CB360 Variants Question

[cbxman]

Hi Guys,
I recently purchased a CB360, which I believe is a UK model as the V5 does not mention a previous registration abroad.  It is in nice order and goes surprisingly well.  However, I am puzzled by the variants that I see whilst researching this bike.

It was first  registered in July 1975, but it is possible that this bike is an old stock model from '74, or maybe even '73.

My bike has the front disc brake rather than the 2LS drum which the some? of the '73 bikes had.  My bike does not have the idiot light pod between the gauges, just the lamps in the speedo.  There do not appear to be any other obvious variants, Other than the CL360, so when I find '74 - 5 - 6 bikes advertised for sale most seem to have the idiot light pod.  The bikes like mine seem far and few between.

Looking on CMS, they only show the US versions.  DSS seem to only recognise the G5 model....whatever that means.

Is there a CB360 aficionado out there who can shine a light on it.  There seems to very little info about this short lived but attractive bike

Cheers,

[AshimotoK0]

Looks like a standard UK version, CB360G5 to me. We never got the 2LS drum brake model in the UK.

UK model had 'idiot' lights in the clocks and deeper valanced rear mudguard, compared with USA model.

[Oddjob]

Yep, that's a G5 model.

[AshimotoK0]

CB250G5, CB360G5, CB250K5 Part Manual

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mvcm4kgrcyntkp0/Parts%20List%20CB250%20CB360%20G5.pdf?dl=0

CB / CJ 250/360 G5  1974-> 78 honda Genuine Shop Manual

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcug2pb5eaj6ydq/CB360_Searchable_Manual.pdf?dl=0

[Bryanj]

Only 360 in uk was g5 if my addled memory is correct and it did not sell in quantity as it was over 350cc by 2 i think and so insurance companies charged same as 650

[cbxman]

Thanks Folks,

That is reassuring that it is a UK bike as I understood it was.

My frame number CB360-10938xx does not match the UK portion of the Parts List which quotes CB360-1011300 with matching engine numbers.  Seems strange as Honda didn't do matching numbers, only matching ranges. Based on that, the engine might not be original CB360E-10395xx, however that number does not match the parts list for any country either.

I expect the parts list dated 1 March 1974 pre-dates my bike.  Somewhere there may be a later parts list.....

Thank you Ash for the downloads.

So the bikes that are for sale in the UK with the idiot light pod are mostly US or other country versions imported after period.

Ash,  My bike has a short rear mudguard, but it matches the parts drawing.  There does not seem to be a UK variation listed in country specific parts area of the parts list.....difficult to read those combined drawings and the detached parts list.  What nutter thought of that.  To do with microfiches I expect.

Bryan, Interesting about the insurance. That makes my bike really quite rare.  No wonder there is a dearth of parts.  However most of the bike's parts are universal, so the late other country imports are welcome here in my book.

What triggered this investigation is noticing that the mufflers were mounted in such a way that spoiled the graceful curve of the headers through to the end of the mufflers.  There was a kink suggesting that the mufflers were set too low on their brackets. CMS/DSS have confusing and contradictory images of these parts.  Ash's parts list shows brackets that look different to mine.   The brackets have different part numbers, but should be mirror images.  One of mine has a cut off section and a footpeg locating slot in the wrong place.  Bizzarly, I have seen photos of pillion footpads clearly using bracket like the dodgy one (leaning over 45º).  Maybe a CL360 bracket.  (See photo)

After this confusion I thought I would check the bike's details....so still confused

Sorry for the long ramble,

Cheers,
Jerry

[AshimotoK0]

This is a Genuine UK CB250G5 (same frame parts as 360G5) that  I sold to a guy in the N.E. as a 2k mile-left-in-a -shed-to- rot restoration project..

You can clearly see the UK style deeply valanced and longer rear mudguard.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Bryanj]

Rear guards did rot so may have a completely different model grafted on

[cbxman]

Bryan,

Maybe.  Perhaps no UK ones left, so fit a more available short one. Possible.

Cheers,

[Oddjob]

Never my favourite bike the G5 but I've got to admit to kinda liking that blue restoration there Ash. Very period.

However there's nothing you can do to the CJ version that could possibly improve that model, except a box of matches 

[AshimotoK0]

Never my favourite bike the G5 but I've got to admit to kinda liking that blue restoration there Ash. Very period.

However there's nothing you can do to the CJ version that could possibly improve that model, except a box of matches 

I wonder if the CJ was really that bad in it's 360 form. They had sorted out the cam chain gremlins by then and reduced the gears to 5 plus lengthened the forks and swinging arm.
I must ask my friends Chris Rushton and Graham Curtis, who are well into Honda's and both owned  CJ's (albeit the 250 cc version) from new. Did you ever ride one Ken? Or was it just customers bikes on PDI/routine service etc. you tested out?

[cbxman]

It seems the 360 was a bit of a marmite bike.  Maybe its problem was that it wasn't a 350 

Too bad... I like it.  It is bit different after all.

It has some serious big brothers to learn from in my garage

[Oddjob]

Never my favourite bike the G5 but I've got to admit to kinda liking that blue restoration there Ash. Very period.

However there's nothing you can do to the CJ version that could possibly improve that model, except a box of matches 

I wonder if the CJ was really that bad in it's 360 form. They had sorted out the cam chain gremlins by then and reduced the gears to 5 plus lengthened the forks and swinging arm.
I must ask my friends Chris Rushton and Graham Curtis, who are well into Honda's and both owned  CJ's (albeit the 250 cc version) from new. Did you ever ride one Ken? Or was it just customers bikes on PDI/routine service etc. you tested out?

I did a foreigner on a CJ250, didn't touch the engine, I was replacing exhausts with pattern ones that didn't fit very well. Seized up on road test. Oil filter was completely blocked with sludge. I had to fit a complete head/cam etc, which luckily was dirt cheap.

[cbxman]

I understand that because of the need to remove the whole rhs cover remove the kick start, foot rest and drop the brake pedal a bit, the servicing was made more difficult than the 250/350, thus not done so often

The first thing I did with this bike was to clean the filter and change the oil.  What I found was encouraging....the oil was clean and the filter too. At least the last owner was diligent in that respect.  As for his talents at restoration....well that's another matter!

Cheers