[mktsc]

So I'm at a crucial fork in the road with my CB360. It's finally running wonderfully, however there's a leak from the points area, and the root cause is a worn journal causing the cam to sit low on the LH side, and allowing oil to leak out. Plus, it's getting worse. It seems to be wearing down relative to how much I run it in this condition.

In order to fix this right, I will need to replace both head and cover. The going rate for these parts seems to be about $100-150 minus shipping, and that doesnt cover any other parts I might need to replace such as cam, cam chain tensioners, etc. I've also found a few engines on eBay for $200-300. It seems much simpler and more cost effective to buy a complete engine.

This brings me to the point in the project where I either:
a: cut my losses and sell it
or
b: source an engine and sink another $300 plus my own time and labor into a bike that I only paid $450 for to begin with, and have sunk an additional $500 already to get it to the condition that it's in today.

So, this website has proved invaluable thus far, what say ye now?

-MK

The bike in question:

The failure in question:

 

[jayel]

I say I have cl360 engine that I would strip off the head and ship to you for shipping costs ... don't really know what condition it's in yet (sat outside for twenty years so will need gone thru, valves ect.) give me a day or two to pull it down then I'll do some pics of it

 

[mktsc]

That might work, but what I'm afraid of is that I've fragged the cam as well, and might need to replace a lot more than if I just buy the complete engine...

Plus my head cover is also missing a piece of metal, so I'd need another head cover too.

But this could work. Feel free to email me if you want to talk details:

[email protected]

-MK

 

[tbpmusic]

I don't say this to PO anyone, but I've never thought 360's were a good project choice, particularly for a first project.

I'd cut bait and run, myself.......get what you can and try a 450 or 350, maybe, something you can at least find parts for.
Many times the first experience at this stuff is so very bad that folks bail out and get a newer bike - there's a LOT to be said for that.
I'm so PO'd at Wifey's CB200 right now I'm spittin' flames almost.

Realistically, you're already into this thing for a grand $, and it will just get worse. Only a matter of time before the carb diaphragms go bad, blah, blah, blah........
Who knows what you get with a used engine - I'm usualy disappointed when I do it. There's a reason no one is using that engine you see on EBay......
There's also a good reason so many 360's are showing up these days, as the supply of other models rapidly dwindles.

With that said, maybe you can find some drop-dead cheap parts (like Steve) .........the cam chain stuff is very hard to find at any price.

 

[mktsc]

Yeah I probably have well over a grand in it by now. I bought it without a title and with 35 year old tires, and those two things alone were $400.

I don't mind a project and I don't mind working on things, but I'd like to be able to ride it while I work on it.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to throw in the towel yet, but I'm definately close...

-MK

 

[Bird76Mojo]

It's all part of vintage bike ownership. Some don't mind spending excess on them and some consider them money pits. I figure I'll be spending that money on something less "constructive" (i.e. booze, hookers and the like :lol: ) if I don't sink it into an old bike. Plus at the end of the day you really do learn a lot from these old machines.

GB :mrgreen:

 

[krukster86]

It's all part of vintage bike ownership. Some don't mind spending excess on them and some consider them money pits. I figure I'll be spending that money on something less "constructive" (i.e. booze, hookers and the like :lol: ) if I don't sink it into an old bike. Plus at the end of the day you really do learn a lot from these old machines.

GB :mrgreen:

Wise words GB

 

[66Sprint]

Your bike is shaping up nicely..... The reward for ALL the time and investment into these old bikes is not just the satisfaction of accomplishing the restore....It's riding the finished product as well..... In for a penny, in for a pound...Finish it.....
You have an offer from Jayel for a new (used) head casting for shipping cost...Perhaps he will part with the entire head assembly....It would only cost a bit more for the added weight of the cover and camshaft if he is willing.... Negotiate!....
It is SO close to being done........

 

[leethal]

If you have an income and are not facing a mortgage crisis....NEVER SAY DIE.

 

[stocker350]

I'm sorry I don't have any valuable advice as I am kind of new to bikes but I gotta know, did you use the stock seat pan and just put in a thinner pad for that seat? I'd like to leave my wife's bike stock looking, so a seat that looks stock but is thinner would be perfect.

 

[mktsc]

I used the stock seat pan, and bent it up to clear the tail light. I used a long sharp bread knife to trim about 80% of the stock pad down. Then I recovered in a $20 ebay cover done in marine vinyl.

-MK

 

[stocker350]

Thanks, sounds like a good solution for a stock looking seat that isn't as thick.

 

[mktsc]

Jayel was gracious enough to pull the head and cover and send me some pictures of what he's got before we went any further. He suggesteed I posted the pictures and let the Gurus of HondaTwins evaluate them.

From the looks of it, I'll at least be disassembling the head and giving everything a thorough cleaning. The one exhaust port and both combustion chambers look pretty nasty along with the valves. I can probably salvave parts from my current head too.

So what do you guys think? Worth it?

-MK

 

[jayel]

I just want to let you guys know the center journal has very slight galling, the cam journal itself is more of just discoloration, the cam journal and lobes and tappet arms are smooth and excellent shape, I'm thinking some wire brush work and a light valve lapping and he'll be in business

 

[66Sprint]

It looks overall to be in better mechanical condition than yours....I'd clean it up and run it.....Use the best components from both heads.......