Question about cb350 front end

4165 Views 28 Replies 11 Participants Last post by hillsy, Mar 14, 2017

Dchapa10

Discussion Starter · Mar 14, 2017

2

Hey guys, so I'm new to the forum and new to motorcycles so please don't make fun of me for asking stupid questions haha!

So I've recently picked up a 1973 Honda CB350. One of the things I have been wondering is regarding the front end.
So this is what my bike currently looks like:

Land vehicle Vehicle Motorcycle Motor vehicle Automotive tire

Here is the front end style that I am going for:

Land vehicle Vehicle Motorcycle Car Automotive tire

I was wondering what was done in order to make that front wheel closer to the frame? Was it an entirely new front end, or just a bigger rim/tire, or is it a simple adjustment to the stock forks?
Again, sorry if what I'm asking seems obvious, like I said, I'm new to bikes. I grew up on old trucks. Thank you everyone in advance for the help.

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hillsy

· #2 · Mar 14, 2017

Bikes aren't like cars - you don't lower them and expect handling to improve - in fact it's pretty much the opposite.

Your "style bike" is pretty much a riding nightmare. Crap tyres, reduced suspension travel / ground clearance, and a lower COG will negatively affect the braking characteristics (lowered bikes tend to "skid" under hard braking). Add in the low bars with standard footrests and you'll soon get to know your local chiropractor on a first name basis.

It might look cool to you, but it doesn't look cool to anyone who looks at bikes from a functional standpoint.

Reactions: 2

Dchapa10

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 14, 2017

I understand all of that. I am intending on using better tires and making sure to have a solid suspension on there. I would like to note that I am not riding this bike up and down the freeway or anything like that. I am in school and about to start college, so for now it will simply be to ride up the road to my school. After that, I will likely sell it. This bike was intended more so to get some experience with bikes, and then sell it in the future.

Also, I am still not 100% sure I will even do this to the bike for the exact reasons you mentioned. I am simply wondering how it is done.

woodsman

· #4 · Mar 14, 2017

Spend your money on rear sets, shocks, tires, fork springs, do something about a rear fender, put the stock air box back and side covers on and you'll have a decent, fun bike. Oh, and take the goofy tape X off your headlight, it's like having an L tattoo on your forehead here.

Dchapa10

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 14, 2017

does anybody just have an answer to my question? haha!

kenessex

· #6 · Mar 14, 2017

The answer is most likely two fold.
1. It looks like there was some work done to lower the forks internally by limiting the amount of travel. Most likely by installing a spacer on the damper rod.
2. There is a taller profile tire in the front which puts the outer diameter of the tire closer to the lower triple clamp and engine.

As has been mentioned, neither helps handling.

Now it is time for my questions.
Why does your bike have electrical tape on the headlight? Is the glass cracked?
Why does your bike have lower bars, a lower seat and stock footpegs?
Why does your bike have crap stock shocks on it?
Why does your bike have crap pod filters on it?
Why does your bike have crap tires on it?
Why does your bike have a chopped off razor sharp front fender on it?
Why does your bike have a side mounted lowered tail light and license bracket?
How is your front brake, steering bearings and swing arm bushings?
Why are you asking about shortening forks and fitting clown shoe tires instead of asking about the practical stuff like I just did?

Not trying to be mean, just making the point that there are potentially real things on your bike that could/should be addressed.

Have a nice day.

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Dchapa10

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 14, 2017

Thank you for your help with my question.

As far as your questions go, I have just recently purchased the bike and it came as seen in the picture. All of your concerns are also concerns of my own that I am also taking in to consideration. However, most of those things you mentioned I either am already working on replacing, or finding a better solution. The reason I did not ask any of the questions you mentioned, is because I know the answers to them, or know how to easily find the answers to them. I am planning on making this bike better than how I received it as far as safety is concerned. I am currently working on a list of all the things I am going to do to the bike, as well as a list of things to consider doing to the bike. This question was located in the "consider doing to the bike" section. I simply wanted to know how it was done so that I could figure out if it was something I wanted to do in the future. This specific aspect of the entire project is not a matter of me choosing to spend money on simply making it look "cool", this question was simply so that I could understand how it was done and then decide if it was something I eventually wanted to do to my bike or not. It is a new project with a long road ahead to get it the way I want it. I was already looking into most of the concerns you had on your list. Hopefully that can make you rest easy that I'm not just another kid out there looking to make their bike look cool on the side of the road without any concern for safety. I am trying to build a quality bike. However, like I said in the beginning, I am just new to this and had a simple question.

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woodsman

· #8 · Mar 14, 2017

Perhaps you should have started with the "list" of potential upgrades you were considering. "Here is the front end style that I am going for" makes it sound like you are "choosing to spend money on simply making it look "cool"".

Stephen J

· #9 · Mar 14, 2017

Dchapa10 said:
I am currently working on a list of all the things I am going to do to the bike, as well as a list of things to consider doing to the bike. This question was located in the "consider doing to the bike" section. I simply wanted to know how it was done so that I could figure out if it was something I wanted to do in the future. This specific aspect of the entire project is not a matter of me choosing to spend money on simply making it look "cool", this question was simply so that I could understand how it was done and then decide if it was something I eventually wanted to do to my bike or not. It is a new project with a long road ahead to get it the way I want it. I was already looking into most of the concerns you had on your list. Hopefully that can make you rest easy that I'm not just another kid out there looking to make their bike look cool on the side of the road without any concern for safety. I am trying to build a quality bike. However, like I said in the beginning, I am just new to this and had a simple question.

