1974 cb450

[Vmass]

Alright, I took it for a spin today to get a little motivation to get back to work on it.

I picked it up over the summer from owner number two, who purchased it in 1975. The bike had not been started in many years.

When Steve was over this summer we did a little carb cleaning, valve adjusting etc. It runs well enough to run it up the driveway. Sounds smooth.

The points spark looks very sporadic, so I thinking after 39 years and 9,000 miles, it deserves a new set of points!

The bike is all original, including the tires.

Anyway, heres a couple pics as I picked it up and then one after a wash.

 

[Vmass]

More pictures

More pictures

 

[Vmass]

Few more

Few more

 

[Vmass]

And more

And more

 

[Frank Z.]

Original paint??

 

[Vmass]

So my plans are all the typical stuff and a good cleaning!

 

[Guest]

I had a '72 CB450. It was a great little bike. It was reliable and bulletproof. I did get a little wear in the swingarm bearings. I put 24K on it
and I think the only things I replaced were tubes, tires, and spark plugs.
I sold it when I got orders overseas.

 

[BigD_83]

The tank cleaned up nicely.

 

[Vmass]

Original paint??

Yes, it was always garaged. Previous owner used to ride it from his Brockton, MA garage to his Cape Cod garage, until his wife told him he was too old for that!

The orange on the gauges looks like the day it rolled of the assembly line.

Biggest issue is the surface rust, many hours will be needed to get that under control.

 

[Vmass]

I had a '72 CB450. It was a great little bike. It was reliable and bulletproof. I did get a little wear in the swingarm bearings. I put 24K on it
and I think the only things I replaced were tubes, tires, and spark plugs.
I sold it when I got orders overseas.

Sweet!! I can get nother 15k miles out of these original tires.

 

[Frank Z.]

Wow. Awesome pic. Steve for president!

 

[subid]

I found this site when I was looking for help with my CL350. From the looks of this bike, I'd say he does good work.

http://home.comcast.net/~tbpmusic6/450site.htm

 

[Vmass]

I found this site when I was looking for help with my CL350. From the looks of this bike, I'd say he does good work.

http://home.comcast.net/~tbpmusic6/450site.htm

Nice looking bike, I am just going to keep mine original.

Or, should I get out the sawzall with a demo blade, place it just behind the seat strap and push down until I hit the tire?

 

[amxsteve]

if that backrest would fit the wifes 400F and you are interested in selling i would be interested

 

[Guest]

I found this site when I was looking for help with my CL350. From the looks of this bike, I'd say he does good work.

http://home.comcast.net/~tbpmusic6/450site.htm

One thing I didn't like about Honda's, and that's when they came out with those ComStar wheels. I think it detracts from the otherwise great looking machine, i.e. The CBX. It had to affect their sales negatively.
I can see after reading this article on the "Cheesy ComStars" I'm not alone in my opinion.
http://hooniverse.com/2011/05/10/two-wheel-tuesday-the-curse-of-the-comstars/

 

[HamamatsuSuzi]

I had this 450 back in about 1995. I added a few popular mods including a rare Hooker header. The paint is original. I bought it as a runner and enjoyed it for a season then moved on.

 

[Vmass]

if that backrest would fit the wifes 400F and you are interested in selling i would be interested

I will look for it. I have no idea if it will fit your wife's bike.

 

[Guest]

That's a beautiful CB450, back in 1983, it was my very first street bike! It was given to me by my brother-in-law, learned how to ride it in a parking lot and in about an hour, I was riding it home. I rode that sucker all over and fell in love with motorcycles after that, but that's the one that got me started. Good job on bringing her back to life!

 

[Vmass]

Is chrome, chrome?

Is chrome, chrome?

I have a few chrome parts on this bike that I am considering re-chroming.

I have no idea by who, as I have neer had anything chromed.

My question is, if I bring it to a chrome shop will the chrome of the 70's look the same as the chrome of the current times?