Topic: '72 CB450 Restoration Thread (GoManGO!)

[fendersrule]

Thought I would start a doppelgänger thread here to track my CB450 restoration progress. Traffic on the hondatwins.net is a bit slower, so there's more chances to get questions answered if it's posted here too. There's also a select few on here who have CB450 knowledge.

Purpose of restoration: This is my second restoration. My CB750 I would call more of a "a full blown refurbishment" but some would say it's a restoration. Regardless, it gave me lots of experience. One of the purposes of this restoration is to impress Bill Lane. I always thought his bike looked great, but I've wanted to go about it doing some different choices.

It's going to be primarily a restoration with a CB750 influenced paint job, classic CB450 touches, and some minor performance upgrades.

[Stev-o]

Ok, I'm in.  You've already started right?

[fendersrule]

This is a picture of me sitting on it before purchasing. I bought it for something like $650. We couldn't get the bike to start. He had the air filters and side covers in a box. I bought it as-is.

I got it home, put all the parts together. Noticed that the gas tank was empty. Yeah, uh that's probably why it wouldn't start. Did some clutch cable adjustments and the usual tune ups.

[fendersrule]

These are off to a really handy guy named Brian. He refurbishes gauges for cheap. I'm grateful for this guy. I'll post more about him later. The face plates will be stock, but they will have the color scheme for the bike. In-case I've kept it a secret, it's going to be Sunrise Flake Orange, Cloud Silver, and White Decals. The gauges will follow suit. A little bit of a modern touch, but also still 100% classic the way Mr. Honda would have liked it.

The parts box fills up.


I've really grown to love cutting the dumb euro grips off. I'm sure they're great for some people, but I hate them with a passion.


Good picture showing the damaged sleeve. Cracks aren't good, bro.


If we install the new sleeve and grip as-is, we are left with a gap. These is one of my pet peeves of many owners is that they are a bit less picky than I am about it. Well, I actually like things to line up. Why? Because Steve-o said so.


Simply just mark the extra area of the sleeve, measure it and mark it up on the other side and use a hacksaw to cut the end of the sleeve as well as a file to clean up the burs. Leave some spacing on this side so the throttle sleeve can move freely, but only very little is needed.


Hairspray works great as a lubricant, but then drys as an adhesive.


You're left with a properly looking handle grip for the cb450. I like these grips a lot, more-so than the ones on my CB750.

[fendersrule]

Some more newby restoration pictures. They're obvious.






The kick starter rubber was missing. Also, notice the damage foot-peg rubber (we'll take care of that in a later progress update).
Install this the same way you do the handle grips--use hairspray.

[fendersrule]

Gotta love my powder-coating guy.





There's more parts to be sent in.




I had to throw away my tool box because of the rust (only rust on the entire bike). Had to order another one on eBay which had a dented lid, but I managed to install my old lid which was in good shape and topped it off with a new cotter pin.


I hate working on polishing/cleaning/sanding exhausts. After finishing one, I got really bored. Sometime I'll finish.

[fendersrule]

The engine is well underway. It's already in Honda's machine shop. Simple honing, lapping is all that's needed. They'll even reinstall the valves and hot tank everything.

Here's some general tear down stuff.

[fendersrule]

Where things stand now: Parts are off getting coated. Added the tank holder and rubber last night. All rubber has been treated with peanut oil.

When I purchased the bike, the seat lock was broken. I went to the junk yard and bought one (despite the dumbfart telling me that a CB350 seat lock won't fit on it). I decided as of last night to also perform surgery on my original lock by transplanting the working pieces from the new lock, all because I hate having two keys.

Success.

[scottly]

No kidding about the cracks in the throttle sleeve; a few years ago, my buddy was working on his XR500, when the grip suddenly fell of the bike. It would have been a disaster if it happened while pulling a wheelie. 
The bike looked very good to start with, and will only get better.
 

[fendersrule]

Ouch, thanks for sharing that experience.

Even though I bought my CB750 before the CB450, the CB450 was really my "first" daily rider where I learned most of my motorcycling. The CB750 was only driven in the neighborhood as I restored it. The CB450 was on the road, getting to work, getting groceries, being a real driver.  I had 250 miles on it before tearing it down a month later. I loved every second of it.

Except the time where my clutch cable finally gave out, and I had to ride the bike home 8 miles through town. The CB450 has some torque that isn't fun when it's dragging you through intersections. Most stressful experience on a bike thus far.

Lesson: Take care of them cracked sleeves, and get a new clutch cable. They really make the bike feel new again.

[FuZZie]

Nice work, I think the orange will look good!

[DustyRags]

In. Love a good restoration.

[fendersrule]

Girlfriend took over the garage so I had to take over the house.

Got all of the powdercoated parts back.




 I'll now have to figure out how to rebuild the swing arm.

[fendersrule]

Turns out the Wenatchee, WA Honda Dealer F*$#ed us over. They said they worked the valves. Turns out, they didn't touch them. Good thing my dad took the valves out to inspect their "work."

Took it it to the Quincy, WA shop and they looked over the head, valves, seats, and said the Wenatchee Honda didn't do crap by hone the cylinders. They were talking about how they may have to cut most of the valves...may even mill the head. Sounds like they know what they're doing.

[tbpmusic]

There's a reason for the gap between the grip and switch.....
I can think of dozens of customers who've come to me whining about their 450 not returning to idle quickly. Normally a good running 450 should have VERY snappy throttle response - slow response coming back to idle is a common complaint.
Many times I've discovered their problem was that throttle grip "flange" rubbing against the switch - just enough friction to hang up the idle. Particularly when it's hot outside and the rubber grip expands.

So it pays to leave a reasonable gap there, it's as intended.......

Take this info however you wish.

[fendersrule]

You bring up good points Bill.

The gap doesn't have to be large, however. It shouldn't even be that visible. The two cases when I purchased my bikes, there was about an 1" of gap, which is uncalled for. I'm a bit more of a perfectionist.   

I didn't consider having any gap though. My CB750 still has a tiny gap even though I aimed to have none: about 1-2mm (same with my CB450), and they have no hanging problems, and I ridden on them in the dead of heat. The throttle sleeve should also have some slight play, about 1mm. Someone really had to have cut too much sleeve off to make their grips hang up the throttle. Sloppy work and sloppy measuring.

[fendersrule]

Installed the brake lever, center stand, battery tray components, tool box, tools, and connected the mounts.

[MoMo]

Looks good, nice shop ...Larry

[fendersrule]

How's this look?

[MoMo]

Can't tell, are the washers that go in the top crown gap there? Looks nice...Larry

[fendersrule]

Very good point. They are not there.

I'll make note of this for my next western hills order. Thanks MoMo!

All of those rubbers/grommets are new.

[faux fiddy]

Looks shiny new.

[fendersrule]

[fendersrule]

You guys must think that with all the work I've done on Brownie that I have no time to work on Sunrise, especially with my day job!

Well, there's always lovin' for CB450s.

Last weekend I did some metal work, invested in some nice body tools (finally) coated everything in Epoxy.

[fendersrule]

Tonight I started paintwork on the tank. Not in too bad shape for a 40+ year old tank. Was able to get lots of it significantly repaired prior with a stud gun (must have).