Author Topic: 1974 CB/CL450 TRACKER/CAFE/STRIPCLUB RACER BUILD - * UPDATED 9/11/14 * (Read 96595 times)

ProTeal55 · « **on:** November 12, 2006, 09:27:44 AM »

* * * * THREAD LAST UPDATED 9/11/14 * * * *

I know this bike isn't a SOHC, so I thought I would put this thread in the "Other Bikes" forum.
I just wanted to keep a thread going of the progress of this project, as I did my CB750.
The ultimate plan is to make/build a lightweight, well running , slim/narrow vintage cafe/racer scoot to tear up the streets of chicago with, take to shows, etc. With the purchase of this bike, my CB750 has kinda become my "touring" bike so to speak (does that make sense) ? $:-\$

The starting point :
A super clean , 6000 original mile 1974 Honda CB450 twin.
The bike was clean, unmolested, and pretty much all their (minus a seat)..

PROJECT UPDATE 11/12/06

So far on the scoot I have done the basics that should be done on any newly acquired project.
Cleaned out the tank and replaced the petcock with new, fresh fuel lines , new plugs, cleaned out carbs, etc..
Got the bike running allot better than it was when I bought it, as now it kicks over on the first few trys..
Fenders have been removed, along with the sidecovers, airbox, turnsignals, and other little stuff here and their.I am gonna move all the electrics and battery to under the hump of the cafe seat (which i am still looking to buy), so I can have a total clean bike, as I dig the "open-ness" these bikes offer behind the motor. Other things like clip-on bars, 11'' short shocks, fork brace, brake shoes and pads, new cables, etc have been ordered and will be installed as the they arrive.. Still looking to source a 5'' headlight to go along with the "smaller feel" I have going with this scoot...

More updates to come ....

DarkRider · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2006, 03:11:54 PM »

Take a look at the drag specialties catalogue pt. They have a 5" headlight in there that is side mounted. I was looking at it for my K4 awhile ago.

CBGBs · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2006, 07:06:28 PM »

I saw some parts you might want on ebay. I don't remember what my search was, but I found a nice K&L fork brace for your bike. New. Check out the guys other parts too.
I really like your bike. It looks much like my CB350 which is a similar green and similar style. I'm modifying it with the same intentions of your vision. I've been riding it with a virtually stock look for 4 years and now its time to modify it. I'll be watch to see what you do with that battery.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2006, 08:02:52 AM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on November 12, 2006, 03:11:54 PM

Take a look at the drag specialties catalogue pt. They have a 5" headlight in there that is side mounted.

I am actually making a trip to my old V-Twin shop I used to work at today to order up some parts, and a 5'' headlight is on my list. I still get my "employee" discount from drag (which is sweet)...

Quote from: CBGBs on November 14, 2006, 07:06:28 PM

I saw some parts you might want on ebay. I don't remember what my search was, but I found a nice K&L fork brace for your bike. New. Check out the guys other parts too.
I really like your bike. It looks much like my CB350 which is a similar green and similar style. I'm modifying it with the same intentions of your vision. I've been riding it with a virtually stock look for 4 years and now its time to modify it. I'll be watch to see what you do with that battery.

I ordered and have allready received a nice two piece fork brace for the CB450 project.
I am sourcing out a 21'' front wheel for the bike, along with a seat that's "hump" will be large enough to house the battery and some electronics. After seeing more than a few bikes with a cleaned out frame , I gotta have that look...

Still unsure about the paint/color of the bike.
I might do everything black and leave the stock tank the way it is.
Or - I might so everything in a silver ceramic coat and scotch-brite to make it look raw..
Not sure as of yet..

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2006, 08:25:49 AM »

* PROJECT UPDATE 11/16/06 *

- Their was a Ebay frenzy last night , and I picked up more than a few parts for the CB450 project.
I finally ordered up a seat for the project (same as the one in the pic below)

I picked this one mainly because of the price (under $150 shipped), it came with a seat pad , and it seems to have more than enough room for my battery and electrics which I plan to stuff in the "hump". You cant beat the clean look of no sidecovers/no battery/etc...

Other parts that were "sourced" last night were a pair of clip-on's , 11'' short shocks, and some other little odds and ends. The new "manhunt" is focused on finding a 21'' front wheel for this project. If I do things right , that wheel will look HUGE on this bike (which will be killer

)..

I am kinda going offa Benji's "Armadillo" CB450 racer for inspiration for this project.....

http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/armadillo.html
Don't wanna copy - but I am leaning towards silver as far as paint goes.....

