Author Topic: 1973 CL450 Cafe Project. (Read 8246 times)

Brown Bomber · « **on:** April 22, 2012, 06:37:37 PM »

I wasn't looking for another bike, but when a friend came across this
all he had to do was dangle it under my nose. So after a few weeks, I'm
finally getting around to starting on it.

When my friend picked it up, the PO said the the infamous words, "It was running when it was parked." I'm sure he chuckled to himself and I'm sure I'll get a few laughs with every surprise inside this box of Cracker Jacks.

Over all, the bike is in original condition, less the handlebars and looks like a fun project.
I'm excited that the exhaust is in pretty good condition, though it does have some rust in not so obvious places and a small dent or two, it still looks pretty good and will clean up nicely.

Let the fun begin!
The tires predate 2000, so this thing has sat a few years. The first order of business is to go through the carbs. I removed the exhaust and #1 carb yesterday. The air filters were a boggy mess, (I think I saw Aqualung's footprints in there.) and with the yellow-brown varnish all over the engine case, it's clear there was no reason to drain the float bowls.

It ran when it was parked?

Pin-Sol is my new friend;

Number 2 carb is soaking now, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2012, 07:13:58 PM »

Nice CL450..looking forward to seeing it running like new..probably won't take too much...

cben750f0 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2012, 07:27:19 PM »

man keeping an eye on this...looks entertaining

peace

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2012, 07:29:32 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on April 22, 2012, 07:13:58 PM

Nice CL450..looking forward to seeing it running like new..probably won't take too much...

Thanks, if the engine doesn't have any issues, it shouldn't take too much. I haven't had an off road bike since the '70s, I'm looking forward to getting it rideable.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2012, 10:32:39 AM »

Shiny makes em run better, right?

grcamna2 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2012, 07:55:15 PM »

That will be a very pretty machine when YOU get done w/ it.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2012, 06:42:38 PM »

Progress tonight! In the last few days, I have rebuilt the petcock, checked the cam chain tension, adjusted the valves reinstalled the carbs and put the exhaust back on the bike.With some fresh gas in the tank and the borrowed battery from my 500T, the 450 started right up! The top end sounded tight and the exhaust sounded good too. Now that I've confirmed the engine is a runner, it's time to tear it all apart and start the Cafe` conversion.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2012, 08:03:25 PM »

You aren't keeping it as a "trail Bike" ?

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2012, 05:17:34 AM »

I was tempted, to but I decided to make a Cafe`out of it first. I won't cut anything on it and I'm keeping all the original parts, so it will be easy to put back to original and worth more if I decide to sell it later.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2012, 05:46:44 AM »

In the pic that you posted it looked like there was spots,rust or something around the front of the tank and the steering head. are you going to get the frame powder coated ?

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:28:05 AM »

There is light rust spots on the frame, tank and side covers, but nothing serious. I am going to strip the frame and paint it, I've heard good things about black appliance paint, so I'll likely try that on the frame.

I have a 500T tank for this and a friend that does paint tells me there is a silver by House Of Color that looks almost like polished aluminum, so I'm looking forward to that.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2012, 10:03:17 AM »

Quote from: Brown Bomber on April 27, 2012, 08:28:05 AM

There is light rust spots on the frame, tank and side covers, but nothing serious. I am going to strip the frame and paint it, I've heard good things about black appliance paint, so I'll likely try that on the frame.

I have a 500T tank for this and a friend that does paint tells me there is a silver by House Of Color that looks almost like polished aluminum, so I'm looking forward to that.

That 500T tank will sure give you more of a range for day trips than the CL450 tank.
I also heard things about some paint that's a 2-step called"Y2K paint(not the name)"..or something like that and they said it was excellent and durable.

thrutheframe · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2012, 07:21:18 AM »

Cant wait to see it finished. I get to see it in person which makes it even better. I have a weekend warrior gig for the summer so don't hesitate to call if you need a hand with it on any given week night or during the day.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2012, 08:54:21 AM »

Quote from: thrutheframe on May 04, 2012, 07:21:18 AM

Cant wait to see it finished. I get to see it in person which makes it even better. I have a weekend warrior gig for the summer so don't hesitate to call if you need a hand with it on any given week night or during the day.

