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- All Hondas are properly assembled at piston-to-cylinder clearances that elicit blank stares from automotive machinists. The CB350F's tiny pistons are derived from some of Honda's earliest single-cylinder tiddler engines and thus like them Honda specifies the least clearance of all of their bikes on this engine. Really close clearance.
- Careful machining and assembly can not only eliminate oil consumption issues but also offers added power potential. The CB350F engine can be made to acquit itself surprisingly well without resorting to "high performance" parts. I have experience with this.
- This engine's camshaft wears faster than the camshafts in the other SOHC fours. Replacement stock cams are available and in common use in rebuilds.
- The rubber washer on the rear brake torque arm goes on the outside of the arm, not on the inside.
- The second-most important carburetor rebuild part--the float valve--is still available (though very expensive). Unfortunately, the most important part--the needle jet--is not.
- Carburetor removal and reinstall is easier if the battery is removed and the battery box unbolted and pushed back.
- The intake manifolds are not all the same. The middle two are different from the outer rwo. They are numbered from the factory.
- As with all vintage Hondas, the CB350F front disc brake is best maintained by using silicone brake fluid in the system.
- Also like its brethren, the CB350F benefits significantly from full-metallic front brake pads.
- Front brake squeal is easy to fix, and it's not by doing any of the things found on forums.
- Speaking of forums, they are not really good places to get advice. Believe me, they know a lot less than you do.
- There is no need to alter the carburetor specifications on a completely stock bike. Altitude however does make a slight difference and for best results should be accounted for.
- Correct clutch adjustment is usually neglected on this Honda.
- The cam chain tension on the CB350F is done in a non-intuitive and very different way from the other SOHC fours. Consequently, the CB350F tensioner is probably the most often damaged through misadjustment.
- Like the CB500/550, the CB350F does not have a primary chain tensioner. So at a very low idle--especially when cold or if the tune is not particularly sharp--the engine will rattle. But this can be all but eliminated through proper engine tuning.
- Just as the engine shares many design features with that of the 500/550 series, so do the 350F's carburetors. Great carbs, simple carbs, wonderfully functional carbs.
- The CB350F, like the CB500/550, has the most aggravatingly slowest-pulling throttle of all Hondas. Fortunately, this is easily remedied.
- Don't use aftermarket oil filters.
- Don't use premium gas.
- If your bike is a daily rider, don't fit 1970s-spec tires. Those are for showbikes. More modern tires will save your butt and the only thing that makes sense.
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