2 more wheels in the Garage

[krashdragon]

Way Cool!

That's the same bike... different color... that I managed to get hit on by a Caddy.... wiped out the bike and the side of the Caddy the ***** lady was driving, did break by elbow, but that was a long time ago...

nice bike, especially for a beginner...

Hope you guys have a lot of fun with that bike...

mary

 

[krashdragon]

My buddy has a 350 Honda cafe racer for sale.. all stock tho...<G>

Needs the tins put back on, but it still should run....

Mary

 

[Fred W]

Well, my son is 15 now, and has dropped hints on taking the MSF Basic Ridercourse so he can learn to ride. I set out to find an appropriate 1st bike, something for us to work on, but not a basket case, something that would go down the road, but not a rocket, something different, but easy to work on...
I settle on finding a '70's era CB 350-500 twin or 4 cyl. I found this '74 CB360G on ebay close to home, and lucked out as the winning bidder. I picked it up today and brought it home. We off loaded it and parked it in front of the garage. I went in to my son (playing Halo3) and struck up a conversation about the motorcycle class. It ended up kinda like this, "so once you finish the class, what bike are you going to ride (not the FJR or Harley)?" He's says, "I'll have to safe my allowance.", and I say, "why don't you try this one on for size," and tossed him the key.

Out to the garage, and all smiles!! It needs some work, but it will start 1st or 2nd kick cold, electric start spins it right up as well. I hope to have it road worthy by Christmas, depending on parts and such.

If anyone has any experience / tips / hits / suggestions about these vintage Honda's, they would be much appreciated.

Here's a few pictures, let me know what you think.

-wr

Extremely cool bike. But...

What experience does your son have riding motorcycles? He's 15 so he's barely getting around to learning what's-what in the road war with a full metal cage around him. Are you sure he (and you) are ready to send him out to do battle on a 2 wheeler?

I think I'm a tad older than you, or I started procreating a bit earlier. With my son (who's now 21 and a fine rider) we started riding together when he was 12. Obviously that was in the dirt. That's kinda important because you learn all kinds of bike handling skills and such with out the nasty distraction of multi-ton steel blocks being hurtled at you.

Then he got his drivers license. And we drove on the road together in cars. He got to drive some pretty nice ones, mind you (BMW 540i and a Z3, along with a handful of SAABs) but that added margin of steel protection while learning exactly how stupid all of the other drivers out there are, is priceless.

Finally, when he was 19, I made him take the MSF course and in that way qualify for his license. The dirt biking days removed all manner of doubt about how well he could handle a bike. It was just a matter of putting those skills together with the street warfare skills and I haved to say it seems to have gone pretty seamlessly.

I don't know how you feel about your son, but I can tell you, my son means the entire world to me.

If my son ever had a serious accident on a bike (which would obviously be traceable to my infatuation with them) my wife wouldn't have to leave me.

But because of the huge joy that I get from motorcycling (all kinds) I can also not withhold that kind of enjoyment from him either. I'm sure you feel similarly. We want the best for our kids.

Just don't rush the joy. Even MSF courses don't teach handling skills. Those only come with time behind the bars.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I was 14 when I first got the itch to tour the country on a motorcycle...I wish I had a Dad that could have gotten me started earlier than I did.

Good choice for a first bike too.

 

[panayoti]

You will build some great memories. My dad and I always bought junk basket cases, tinker with them and get them running. Three Hondas and one Norton. (CB450, 305 Superhawk, CB750, GS 500 single)

We would spend hours in the garage getting them back in running order. Took us 2 years to ge the 750 back on the road.

 

[stellarsteve]

Don't forget to adjust the headlight. It looks a little high.

Congrats on the cool find.

 

[Fred W]

Don't forget to adjust the headlight. It looks a little high.

Ya think?

 

[Jagermeister]

Well, my son is 15 now, and has dropped hints on taking the MSF Basic Ridercourse so he can learn to ride. I set out to find an appropriate 1st bike, something for us to work on, but not a basket case, something that would go down the road, but not a rocket, something different, but easy to work on...
I settle on finding a '70's era CB 350-500 twin or 4 cyl. I found this '74 CB360G on ebay close to home, and lucked out as the winning bidder. I picked it up today and brought it home. We off loaded it and parked it in front of the garage. I went in to my son (playing Halo3) and struck up a conversation about the motorcycle class. It ended up kinda like this, "so once you finish the class, what bike are you going to ride (not the FJR or Harley)?" He's says, "I'll have to safe my allowance.", and I say, "why don't you try this one on for size," and tossed him the key.