Cool, I'll be getting ready to pull the engine out of the frame soon, so I may be callin.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2012, 08:08:42 PM »

Finally got in some quality time with the CL today.

Removed everything but the front end and the engine. When I changed the oil prior to a test run, the old oil was diluted with gas, so the clutch cover came off and the plates got a good cleaning with brake parts cleaner, then treated with some fresh oil. I did this while the engine was in the frame for stability when driving out the cover bolts, because I don't have an engine stand., (yet) Also a good opportunity to clean up the cover.

Sanding out some deep scratches in the clutch cover;

Looks much better;

Still some rough spots, I'll put it on the wheel tomorrow.

This isn't the first I've seen this and I'm sure some others here have too, for those that haven't, it's what happens when a chipmunk has access to the shed and needs to store seed.

bluesmoke69 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2012, 09:17:25 PM »

Great job so far. Looking forward to more progress.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #16 on:** May 10, 2012, 05:29:17 PM »

Finally coordinated with a friend to assist and got the engine out of the frame, it was so easy it felt like I missed something.

I had the bike on my jack and removed everything from the frame and loosened the engine bolts, then had a friend come over to help. We lowered the jack and laid it on it's side then lifted the frame off of it.

Next we stood the engine back up on the jack. I had two eye bolts on an overhead beam in the middle my garage and used two ratcheting tie downs as a winch to suspend it while I built a wooden jig to fit the bottom of the engine and frame to give me more height. I even sandwiched an aluminum oven pan between wood as a drip pan/tool tray. With some tie downs looped through the jack to the motor mount points, it holds everything together very well. I can even dolly this rig around.

After getting the surface grime off with ample WD-40, rags and brushes, I sprayed it with oven cleaner to degrease it.

Frame too:

After I get em cleaned off, I'll strip the frame and get ready to do some painting.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2012, 05:58:26 PM »

Nice setup for the engine platform..you must have done the "twin thing" before? Those CB/CL450's are an excellent bike;is this one going to be a Keeper for you ?

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2012, 07:07:42 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 10, 2012, 05:58:26 PM

Nice setup for the engine platform.

Thanks, I've had that motorcycle jack for a long time, but never liked the awkward son of a #$%*. Can't put it under most bikes without putting the exhaust in jeopardy and I bet I've stubbed every one of my toes on it. Fits under a scrambler just fine though.

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 10, 2012, 05:58:26 PM

.you must have done the "twin thing" before?

I've gotten pretty familiar with the DOHC twins after getting my 500T 4 years ago and I got it the way I like it, but the 500T's do leave a bit to be desired, so the 450 should cure that.

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 10, 2012, 05:58:26 PM

Those CB/CL450's are an excellent bike;is this one going to be a Keeper for you ?

Too early to tell, but it very well could be.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2012, 08:02:18 PM »

Considering your signature..

,do you think you'll consider chroming any parts on it ?

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #20 on:** May 11, 2012, 04:43:14 AM »

No extra chrome on this one, the exhaust and polished aluminum bits will have carry the shine. The fenders look as though someone tried to clean them with a scotchbrite pad so if I can't come up with a suitable replacement, I may have to paint them.

thrutheframe · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2012, 08:20:07 AM »

Damn it!! I really want a CB450. I dont think my "collection" is complete without one. I cant under any circumstance create another project at this point. You've seen my shop so I'm sure you know what I mean.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2012, 04:21:13 PM »

Quote from: thrutheframe on May 12, 2012, 08:20:07 AM

Damn it!! I really want a CB450. I dont think my "collection" is complete without one. I cant under any circumstance create another project at this point. You've seen my shop so I'm sure you know what I mean.

