[KSUFAN]

Hello all. Just getting into Cafe Racers. Looking to start with a cb350. Is this a good bike to start on? I have read several net articles and noone seems to complain. They are also indicated as being reliable.

Thanks in advance for all the assistance.

KYLE

 

[joe c]

those indications would be correct. they are cheap, and pretty much bulletproof. the 360 has more off the shelf parts available though. pipes etc.. and they als had a drum brake early on. they also had a 6 speed box. the cj i think didnt have the starter motor. the 360 feels better on the road i think. i dont know how much faster it is, but it just feels better on the street.

the 350 is great for around town. but sucks ass on the highway. go to a 500/550/or750.

or go for a triumph 650 or 500. they kick ass and sound awesome, just ask aaron. you can tell a british twin is comming for blocks!

jc

 

[splatterpunx]

welcome,most of the people on this board race them in vintage events,very popular for that application,so far i havent had any trouble finding parts,i ended up with 2 of them and so far am very happy,seems the only lacking part is exhaust systems,rice paddy has a stunning stainless set though,loads of pages about them on the net!

cheers

 

[joe c]

the rice paddy pipes arent a good setup for racing i dont think. they are really nice for the street though. the 360 has an off the shelf mac setup thats still available. the 6 speed box is a nice perk too. there are high cr pistons available for it to as well as cams. the clutches are the same. the 350 as far as most clubs go is the workhorse for racing. i think the 360 hasn't been quite developed all the way though. definitely not as much as the 350. there have been guys in the past who have done well with the 360. even outside of the uscra.

if you want to race, the 350 is the way to go. the class structures for wera, uscra, and ahrma both support the 350 to be more competitive. the 360 runs with bigger bikes. for the street, the 350 is great for running around. but if you want to do any serious travelling, not real comfy. just for bashing around the bars on saturday night though, its not bad.

jc...a cb350racer.

 

[slick]

the CL360 was my first regular ride (technically i owned the beeza first but only got to ride it a few times before realizing the previous owner had blown a big end for me). cool bike. heavier than it needs to be, but still handles good. 6 speeds make it a blast to ride on backroads, but mine went from rock solid to sketchy as all hell at about 60-65 mph making highway riding a truly scary experience. also of interest: i took my MC test on it and those drum brakes stopped it faster than any other bike there, including a half faired 80s kawi 500. oh yeah just because it says CL doesn't mean its a good off roading bike, but its fun to try.
-slick
Boston

 

[KSUFAN]

Thanks for the input. I will hopefully have some pics to post in the future. The exhaust was a major concern and there is a really nice set on Rice Paddy. I am mainly going to use this locally for the bar seen. I want something original and classy.

What is everyone favorite bars?

KYLE

 

[imslow]

Go with a Brit bike. Classier and you'll get more girls (or boys) with it.

 

[JD]

even though I ride old jap bikes, I'm with scott on this one. if it's the bar scene you're hitting then go british. british is much classier. and you'll be surprised how many chicks will be impressed with your old pretty bike they've never heard of.

bars? I like clip-ons. clubmans close second. depends on the look you're going for.

 

[splatterpunx]

handlebars or intoxication locations?