Author Topic: THE NEW CB450 TWIN PROJECT BIKE IS HOME - SEE THE PICS !!! (Read 11698 times)

ProTeal55 · « **on:** October 31, 2006, 09:03:00 AM »

yO ,

Winter is comming ,and that means it is project time.
Project "JUnK" is pretty much done for the most part, with a few odds & ends I need to tie up.
So on to the next one , Project "SLiM"

The next bike I wanna do is gonna be a bare bones skinny flat/board tracker racer kinda deal.
So , what is the best bike to build my project on ? It has to be a twin cylinder bike, as a 4 cylinder would kill the look I am going after.. I like the look of the CB350's , but i would like a larger motor.
The thing is gonna be sweet - with tall wheels - crazy brakes - long tank - cafe seat - and other things I don't wanna give away just yet...

1. What is the biggest twin that was stuffed in a CB ?
2. Also, is one displacement twin more reliable than another ?
3. Did Honda ever product a 550 twin ?
4. Anyone have a good running bike that they wanna sell me that will work 4 my project ?

As usuall - all help is greatly appreciated....

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2006, 09:04:59 AM »

The CB500T was the biggest (lemon) of the CBs.

You could use an Africa Twin engine or similar - now that would be cool.

pete75 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2006, 09:15:56 AM »

I reckon a CB450 twin would look good done up up how you describe.... Interesting project - hope it goes well for you.

kghost · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2006, 09:18:27 AM »

blasphamy I know but you may wanna consider a 650 yamaha...a better more powerful truimph from japan.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2006, 09:37:43 AM »

My buddies Triumph project (below) got me going on this new ride I wanna do.

I wanna get the look of a small twin, but keep the Honda reliability I have grown to love

So the CB450 is what I should be looking for huh ?
Was their a "prime" year that I sould try and source out ?

Quote from: SteveD CB500F on October 31, 2006, 09:04:59 AM

The CB500T was the biggest (lemon) of the CBs.

This is what I need to know.....

Nate · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2006, 09:44:08 AM »

Crazy idea, but if you're not pressed about keeping everything on the bike "period correct". Ever consider going with a modern twin? I've seen some Kawasaki 500 twins from the ninja 500 on ebay for relatively little, sometimes as little as $500-$600. You would more than likely get more power without having to modify the engine. I do believe that engine is carbed, not FI, so it could be an easy solution that might be more dependable than a 20yo engine. (i know blaspemy

)

The only modern honda twin that i can think of is the 250 in the Rebel and Nighthawk. Those probably wouldn't provide much power though...

Pinhead · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2006, 09:54:09 AM »

When I had my CB360 I was looking for power options, etc. I wrecked it so I never did end up working on the engine, but I remember the 360 could be bored way out to over 450cc's. There were some 360 racers back in the day. Finding parts would be pretty tough, though.

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2006, 10:36:18 AM »

Looks like a CB450 is your best bet.

Available from the 60's to the 90's.

bill440cars · « **Reply #8 on:** October 31, 2006, 10:55:06 AM »

Quote from: SteveD CB500F on October 31, 2006, 10:36:18 AM

Looks like a CB450 is your best bet.

Available from the 60's to the 90's.

74' was the last of the old style 450s though and I know it was a DOHC but, they were pretty good runners and, until the 750 made it's debut, it was THE big Honda. They have potential but, of course, the choice is up to you. Check this site out. Personally, if I didn't go for the 450 DOHC, I'd 2nd kghosts recommendation of the yamaha XS650. There's alot of support out there for this one too.

cb450dohc.com

Later on, Bill

kghost · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:27:03 AM »

Theres people making serious power out of thier 650's......

And all the reliability we have come to love from the japanese.....

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:31:42 AM »

Go to Zero Engineering http://www.zero-eng.com/ . Shinya Kimura has become one of my all time favorite builders (along with Indian Larry). His bikes look like something out of a futuristic comicbook! He was on Biker buildoff and built a bike with an original knuckle head! A few years ago there was an article in Road Bike where he did a bobber/bomber bike from a yamaha 650...really nice... Once I saw his bikes, it ruined me for anybody else!

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:43:40 AM »

I would perfer to stick with a Honda product because most if not all of the people I am associated with deal with Honda's. I am gonna start to look at/for a Yammy 650, as I am a big fan of power, and I think if I get a 450 I will get bored with it no-matter how badass it turns out (cosmetic wise).

