattle can does a nice job. Yes I'm impresed with the stuff.

Finally got the tabs off today, cold chisel + 3lb hammer = the best way to get the tabs bent . then using an angle grinder and a thin cutting wheel to get to the spot welds, slowly taking my time not to cut into the frame, and their off !! Using the flapper sander to smooth things out, definatley does a nice job. I'll need to use some filler primer as my first tab removal did not fare so well, learned from what I did and everthing else worked out well.

Yes Eye protection is VERY important, spinning tools will shoot little bits at you at all times, also a good pair of gloves, saved my skin (literally) a few times.

That's the update for now, like I said this will be a slow re-build but I think it will turn out just fine. I'll pop up some pics in a bit ( nothing really special about what I've done though ). -P-

 

[Big R]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

Any progress is good progress!

Funny story about eye protection- I was using a little steel brush attachment on a drill one time and had safety glasses on. But for some odd reason as I was going to town with the steel brush, I had my tongue just barely out of my mouth (I must've looked like a cartoon character) and one of the little bristels came off and stuck right in my tongue!

So now I think those steel brushes are one of the most under-rated dangerous tools

 

[VonYinzer]

Re: Very first Cafe build - 72' CB350

When I was cleaning up the front end bits on my VW I was using a wire wheel on a bench grinder. The wheel was old, but I figured ni biggie. After about 5 min a ton of the bristles came loose. I had about 40 of them stuck in my stomach and arms. Nothin major. No blood, but what a pain in the ass it was to pull them all out! I bought a heavy canvas shop apron after that.