Hey Dchapa, welcome to the site. Did you read the "read first" section of CR.net before asking your question. I'd guess a "no" on that one. There's a reason your question is getting the response it is. You want to know how to do something that there is no good reason for doing. (IE clown shoe tires) Perhaps that should have been your first question. As for not being one of the "look cool" crowd, well,,,,, look at your bike!! The list of shit done to it just for looks is massive and the list of things done to improve it's actual handling and performance appears non existent. That's ok, it was built for that "cool" look that's been the trend. It will turn heads on campus. But if you got it for a decent rider you bought the wrong bike. Enjoy it for what it is, maybe tweak it a bit for a better safer ride or flog it and get a solid daily rider designed around the ride and not the curb appeal. Cheers, ride safe.

Reactions: 1

TrialsRider

· #10 · Mar 14, 2017

Good Lord "Here is the front end style that I am going for:" You are going for non-functional

who in their right mind would want to do that!
... lol now I gotta go back and read the rest of this thread.

TrialsRider

· #11 · Mar 14, 2017

Dchapa10 said:
I understand all of that. I am intending on using better tires and making sure to have a solid suspension on there. I would like to note that I am not riding this bike up and down the freeway or anything like that. I am in school and about to start college, so for now it will simply be to ride up the road to my school. After that, I will likely sell it. This bike was intended more so to get some experience with bikes, and then sell it in the future.

Also, I am still not 100% sure I will even do this to the bike for the exact reasons you mentioned. I am simply wondering how it is done.

K, now I'm starting to get it, you are anxious to experience what it is like to grind metal parts when you go around corners and you have no intention of keeping the thing once you butcher it, you are going to flog it off on some poor sod who will probably die riding it.

TrialsRider

· #12 · Mar 14, 2017 (Edited)

Dchapa10 said:
does anybody just have an answer to my question? haha!

Yes, don't do it unless you are totally retarded

... you could take one of the 2 fork springs out and go for a ride, that will give you an idea of what it is like to ride a CB350 with a completely bagged out front suspension, then you can put it back to normal afterwards

if you survive.

Reactions: 1

Stephen J

· #13 · Mar 14, 2017

TrialsRider said:
Yes, don't do it unless you are totally retarded

... you could take one of the 2 fork springs out and go for a ride, that will give you an idea of what it is like to ride a CB350 with a completely bagged out front suspension, then you can put it back to normal afterwards if you survive.

Is it the upcoming snow storm that's got ya so cheerful this mornin Trials? If I was in college I'd buy a bike that can ride two up comfortably. Guys got to get his priorities straight. Girls drinks education.

Reactions: 1

woodsman

· #14 · Mar 14, 2017

Stephen J said:
Is it the upcoming snow storm that's got ya so cheerful this mornin Trials?

And he's down in the banana belt south of seven.

TrialsRider

· #15 · Mar 14, 2017 (Edited)

it's only 10 below freezing and snowing here at the moment. My tractor is frozen up solid and I had to move my MV Agusta into the freezing cold garage yesterday.

but I'm feeling better now that I had my breakfast. Apologies to the OP if I pissed on his parade.

... at least now he knows we take this motorcycle thing pretty serious.

woodsman

· #16 · Mar 14, 2017

TrialsRider said:
Apologies to the OP if I pissed on his parade.

He headed over to Honda Twins, he's looking for somewhere they'll tell him it's sensible. Question about cafe racer style cb350 front end

o1marc

· #17 · Mar 14, 2017 (Edited)

woodsman said:
He headed over to Honda Twins, he's looking for somewhere they'll tell him it's sensible. Question about cafe racer style cb350 front end

And the first comment was how doing that would "complete the look." He'll be happy over there.There's no need to tell him anymore how wrong it is. He posted at HT that he'd been here and told how stupid it was by 10 people and his first thought was to go somewhere else to get the validation he's seeking.

Reactions: 2

cyclocrossfool

· #18 · Mar 14, 2017 (Edited)

guy got good answers to his questions and didn't like what he heard. not that I care what he does to his bike. I just wanted to post this and not feel guilty about derailing his thread.hey big al, she wants to go for a ride on the back of your bike with you.............. View attachment 56137

jcw

· #19 · Mar 14, 2017

This is easy.

Step 1: Remove the front fender to get more lowering capability.

Step 2: Drop the forks up the triple trees (if possible) until you like the "stance."

Step 3: Relocate the headlight 2-3 inches lower

Step 4: Remove the gauges

Step 5: Remove the sidestand. You won't need it and it will be useless anyway.

Step 6: grow a beard and and head to the nearest starbicks. Bring a brick so you can lean the frame on it.

I should have a wedsite...

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Stephen J

· #20 · Mar 14, 2017

woodsman said:
And he's down in the banana belt south of seven.

I'm just south of 7 too, and further east. Now north of 7, that's just crazy. I wuz gonna move there but my eyes weren't to close together and I wasn't related to my wife by anything but marriage. Kinda stuck out in a crowd havin all my teeth and all. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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