Out to the garage, and all smiles!! It needs some work, but it will start 1st or 2nd kick cold, electric start spins it right up as well. I hope to have it road worthy by Christmas, depending on parts and such.

If anyone has any experience / tips / hits / suggestions about these vintage Honda's, they would be much appreciated.

Here's a few pictures, let me know what you think.

-wr

Extremely cool bike. But...

What experience does your son have riding motorcycles? He's 15 so he's barely getting around to learning what's-what in the road war with a full metal cage around him. Are you sure he (and you) are ready to send him out to do battle on a 2 wheeler?

I think I'm a tad older than you, or I started procreating a bit earlier. With my son (who's now 21 and a fine rider) we started riding together when he was 12. Obviously that was in the dirt. That's kinda important because you learn all kinds of bike handling skills and such with out the nasty distraction of multi-ton steel blocks being hurtled at you.

Then he got his drivers license. And we drove on the road together in cars. He got to drive some pretty nice ones, mind you (BMW 540i and a Z3, along with a handful of SAABs) but that added margin of steel protection while learning exactly how stupid all of the other drivers out there are, is priceless.

Finally, when he was 19, I made him take the MSF course and in that way qualify for his license. The dirt biking days removed all manner of doubt about how well he could handle a bike. It was just a matter of putting those skills together with the street warfare skills and I haved to say it seems to have gone pretty seamlessly.

I don't know how you feel about your son, but I can tell you, my son means the entire world to me.

If my son ever had a serious accident on a bike (which would obviously be traceable to my infatuation with them) my wife wouldn't have to leave me. I'd just kill myself. I would seriously not be able to go on.

But because of the huge joy that I get from motorcycling (all kinds) I can also not withhold that kind of enjoyment from him either. I'm sure you feel similarly. We want the best for our kids.

Just don't rush the joy. Even MSF courses don't teach handling skills. Those only come with time behind the bars.

Good advice Fred, but I disagree with your MSF course evaluation. I just took the MSF last weekend to lower insurance rates, and was surprised by how good it was. The classroom stuff was basic & boring to me, but taking the road course was more challenging than expected. Handling skills were addressed. I would HIGHLY recommend the MSF for any new rider, and would DEMAND my kid take it before getting on the road. Thereafter, it's practice, practice, and ATGATT.

 

[extrememarine]

Fred W,

Thank you for your comments, you offer good points, all of which I / we (Spouse & I) have discussed at length. I have been very careful in not pushing my passion for motorcycling on my children - I have a 12 yr old daughter who will just about wrestle her mother for back seat privileges on the feejer.

I would have liked to have been able to start out on the dirt with him, however, my profession has not always put me/us in the location or finances to have that as a hobby.

As an MSF instructor, I realize 1st hand that a class and some range time will not make him or any rider a Valentino Rossi. It will, however, instill the basic motorcycle control handling skills to put a rider on the road. I would not consider it an option to let him roll out the drive way and onto the street the 1st day, week, or month out. Our quality time will consist of many trips to the MSF range, and on the base parameter road where traffic is limited. Only after he can demonstrate a level of proficiency acceptable to me, will we, WE, venture out on the the mean streets. If you were to ask those on the board who have ridden with me, that level of proficiency that I strive for and will hold him to, is and will be quite high. This will only come from experience, in a parking lot, on the range, on a track, and on the street. Baby steps, though.

This, of course, due to the amount of time & $$ that may be required to get this bike road worthy, will be after he has had some more quality time behind the wheel of our Town&County (airbags, safety cage, etc, etc.). He also has a 4 wheels in his future; I have a 1974 VW beetle that will be back on the road soon as well. So long as the Marine Corps sees fit to keep me close to home, he'll be rolling in the Bug this summer.

