Pre-Purchase Troubleshooting: Sprockets forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Aug. 5, 2009 7:06 a.m. PHeller HalfDork

I'm looking around for my first bike and I've found a 75 CB360T for sale or trade for guitar. It just so happens that I've got a Danelectro guitar I never play that isn't worth much, and he's got a motorcycle he wants $500 OBO for. I could potentially pick this thing up for around $350.

The goods: Recently rebuilt carbs with receipts, owner has title for the bike, not overly beat up

The bads: Brakes are having problems being bled. Fluid stays in the line, but he can't seem to get any pressure in the rear brake. Front's are ok. Turn Signals are wired, but previous owner wanted smaller signals that aren't attached yet. Bikes tries to start but won't run.

That last bit is where the deal goes south. The current owner says he's taken it up and down the street a few times when he first got it, but since the bike has been sitting he hasn't had it running. He says he can spray ether into the carb and it'll turn over a few times, but the bike won't run under it's own power. Owner claims the "carbs need set up".

Does this issue sound like something simple and cheap or something that'll cost more than the bike is worth to fix?
Aug. 5, 2009 8:50 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

When an older bike won't run or will only run on ether for a few seconds, more often than not the carbs need to be cleaned. With today's gas it doesn't take that long for them to get gummed up from sitting around, even if he has receipts to show they were cleaned earlier.

Unless it's been modified, I believe the CB360T had a mechanical drum rear brake - no hydraulics. The brake cable may be rusty, but it's a simple enough system it shouldn't be hard to figure out.
Aug. 5, 2009 9:06 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

There are two jets in each carb, one for idle one for go fast. Once you get the carbs off the bike it's an easy fix yo just need patience. You may have to do it twice. The idle one is gummed up. That doesn't sound like a deal-breaker, just a "thing".

If you're going through the bike, pop the two screws off the bottom of the tank where the petcock is and make sure the screen filter is clear. That may haunt you later also.

Dan
Aug. 5, 2009 9:08 a.m. jwdmotorsports HalfDork

What stuart said. Plan on carb cleaning.

I have a '74 in my garage. Most definitely does not have hydraulic rear brakes. Sounds like someones done some work to the bike in the past or this guy has no idea what he's talking about.

I'm selling the '74 I have. Sounds like it's in similar condition. But, it looks like you're a little far away.
Aug. 5, 2009 3:32 p.m. therex SuperDork

Buy it. There's nothing wrong with that bike can't be sorted in an afternoon or two.
Aug. 5, 2009 3:57 p.m. xci_ed6 Reader

The rear is a rod-operated mechanical. No cable or fluid. If you meant that the front is not getting pressure, it's probably all gummed up. If you're lucky you can just clean it all. Otherwise you will need to rebuld the slave & master, possibly replace the line.

It sounds like a fair price, but make sure to look it over well. I also have a '75 CB360, with only 8k on it, and it needed new brake shoes, cables, tires, battery, chain, etc... Basically, I would have been better off starting with an early 90's CB750 Nighthawk for $1k that was readty to ride.
Aug. 5, 2009 6:14 p.m. PHeller HalfDork

I'm not ready to ride yet because I'd still need a jacket, gloves, and a little more money to register and inspect.

The rear brake works fine. The front is the problem. He can't get any pressure into the line. I think if I used a syringe and pushed fluid up from the caliper I could probably get a little more pressure into it.

The bike does actually run. He showed me how if you sit and twist the throttle while it idles it will eventually settle into a rough idle after a few minutes and can be ridden. However, it appears the before the bike is warm it is running out of fuel. Both the kick start and electric start are functional.

Headlight works, tail light comes on with brake but not with headlight, strange. Turn signal wires are there, and but turn signals need to be installed (included).

Seat is unripped, battery holds a charge (but dies quickly when trying to start it).

Forks and rear springs look fine. Rears look to be height adjustable. Bike doesn't look like it was ever involved in a crash.

