CB350F Restoration by royhall (NOW FINISHED)

[Johnwebley]

+1 ..love to see resto details .. would never get bored with them .

  + 1 as well

[royhall]

Spent Sunday afternoon attempting to sort the throttle cable problems. Along the way I have found a problem with the carb re-assembly.

I guess this should be problem 10 on the list then.

This ones home grown, but not surprising as carbs are my weak point. Was hoping I had it right first time on this one. Anybody that followed my 750F2 build will know that the carbs on that were on and off so often I could do it in my sleep.

Anyway, for some strange reason the carbs are not closing correctly. Meaning that the cable quadrant is not rotating back fully. Not sure what it is, so rebuild number 2 is about to start. Whilst I'm doing it I am going to change the worn quadrant for a spare I have. That should correct the problem of the cable not being retained.

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You can just see in the picture that the throttle stop screw is right out and there is still an gap of about 10mm. This has the effect of making cable 'A' appear too long, and cable 'B' appear too short. The over-return stop is also miles off the quadrant. Not doubt when I get back in there it will become obvious whats wrong.

Second problem with the carbs. Although they were carefully cleaned and rebuilt with all new parts, 3 out of the 4 carbs are deluging petrol out of the overflows.

Engine start is now put back again. Never mind, nearly through the extra challenges now. I would rather have everything done correctly before I attempt to start it.

Cheers all.

[Bryanj]

You havent got the adjusters too tight have you ? got the tee shirt for that one

[royhall]

Yep agree with you Bryan. It's probably a setting issue but got to strip them again as the quadrant, where the cable bobbin locates, is so worn that it wont hold the cable in. Didn't notice it when I was doing the carbs or I wouldn't have bothered getting it re-plated. Not really the sort of thing I was looking for. Never mind I will get there in the end. Cheers.

[royhall]

Hi all. Been a while since the last update. Have had to remove and rebuild the carbs a second time. Also had to change the cable quadrant as it was worn out. Well that's all done now and the carbs are back on the bike with the cables fitting perfectly, and the petrol staying where it should be. BryanJ was right it was to do with the setting up.

Sorted a few last remaining bits and finally its time for engine start.

Just by chance Alan (Mctid) was calling round with his 750K4 engine so decided to wait until he got here before the big event. Somebody to man the fire extinguisher. Anyway now Alan the 'glamorous assistant' has arrived its time for the main event. I would like to say I wasn't nervous but that would be a lie.

So here it is, give you all a good laugh if nothing else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nawweCajv3Q

I should say looking at the video that I need to loose some weight. Fat t**t.

[yozzer74]

Well done sir .

[UK Pete]

That went real well, and what a peach of a tickover when it settled down
pete

[hairygit]

Well done Roy, great result, even better to "Be there" with you at the crucial moment, thanks for sharing the video, wish you many fun and hassle free miles, roll on spring!

[royhall]

As you can see, it started that fast it took me by surprise.

I was expecting to have to crank it for a while (although I did crank it with the cutout switch off to prime it a bit). Still got to strobe the timing and check the advancer, then balance the carbs. Was very surprised it settled to a very steady 1000rpm tickover without any adjustment whatsoever. I don't think its going to require very much tweeking to get it spot on. Think I may have got the carb rebuild correct second time around.

It's a bit quieter than I was expecting. It sounds on the video like its noisy but that's the camera's mike inside a concrete garage. There is absolutely no mechanical noise from the engine at all. That was the biggest surprise after doing two 750's that rattle like a bag of spanners.

Tank and seat next, them polish off all the millions of oily hand marks. Will post some pictures of the finished thing soon.

Cheers all.

[AshimotoK0]

Spot on resto Roy you should be a very proud man 

[MCTID]

Superb restoration Roy........it was a privilege to be there - if only to give moral support.

The Video doesn't really do it justice, but I can vouch for the great skill and attention which this beautiful machine has had lavished upon it. It's a long time since I heard a CB350F up close and it certainly sounded as smooth as it should be.....almost like a sewing machine - I mean that as a complement, not as a derisory remark.

I couldn't believe how well it ran - for the first time and how it settled into a nice steady tickover straight away.....I was expecting clouds of exhaust fumes, oil and petrol dripping everywhere and lots of cursing!

It's a real pleasure to see a restoration carried out so well........there are many 'Specialists' out there asking top dollar for cobbled together bikes which are not a patch on your's (including your two restored CB750F's) and you should be extremely proud of your achievement.

[Spitfire]

That was impressive, for a first start up it was mind boggling, I had to drag mine into life, well done

Cheers

Dennis

[mike the bike]

 I'm pleased it all went to plan and started without any aggro.  It's a good omen.

[royhall]

Did the tune-up work on the 350F this afternoon.

Checked the timing with a strobe lamp and it required no adjustments at all. With the engine warmed the tickover was at a steady 1100rpm. Vac gauges on and the picture tells the story. Just a very minor increase required on cylinder 1. Guess the static settings I did were pretty good.

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Had a ridiculous last minute problem that has caused some minor damage to the plastic bulb holder on the 'idiot light' console. I got four new bulbs from DSS that fitted perfectly. They should be 3W at 12 V, the ones they sent me (that stupidly I didn't check) were 3W at 6V. They got so hot they melted the bulb holder. So changed the bulbs for 12V items and its good for now. Got new parts on the way, not too bothered as the harness was a bit tatty anyway. Caused a lot of smoke though. I should have guessed something was wrong as the indicators flashed too fast, that's right now.

It should be finished tomorrow with a bit of luck.

[royhall]

The bike is finished. Nothing more to say, so just some winter wet day pictures.

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Five more on the next post.