I share your thoughts on life if anything were to happen to any one of my 3 children; they are my life. When deployed, they have been the source for the strength that allows me to continue to be able to lace my boots and chamber a round each day I'm gone, pushing through the exhaustion to accomplish the mission, knowing they are waiting for me to come home. My kids are my life. And that is the best part about this project; the amount of quality time we will spend wrenching on this bike will be priceless.

Again, thank you for sharing your comments and insight, it is appreciated and I hope you see that I have given some thought to the concerns you mentioned.

Thanks,

Wayne R.

Extremely cool bike. But...
What experience does your son have riding motorcycles? He's 15 so he's barely getting around to learning what's-what in the road war with a full metal cage around him. Are you sure he (and you) are ready to send him out to do battle on a 2 wheeler?

I think I'm a tad older than you, or I started procreating a bit earlier. With my son (who's now 21 and a fine rider) we started riding together when he was 12. Obviously that was in the dirt. That's kinda important because you learn all kinds of bike handling skills and such with out the nasty distraction of multi-ton steel blocks being hurtled at you.

Then he got his drivers license. And we drove on the road together in cars. He got to drive some pretty nice ones, mind you (BMW 540i and a Z, along with a handful of SAABs) but that added margin of steel protection while learning exactly how stupid all of the other drivers out there are, is priceless.

Finally, when he was 19, I made him take the MSF course and in that way qualify for his license. The dirt biking days removed all manner of doubt about how well he could handle a bike. It was just a matter of putting those skills together with the street warfare skills and I haved to say it seems to have gone pretty seamlessly.

I don't know how you feel about your son, but I can tell you, my son means the entire world to me.

If my son ever had a serious accident on a bike (which would obviously be traceable to my infatuation with them) my wife wouldn't have to leave me. I'd just kill myself. I would seriously not be able to go on.

But because of the huge joy that I get from motorcycling (all kinds) I can also not withhold that kind of enjoyment from him either. I'm sure you feel similarly. We want the best for our kids.

Just don't rush the joy. Even MSF courses don't teach handling skills. Those only come with time behind the bars.

 

[extrememarine]

Don't forget to adjust the headlight. It looks a little high.

Ya think?

yes, headlight is in lighthouse mode right now, it's on our to be cleaned, de-rusted, repainted, reinstalled and aligned list. thx.

 

[Fred W]

Good advice Fred, but I disagree with your MSF course evaluation. I just took the MSF last weekend to lower insurance rates, and was surprised by how good it was. The classroom stuff was basic & boring to me, but taking the road course was more challenging than expected. Handling skills were addressed. I would HIGHLY recommend the MSF for any new rider, and would DEMAND my kid take it before getting on the road. Thereafter, it's practice, practice, and ATGATT.

OK, I see where I gave you something to disagree with. I'm actually a believer in the MSF training. And yes, handling skills are taught during the courses, but a few hours is no substitute for several years of riding experience.

What I should have said is "handling skills can not be fully learned during an MSF course"

My main point was the "Practice, practice, practice" part is better done off-road, away from the danger of cages.

 

[Fred W]

Fred W,
Thank you for your comments, you offer good points, all of which I / we (Spouse & I) have discussed at length. I have been very careful in not pushing my passion for motorcycling on my children - I have a 12 yr old daughter who will just about wrestle her mother for back seat privileges on the feejer.

I would have liked to have been able to start out on the dirt with him, however, my profession has not always put me/us in the location or finances to have that as a hobby.

As an MSF instructor, I realize 1st hand that a class and some range time will not make him or any rider a Valentino Rossi. It will, however, instill the basic motorcycle control handling skills to put a rider on the road. I would not consider it an option to let him roll out the drive way and onto the street the 1st day, week, or month out. Our quality time will consist of many trips to the MSF range, and on the base parameter road where traffic is limited. Only after he can demonstrate a level of proficiency acceptable to me, will we, WE, venture out on the the mean streets. If you were to ask those on the board who have ridden with me, that level of proficiency that I strive for and will hold him to, is and will be quite high. This will only come from experience, in a parking lot, on the range, on a track, and on the street. Baby steps, though.

