What do I need to know?

[Tango Sucka]

Guys,
I have a '73 CB 350 G (Runs and rides), a manual and have read quite a few build threads on here, but I am wondering....What would you tell a guy just starting out? My plan is to build a full cafe out of this bike. I (like most) have limited knowledge. What's your best piece of advise for me?

Thanks!

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Start with small mods that will render the bike still ride-able. Dont blow it apart, until you are more familiar with your machine. Change your bars, add some rearsets, seat, maybe tank etc... When all thats done (one @ a time). Disassemble and paint it.


Edit: You WILL make mistakes, buy parts you'll never use, and brake, crack strip stuff... Be patient

 

[TFWG]

Unless it's in mint or very good condition, my own personal opinion is to just jump right in and strip it down to the frame. Part of the fun of it is remembering what goes where and having the satisfaction at the end that you put it all together right. I had zero experience working on motorcycles before my project and I was contemplating leaving the (running) engine as is. The best decision I ever made was to take it apart anyways and figure out how it goes back together. You can't put a price on learning this stuff on your own. And when it doesn't work, you'll be able to figure out the problem yourself. FWIW.

 

[VonYinzer]

Sorry TFWG, but I cant agree with that. Like Louie said, take it step by step, and learn as you go. Sure its fun to tear a bike down, and start all over. If you want a longterm project and have money to spend all at once. Do you have every tool, and part you'll need to put it back together, and if not, do you have the time and money to buy them? Do you have the room to tear a bike apart? Do you have the time to dedicate to rebuilding a whole bike? When you have to constantly stop in the middle of a project, especially your first, things go missing, and steps get overlooked. If youre willing to dedicate a good bit of your time and resources, than sure, go ahead. Personally, I suggest riding it, changing small things that dont creat long stretches of down time, and doing a full build when the snows flying and your versed on every little bit of the bikes workings. Just my opinion though.

 

[TFWG]

I guess I should have included a caveat to what I said earlier. It really depends on what your goals are. If you really want to be able to ride your bike consistently without long stretches of down time, then no, don't strip the bike down to the frame like I suggested. If, however, you don't particularly need to ride for a few months and really want an in-depth project, stripping the bike gives loads of satisfaction. It's also pretty expensive and time consuming. Definitely not for the impatient or easily frustrated.

 

[Erskine]

I agree with the majority ...... keep it a runner and a rider.
Do mods only when you have all the parts and equipment to complete each one at a time.
So that way you can monitor how that change has affected the ride.
Keep the status quo that at any given time the bike stays 'on the road'.
It's got to be the most enjoyable type of project.
Don't rip the whole thing apart for prettying up till you're completely done if you want to powder coat, etc. Once you've done a tear down it will take you 3 times longer than you expect to re assemble and you'll find a hundred times more snags and new issues than you can imagine and quadruple the budget.
If it's not broke don't fuck with it, stick to ace bars, off the shelf rear sets, to start with, then change all the oils, quietly work your way through all the bearings, bushes, brake shoes, filters. Then look at the forks, oil seals, synthetic oil etc, and then some quality new rear shocks, then the tyres. Doing it as a series of small 2-3hr exercises but always finishing the day with a runner would be my utopian approach.
Once you 'take it off the road' life always conspires to get in the way.
The riding position will give the feel, is easy to achieve, and then making sure everything else is 100% is my advice.

 

[Tango Sucka]

Wow, Thanks guys! Believe me, I was dreaming of tearing it to the frame and redoing EVERYTHING and of course coming out the other side with a beautiful cafe racer in a matter of a month or two. After reading through many build threads, and with you guys in agreement, I think I will relax a bit. It runs good now and I will ride and mess with it this summer and maybe tear it down next winter. Thanks for the great feedback!

 

[motorusti]

my recommendation is to buy a second bike to learn on. get a parts/service manual.
buy the cheapest, rustiest bike of similar size/vintage (i am sure you can find a CB350 parts bike for $100 or so). look for the guys advertising in the local paper "we buy bikes", they have a turd or two that you can drag out for $100. lord knows I do. it would be nice if the motor isn't seized, tell them what you are trying to do, most of the guys with many bikes are willing to help you out with something to learn on.

tear that bike down to little bitty pieces, using the manual for assistance. this will help to grow your toolbox, and give some insight in how everything works/goes together.