Second ride on my CB360

angryasianguy · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:00 am Post subject: Second ride on my CB360

Well, it was a bit of an adventure today. I just got back from NC this last weekend, and since I had the day off today, I decided to get my bike over to my buddy's to sync the carbs (right side of engine was WAY hotter than the left). Some of the problems from my first ride with the old girl (I decided to name her Christine for the moment) were a dreaded pop of the clutch that meant 45 min on the highway, and total engine failure.

On the first trip, we ended up doing a valve adjustment and checked the points, which helped it out a little, but then the clutch popped about 5 miles from home. 45 min later, I was able to limp back home. I was making sure I was not going to have this problem this time around. I made my clutch adjustment to the outer part of the zone, making the clutch a bit floppy, but at least it will not pop. I put on my riding gear (Xelement jacket and gloves, and Nolan N-102 helmet) and prayed a bit.

The ride to my friend's was awesome. The bike purred like a kitten for the first twenty miles. There was a LOT of wind noise, though, and a significant amount of vibration from the Twin. As I got into the town though, she changed character, and threatened to die on every stop. I took a long route around that had a lack of stop lights, and was able to get it to his house. We got her there, and started with the sync of the carbs.

This was a lot less painful than I would have guessed, but we had to adjust it WAY off of kilter to get them within the ballpark. On an up-note, both exhaust systems were running the same temp, but the idling was MUCH worse. I tried to adjust the idle up, but that created an unsafe revving at intersections (Bike was sticking at 5k RPM's). Dropped by to give my wife a pin-cushion, and limped the girl back home. Having the bike not rev right was downright scary.

As soon as I got home, I re-adjusted the fuel/air mix and lowered the idle. Still would not idle correctly, but at least it would not freak me out. Took her back into town. At 6000 RPM's, she ran just fine (about 58 - 60 MPH), but still had the idle problem and ended up with some stuttering above 6500 RPM. But at least she was rolling. After Aikido, my friend and I took a little long route back home, took 25 miles, and I tried the freeway again. She opened right up, got to 60, and felt like she would be happy to go faster. Honestly, I was just happy she was rolling.

Got home, soaked my visor to get rid of the bugs, and downloaded the picture my friend took of me at his place (below). Total miles today: About 80

Going to try taking her to work in the morning. We shall see what happens.

-- Lee

cartfreak71 · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

I would check the pilot jet inside the carbs. I had this same problems last year. Once everything was cleaned, the idle was normal.

PipeDreams · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:47 am Post subject:

From the sound of it, you're having a lot of the same problems I am with my GT250. My bike will randomly peg the idle at super high RPMs. She's not a good idler at all, but just like yours, is fine when going through the gears. I just can't come to a stop without turning it off because of the high revs, haha.

Guess it's just time to take the carbs apart one more time. INSPECTION! I'm sure you've done some work on yours from the sound of it, if you're synching them and whatnot. I'm just going to try to spec mine out, one part at a time.

80 miles ain't bad for a day on these old bikes. Sounds like fun, regardless of the troubles.

angryasianguy · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:30 pm Post subject:

I love the ride, honestly. Its not tough to do a lot of miles, is a whole lot of fun while not crazy, and is perfect for a beginner like myself. Gravel roads still freak me out a bit, but I am working on it. Anyways, back to work, and I will post more info as I continue working on it.

Lee

Barchetta · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:12 am Post subject:

"Gravel roads still freak me out a bit" You ain't the only one. Shocked

As for your reving at idle, after a ride. Does the 360 have a spark advancer?

I don't know if it's the same, but on my 350 the advancer always got oil on it and it would stick after a good ride. Not that I know what's up with your bike, just reporting a simular problem.

Barchetta

Russell · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject:

Gravel roads? Usually the feeling of unease gets worse the slower you go. The trick is to get used to the sensation of the front wheel wandering around on the loose stones.The 'loose' front end will always feel more secure if there is a bit of light acceleration going on so try to ride in such a way that you are more often building speed up rather than cruising.Crossing from one wheel track to another will also be worrying and again is best done by gentling 'driving' the bike across it rather than doing it while you are in decelerating mode. Have fun.