More to come...

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2006, 11:57:44 AM »

11-23-2006

[/size]
Latest pic of the CB450 project.

11'' short shocks are on , and now the bike is LOW !
Lowered the front about 1 1/2 '' to match the rear, and the new stance is looking killer.
Took it for a spin around the block and I can allready tell when done it is gonna be a blast to ride...
More updates to come as progress takes place

Happy Turkey Day !

CBGBs · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2006, 10:29:16 AM »

I was looking at the pics and..... did you put drag bars on it? It looks like it in only some of the photos.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 25, 2006, 03:39:15 PM »

Quote from: CBGBs on November 25, 2006, 10:29:16 AM

I was looking at the pics and..... did you put drag bars on it? It looks like it in only some of the photos.

Nope , it's just the angle the pics were taken.
I have clip-on bars that will be going on it once the front-end portion of the project starts, along with a smoothed out
top triple tree, new master cylinder, new braided brake lines, drilled rotor, new fork tubes,etc...

Took it for a spin today around the block, and for being a 450 in desperate need of a good tune-up, thing scoots pretty good

More pics and progress to come...

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2006, 06:52:06 PM »

* CB450 Project Update as of 12/5/06 *

The seat and tank have arrived ! I couldn't wait, so after I got home from work I threw them both on the bike for some
"mock-up" pics. The CB200 tank is MUCH smaller than the stock 450 tank, and is gonna aid in the "low & lean" look I have going with this bike nicely. I am gonna have to make my own mounts, so I can the get the tank nice and low on the frame (just sitting on the backbone in this pic)..The CB200 tank is just one more piece that will make this bike unique...

The seat came in today as well from Clubman Racing. It only cost me $150 and that was with the pad

. Gonna need to do some creative mounting on the seat to get it to fit nice and tight aginst the tank, as well as not have it make "love" with the back tire, as this bike is SLAMMED to the ground. I might even have to cut out a relief in the "hump" for the tire to travel, but we shall see..

Other than that, I am just ordering parts here and their , and then plan to attack the bike from front to back.
I want to have all the parts I need on hand, so I can replace the frontend in one shot, then do the tank, etc...

More progress and pics shortly...

kghost · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2006, 08:31:45 PM »

Hey Proteal,

Buddy just gave me a CB450 and an original Amen frame to fit it. Complete with springer front end. Don't ya just love guys that don't finish thier projects?

Anyways thought I'd let ya know 450's are catching on.

grumburg · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2006, 12:40:16 PM »

Proteal, would be interested in the mufflers depending what you decide about your exhaust.

andy750 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2006, 12:53:22 PM »

Looking good Teal and I like that seat...I have to say though I prefer the original 450 tank over the CB200 tank - got any pics with the new seat/original tank versus new seat/CB200 tank?

Anyway keep us posted. Always enjoy your ideas.

cheers
Andy

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2006, 02:42:45 PM »

Quote from: grumburg on December 06, 2006, 12:40:16 PM

Proteal, would be interested in the mufflers depending what you decide about your exhaust.

Email sent about the mufflers...

Quote from: andy750 on December 06, 2006, 12:53:22 PM

Looking good Teal and I like that seat...I have to say though I prefer the original 450 tank over the CB200 tank - got any pics with the new seat/original tank versus new seat/CB200 tank?

I am "on the fence" about weather to run the stock CB450 tank, or go with the CB200 tank.
The 200 tank is much smaller- lower-Thinner-and will go with the low & lean look I kinda want for this project. And yet the stock CB450 tank is in good shape, fits the bike with no modifications, holds more fuel, and is "classic" so to speak. So I still need to make up my mind which one I am gonna run..

I am more than happy with the seat purchase, Just need to start thinking about how I am gonna mount the #$%* to the frame, and how to avoid rear tire 2 cafe hump "love" , as this bike is real low..

kghost · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2006, 03:25:46 PM »

Hey teal...

Have you thought about a 350F tank? Already got the knee indents and its pretty lean.

Just a thought.

bill440cars · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2006, 02:28:57 PM »

Quote from: kghost on December 05, 2006, 08:31:45 PM

Hey Proteal,

Buddy just gave me a CB450 and an original Amen frame to fit it. Complete with springer front end. Don't ya just love guys that don't finish thier projects?

Anyways thought I'd let ya know 450's are catching on.

Kghost, What year model is it? Are ya gonna build it up with the Amen frame? If so, if the
original side mounting screws are there (they are short, flat head chrome slotted screws), I'd like
to deal you out of them. Any idea when you might start on it?

