Author Topic: I believe the CB450 is the most impressive bike ever made. (Read 186089 times)

fendersrule · « **on:** June 15, 2013, 09:19:00 PM »

Let me start by saying that I LOVEEEEEEE CB750s. They are the king of fours, no doubt.

Is it not far fetched to say CB450 is the best bike Honda ever built? Far ahead of it's time. I believe the engine was being designed in the 50's, which is out of this world.

444cc (.444liter) @ 45HP works out to be more than 100 hp a liter. And that's at a weight of 430lbs wet. I will also bet the CB450 will take the CB750 in the 1/8th mile.

The 450 is a ground up race engine, without any doubt. They are also becoming very rare.

CB750 SOHC:

746cc (.746 liter) @ 67HP isn't that impressive in comparison. That's also 100+ additional lbs, which is A huge increase on a motorcycle.

Thoughts? Can't wait to get my '72 CB450 back together. Bat out of hell.

kghost · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2013, 09:22:45 PM »

My 250 can beat your 450.

dhall57 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2013, 12:01:38 AM »

Up until the CB750 Honda's big bike was the CB450. For it's day and time the dohc twin was quite a marvel. I've always liked the 450, never had one, always thought the were good looking bikes. A couple guys in HS back in the 70's had them and they were very reliable and strong running bikes. But don't think they will take the CB750 in the 1/8th and saying their the best bike Honda ever made is a pretty tall words and I'm sure you'll get a lot of different opinions about that.

Checked out some of you thread on your 450. NICE

Got a super deal on it. Enjoy it Fender!!

dhall

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2013, 07:30:59 AM »

I think you are a little biased......ha!

And as far as speed, even the 750 is slow when comparing to modern sport bikes.

dhall57 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2013, 08:50:47 AM »

Your right Stev-o. The bikes of today are scary fast. Even the smaller displacement bikes are faster than our CB750's ever thought about being even on there best day. But I'll take the CB's anyday. They get me where I want to go in decent comfort and if I get a hurge every now and than to go 100 mph plus the old CB will take me there to with no problem.

fendersrule · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2013, 09:00:13 AM »

So far, the only replies are from people that have not been on a CB450!!!

Remember, I have both so how can I be biased?

The CB450 in my area is the cooler, more impressive bike. Vintage twins seem to be becoming more popular again.

I would think twice about thinking the cb450 is slower. The cb450 makes all of its power from down low; the cb750 is opposite of this. Don't be surprised if you find out the 0-60 and 1/8 mile times are not in your favor.

Stev-o · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2013, 09:01:39 AM »

Quote from: dhall57 on June 16, 2013, 08:50:47 AM

I'll take the CB's anyday. They get me where I want to go in decent comfort and if I get a hurge every now and than to go 100 mph plus the old CB will take me there to with no problem.

My thoughts exactly. Maybe we are getting wiser? Ha!

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2013, 09:59:09 AM »

cb450 is a really sweet little novelty bike...yes I have ridden a few. It's not gonna beat a properly running 750 anywhere...engines are fragile and there are no performance parts available. Just so you know, I don't really think the cb750 is the most impressive bike ever made either...what is?...I will let you know when I've tried them all.

fendersrule · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2013, 10:03:21 AM »

Please post specs of cb750. Quarter, eight, and 0-60.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2013, 10:34:23 AM »

sorry, my google skills are apparently #$%*. My search recovered nothing concise or reputable except quarter mile times from mid 12's to high 13's. My personal best is 13.1 with terrible reaction times riding a very worn out, stock motored cb750 that is a huge mishmash of different year parts. I would have to dig up the time slips to tell you my 60ft. and 1/8 mile times.

fendersrule · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2013, 10:46:42 AM »

The 1/4 mile for the CB750 is readily available. 13 seconds seems to be the strong average. Mid 12's is going to require some modifications. Anyhow, the CB450 is a little over a second slower in the quarter, which I already guessed.

However, I'm interested in the shorter distances, such as the 0-60 and the 1/8 mile, which isn't easy to find online for the CB750. Here's all the info for the CB450:

http://www.cb450stuff.com/specs/index.htm

The CL SCREAMS for lower end, probably because of the high gearing. The CB is still impressive.

Here's a source for the CB750 saying the 0-60 is 6.5 seconds:

http://www.hondacbworld.com/index.php/cb-750-main

The CB450 does 0-60 in 5.8 seconds.

Have I started to convince yet?

