First Bike CB360?

[turkeytoes]

I'm looking for my first bike. Ideally something that I can pick up cheap and sell in a year or two for what I paid for it. I'm 5'7", 165# and would eventually like to pick up a cruiser like the Marauder 800.

I've come across the following:

1974 Honda CB360, Asking $750
22,556 miles
Rebuilt top end
New steering head bearings
New fork seals
Rebuilt starter
Newer tires

From the photo I've seen, it looks very clean.

Is there anything I should look out for in this bike?

Do you think it will be enjoyable for a new rider for a year or two (4-6 months a year in the north east) riding mostly back roads and residential neighborhoods?

Does the price seem reasonable? Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Mike

ps. I'm taking my permit test tomorrow and will sign up for the next available MSF course.

[totalmotorcycle]

Hi Mike,

to the TMW motorcycle community and to motorcycling itself! Your gonna LOVE it! Your starting off smart by not only looking at a smaller bike to learn on but also taking the MSF course too, your going to have a long and adventureful motorcycling career ahead of you.

Sounds like a good bike and a good deal to me! Sounds like it's been cared for which is great and worked on, which is perfect for a new rider because really, you don't want to spend your first year worring about your bike rather than improving your riding skills.

Now the only minus is it's old. And anything rubber (gaskets, tires, carb rubber parts, etc) are most likely old too. So, you'll need to look for cracks in anything rubber, how old the tires are (if they are 4+ years old, you'll need new ones), how old is the brake fluid, cables been oiled? Air filter "clean", sparkplugs changed when? And you'll need to look in the tank for rust.

If you do buy the bike ask for the owner to ride it to your place so you can practice in your own familiar neighbourhood. But, do let it sit until your done your MSF course, you don't (really!) want to learn bad habits off the bat.

Don't forget to read our Total Motorcycle Beginners Guide: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm it's helped millions of riders.

Mike

[DivideOverflow]

+1 to what mike said. Check all of the rubber parts and do a once-through with the regular maintenance (brake fluid, cables, fuel cleaner, etc).

I would love to have one of those to tool around on. It should be a good bike.

[turkeytoes]

Well, I just talked to the gentleman that is selling the CB360 and I'm not too sure what to think at this point. It turns out that it hasn't been run in two years. He thinks it's going to need a new battery and the points reset or replaced. He thinks the carbs will be OK because he put fuel stabilizer in before he stored it. The owner before him put some kind of lacquer coat in the tank so it shouldn't be rusty. I asked if he would take less than $750 for it but he said no. He will take care of the battery and points to make sure it's running right and the $750 is firm. I told him I would like to see it before he goes through all of the effort. What do you think? Is it worth pursuing or should I walk? FWIW, he seems like a pretty honest fellow, at least over the phone.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

[revcbl]

I'm all about the 360 for a first bike. It was mine, and now my wife's learning on it (a 1974, too).
That said, $750 seems high. These bikes do seem to have gone up in recent years, though, so maybe that's in line with the current prices, I don't know. If it's the right price for you, it's the right price. They seem to be keeping their value, anyway, and if the tires are new (not sure what you mean by newer-- newer than 1974?) that's $150 or so right there.
Make sure the bike's running well, if he won't come down in price. If you know somebody who knows a bit about motorcycle engines, bring them along and get them to check it out and ride it. But ultimately, there's nothing on it you can't fix with a couple of wrenches and an ebay account.
Also, get a battery charger. The charging system on these bikes sucks, I guess because they were made before headlights were required to be on all the time, and if you're learning, going slow, not going very far at one time, etc. it'll run down. Luckily, it's got a kick start, get in the habit of using it.
I rode mine for years. The only reason I got my cb750 was the 360 is not the bike for long trips on the highway (although people do it, I just didn't find it comfortable).

[Shorts]

I don't know about the bike much so forgive that part of my ignorance. However, looking at it purely from a first bike standpoint, if the seller were to have the bike running for you with a new battery and points, and the $750 is the firm set price (be sure it doesn't go up), then I think you'd be getting a good heckuva deal all around.

It saves you the trouble of getting it running, and financially, if those bikes are really holding their value or going up, you may very well come out ahead.

[turkeytoes]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure what the going rate should be. There aren't too many of them listed that I've seen. I'm glad to see the few that have had them like them. I've got a 12v 50/10/2 charger, so I should be covered there. The rear tire has less than 400 miles on it, I'm not sure about the front.

It is favorable that he is planning on having it running and inspected or at least passable. Like I said, he seems like an honest guy and seems to want to make the bike as good as he can (within reason). He is firm on the price and he won't raise it.

Another concern I have is the resale. He's apparently had an ad for the past two years and he still has the bike (though I don't think he has placed an ad on cycletrader, just on a BB in a local performance shop). When I upgrade, I don't want to have to sit on it for two years.

Thanks again for all of your input.

Mike

[DivideOverflow]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure what the going rate should be. There aren't too many of them listed that I've seen. I'm glad to see the few that have had them like them. I've got a 12v 50/10/2 charger, so I should be covered there. The rear tire has less than 400 miles on it, I'm not sure about the front.

It is favorable that he is planning on having it running and inspected or at least passable. Like I said, he seems like an honest guy and seems to want to make the bike as good as he can (within reason). He is firm on the price and he won't raise it.

Another concern I have is the resale. He's apparently had an ad for the past two years and he still has the bike (though I don't think he has placed an ad on cycletrader, just on a BB in a local performance shop). When I upgrade, I don't want to have to sit on it for two years.

Thanks again for all of your input.

Mike

If he gets it running to your expectations, it should be fine. ALSO, a $750 bike should not stop you from upgrading. I'm sure you could get rid of it quicker by posting on craigslist and cycletrader. If you can't sell it, then you have another bike in the garage for a leisurly sunday cruise... I wouldn't worry about that considering the price.

[turkeytoes]

I appreciate your comments, Divide. My concern on resale is more one of my wife. Finances are as tight as space. I guarantee that the executive committee will veto the purchase of a new bike while the old one is still in the garage (which is already too full to accomodate a car).

Thanks for all of your input.

Mike