This 450 makes the 5th bike in my one car garage....yeah, I know what you mean

RosalindBiao · « **Reply #23 on:** May 13, 2012, 08:20:19 AM »

Sorry!

You've seen my shop so I'm sure you know what I mean.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #24 on:** May 14, 2012, 03:29:00 PM »

Had loads of fun sandblasting the frame, went well but I think I'll let someone else do it next time.

Treated with Ospho

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #25 on:** May 25, 2012, 08:39:18 AM »

Well, I've been off for some minor surgery since sandblasting
the frame, but I've been able to do a few things lately.

I finally got the swing arm and the front motor mounts painted
with the Rust-oleum appliance paint and it turned out great.

Also ordered some replacement gauges from eBay because the ones on
the bike were a little rough and the speedo was not a CL speedo.
The set on the right in the picture were what was on the bike, obviously
the wrong speedo, but the tach looks correct and in good shape.
The replacement set on the left has a rough looking tach, (which I don't need)
and the speedo looks correct and in good shape. I should be able to
put together a nice set from the lot after I paint the housings.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #26 on:** May 27, 2012, 04:08:35 PM »

With the help of a friend, I was able to get some more done without tearing out stitches and get the garage back in order. This guy is a fairly new owner of a '71 CB350 that needed a little attention and it worked out great. After we sorted out my stuff, we fixed a few things on his bike.

So much better than the monetary system.

The last of the hardware bits painted., (I'm really liking the Rust-Oleum appliance paint for stuff like this.)

I also played around with customizing the headlight. Since the original sealed beam was toast, I modified the shell of the blown sealed beam to accommodate a lamp that JC Whitney sent me by mistake some years ago.

thrutheframe · « **Reply #27 on:** May 29, 2012, 06:53:49 AM »

Love the headlight Allen!

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2012, 08:36:37 AM »

Thanks, not sure if it will go with the rest of the bike, but it was there and could be swapped for a more standard look if I don't like it. Might be fun though.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #29 on:** June 01, 2012, 01:02:10 PM »

Using a 500T tank for this posed a bit of a challenge because I didn't have the petcock to go with the tank and the stock fuel valves are NLA. Since it uses a sock filter instead of a sediment bowl and angles rearward to clear the carbs, also the threaded bung on the tank is larger than most other models, so using the petcock from the CL tank us impossible and finding a substitute was tricky.

Here's the 450 petcock...no-go

Terry at Western Hills Honda glanced at the part number I had written down and knew immediately what I wanted was made of unobtanium. He said the petcock from the 400F had a similar body, just one outlet. He could have ordered the body only for about $89.00 and would still have to source the other parts.

I checked with a friend who has a 400F to make sure that petcock had the right shape and same size nut., It was!
I headed to eBay and found an entire assembly used for considerably less than the new body alone.

Dirty, but it fits!

After an 8 hour soak in Pine-Sol it cleaned up just like the carbs.

One hurdle down

Dave K · « **Reply #30 on:** June 01, 2012, 03:15:04 PM »

Will you use Pine-Sol to brighten the engine also? Looking real good.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #31 on:** June 01, 2012, 08:15:40 PM »

Thanks Dave, I think I'm done with the Pine-Sol, but I'm not saying I won't find something else that needs dipped. The side covers and few other bits will be polished and the top half of the engine, jugs and head will get painted, it's already been degreased and stripped. I'm about ready to mask it off.

Dave K · « **Reply #32 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:36:01 AM »

BB, one of the reasons I asked, is for my own project as well. I will be polishing the engine cases as well, but the cylinder and head on this XL 350 I doing looks stained with mud. I have Gunked it several times and it is clean, but still stained. If you know what I mean. Do you think Pine-Sol will clean this to as new look?

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #33 on:** June 02, 2012, 03:22:12 PM »

Dave, I've only used Pine-Sol on smaller parts that can be soaked in it for about 8 hours, but not something like a cylinder and head. If it's apart and you can soak it, it may work, but I don't think spraying or brushing it on would do as good.