This, of course, due to the amount of time & $$ that may be required to get this bike road worthy, will be after he has had some more quality time behind the wheel of our Town&County (airbags, safety cage, etc, etc.). He also has a 4 wheels in his future; I have a 1974 VW beetle that will be back on the road soon as well. So long as the Marine Corps sees fit to keep me close to home, he'll be rolling in the Bug this summer.

I share your thoughts on life if anything were to happen to any one of my 3 children; they are my life. When deployed, they have been the source for the strength that allows me to continue to be able to lace my boots and chamber a round each day I'm gone, pushing through the exhaustion to accomplish the mission, knowing they are waiting for me to come home. My kids are my life. And that is the best part about this project; the amount of quality time we will spend wrenching on this bike will be priceless.

Again, thank you for sharing your comments and insight, it is appreciated and I hope you see that I have given some thought to the concerns you mentioned.

Thanks,

Wayne R.

Wayne,

I'm really glad to hear it. I'll have to admit to not "knowing" you well, and that's what caused my response. For instance, I didn't know that you are an MSF instructor, which is great for the time you do spend with your boy practicing. He'll be starting off right. I'm really pleased to hear that you have already considered everything and that my comments were unnecessary.

Congrats to your boy (and to you), and have fun rebuilding that classic Honda together.

PS - For me and my son it was a Honda MT250 Elsinore that we bought in pieces and brought back to life together.

 

[extrememarine]

Congrats to your boy (and to you), and have fun rebuilding that classic Honda together.
PS - For me and my son it was a Honda MT250 Elsinore that we bought in pieces and brought back to life together.

thank you; bringing it back to life will truely be the best part of this project. -wr

 

[Checkswrecks]

Damn Wayne, how'd YOU get a 15 year old? You must've got married in grade school!

Seriously, congrats to both of you. I learned with the oldest (now 32) to have a special interest that's different with each of the kids. The daughter and I still go-kart, the youngest is my dive buddy.

Enjoy many happy hours together.

Bob

 

[spklbuk]

Learning to ride safely is only one hurdle he'll have to overcome. Keeping Dad from grindin' the pegs off his Honda will be the big one!

Ya done real good Wayne.

 

[FJR1300Mark]

Time spent with your son is priceless!

And if you are both enjoying that time it's even better!

My first things on older bikes:

Change all the fluids

Tires are good for 5 or 6 years or less if stored outside -

check the brake pads and brake lines

and in general the brakes will not stop like modern bikes

I was riding with a 60 R90 BMW and while it would get up to speed ok and much slower than the FJR it also stopped a LOT slower.

Have fun working with your son and all this maintenance.

 

[FJRMGM]

interesting - got this from doing a search for SL350 on Gooooooooogle.

The Honda CB350 was one of the biggests hits in Honda history. More than 300,000 were produced from 1968 to 1974 and if you add the CL350 and SL350 that figure goes over 626,000 bikes. Where are all those fantastic bikes from the 70's? Well unbeknownst to most almost all parts needed to get your CB350 back on the road are still available or have been manufactured as aftermarket parts by Sirius Consolidated Inc. at great prices.

 

[kansas transit]

Don't forget to adjust the headlight. It looks a little high.Congrats on the cool find.

I was just going to comment on the "looking for squirrels in trees" adjustment. Good luck with the bike, ride safe.

 

[madmike2]

The kids got good taste!!!!!!!!!

I'll say! B) A good eye for the classic look. :yahoo:

Some of the best times I STILL remember with my dad are riding our bikes together while I was still in High School. Dad's been gone for 32 years, just thinking as I type this, those memories are still fresh and alive.

Good for both of you! :clapping:

 

[RatoneMuerto]

What a cherry CB360. Lucky boy!For me to ride at his age I had tobeg borrow or steal a bike from those that had them!Major taboo in my childhood.I sold many a CB360 in the 70's.Far more reliable than the old CB350 and no where near as complex or heavy as the CB450.Great beginner to intermediate bike.Pretty easy to do most of the maintenance yourself.Honda made so many that I am sure parts wont be a serious problem.One of the single biggest improvements you can do is chunk those stock shocks!They looked great but sucked performance wise.You should be able to find something with a progressive spring.I had a setup with Mulholland and a 90/150.Great ride!