Later on, Bill

hahnda · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2006, 02:39:18 PM »

Quote from: kghost on December 06, 2006, 03:25:46 PM

Hey teal...

Have you thought about a 350F tank? Already got the knee indents and its pretty lean.

Just a thought.

Here's what a 350F tank looks like on a CB500. Didn't fit right on, had to move the front mounts and I still have to do something in the back.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2006, 03:52:43 PM »

I do like the CB350 tank, but I am most likely gonna stick with the CB450 tank I have, and keep the CB200
tank for some much needed "garage art"

Who knows what future project I can use it on....

I came across this scoot - which I am a huge fan of --->

Kinda using it to build my bike off of (kinda is the key word

)

hahnda · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2006, 05:18:30 PM »

That's a great looking "Black Bomber" conversion. Swingarm and forks swaps. Any more info on it?

I have a CB77 and a pair of CL77's. Possibly had something like that in mind for one of the CL's. Its a long term plan though. Have to finish up other stuff. I wasn't going to go with a disc front end but it doesn't look to bad on that early CB450.

If you squint real hard you can see clubman bars, cafe seat, and some sort of chrome paneled tank.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2006, 06:56:01 PM »

Quote from: hahnda on December 07, 2006, 05:18:30 PM

That's a great looking "Black Bomber" conversion. Swingarm and forks swaps. Any more info on it?

That bike is actually a CB500T.
Here's a link to the full article on the bike --->
http://cb450dohc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609&sid=196f3dcbf422fcaac70d404ba24a2522

hahnda · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2006, 06:59:06 PM »

only members can look

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:51:19 PM »

Here ya go --->

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 08, 2006, 09:07:00 AM »

Headlight mounting brackets came in yesterday...

I got them (along with a host of other parts) from http://www.mikesxs.net
Good parts with great prices and free shipping !

Tomorrow (Saturday) my metal fabricator buddy is gonna come over and we are gonna attack the mounting of the cafe seat on the frame. The plan is to build a round stock frame to fit under the seat, and then attach the whole kit-and-kaboodle to the frame of the the bike with some racecar inspired hood pins. Should be simple and work (which is the idea). No need to re-invent the wheel if I don't have too..

Once the seat is mounted, I am gonna move my attention to the front-end, brakes, cables,etc...
Have also decided to stick with the CB450 stock tank, and mount the CB200 tank on the garage wall for now.

Stay tuned....

Jeff · « **Reply #22 on:** December 09, 2006, 10:11:27 AM »

Looking good. The seat looks great, but I'm with Andy... I prefer the stock tank. The 200 tank is too angular.

Jeff

PS. I love your avatar. Got a bigger version of it handy?

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 09, 2006, 03:53:57 PM »

Quote from: Jeff on December 09, 2006, 10:11:27 AM

I love your avatar. Got a bigger version of it handy?

See Below.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 09, 2006, 04:12:18 PM »

* CB450 PROJECT UPDATE AS OF 12/9/06 *

Spent some time in the ol' garage today working on the CB450 with my buddy Danny.
First on the list was to grind the rear frame rails smooth of any and all brackets, tabs, etc (see pic below)...
Once that was done a few coats of my ever famous Dupli-color low gloss engine enamel was applied.

Then we removed the exhaust , and got that outta the way.
In the pic below you can see the exhaust setup I am gonna run.
I am gonna keep the stock headpipes, and then weld on a cheap-o car tip I got from the
parts store, and then headerwrap the whole thing in black, leaving a inch or 2 of the chrome exposed.
Should look tight...

As far as mounting the seat goes, that took some more time (and still is unfinished)..
We decided to make a "pan" so to speak out of some diamond plate I had lyin around the garage.
Alittle cutting and bending and we got a solid pan that fits the bike perfectly. This is going to be attached to the bike via 6 bolts.
The seat itself got about a 1/2 inch trimmed off the "hump" , to take care of the clearance issue I was bound to have with the rear
tire. We still need to make a wooden "frame" so to speak that will attach to the inside of the cafe seat itself (to provide support).
Once that is all done, we are just gonna attach the seat to the diamond plate pan via some industrial Velcro.

Should look tight once it is all said and done...
And as usual , more updates to come as progress gets made....

News:

Author Topic: 1974 CB/CL450 TRACKER/CAFE/STRIPCLUB RACER BUILD - * UPDATED 9/11/14 * (Read 96595 times)