I would try aerosol oven cleaner, it's basically the same as the more expensive engine cleaner and smells better. (still burns the skin and eyes, etc. be careful with it.)

After I Gunked my engine, I used an aerosol Paint stripper to remove what was left of the factory paint on my cylinders and head. The paint stripper was better at removing baked on grime than the degreaser.

Did Honda paint the head and cylinder on the XL like they did on most everything else?

Dave K · « **Reply #34 on:** June 02, 2012, 06:13:42 PM »

Thanks for replying. The engine on the XL 350 us painted on the side covers and block. The cylinder and head are bare aluminum. The engine is together and it does run well. It is out of the frame now, but not disassembled. I really don't intend to to that, but I will have the side covers off to polish them. They are magnesium and the rest of the engine is aluminum.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #35 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:56:32 PM »

The last three weeks haven't been as productive as planned, but I did get a few things done.

I've managed to get the rear sets done and I'm pretty happy with the way they came out.
I have Tarozzi rear sets on my 750 and really like them, but they don't have a set specifically
for the CL450 and I thought if I where to go with universals, I'd still have to work out the
linkage.

I didn't want to go all the way back to the passenger peg location, so I used my 500T
to figure out where I wanted the pegs, (a little more than half way back) and drilled through
the forward part of the passenger peg bracket just behind the frame. Happened to have
some steel tubing to reinforce the hollow bracket. I welded it in place. Sorry, no picture
of the weld, but it's there.

With Peg;

Yes the brake lever is much shorter now and the jury still out on that, but I think it
will be fine.

I took a few pieces of shift linkage and a piece of brake linkage off of my Kawasaki Concours
parts bike and the original shift lever from my 750. Fabricated an eye bolt for the clevis pin, welded
four nuts together to make a coupling since the hardware store didn't one in metric and it started
coming together;

The original CL front fender was too scratched to use and I wanted to stay with chrome
fenders on this plus, CL fenders are bigger and bulkier than CB's, so off the shelf came the
original front fender from my 750 that I had replaced because the PO cut it short in the front.
Nice chrome, but the bracket didn't match. Well....I had another dented fender with the right
bracket, so I took the cutoff tool to the inside of the rivets and swapped brackets.
Removing rivets;

Taped the shortened rivets in place, then tack welded them on the inside;

Cleaned the inside of the fender, treated the welds with Ospho and painted the inside of the
fender with hammered silver;

Fender ready;

maduncle · « **Reply #36 on:** June 25, 2012, 05:08:43 AM »

I am a bit late to the party but on board now.

Great project, and I am picking up a few tips for my bomber.

Brown Bomber · « **Reply #37 on:** June 25, 2012, 02:07:08 PM »

Quote from: maduncle on June 25, 2012, 05:08:43 AM

I am a bit late to the party but on board now.

Great project, and I am picking up a few tips for my bomber.

Thanks maduncle,
I'm not making much progress lately due to futzing with other bikes in the stable, but I'm happy to say Stout, my K2 is out of it's corner of the garage and will be terrorizing the mean streets of Cincinnati for a while.

Your bomber project, is that the '65K0 in your sig? Do you have a build thread?

maduncle · « **Reply #38 on:** June 25, 2012, 03:24:39 PM »

Quote from: Brown Bomber on June 25, 2012, 02:07:08 PM

Quote from: maduncle on June 25, 2012, 05:08:43 AM

I am a bit late to the party but on board now.

Great project, and I am picking up a few tips for my bomber.
Thanks maduncle,
I'm not making much progress lately due to futzing with other bikes in the stable, but I'm happy to say Stout, my K2 is out of it's corner of the garage and will be terrorizing the mean streets of Cincinnati for a while.

Your bomber project, is that the '65K0 in your sig? Do you have a build thread?

Yep - that's the 65K0 listed in my sig, you can read my nut and bolt philosophy here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=97590.msg1221002#msg1221002

cheers,

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Author Topic: 1973 CL450 Cafe Project. (Read 8246 times)

maduncle

maduncle