[tinyelvis]

Hello everyone - I'm not sure what your policy is on newbies, but better safe than sorry before I start posting! My name is Jim, I'm 28 years old from the Detroit area.

I currently own and ride a Moto Guzzi v11 naked, (why am I here?) and building/restoring a '73 Honda CB350 Four into a cafe style racer. It's almost done, in fact my Avon tires should be here any day now! My goal is to have it back on the road after 15 years or MORE (I actually don't know, someone gave it to me from their shed 2 years ago).

It has just under 9000 original miles, and I've re-done it in my own special way.. I think it's pretty darn cool. I expect to get a lot of riding and mileage out of that thing. I can't wait to really get out on the street with it, it's been in my basement for 2 years!!

I'm also into hot rods (real ones) and customs, classic cars, etc, I own a '62 Imperial 2 door which is my weekend/emergency driver, I love it. So if car questions come up on this board I may be able to help there as well! I am an old-time member of the H.A.M.B. message board if any of you are on there, which I think a couple of you may be.

Anyway, good to meet you all, I look forward to chiming in when I can and getting good advice when needed!

Cheers!

Jim

 

[JD]

DIE NEWBIE DIE!!!!!!

just kidding. we don't care if you're new. ask questions, give answers. if you're a tool, likely someone *cough-aaron-cough* will tell you. hope you get some useful information out of it all.

 

[jbranson]

Jim,
Those 350 fours sound freakin great wound up tight with a set of good pipes, kinda like a F1 car.
JohnnyB

 

[tinyelvis]

Thanks guys, yeah I got some english pipes on there, 2 into 1 they're beautiful. I'm really looking forward to getting it on the road, I meant to say in my previous post that I want it on the road by the end of the month. Just waiting on parts basically... my handlebars, rear tire, mirror, tires.. that's it actually! Should be @ my door beginning of next week so I'll have it fully assembled by the end there.

One issue I do have is that I think I have a stuck clutch or something, I can move the lever (down at the clutch not the one on the handlebars) and it's real stiff. I thought it was the cable when I moved the one on the bars, cuz it was so stiff, but it wasn't, it's actually at the clutch. It seems stuck to me.. I dunno. I pretty much need a pry bar to move it i can hardly move it by hand. I can move it @ the lever on the bars OK, but it's WAY stiffer than it should be. Any ideas anyone? Maybe it'll break loose once I get it on pavement.

 

[JD]

I didn't notice you had a four. I've had two 350f racebikes. my first one had four open megaphones and it did sound pretty awesome.

I'd start with the cable anyway. make sure there are no kinks or excells bends and that it comes straight out of the lever, not at an angle. what kind of bars do you have?

 

[Chikor]

how's the cable length..i had that problem on my 350f and it was that the cable was too short

"Ride Fast and Take Chances"

 

[tinyelvis]

I've got lots of cable, if I disconnect the cable from the clutch "arm" or whatever that is that it screws to, it's real free and easy to move withing the sheathing. The clutch does not disengage when the lever is pulled either, so I think it's stuck. I don't think it'll be TOO big a deal but I've never been inside a motorcycle clutch.

Right now I kinda have some shorty bars on there so I could keep things mocked up, my clubmans are on the way, should be here any day.. at least they better be!

 

[Rob Lloyd]

You should also check out www.sohc4.net. It's an internet "club" for the old SOHC, 4-cylinder Hondas. Really good forums with a lot of helpfull people.

BTW, I'm in Detroit also. I try to go to Royal Oak on bike night, but probably only make it out every other week. Ever make it out there?

Rob Lloyd
SOHC4 #174
VJMC #7013

 

[tinyelvis]

Hey there - Yeah a few of my friends and I try to make it out, I was going to go last night but my Guzzi is in the shop. My friends and I are a rogues gallery of bikers it's pretty funny.. A royal enfield, A ducati, Moto Guzzi, and a Triumph will be in the family, then my Honda which I hope will get going soooon!

Do you usually park in the same area? What are you riding? We should hook up sometime and say HI.

Thanks for that link I'm going to check it out now.

Jim

 

[Rob Lloyd]

Usually, I park on the side street next to Starbucks. The only bike I have running right now is my '75 Goldwing. I should have one of my 550's and my 500 running soon though...

Rob Lloyd
SOHC4 #174
VJMC #7013

 

[tinyelvis]

Shit man that's where I park too! look for my maroon Guzzi, i'm wearin' a shorty Davida helmet and goggles, name's Jim! Maybe next week i'll be up there again.

Jim

 

[JD]

once again, caferacer.net bringing people together. our work here is done. <img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle>