Topic: why SOHC over DOHC?

[Stev-o]

If I was in the market for a 450, I would buy Jag's.  A little more than $500...

[lucky]

The 400F was glass smooth compared to the CB350 twins.

I know because I drove CB350 twins from Tucson to San Francisco and back at least 3 times.

I bought one of the first 400 fours. Unbelievably smooth.

The 350 F was a fluke, Honda got the gearbox right and the styling right on he 400F . It really was the first cafe bike.

I also drove THE first CB450 delivered to Tucson, Ariz. It was big and fast but
it did have some vibration like the other twins.

[jason41987]

oh, i dont make permanent modifications to anything anyway.. i restore to essentially stock condition and only change bolt on components.. like the seat foam/upholstry, mufflers, grips... and whenever i do modify something i store the original parts in a way where their condition wont degrade and they can be sold with the bike should i ever sell it and the buyer wants it stock

i wouldnt mind an SOHC/4, perhaps smaller than the 750 though... 400Fs seem to be rarer than the other ones so id definitely keep my options open to a 550 if one came around to me

[jason41987]

is it just me.. or do the twins seem to have more of a slimmer, agile, and aggressive stance to them vs fours?... it just seems theyre leaner and more aggressive looking in cafe racer form vs a four in the same form

[Teatimetim]

Yes they are slimer, and they handle a bit different, my cb450 is much lighter then my 550.   It also has a deeper sound..  But if I where buying a project bike a 350f or a 400f would be my preference outside of a 750.

[Stev-o]

Here ya go, go get it!


http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/mcy/3250391020.html

[tortelvis]

the cb 450 had rocker arms huh?

If so I would love to know where on the fIche that they are. I see cam followers but no rocker arms. I am on my third 450 now.

[MCRider]

the cb 450 had rocker arms huh?

Yes it did, surprisingly. It pivoted on one end, the cam pushed on a hardened pad in the middle and the other end pushed on the valve. The pivot end had the eliptical adjuster as the pivot pin. You loosen a locknut and turn the adjuster which is actually the rocker pin, and that changes the clearance between the cam and the rocker pad. Hence, no shims.

[MCRider]

the cb 450 had rocker arms huh?

If so I would love to know where on the fIche that they are. I see cam followers but no rocker arms. I am on my third 450 now.

follower = rocker arm. Rather than a lever that pivots in the middle, its a "class 2" lever that pivots at the end, like a wheelbarrow. Nevertheless, i think rocker arm is a fair description. In the vernacular. That's what we always called them in the shops i was in.

[FunJimmy]

#1 reason to select a SOHC vs DOHC is this forum and it's members!
Have you met the DOHC crowd? HELLO!

 

[speedy gonzalais]

twin cam/ single cam whats it matter? twin cams some times performed better than the single back then but if its performance your after why not just buy a modern bike. I prefer the twin over the fours only cus they have more torque and pull a lot harder then I usually find myself off road so I need it, before buying any bike you should be intitled to a to a test ride, veiw a few, test them, decide what one you prefer.

[jaguar]

Why are you shopping with the prescribed $500 limit?  Searching for bikes based on price leads to alot of issues.  A $1500 bike that just pasted a state inspection is much cheaper then a $500 bike that has been sitting.  When I read "needs carbs and tires" I assume the seller just dragged it out of what ever barn it was in for the last 30 years and got it to "pop" on starter fluid.  Real trap for the inexperienced

Another thing, a "cafe conversion" is way more then a seat and a set of bars....well at least to some anyway. 

All bikes have pros and cons, its how it works.

Just for fun...
Mine

[Killer Canary]

That's truly a thing of beauty!

[Lil Red]

the cb 450 had rocker arms huh?

Yes it did, surprisingly. It pivoted on one end, the cam pushed on a hardened pad in the middle and the other end pushed on the valve. The pivot end had the eliptical adjuster as the pivot pin. You loosen a locknut and turn the adjuster which is actually the rocker pin, and that changes the clearance between the cam and the rocker pad. Hence, no shims.

Desmosudokurruhruh...

[jaguar]

That's truly a thing of beauty!

Thanks very much

Could be yours you know...lol
Im looking for a new home for her

[jason41987]

wht $500 and a lot of issues? because im looking for a winter project to work on this fall and winter.. something to do, a hobby thatll end with me having a really nice bike restored to nearly brand new condition.... if i can find a CB400F/550 id certainly go with that after listening to the way these engines sound.. but the CB450 cant be ignored either as its also a great bike

[Fritz]

Yes, a CB450k would be the next bike I'd buy if I ever could get a nice offer over here.
My brother had one back in the ealy 90s.
Unfortunately, the carb vacuum pistons where shot and he neither got it running decently nor did he find replacement. They seem to be hard to come by.

[phil71]

I just finished a resto on a k0 450 (i know, it's not only DOHC, but not a four.. we're off course.. )
It was the first ever vehicle to implement CV carbs, and they are terrible, but otherwise.. it's about as beautiful a thing as honda's ever built. And MC... for the sake of not confusing people, cam followers aren't really rocker arms per-se.
   Someone popping the valve covers off a cb450 for the first time might be surprised at what they see.
Yes, as someone pointed out, it's a bit of a nod (or theft) to the early desmodromic valvetrain ducati developed..
The cam was responsible not only for opening the valve, but when it swings back around, it also pulls the valve up, kind of like opening and closing a door in one fluid motion.

[faux fiddy]

i found a CB450 60 miles from me... ill call the guy tomorrow and see if he can email me some photos of it... $500 and apparently it runs, just needs a carb rebuild and some new tires... if it is as advertised, all be going with that one and pick it up this weekend, start working on it next week

That's prolly the one you want. The 450 is pretty much what won Daytona back in the day. I never realized they called it a CR though. Google Bob Hansen  or Team Hansen and you'll find plenty.

http://www.teamhansenhonda.com/

[strynboen]

i just have bayed a cb 500 t...that valve torision spring and dobbel cam..are just ..hnmmm say..different than other engines..but great old engine..om a newer frame..and with disc brakes...old and new..on same bike..      the new bomber
are the carbs the same as 450 bomber

[LesterPiglet]

i just have bayed a cb 500 t...that valve torision spring and dobbel cam..are just ..hnmmm say..different than other engines..but great old engine..om a newer frame..and with disc brakes...old and new..on same bike..      the new bomber
are the carbs the same as 450 bomber

So it's you who buys them.  Sorry but I think Honda messed up with the 500T.

[strynboen]

 :)ha yes it are the black cheep in honda family...but hope all others are  throv aut..then my one vill be the last..and i have somthing no other have

[Magilla]

Well you had posted that while I was typing my post.  There are people who take a nice survivor and cut it up and it always pains me.  The typical line here is "it's your motorcycle do what you want but...."   I'm a stocker, I like how honda made 'em.

I love them stock and I love them modified BUT here is my take on it.  If its a clean, mostly original bike or car, bring it back to stock.  If its already been modified or is rough, then do what ever you want to it.

[HondanutRider]

I just finished a resto on a k0 450 (i know, it's not only DOHC, but not a four.. we're off course.. )
It was the first ever vehicle to implement CV carbs, and they are terrible, but otherwise.. it's about as beautiful a thing as honda's ever built. And MC... for the sake of not confusing people, cam followers aren't really rocker arms per-se.
   Someone popping the valve covers off a cb450 for the first time might be surprised at what they see.
Yes, as someone pointed out, it's a bit of a nod (or theft) to the early desmodromic valvetrain ducati developed..
The cam was responsible not only for opening the valve, but when it swings back around, it also pulls the valve up, kind of like opening and closing a door in one fluid motion.

Phil, I've never popped the head on a 450 (or the later 500 version of the same) - in fact I've only ridden one once and that was long ago in the 60's.  However, if my limited knowledge serves me correctly, the DOHC 450 design did NOT have a desmodronic valve action.  That action refers to a mechanism that closes the valves using a cam motion to lever it shut (which is what you incorrectly seem to describe on the Honda 450).  The Honda 450 had torsion bars to close the valves instead of coil springs - the cam was not used for closing, only opening the valves.  Ducati does use a true desmodronic valve mechanism in their motors.

[TwoBigCats]

I just finished a resto on a k0 450 (i know, it's not only DOHC, but not a four.. we're off course.. )
It was the first ever vehicle to implement CV carbs, and they are terrible, but otherwise.. it's about as beautiful a thing as honda's ever built. And MC... for the sake of not confusing people, cam followers aren't really rocker arms per-se.
   Someone popping the valve covers off a cb450 for the first time might be surprised at what they see.
Yes, as someone pointed out, it's a bit of a nod (or theft) to the early desmodromic valvetrain ducati developed..
The cam was responsible not only for opening the valve, but when it swings back around, it also pulls the valve up, kind of like opening and closing a door in one fluid motion.

nice 450, phil.