Cb350 Handling

C

ca1987

New Member
I have been planning a high-end CB350 cafe build for months. Last night I picked this up: http://postimage.org/image/e8de8a207/

Today I rode it around the neighborhood for a good 30 minutes and it has actually turned out to be the worst handling bike I've ever ridden. I wanted to race this thing so this is pretty bad. It feels like I'm piloting a brick around, like I could lose it at any turn with absolutely no feel for what's going on with the tires. Leaning? Hell no, I wouldn't dare. Any other bike I have no problem jumping on and pushing it to the edge, scraping elbow, whatever; this thing makes me nervous just turning it around upright at 5mph in a cul-de-sac.

Could this be because of the riding position due to the bars and stock seat? The suspension? Or do these bikes just ride like this? I have never ridden a bike that felt this bad.. I don't even feel comfortable taking it on the road, let alone the track. Plenty of power but somehow feels like it needs to lose 100 pounds? It's strange.. Are they all like this? Or would a stock bike with upgraded suspension handle normally?
 
Seems weird to me. Mines a completely stock one and I ride corners like crazy. I actually enjoy cornering mine over my brothers R6. If anything the clip ons should make it better. These old bikes aren't for everybody.
 
The Honda CB350 is a commuter bike. Its not an R6 or a CBR. Its also 40 years old, and as far as I can see its still running 40 year old suspension.

You can make them handle well in comparison to other twitchy, flexible bikes of the era... But if you're looking for high performance comparable to pretty much anything made after the early 80s you'll be disappointed.

Get a better front end, and some real shocks for out back and try again. Also, as stated before, clip ons may help. The handlebar clamps on the 350 are rubber mounted. That rubber deteriorates and the bars feel "disconnected" from the forks.
 
Looks like it has KR825 front tire which feels a little twitchy until you get it into a corner. It's skinny and designed to go round corners hard.

Are the wheels in line and is the suspension working OK or is something bent? Anything is possible.
 
Nevermind, I am an IDIOT and forgot to check the tire pressure. I just thought the guy I bought it from would have had it in running order. It rides OK now, not great (and not as well as my other Hondas) but some suspension upgrades should do the trick. I think it is always just going to be overweight but it is fine. Tuned and ready to ride...

Not my first vintage, I love old Hondas! Learned on them and I'll probably never ride anything other than a 60s-70s Honda. My favorite is a '71 CL100 that I stuck a big engine in!
 
Hey by the way what do you guys think about using the front end off a 20xx ninja 250r? That is looking like the best option for my front end so far but I am still looking. One day I might have these on it.. http://www.progressivesuspension.com/metric/970/index.html searching out something comparable for the rear in the meantime.
 
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