Tires are iffy. Tread is ok, don't seem to be dry rotting, except a few little cracks in the sidewall. These tires have got to be cheap to replace though.

He only has a single key, and it's pretty bent up. I'd need to find a replacement key ASAP.

We settled on $375 + guitar for the bike, an owners manual, and Bell half-helmet.
Aug. 6, 2009 6:01 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Cool!

Buy tires, it's cheap insurance against a front end flat at speed.

Rear adjustment is not ride height, but adds tension to the spring for solo or two up riding. Think adjustable coil overs.

Put 1/2 gallon of high grade gas in it with a bottle of Save-the-Baby and let it run. Put a fan in front of the bike and just let it run out of gas. This may clear up the carb without rebuilding.

Pictures or all of this is made up.

Dan
Aug. 6, 2009 7:51 a.m. PHeller HalfDork

XCI said that after everything was said and done on his CB360T that he had almost spend enough to buy a newer $1000 bike.

Although I believe that this could happen, at the same time, could you buy a newer bike that needs all kinds of work as well?

At least older bikes have lots of used parts floating around.

My friend bought a 96 Ninja ZX6E, spent a fair price for it, and then ended up having to rebuild the bottom end and get new tires for it.

Another issue with me going with a $1000 bike is that sure, it may be better all around, but I can't really afford $1000 + paperwork + equipment at this point. I'm a poor college student.

I think this older bike is the cheapest way for me to learn.

Or am I wrong?
Aug. 6, 2009 11:59 a.m. 44Dwarf Reader

This new gas is real screwing with small pilot jets bad.

My wifes 07 suz must be run out of gas before i put it a way or 5 days later it will not idle nor come off 1/4 throttle with out a massize stumble. I got tired of ripping the tank and carb off after the third time in a row...Now I use hemostats on the gas line and let it run dry then put it away. Next time we go to ride unclamp and turn to prime it starts fine.

44
Aug. 6, 2009 8:49 p.m. PHeller HalfDork

Well, I did it.

Should be home tomorrow.

Started up good on the second showing, actually ran for a 10 or so seconds before quitting. Seriously thinking its a simple carb issue.

One thing caught my eye though. I'm not sure if it's got the original seat or original tank, because where they meet is not flush.
Aug. 6, 2009 10:21 p.m. PHeller HalfDork

Oh, and it needs a new ignition key badly. The seller keeps it in the ignition because it's about ready to get busted up. Any ideas on how I might get one made?
Aug. 6, 2009 11:42 p.m. jwdmotorsports HalfDork

PHeller wrote:

Oh, and it needs a new ignition key badly. The seller keeps it in the ignition because it's about ready to get busted up. Any ideas on how I might get one made?

I took the ignition off of a CB650 years ago and took it to a lock smith and had them cut me a new key. Cost me $40 but that 10-12 years ago.
Aug. 7, 2009 12:13 a.m. alex HalfDork

You can also bypass the ignition switch and install a kill switch somewhere hidden. Very simple wiring on these old Hondas.
Aug. 7, 2009 6:11 a.m. 44Dwarf Reader

I belive EMGO still make a new switch for it. Check any part dealer who orders from western powersports or parts unlimited
Aug. 7, 2009 6:26 a.m. PHeller HalfDork

I don't need the switch, I just need the key.
Aug. 7, 2009 10:01 a.m. 44Dwarf Reader

Hardwear store should have the blank under the lawnmower section of keys. No i'm not pulling your leg.

44
Aug. 7, 2009 12:38 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

Keys:

http://www.motorcyclekeys.com/vintage.html http://www.keymakers.com/motorcycle_keys.html#honda

There are also bunch of eBay listings for "honda motorcycle key."

Finally, I'd think a decent local locksmith or even a good hardware store should have key blanks to match the bike.
Aug. 7, 2009 11:36 p.m. MitchellC HalfDork

I got a key for my similar vintage Yamaha from a seller on ebay and it was just over $10 shipped.