Author Topic: CB450 oiling  (Read 3770 times)

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Offline cb650guy

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CB450 oiling
« on: February 25, 2013, 11:32:59 AM »
Hey everyone,

Just picked up a CB450.  (My last CB was a 1979 CB650 (last of the SOHCs I believe).

Anyways. I know this bike is not a SOHC but I am having trouble finding an appropriate forum to ask questions.

Bike is in pristine shape and has good compression numbers.  PO said it won't start due to electrical issues. 

Anyways, I kicked the bike over a bunch of times for the compression test with the valve covers off and noticed that the top end is completely bone dry.  Not a single drop of oil.  I just put in fresh oil.  Any idea what gives?  I heard these bikes take a long time (45-60 seconds) for oil to reach the top end.  The bike sat for 1 year.  Is there some oil pump priming I have to do?

Best,
Adam

Offline dave500

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2013, 11:49:05 AM »
pour oil into the top end,hook an oil pressure guage to it and crank it on the starter motor,try and look into the top end if the guage shows pressure and see if oil is arriving.

Offline MCRider

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2013, 12:13:08 PM »
I may be wrong but I don't think there is anyplace to hook a gauge on a CB450. It has a roller bearing crank and doesn't produce pressure exxcept at the pump.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2013, 12:14:59 PM »
Further I suggest not running it on the sidestand. Centerstand only. Oil pump in front right of engine, won't pick up oil if leaned over.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline dave500

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2013, 07:54:20 PM »
i know theyre low pressure but dont they still have an oil light?

Offline MoMo

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2013, 08:18:29 PM »
There is an oil slinger under the small circle of the right side cover, has that been removed and cleaned out.  You may want to do that before starting. Also,  there will not be much oil to the top end until motor starts...Larry

Offline HondaMan

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2013, 08:38:24 PM »
The 'official' oil PSI test for the engine was/is to loosen the bolt MCRider mentioned above (or a head nut, don't have the manual to see which one), then run the engine to see if oil gets there within 45 seconds (cold). But, that presumes the  top end is already oiled...

You can open the valve covers and put some oil right on the cams and rockers, front and back. You can also run the engine with those covers off, to make a special mess and verify that everything is happening as it should: this is best done on the neighbor's lawn...  ;D

The running oil PSI on those engines is about 7 PSI with 15w40 oil at 2000 RPM, hot. At 3500 RPM it can reach 20 PSI with 20w50 oils. Don't use high-detergent (automotive) oils for sure, as the cams will soon dissolve away from the foaming detergent and resulting poor lubrication. Use motorcycle oils (NOT those labelled "V-Twin", however - that's Harley stuff).

Finally: if you want to check out if it pumps at all, remove the sparkplugs and jumper to a car battery so you can have some cranking time. Crank the engine in 5-7 second bursts, letting it rest about 10-30 seconds between tries, to lift some oil up to the top. If it's working, it will start to show up. I used to remove the exhaust rocker cover to watch for this job, but the exhaust side gets oil before the intake sides do, the right intake rocker being the last to get it.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline rb550four

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2013, 02:52:16 PM »
There is plenty of knowledge on this site, anything you want to know about sohc and always good info on other machines.But we mainly eat, sleep and poop sohc 4 s.
And there is  a site hondatwins.net that have some of the same members as here, but the focus is on twins. These guys  eat ,sleep and poop twins.
Just another option for info on your 450.
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  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

maduncle

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2013, 02:15:35 AM »
There is plenty of knowledge on this site, anything you want to know about sohc and always good info on other machines.But we mainly eat, sleep and poop sohc 4 s.
And there is  a site hondatwins.net that have some of the same members as here, but the focus is on twins. These guys  eat ,sleep and poop twins.
Just another option for info on your 450.

Beat me to it.

I have a CB450 Black Bomber (on the forum here at http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=97590.250) and I use the hondatwins site frequently - another great bunch of helpful guys (just like the ones here).

I have the original manuals for the K0, K1, K2 and K3 - so PM me if you get stuck on a particular issue and I can look it up for you.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2013, 02:17:33 AM by maduncle »

Offline cb650guy

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Re: CB450 oiling
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2013, 01:00:11 PM »
Wow.  Thanks to everyone for all these responses.  I am out of town now so I won't look at the bike for another week.

I'll keep everyone updated.

Adam