'72 CB350 - Some Assembly Required

[.RJ]

Its hopefully not a project, if the listing is accurate it runs well so the plan is just to ride it and look after it.

I had a couple of that model a while back, and they're really nice machines. I wanted something vintage to ride that wasnt a project bike like the 350 that was stock and also something my wife can ride with me.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Drool.

[Kaan]

the new house has a garage... so he can fill it with vintage motorcycles

[ScottyB]

they look so cool without even trying. take them on the BRP for a weekend.

[.RJ]

the new house has a garage... so he can fill it with vintage motorcycles

I think two is enough.  One stock, one project.  I would like something with Fuel Injection, I think.

Oh but I also want a NC30/VFR400....

[.RJ]

So, no word from the seller since the auction closed on this 400. Really strange.

[V1GiLaNtE]

So, no word from the seller since the auction closed on this 400.  Really strange.

Time to gather your guns..

[.RJ]

I picked a color for the powdercoating shop to use on the frame, swingarm, brackets and a few other things - its not a perfect match, but out of the 20 samples I ordered it was the closest in tone so we're going to go with it. Its hard to pick a plastic sample since its going to look different once its on metal, and different surfaces.... its not a cheap job but I think a whole lot cheaper than trying to get it sprayed at an auto shop. Even then it would still need to be baked and blasted.

Wheels should be done soon, frame should be done before Christmas and I gotta talk to my fab wizard about the motor today....

[ScottyB]

hell yeah my body is ready for some gold up in hurr

[.RJ]

When I went to the powdercoat shop I naively thought they could just mix up a custom color.... NOPE.

Fortunately their vendor (prismatic) will send you as many samples as you want for free, just pay $6 to ship.

[.RJ]

Well you win some you lose some. What's a project without any setbacks?

I went to collect my frame from the powdercoater today and as soon as I saw it I thought "fuck". I ordered about 20 samples from the powder vendor, thought I'd gotten one that looked like the right one and its just not it. The color is too flat, too orange and just not it. I should have had them shoot a sample card first, worst case I'm out the cost of the powder for the job. They're going to strip and repaint it for me, at my cost of course. I'll have it back in 2-3 weeks I hope.

[Kaan]

forgive me for not reading everything.. but did you get the tank painted or was in original? wouldnt it be easier to match paint to PC rather than what you are doing now?

[.RJ]

I bought the tank on ebay.  Its an earlier (1970, i think - my bike is a '72) tank that was repainted the original 'candy gold' color.  The earlier tanks were a different shape and I liked those better - I was hunting for a tank either in candy gold or candy blue and decided whatever tank color I ended up with, would paint the frame to match.

My early tank - 



Later tank shape



And the candy blue as well



Its a setback and I'm disappoint, but this is how things go.

Now to start sorting the motor.  I think I am leaning towards shipping it out, but I need to really nail down the scope/cost before I go that route.  I'd hoped that the fabricator that did the frame work for me would be interested in taking on the motor built but he's backed up with complete bike builds right now.  He did say that if I wanted to do the disassembly/reassembly myself he could clean & vapor blast the cases, jugs, covers, etc for me.  I'd still need to find a machine shop to bore the jugs, ship out the cylinder head, and so on.  I need to figure out which makes sense because the costs do add up, at the end of the day shipping out and receiving back a complete engine may not be any more expensive.

[Apoc]

I like the color.

[ScottyB]

ah, sucks. when you say strip/repaint, are they reshooting that same color again to see if they can get it closer in the application process or are they trying a new color altogether?

i actually dig the orange but its definitely WHOA ORANGE. not gold at all. shame, because out of context it would look great.

[.RJ]

strip and do new color.

[.RJ]

The 400F arrived home this week. Everything looks to be in good shape and fired right up once I added gas but there are a few things that need attention. The valves need adjusted and carbs balanced, the fuel tap looks like its weeping, and the tach cable is either broken or stuck. I've got some parts en route and I'll have that stuff wrapped up soon and ready for spring time.

[ScottyB]

i saw these come up on my instagramp feed.  is this the color you're looking for?  might be worth contacting them to get some input on how they did it.

Hoy vintage cycles out of indiana
https://www.hoyvc.com/

[.RJ]

I am happy with the color on the tank, was trying to get close® to that. The tank color stays.

[.RJ]

Wheels done and home



Seat picked up 







Frame should be back soon, and in theory the billet triple trees I had made months ago should be here soon too.  I'm really tempted to assemble a rolling chassis with everything I have less the motor, although that will make it harder to put the motor in the frame later.  If all the parts are on hand and ready to assemble I'd tilt the motor on its side, put the frame on the motor and then assemble the rest of the parts on the frame.  Idle hands are the devil's playground tho.