Advice on first project....

[scottfish]

So when I was shopping for my first bike last year, I picked up a 1972 CB350. It is so close to original and stock, that I cannot bring myself to mess with it. the price was too good to pass up, but to deviate from original seems like a sin on a 39 year old bike (my age as well incidentally).

So I am shopping this spring for a project bike. I am thinking of going Brat Style with it.

I have heard that my '72 CB350 is notoriously tough to service because the engine has to be pulled to do many things.

So... I am seeking advice as to what a good bike to start with is. My plan is to dismantle completely. Since I know absolutely nothing about engines, I plan on this being my crash course. Once disassembled, I will do a frame up resto-mod.

So... in your opinions, what are the easiest to work with bikes in the 1970's age bracket? I had a line on a local non-running CB350 today, but stopped short due to my remembering the warning about how hard it is to do engine work on them.

With the swap meet coming up this weekend, I'd like to be armed with some knowledge. You never know when a good titled frame (or parts bike w/ title) might fall into your lap...

 

[hillsy]

As far as simple engines go the Honda twins are OK, but I recently re-built an XT500 and I have to say it is one of the simplest motors to work on I have ever encountered.

So, I would say XT500 / SR500 for a brat style build (they're pretty much the same motor).

I have no idea what they sell for Stateside (or what your budget is either), but if you can find a beater that's titled, they're easy to fix

 

[Big R]

Who told you that they are hard to work on? It's all relative of course, but there are hundreds of cb350's on DTT that have been cracked open for a rebuild. There's no routine maintenance that requires the motor to be pulled from the frame.

 

[scottfish]

I was told that the big knock was that the engine had to be removed in order to do most work.

I guess I am trying to avoid creating more work through not researching. I know the CB350 is a favorite of many which is why I didn't shy away from buying one when I did.

 

[djelliott]

I was told that the big knock was that the engine had to be removed in order to do most work.

I guess I am trying to avoid creating more work through not researching. I know the CB350 is a favorite of many which is why I didn't shy away from buying one when I did.

They're easy to work on IMHO. And if you're doing a frame up resto mod you'll have the motor out anyway. Most of the 60's and 70's Japanese Twins aren't rocket science. I say grab that 350 and get your hands dirty.

 

[scottfish]

Thanks for the encouragement folks!!! I am going to let fate decide it. The swap meet is on Sunday. Gonna see if anything catches my eye. If not, I am hoping that fate leaves that 350 available for me until Sunday afternoon. Or…. A decent 450 or 550 comes up. Couldn’t hurt to have a little more power.

Yes, frame up is going to be the name of the game. My main goal is to not post a craigslist ad in 12 months that says “Bought this as a restoration project but lost time/interest”.

Seriously, this was the whole reason for buying a bike to begin with. Just can’t break up the current bike. Wouldn’t be fair. It’s not perfect, but it’s also not mucked up enough to turn it into a donor of any sort.

 

[djelliott]

I totally admire the fact that you are leaving a good running vintage bike that's in respectable shape alone. There is always a warm place in my heart for a vintage stocker. Also, you'll have a nice bike to ride while you're working on your project.

 

[swan]

+1 on leaving it stock. Buy the Honda factory service and parts manuals and a Haynes manual if you are new to wrenching (but remember Haynes can offer misleading and frustrating advice at times, but are generally good). Good luck and post some pics.

 

[scottfish]

So thanks to solid advice here, I have decided to pick up a second CB350 for my first project. This way, I can create a war chest of spares that will always match. I will also have a reference bike to cheat off of.

In your opinions, what is the limit you'd pay for a titled and whole (needing TLC, new tires, etc...) yet non-running CB350? I have my eye on a couple that are at opposite ends of the spectrum from each other. I know what it is worth to me, but honestly if I can squeak a better deal I will always try. I'd like to see what others say before trying to negotiate a price.

 

[scottfish]

So I grew impatient this week. Maybe because my wife is out of town, so I have no little angel sitting on my shoulder right now.

I took a leap and probably slightly overpaid on a "non-running just needs a little TLC" craigslist bike. Titled frame is what did it for me. The rest can come later, but if I don't start with that solid base, I don't feel as if I am starting right.

In actuality, the seller didn't claim it was ay sort of gem and I didn't believe it to be one. I am viewing it as a titled frame w/ benefits. Some of the bits I remove to sell will help subsidize the purchase price.

Disassembly starts tonight.

 

[Rocan]

no offense but thats nowhere near a clean stocker... mine was MINT, but within a week its been torn apart. My sweet clara, as I call her, has been in pieces for nearly two years now, but as the end nears I must say, I have grown more attached to those hunks of aluminum and steel then I ever would have if I hadn't taken her apart.

good luck on the build, take it slow, otherwise your 3 month build will be a two year build

 

[scottfish]

No offense taken. That's the bike I bought to start my first ever build project.

Stock bike shown below. Going to swap front fenders tonight as well.

Just checked out your first post and saw your bike when it was stock. Pretty damn clean.

 

[scottfish]

Made some headway tonight. Maybe not as much as I expected, but I am being careful to store things properly and also learn as I go.

Although it is refreshing while dismantling to know that it wasn't running before I started, so I am not stranding myself, I am also being careful (as careful as a total novice can be I guess) with everything as I dismantle. Getting the throttle cable out of the carbs took a LOT of head scratching and contorting.

I had to stop when a couple of alternator cover bolts stopped me in my tracks and I had no penetrant.

Does anyone have advice on valve cover removal? It seems to get caught on one or two of the bolts no matter which way I angle it...

Always wanted to throw this CL tank on to see how it looks. Never had the balls to do it before...