Newbie Looking for advise on a cj350t

[FastNloud]

Hi.

I'm new to DTT. I've wanted to build a CR for a while now. I found an ad for a guy who wants to trade a his cj350t with 24K miles for a scooter.
I have a honda elite 80 scooter.

He wanted the 350 for his wife, and looks to have got it from an estate sale. His wife didn't like it and wants a scooter. The 350 is in fair condition, and the gas tank has rust on it. He doesn't think it's been riden since 84. He had to fix a gas leak when he got it and change the air filter but said other then that it runs.

My question is, I'm not mechanically experienced right now. I want to learn more and try to build a CR. Is this a good bike for a beginner to work on? Is 24K miles too many?
Is this a good trade? My elite locally is worth about 700.

I'll include a pic of the bike.

Thanks

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

That's a CJ360t. 24k Miles is O.K.

The engine, except for the transmission, is the same as a CB/CL360t. The CJ is a 5 Speed, the CB/CL are 6 speed.

It looks like the model that is only kick start too.

A solid bike for building a CR, or just keeping stock.

Parts are around, some a little harder than others, but since it shares the engine with the CB/CL, you can find most of what you need pretty easily.

Despite being close to the same design as a CB/CL350, the 360's were actually a completely different design. They weren't just bored out 350's.
So if you need any engine parts, it needs to be 360 only. There are some shared parts, that are used across the board, but 90% are different.

It is a nice little bike. Enjoy.

 

[FastNloud]

Thanks for the reply. The guy with the cj didn't have the title in his name so I didn't go through with the deal. Now I'm looking at a nighthawk 1986 CB450. Low miles, but pricy. 2400. Would that be similar to the 350? How does it compare to the 350.

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

The 350 was last made in 1973. The nighthawk is a much more modern bike.

2400 seems a lot. I bought my 1991 750 Nighthawk for 2000. That was in 2004.

But the only way to be sure is to check around and see what they sell for. I don't have any firsthand knowledge of the 80's Hondas.


Sent from planet Earth using mysterious electronic devices and Tapatalk

 

[FastNloud]

Yea, I like the tank on the 350. More sleek.
I'll have to think about it.
Where I live, bikes cost more because it's in the NY tri state area, so everything is more expensive.

 

[VonYinzer]

$2400 seems a tad high for a somewhat run of the mill bike. The nighthawks are decent machines. Not exactly performance bikes (well... not that one). The frames are tricky to deal with if a traditional cafe racer look is what your after. Otherwise they're your standard Honda. User friendly and subdued. A bike for the masses.

 

[FastNloud]

Yea, I want a classic cafe racer look. Here is a 76 with 9k miles but it's 2400.

 

[DrJ]

How does it compare to the 350.

Not even in the same cool factor league.

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Yea, I like the tank on the 350. More sleek.
I'll have to think about it.
Where I live, bikes cost more because it's in the NY tri state area, so everything is more expensive.

I am in NJ.....I am pretty hep to the prices. If you are mobile at all....consider spreading out to nearby upstate NY, or Pennsylvania. NYC is expensive, but you are only a 2 hour drive to a much more rural and less expensive area.

 

[FastNloud]

Hi,

I could maybe search a little further out but it's more of a time issue. I work 2 jobs, and have other activities during the week so I feel like it would be too hard to arrange a viewing.

So I'm gonna look at the red 73 from above, and this 71 gold candy here today if I can. The red is 2450, and the gold is 2000. The red seems to have been fully serviced with new tires recently, and the gold looks to need some work, including have a timing issue.

Which do you guys think I should get. I hope you have an opinion because you'll see a lot of me here after I get it. Gonna start the cafe racer project in march.

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

Hi,

I could maybe search a little further out but it's more of a time issue. I work 2 jobs, and have other activities during the week so I feel like it would be too hard to arrange a viewing.

So I'm gonna look at the red 73 from above, and this 71 gold candy here today if I can. The red is 2450, and the gold is 2000. The red seems to have been fully serviced with new tires recently, and the gold looks to need some work, including have a timing issue.

Which do you guys think I should get. I hope you have an opinion because you'll see a lot of me here after I get it. Gonna start the cafe racer project in march.

2 jobs....The Federal Government called, turns out you are wealthy....need to pay some more taxes... ;D

If I had a choice and knew the red one was in very good shape, ridable as is, versus one with some unknown or suspect issues, I'd spend the little extra and get the "gooder" one. I have spent over $3k on my bike, and I have owned it for 35 years. Repairs are never cheap, especially if parts are needed. To have a known, operational bike to start will be cheaper in the long run. A set of carbs alone could make the difference. Timing issues may be simple points, or a cam problem, or who knows what.

But a 30+ year old machine is always a shot in the dark. No guarantees.

Look the red one over good. Check the steering stops. They are aweak point on these frames. If the bike had a heavy drop, they may be damaged. the damage to the stop isn't the problem, but there may be other issues for a drop that heavy.
check the front, lower engine mounts, another problem area. Drops and such damage them.
Look at the bike from the rear, the rear wheel should be centered and not on an angle. For $2400, the bike should be in excellent shape.

All the airboxes, clamps, under the seat area, should be clean.

If this was a $300 dollar bike, you can/have to accept a deteriorated condition. For that price, it should be ridable with an oil change and a full tank of gas.

A compression test would be nice, if possible, looking for 170 PSI, higher usually means carbon buildup, lower can be valves or rings.
If you can't check the compression with a gauge, try kick starting, ignition off, with your hand. Good compression will allow you to turn it over, but not really easily. At least you have a clue.

Let us know what you end up doing.

don't rush though, as sometimes a really good deal comes along.