CB350K2 Project

[Craizeehair]

I picked this up a few weeks ago when I got rid of the CB360, I now know that this has K0 side panels, headlight, front mudguard, tank and incorrect gauges.

The tick over was problematic as it would occasionally stick around 4k revs and stay there. There were a couple of small oil leaks as well, so I had decided to get this ready for a winter project and take some time over the darker months to see what’s what.

In typical fashion I put it in the shed on the ramp in readiness and couldn’t help prodding and poking on the odd evening and before I knew it, this had happened!




I originally thought I might do a complete restoration but with the non K2 bits replaced, that would change the look of the bike and I really like how it is. Nothing looks terrible where I’ve taken it apart and I’m very tempted to not paint or rechrome anything, more a deep clean, replace any mechanical weaknesses, seals, bushes etc and put it back together (clean and shiny) warts and all.

I guess it will find its way naturally but that’s my gut feeling, it’s only the second motorbike I’ve actually attempted any major work on so I know I will be asking plenty of questions along the way, hopefully I will remember to take more pictures, unlike this unexpected strip down.

I think that as it is already unoriginal I will make any changes that appeal to me, one being the USA bars, does anyone know where to source some decent UK style ones?

[Laverda Dave]

Interesting build to look forward to there. Yes, you were only supposed to undo one bolt but things got out of hand!
Did you take plenty of photos and notes during the strip down? I always make a note any odd or strange looking bolts etc as I remove them, it makes it so much easier during a rebuild. Of course that's not to say any strange looking nuts & bolts found should actually be part of the original bike considering it's history but that's where the parts diagram comes in🙂.
Good luck with it and keep us posted 👍

[Craizeehair]

Yes, I have an old DSLR camera from many years ago that I keep in the workshop and a note book to write anything down that I think I need to. Plenty of non original bolts and uneven numbers of washers etc… as you say the parts book will take a hammering!

[florence]

is that steering damper original?  I have a K3 which doesn't have a steering damper. Might make a nice modification?

[Craizeehair]

I believe it is, it’s not something I’ve come across before so haven’t worked out how to remove it yet!!

[Toko_Jo]

I believe it is, it’s not something I’ve come across before so haven’t worked out how to remove it yet!!

   

Steering damper only fitted to 1968/69 K0 and K1 models. This is a K2.model so  steering damper would not have been fitted when it left the factory. Easily added to K2/K3 models though ..not sure about K4... as K4 had entirely different forks and yoke arrangement. Apart from the shape of the operating  knob the  parts are essentially identical to earlier CB72/77 models.

[florence]

thank you, useful to know, I might try and get one to fit on my 350.  It's a shame there isn't one that would fit the 500/4 model. 

[Craizeehair]

Well this has been a very slow start, after stripping the bike I found the frame needed welding, it has taken some time to get it back but it’s now sorted and has been powder coated, so I can start to think about getting things back under way.

I’ve started to strip the engine and have found a few odd bolts here and there and a few of the bolts holding the engine down have had two washers, when there should be one etc, I don’t know why that may be, maybe some of the more experienced of you might have some thoughts, could it indicate a problem that has been overcome this way, or I guess it could just have been put back together incorrectly previously? I presume it doesn’t set major alarm bells ringing but I’d be interested to know if I’m wrong.

What I have found though is the camshaft and rocker arms have seen better days… this will need addressing.

Apparently there is a fat cam and a skinny cam that was used in this bike and each one has specific rockers arms as well, so not quite as easy as finding any decent cam and rockers, it would need to be the fat cam and the correct rockers.

I’ve read good things about Newman cams, so have contacted them to see if they can help.

[Bryanj]

I suspect that the centrifugal filter was not cleaned often enough, i have seen parts like that run but not 100% maybe a show queen but not a regular rider.
I believe Newman can do both cam and followers but you have to be carefull, many years ago a good freind had both cam and followers hardened, lasted notvery long, from memory followers should be hardened and cam meonitic cast iron or something like that(this was in early 70's).
I am sure Ash will be along soon with better advice

[florence]

I would not use cam and followers in that condition and I suspect looking at the end of the camshaft that the end caps might be very worn too.  You can see in the picture that the last three cam follows have been getting very hot. 

I agree with Bryan's comment about the oil filter.  Needs regular cleaning and worth changing oil every 1000 miles. 

[Craizeehair]

You’re right about the end cap, the right hand is bad.
Newman cams have said they should be able to help, so they will be packed up and sent off.
Noted on the oil filter.

[TrickyMicky]

Regarding the centrifugal oil filter, if it hasn't been touched for a while it can be a real b-----d to undo.  Last year I cleaned up a CL160 which has the same type of filter. You start by removing the small cover to reveal the filter which is held in place by one of those early philips headed bolts  In my case I started with a T-handled JIS screwdriver, but you have to stop the engine from turning!!  Jamming the footbrake isn't strong enough, so, remove the clutch cover completely and jam a plastic or wooden wedge into the primary drive gears, and then attack with an impact driver. In my case, and apparently many others, if it's been in there long enough, you have to carefully drill the bolt head off. Once this has been achieved, on the 160 I removed one of the handlebar clamp bolts, and used it to draw the spinner out of the filter bowl.  Such fun. If it's any use, attached (hopefully) is my 1971 250 fresh from the dealers, note the side covers.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

It's a long time ago Circa 1965 when I cleaned the centrifugal filter on my used Honda 250 Dream.
I was surprised at how difficult it was to clean the metal deposits out of the spin dryer arrangement,
It was a very fine silt iirc.

[Craizeehair]

Just a quick update, today I received two packages in the post, one was my cylinders, newly rebored with new pistons and rings from our own BryanJ, thank you very much for your help with this. Also my reground camshaft and rockers from Newman cams. I’ve yet to open either package as we’ve just got back from a week away and I’m on household duties until tomorrow, I will be able to unpack them and start with the engine reassembly very soon, which is very exciting.

I have settled on this being a preservation rather then restoration, I presume that is the right term, it’s already a K2 with K0 tank etc, so I will keep its character but make it clean and mechanically sound… hopefully!

I’ve started on the bottom end, cleaned it up and new cam chain and tensioner etc fitted.

[Craizeehair]