[LESEN]

Hey all...new to the forum. Looks great so far.

Im gonna be starting building my first Cafe Bike.


Im looking into a CB350. Good choice?


Is it possible to fit a H&D motor in there? I might be crazy.

Do you guys know some websites to order brand new parts?

Is it possible to order a brand new CB350 motor?





Thanks to all.




LESEN*

 

[LESEN]

Also...

I would like it strictly Kick Start.

I want to have a very minimalist bike.


Throttle, lights, brakes and wheels basicly.




Thanks




LESEN*

 

[Geeto67]

the cb350 twin is a great choice for a bike (provided you are not over 6'2 or weigh more than 230 lbs). The cb350 four is not that great a choice unless you score one for really cheap.

As for putting the HD motor in the frame, I'm sure you can make anything fir with enough welding rod and tubing but I'm telling you right now it ain't worth it, financially or practically. Used sportsters are relativley cheap, you can get one and then be done with it and there are people that make cafe parts for sportsters.

It is not possible to get a new cb350 engine from honda. However there are shops that would happily rebuild any cb350 engine for you and make it like new or better. As the saying goes: speed costs money - how fast you wanna go. Because the cb350 twin is a good racebike there are suppliers for new parts out there. However since it has been a long time since I have spun a wrench on a 350 I'll let someone else tell you about whose out there still making parts.

As far as a kick only bike that is completely possible, but you will still need to run a battery if you are going to use it as a street bike.

 

[krapfever]

Honda made a ton of 350 twins. The ideal years to own in my opinion (from a parts availability/cheapness standpoint primarily) are '69-73. others may differ based on different criteria.

I think all would agree that the CB350 is bulletproof, readily available in the used bike market, relatively trouble-free (this IS a 30-35 year old bike we're talking about after all), time-tested, fun as hell and has a LOT of street/track potential. If this is your first bike, you could scarcely do better from a practical standpoint.

Sorry, but I'm not even gonna touch the Harley question (I have my opinions).

I rent shop space at a nearby jap only junkyard (The Rice Paddy) and the owner has 28 complete 350's sitting around with another dozen engines on the rack. Are you sure yours needs a full rebuild? It's a pretty simple motor to wake up (and rebuild for that matter). If you've got some basic metric wrenches, some friends with a little knowledge, a shop manual and a place to work on it, go for it. Its a good learner motor, too.

What's wrong with your motor?

If I can help, I will. I am a hack, though.

Eric

Honda go sideways!

 

[LESEN]

Wow...Thank you guys. Great infos.

KrapFever: Here are you? I cant find a 350 in Vancouver. I wouldnt mind shipping it over here.

Im accually 6'3" 230lbs...Too tall and big for a 350?


Also...I want the bike ultra minimalist.


What is the are minimum i have to put on it?


Frame

Seat

Tank

Motor / Drive train

Small lights all around.

Thats about it right?




LESEN*

 

[LESEN]

Just found a CB400 F 1975 in great shape.

Should i go ahead?




LESEN*



Edited by - lesen on Jun 01 2006 6:36:27 PM

 

[736cafe]

it all depends, for how much?

 

[krapfever]

Both the 350 and the 400 may be a little small for a guy your size -- then again I know guys that tall who've raced 'em.

From what i know, the 400 is a bit more "technical" bike than the 350. I hear they're fast n' flicky though. I want one real bad.

I can't tell if you've bought a bike yet, or are still shopping around. If you are, consider a CB450. A bit taller bike than the 350, its a race proven twin with many of the same benefits as the 350, and some say its one of the more shameless Brit bike copies out there, a.k.a. easy to cafe. They're getting ridiculous money for mid 60s 450's ("Black Bombers" - holy crap are they cool) but a post '70 model shouldn't set you back too far.

Here's a pretty one:

Honda go sideways!

 

[joe c]

youre going to end up with a 750 anyway, just by one of those.

jc

 

[texmawby]

krap,

you hang with the paddy guys.....cool!

i bought my first honda from them in a round about way. it was a 1971 cb500/4. i wish i still had it.

they keep bidding on a set of keihin 37mm cr carbs i put on ebay for a friend (rickeyracerprod). i always have the reserve set pretty high, as you can't get a set from sudco for under a grand. i wonder if they really want them. holla back if you you know anything, as i would like to see them go to a good home and not sit on the shelf.

tex

"dude, my boots feel like they are filled with rain slushies!"

 

[krapfever]

Tex, was it a gold CB500 with 4-2 slash cuts? Did you get it off the Cosmo guys?

I'll ask Tom about the carbs...

Honda go sideways!

Edited by - krapfever on Jun 05 2006 5:08:16 PM

 

[texmawby]

yep it sure was! i bought it off mike shoulson (former cosmo web guy) for $1000.00! it was a sweet ass bike. i saw tom at mid-o a year later and told him i had that bike....his reply, "it wasn't MY fault." lol

tex

"dude, my boots feel like they are filled with rain slushies!"

 

[krapfever]

Tex,

Far out. Used to be my bike. She was proudly dubbed "Golden Thunder" by the shop mechanic. I put a Barnett Clutch and stiffer springs in it and I think I'm still suffering from carpal tunnel in my left hand.

Prettiest bike I ever owned tho'.

Damn. Small world.

Honda go sideways!

 

[texmawby]

yep, i miss that bike alot! old hondas rule!

tex

"dude, my boots feel like they are filled with rain slushies!"