I knew all of this just by owning, riding, and comparing both bikes at the same time. Even with the tiny little rear sprocket (highway) that my CB450 had, it was QUICK (and at 125 PSI compression). The CB450 I would classify as a ROCKET. The CB750 I would classify as a heavier muscle car that has punch (but not off the line).

After I rode my 450 for the first time, my first thought was, "you can get hurt by this". It's lightweight, and it's quick. Quicker than I would have guessed.

fendersrule · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2013, 10:56:48 AM »

Here's a source in your favor:

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/1969/Honda/1969-Honda-CB759-K0.aspx#axzz2WP1dV9U6

Says the 69 Cb750 does 0-60 in 5.2s.

I wonder if Honda is right...is the CL really over 1 second faster than the CB in 0-60?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2013, 11:03:49 AM »

yeah, that's the thing...there is a great variety of performance numbers for all the different years due to all the different cam, jetting, sprocket variations, etc. I am really surprised you found what you did for the 0-60 times though. Next time your in MI. on your 450, we can meet up at Martin 131 Dragway and we will settle this the only way that counts.

754 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2013, 11:09:44 AM »

I distinctly rememember the 450, I think the CL having very low 0-60 times..lower than most bikes even to the mid 70,s

fendersrule · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2013, 11:11:11 AM »

Hahaha. If I'm driving that far, if take the cb750

The CB450 has a top speed if 110MPH. That's pretty impressive too.

I agree that specs vary too much to know anything for sure. By seat of the pants feel goes, the cb450 feels like it teleports.

honda must have made performance data sheets for the cb750 like they did for the cb450. Anyone have a scan?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2013, 11:18:03 AM »

Hey man, if you really dig fast little bikes, ride a Yamaha rd350. That thing felt like it would suck my 750's pipes off in the quarter. But, once again, documented quarter mile times of stock bikes tell a different story.

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2013, 12:07:13 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on June 16, 2013, 11:18:03 AM

Hey man, if you really dig fast little bikes, ride a Yamaha rd350. That thing felt like it would suck my 750's pipes off in the quarter.

+1, RD350's are quick. I've read of 0-60 times of 3.8 sec, [most likely w/mods].

I bought one last year, here it is at COTA, the new F1 track in Austin. Used it as a pit bike!
All original, 12K miles, runs great.

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2013, 12:12:14 PM »

My 1966 Ducati Mach 1 was a 105mph top speed bike..
Low 4 0-60 i think was the 450 time...

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2013, 12:34:47 PM »

Steve-O, wheelies in the pits will get you kicked out!

Stev-o · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2013, 12:38:20 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on June 16, 2013, 12:34:47 PM

Steve-O, wheelies in the pits will get you kicked out!

Only did them in the parking lot! Seriously.

MoMo · « **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2013, 01:24:55 PM »

I have owned at least 8 450s and worked on at least a hundred back in the 70s-80s. At its inception in the mid 60s it was a modern marvel of engineering, with the dohc and torsion bar lifters it was one quick little bike-although it was a bit top heavy due to the large upper engine mass. I have no specs to either back up or break the acceleration claims but the bike was and is

...Larry

kghost · « **Reply #21 on:** June 16, 2013, 02:33:13 PM »

It's fine to love the 450 twin. In fact I have one.

Here's my thoughts on having ridden it and every one of the sohc except the 650.

350F vs 450T.....poor little 350 just doesn't have the punch

400F vs 450T ......better handling on the 4 tho the twin has slightly more power

500/550F vs 450T overall handling the same but the 4 is a nicer engine.

750 vs 450 the 750 is bigger, faster, and more stable at highway speeds. No comparison with a 836 kit and cam.

Now if you wanna go fast on a little bike.....buy a two smoker lol

fendersrule · « **Reply #22 on:** June 16, 2013, 03:18:53 PM »

Quote from: kghost on June 16, 2013, 02:33:13 PM

750 vs 450 the 750 is bigger, faster, and more stable at highway speeds. No comparison with a 836 kit and cam.

And the CB450 is quicker, lighter, and more nimble (and more fun IMO).

kghost · « **Reply #23 on:** June 16, 2013, 03:23:44 PM »

I don't think the 450 is quicker than the 750.

It feels quicker because its smaller.

Bit like cars......everything feels like Mach 1 in a mini.

I'm not knocking the 450, I have one. It's just not faster than the 750

fendersrule · « **Reply #24 on:** June 16, 2013, 03:48:52 PM »

I don't disagree that the cb750 is a "faster" bike. I've been talking all along about "quicker", though.

Maybe we'll just never "know".

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Author Topic: I believe the CB450 is the most impressive bike ever made. (Read 186089 times)

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