Topic: Should I be getting the CB450 fever, and where are they?!?

[fendersrule]

She wouldn't start.

Got it home, and filled the tank with gas (it was empty..haha). Tightened up a loose spark plug.

Boys, I don't even need to check the compression. She feels like she runs hard and strong.

Drive it around for awhile. The clutch needs some adjustment. The idle needs to be adjusted on the carbs. Other than that, she's ready for traffic.

And she's more responsive than my CB750....

Beautiful runner. Amazing deal at $650.

[fendersrule]

Can you believe that less than a week about whining about wanting a CB450, I get a deal of a lifetime?

I may look big on it, but let me tell you this: it is very comfortable, and I would easily ride out of town on it. I have no problems with the controls or driving it.

Such a damn fun bike.

[Stev-o]

Congrats. If the clutch cable does not appear to be new, consider replacing it. They stretch...

[Cougars750F0]

Congratulation I have a 68 CB450K1 and a 75 750FO SS you should check out Team Hansen and what they have done with the 450's www.teamhansenhonda.com I own the export model from Germany, well the export model since I'm in the USA Mine is no longer pretty and in the mock up stages of a build that is on hold for a while until I have more time.

[jas67]

Fendersrule -- congrats.   You're right, definitely the deal of a lifetime.    That is one hell of a pretty CB450 for $650.    $650 might get you an ugly (rusty, dents, etc) running bike, or a non runner that may still be ugly.     Heck, I just paid $800 for a non-running CL450 (which looks halfway decent, but definitely needs a few hours with the chrome polish to make the metal bits shiny again).

Enjoy!

[Cougars750F0]

Ugly like mine $450.00 but it ran! and I was real happy. $650.00 for yours that a great deal.

[fendersrule]

A couple more pics, and then I'm going to start filling everything under a build thread at the Honda twin forums. This bike I don't plan on tearing down any time soon...I plan to just drive the crap out of it!

[jas67]

You got an AWESOME deal on that!!!!!
Enjoy it as is.   The only thing you need to do to it is maintain it and enjoy it!

[Stev-o]

Check the dyef manufacture on the tires. If over 6 years, start shopping.

[jas67]

Check the dyef manufacture on the tires. If over 6 years, start shopping.

Steve-O -- excellent advice!!!     I do the same with any bike before I start riding it.

[dhall57]

Congrads man. Not long ago you had no bikes and now you have 2 Do you know any history on it?  What year is it and miles? Other than the paint job looks to be mostly original. Good luck and have a blast riding it

[jas67]

Not long ago you had no bikes and now you have 2

That's how it starts.    Before you know it, you'll have 6, maybe even 10.

[fendersrule]

She's got 24,000 miles. It's a '73 CB450.

The PO was the only owner of the bike, and bought it new back in '73. He's taken pretty good care of it, aside from skimping out with the black paint job.

Aside from the seat rail (which I think should have came with this bike), tool bag (though I do have the tools), and the chrome tank trim, I have every part. Most things that should be replaced pertain to maintenance...various rubbers, hoses and cables. There is no rust anywhere to be found on the bike. I'll eventually get some things powder coated, but I'm in no rush whatsoever.

I'll definitely check the years on the tires. The tires appear to be in great condition with no cracks, and plenty of tread left. I'm alittle more concerned about flushing out the master cylinder (possibly rebuilding?) and replacing the brake hoses and other cables. The rear brake shoes are probably original. The PO said that he did put on new pads on the front as well as flushing the front forks.

I adjusted the clutch and fixed an issue with the idle. I just put about 4 miles on it and I had a ball. There's a certain experience that you get from a CB450 that you don't get on a CB750. It's just really responsive, and sounds/feels really awesome!

Taking the title down in the next couple weeks and will do an inspection so I can get it insured. My priority is still finishing up my '78 CB750.

I still have very little experience with motorcycling, let along Honda CBs, but I really feel that everyone should have a large twin in their collection.

[BeSeeingYou]

That's a sweet deal.  You do look a bit over sized on the bike...maybe wear something with horizontal stripes so you don't look as tall.....   How's the ride...a lot of people whine about the vibration but they're just pussies. Wouldn't mind a CL450 but have my hands full with the XS650's for now.

[fendersrule]

I've only gotten it to 40MPH. No vibration. My dad had a 71 back in the day, and he says that the vibration complaints a myth...said he took it on the highway plenty of times and it was smooth (sure, not as smooth as a CB750, but certainly still smooth and enjoyable).

Look better than I thought!

[dhall57]

Nothing like another Honda in a guys garage to put a big on his face.

Never had a 450, but have always liked them. A friend back in HS in the early 70's bought a brand new I think 1971 or 72 CB450 and it would haul a$$ !!

Don't pay to much attention to, it's to small, your to big, it vibrates, it doesn't vibrate, etc. You've got a nice bike at a deal so just enjoy

dhall

I've got the itch to get another myself

[fendersrule]

Just found out that it's a 72. 72's dont have the separate light cluster.

[rb550four]

Congrats on  the 450, Nice find! I'd buy them all day long in that condition for that price , nice find !

[Stev-o]

Here's a couple more for sale....

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/mcy/3618718245.html

And you'll really like this one...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/3622816433.html

[Johnie]

Stev-o...that orange one is identical to the new one I bought in 74. She vibrated like an SOB on the highway...but the good thing is she drove me to my first new CB750...all is good. 

[Terry in Australia]

Well done Fenders, that's a nice looking bike mate, and don't worry about the "Too Tall" crap, back in the mid 60's one of the biggest Jap bike bike you could buy was the 450, so 6'4" riders were riding much smaller bikes and no-one cared.

Make sure you wear your helmet though, we've got a member about your age who's got some brain damage that he might not recover from, who got clobbered by a drunk driver. Not his fault at all, but if he'd been wearing his helmet, he would have survived pretty much intact.

Johnie's right, they do vibrate, (back in your Dad's day, most bikes vibrated, so he probably didn't notice it being any worse than anything else) so if you're gonna do long rides on it, buy one of those cheapo throttle lock "cruise control" devices, so you can occasionally take your right hand off the bars and shake out the "pins and needles", or pick your nose, etc. Cheers, Terry.