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #12 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:49:22 AM »

I think with a 450 you could do a lot!

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2006, 11:56:31 AM »

No CB450's on Ebay - whats the deal with that ?
But look what I did find on the bay --->

Pretty

Jeff · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:05:05 PM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on October 31, 2006, 11:56:31 AM

No CB450's on Ebay - whats the deal with that ?
But look what I did find on the bay --->

Pretty

Wow, that's hella sweet.

Ever think of starting with a newer Honda - maybe a 88-91 Hawk GT? Or even a Superhawk or RC51 motor? All V-Twins, and the SH and RC will more than satisfy your power needs.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:12:55 PM »

I am afarid of if I go with a newer bike I wont have the "oldschool" or "vintage" look that is oh so important to me. That Yamaha above is super sweet - and kinda how I am looking for project SLiM to end up looking like.

I would just rather get another CB for the next project.

Jeff · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:17:58 PM »

Another thought on the modern front would be to start with a new Bonneville. Definitely have the vintage look you want, but wouldn't be a Honda. New Triumphs are, from everything I've read, very reliable, unlike the old ones that are near and dear to many.

Jeff

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:27:39 PM »

Quote from: Jeff on October 31, 2006, 12:17:58 PM

Another thought on the modern front would be to start with a new Bonneville. Definitely have the vintage look you want, but wouldn't be a Honda. New Triumphs are, from everything I've read, very reliable, unlike the old ones that are near and dear to many.

$$$ is an issue (as it always is)..
I hope to have a 1/3 of the cost of a new Triumph into my project when all is said and done..

Jeff · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:31:15 PM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on October 31, 2006, 12:27:39 PM

$$$ is an issue (as it always is)..
I hope to have a 1/3 of the cost of a new Triumph into my project when all is said and done..

Since you say that... then yeah, an old CB or XS sounds like the way to go.

If you did decide to go more modern... like late 80s, and wanted to be really different, a Yamaha SRX 600 single could be a cool platform.

Sounds like the CB/XS is more what you're looking for though.

Jeff

el kabong · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2006, 02:39:23 PM »

i've had several cb450s. too primitive/buzzy for me. the styling of the cb550 is virtually identical with a modern engine. but i understand the cb450 is a good bike for vintage racing classification.

i've never had a yamaha 650, but they look real attractive. this one's a peach:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Yamaha-XS650-Very-Nice-Original-XS-650_W0QQitemZ260045445171QQihZ016QQcategoryZ80650QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and they have a huge following:
http://www.650motorcycles.com/

currently 989 project bikes and counting:
http://www.650motorcycles.com/xs650links.html
http://www.650motorcycles.com/BrooksKnudsen2.html

martini · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2006, 03:22:47 PM »

The Yami 650 is the classic twin cafe conversion bike. Very reliable bike, made for a long period of time which means tons of parts available, and its a good looking bike in a vintage way and you can always find them going cheap. Somewhere out there is a site dedicated to the 650 with lots of photos of the cool things people have done with these bikes. Sounds to me like this is the bike you are after.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2006, 05:10:40 PM »

Naw - I think i wanna stay with the 450 idea.
Just need to find one...

Jeff · « **Reply #22 on:** October 31, 2006, 05:21:26 PM »

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/225825492.html

Not mine, just found it on Craigslist.
Jeff

mrbreeze · « **Reply #23 on:** October 31, 2006, 07:45:12 PM »

I owned a 500 twin.It's like Steve said..LEMON!.The DOHC 450 is what you want if it has to be a Honda. A good bud of mine brought a Yami 650 back from Japan in the early 70's.He was staioned on an aircraft carrier so the shipping was free. We just had to go to Alameda,Ca......pick it up....bring it home and uncrate it......Put the loose pieces together and there ya go! It was a bit peppier than the Honda.

Slapguts · « **Reply #24 on:** October 31, 2006, 09:07:40 PM »

CB400T or even the mill out of a CM450. Great little reliable engine. 78 and 79 had kickers, everything after that had 6 speeds.

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Author Topic: THE NEW CB450 TWIN PROJECT BIKE IS HOME - SEE THE PICS !!! (Read 11698 times)

pete75

el kabong