Decrepit CB360T Rebuild

[AppalachianTemplar]

This is my 1975 CB360T. It was being thrown out by my neighbor on trash day, literally sitting in his trash pile waiting for the garbage truck, and I asked if I could have it. It had been his project bike, which he acquired in a similar manner, and now it's mine because he didn't want to bring it when he moved.

The frame is sound, although it's was chopped and rewelded to be café racer at some point, and is legally clean. The engine is newer, and in decent shape. Beyond that, it didn't have much more than wheels, a gas tank, and a box of loose parts, some salvagable, some not.

I have a lot of the mounts for various parts, but not the parts themselves and the exhaust pipes (no mufflers).

Thus far I've gotten it all cleaned up, the rust removed, and am beginning to order parts and put it back together.

I plan to go in the order of getting it rolling well (frame, wheels, brakes, suspension), then running well (electrical and engine), then looking good (cosmetics, paint, polish).

I'm working to get the title taken care of, no real issues, it's just taking a while because I'm a legal resident of a different state than where I live (military reasons). If for some reason it can't be titled at all, I'll probably just part it out.

 

[AppalachianTemplar]

Frame modifications.



If anyone can give advice on how to attach a seat to this, I'd appreciate it.

 

[ancientdad]

At least it looks like you have a lot of the original parts if not most of it, though one part immediately need corrected - like the front wheel being in the forks backwards putting the disc on the wrong side from the caliper mount. Hope the engine hasn't been left without the carbs and exhaust pipes for long.

 

[ancientdad]

Frame modifications.

If anyone can give advice on how to attach a seat to this, I'd appreciate it.

Yeah, the original seat mounts are gone. Depends on what seat you plan to use, but this is what I did on my 450 restomod. The front is held by a tab that slips into a slot I cut in the plastic seat base, and the rear brackets at the bolts shown.

 

[stl360+450]

One part immediately needs to be corrected - the front wheel being in the forks backwards putting the disc on the wrong side from the caliper mount.

I noticed that yesterday and was waiting for this thread to comment. Of course, AD beat me to it!

The other thing that looks odd to me is the height of the front end. Maybe it's an optical illusion, but I feel like it's sitting low on the forks almost like the springs are too short or missing.

As for the seat, if you can't find something suitable, you might consider making a custom seat out of fibreglass. You're probably looking at a custom battery and electrical tray as well.

I hope there are two headers in that pile (I see one), the exhaust collars, and maybe a couple of fenders.

It's smart to wait on the title before investing further. Once you have that, I would recommend starting with the most difficult tasks, whatever those might be, so you can get over the big hurdles first and gain confidence that the project can go in a direction you'll be happy with before you invest a lot of time and money in it. The amount of money to get this project across the finish line could even be more than a bike you paid for. It all depends on what you want in the end.

 

[ancientdad]

The other thing that looks odd to me is the height of the front end. Maybe it's an optical illusion, but I feel like it's sitting low on the forks almost like the springs are too short or missing.

I agree, and maybe it's because the springs are sacked (but that's a lot) or maybe it's because the PO used the internal PVC pipe method of lowering the front end like I did on my drag bike front end at the suggestion of someone here. If the latter, then suspension travel is lost and it absolutely does not have enough visually to work well on the road so it certainly will need to be addressed.

 

[AppalachianTemplar]

I noticed that yesterday and was waiting for this thread to comment. Of course, AD beat me to it!

The other thing that looks odd to me is the height of the front end. Maybe it's an optical illusion, but I feel like it's sitting low on the forks almost like the springs are too short or missing.

As for the seat, if you can't find something suitable, you might consider making a custom seat out of fibreglass. You're probably looking at a custom battery and electrical tray as well.

I hope there are two headers in that pile (I see one), the exhaust collars, and maybe a couple of fenders.

It's smart to wait on the title before investing further. Once you have that, I would recommend starting with the most difficult tasks, whatever those might be, so you can get over the big hurdles first and gain confidence that the project can go in a direction you'll be happy with before you invest a lot of time and money in it. The amount of money to get this project across the finish line could even be more than a bike you paid for. It all depends on what you want in the end.

That first picture was the day I got it before I did anything. I noticed the front wheel was backwards, and removed it. It was sitting low because the springs and pistons were removed and thrown in that part box. They're put back together now, once my copper washer get here I'll have the front forks and wheel reinstalled correctly.

I was looking for a good project bike always, fixing it is half the fun to me.

 

[AppalachianTemplar]

The biggest thing I'm lacking is the carburetors. Everything else I'm missing is an accessory or ancillary component except those.
Once the titles worked out, I'll find some, then get the engine going.

 

[stl360+450]

That's good news about the forks and front wheel. Given that at least two people have abandoned this project before you, I was worried about what that front end posture might indicate about the fork internals.

Pretty much all of my bikes started out in rough shape, so I can identify with your enthusiasm for fixing this thing up. I'll look forward to updated photos after you have the rolling chassis together.

An inventory of what you have in the parts pile might be helpful.

 

[EzPete]

For the seat, start by measuring out the length and width of the space and then start seeing if any of the available cafe seats on the market fit that space. If you’ve got any welding skills it makes life a ton easier.

The mounting style of AD’s seat is pretty common and easily adaptable to your frame - but there’s a million ways to skin that cat once you figure out what size you want to go with.

You’ll want to find something with a hollow
Jump in the back to stash all your electronics back there. If you’ve start the electronics design around an AntiGravity 4AH 4 cell it will make that space plenty workable for the rec/reg, battery, solenoid and flasher.

 

[stl360+450]

The biggest thing I'm lacking is the carburetors.

It might be worth considering aftermarket carburetors.

• Mikuni VM30 would provide one option.
• PWK 30mm carbs probably offer a lower price point.

I'm running carbs from a CB450 on my CB360G, chosen primarily because I had an extra set at the time. They work, but I'll stop short of recommending that anyone else go that route.

I wouldn't hesitate to consider running the Keihin 722A carbs from a CB350 on a CB360. I prefer the separate idle adjusters of the 350/450 Keihin's to the combined version with the throttle plate adjuster screw that is used on the 360's.