74 cb360 first project... worth diving into?

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Dr. Stupid

New Member
So I've been bitten by the cafe racer bug, and have been searching for a good project bike to start with. First, this will be my first bike, so please bear with me.

I was initially looking for a CB750, but with no leads, I had to look at other options. Then a local bike guy found me a trio of 1974 360s (one CB, two CL,) only one with a title. They were the previous owner's project that he never got around to. Between the 3, there's two motors, new pistons, rings, carbs, and other new parts (waiting to hear back on what exactly. They look to be in decent shape from pics, I'll be checking them out further this weekend. The best part, is I can snag all 3 for $200!

Now, before I get too stoked on the idea, would this be a good base for a first project? I'm pretty well mechanically inclined, but I've read lots of both good and bad about these bikes. Am I getting in too deep? Should I just keep waiting for something better to come along? At $200, it's hard to pass up... I'm sure I can make most of that back if I scrapped them all and parted them out.

So what do y'all think?
 
CB360s have their fans, they're fun little bikes, the 6th gear is nice -- but I don't count myself among them. That being said, unless they are rusted to all hell, $200 for all three passes the "Can I part em out and make my money back?" test pretty easily. They're easy to work on and it's not much of an investment to potentially get a runner out of the deal. Go for it!
 
Make sure you research the issues the 360s have with top-end oiling and cam chain tensioners, but yeah... for $200 it's hard to pass up that deal.
 
Yeah, I've read all about the top end oiling and cam chain tensioner issues, definitely something I plan to keep my eye on. I figure worst case, part em out... best case, I get a fun bike to learn on. Thanks for the advice!

Any other opinions?
 
Cam chain tensioners are no longer an issue since Sparck manufactures them now. They can also be bought through common-motor.com, which is a great resource for other parts. Also many bikes had recall adjustments, so oiling issues may already be on their way to resolution. There is lots of info on this site on how to fix oiling issues, as well as Trek's blog. I am a fan of the 360. I built one and love it. You have many friends here.
 
Far out, looks like I came to the right place!

I think I'm gonna go for it. Plus, my pops just moved back into town, and he's got buku experience with these old Hondas. It'll make a good father/son bonding project, since we never had a chance to do anything like this when I was a kid. Should be a good time, to say the least!

Thanks again for all the advice and support, I'm officially stoked on this build!
 
deviant said:
Cam chain tensioners are no longer an issue since Sparck manufactures them now. They can also be bought through common-motor.com, which is a great resource for other parts. Also many bikes had recall adjustments, so oiling issues may already be on their way to resolution. There is lots of info on this site on how to fix oiling issues, as well as Trek's blog. I am a fan of the 360. I built one and love it. You have many friends here.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip about common-motor.com, LOTS of useful stuff there! Can you link me to Trek's blog? I can't find it.
 
Also,

360s seem to have a special way of weeding the men from the boys.

Fun as they are, they can sure be frustrating. and thats why we love them.

P.S. I will be the first in a long line of guys, who admit. I LIKE riding my 360, But, I LOVE wrenching on it.

So, if you really WANT TO LEARN ABOUT MOTORCYCLES...then yes, you may have what it takes to build a 360.

If you just want to POLISH THE BUGS OFF THE CHROME...you may be candidate for HARLEY FINANCING.

I am hoping you choose to commit to the 360.
 
Sorry for the necropost, but the deal is FINALLY done, I'm now the proud owner of 3 cb360s!

My buddy who had them works construction, so we were having a hard time making our schedules line up so I could go check them out. Luckily, he knew how excited I was about them and was happy to sit on them in the meantime.

I brought my pops with me, and we took a long hard look at everything this afternoon. 3 frames, two motors, 4 tanks (2 green!), both CL and CB pipes, and a bunch of new parts for a motor overhaul (NOS Honda .50 over pistons, rings, etc.) The titled frame is twisted at the seat hoop, but that's totally fixable (if not with one of the other frames, with the DCC seat hoop set.) I was already planning to chop it, anyway. They're definitely rough, but nothing that can't be fixed and/or cleaned up. In fact, from the looks of things I can probably get two running bikes out of the deal... one for me and one for my dad. 8)

He was asking $300, but I ended up taking everything for $200, DELIVERED! Well, the delivery part isn't that big of a deal, he lives only 5 minutes away, but still!

And now for the fun part... sorting out my checklists, breaking everything down, bagging/labeling it all, and cleaning it all up. I'm lucky to have a few buddies who are almost as excited for me, and are willing to help with the stuff I can't handle (chopping/welding, machining, etc.) I want to do as much as I can myself, but I know those things are better left to the pros.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement! Any tips or advice for a newbie like me would be greatly appreciated. I'm beyond stoked to get this sucker started!
 
Got most delivered this morning, though there's a few things he has to gather up that he can't get to currently (dude is a total gearhead, so there's a couple of engines in the way, lol.) CB exhaust, new carbs, new chain, and a few other bits. Planning to get all that Friday after work. At least I have the bulk of it, so I can start planning and disassembly/cleaning

The frame in the cleanest condition is the one that's bent at the seat. One is mostly roached, but will make a fine donor for frame repairs. The other looks good, so I'm going to keep it intact and try for a salvage title.

I'll take pics after work tonight, going to my buddies straight away to get started!
 
Well, here they are! Its a basket case at the moment, but I'm working my way through. :D
 

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Alright, so tonight was productive, though only for planning my attack, lol. I made a checklist of parts I'll definitely need, as well as those I might need, depending on the shape of the stock parts once they're cleaned up.

Tomorrow night begins the teardown of the far bike, and cleaning/sorting all the parts to determine what will be reused. My buddy is also pulling the motor out of the middle frame, so we can figure out which bottom will be used for this build. Then we can start cleaning and checking everything, noting anything that's worn or broken, while we're having the cylinders bored and honed for the new pistons and rings. At that time we'll also run down the electrical, repairing/replacing as we go. I'm hoping to at least have the motor running by my birthday next month, and then we can begin on the safety/riding aspects of the build.

If we run into downtime working on the motor, we'll begin chopping mounts off the closest frame and prepping it (and the bent frame) for seat rail transplant surgery. It's not a priority at this point, but it's hard to leave well enough alone!

I'll post more pics tonight, my phone was dead by the time I got over there last night, so that one was all I got.
 
More pics! The bottom pic shows how the frame is bent.
 

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I dont see a problem there...simply install a shock thats 2" longer on the left side.

Probably a good poster to answer the question...

Why would I go to the trouble of adding a hoop?
 
Yeah, okay, and just ditch the fenders and fork brace too, right? And run three sizes bigger tires, because they "can" fit. ;D
 
awesome score on the 3 bikes! makes me jealous.

do you have a build thread on these suckers..excited to follow along
 
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