Author Topic: CB450 K0 Bomber In For Restoration (Read 10771 times)

RRRToolSolutions · « **on:** May 27, 2007, 07:38:18 PM »

First, I never expected the transmission to be undercut. Is that stock on the 4 speeds? The gears have no visible wear, but definitely nice undercutting on the dogs.

This will be the project from hell. 90% of the screws and bolts had to be taken off with a ViseGrip or a chisel. The heads were so messed up that an impact driver and #3 Phillips was useless. At least 10 different holes had SAE machine screws and bolts in them. I've taken off several bolts that used nuts on them to hold covers in-place because the bolts were too long and bottoming out. One of the six 6mm bolts holding the clutch springs was stripped so the wonderful mechanic drilled him another one and threaded him an 8mm off-center of course. The wiring is cut in every place there were connectors because seems he found him a wireing harness from a different model and "crimped" the connections together since the plugs weren't matching between them. The frame has bolts welded onto it for seat mounts, the swingarm is bent and must be replaced, not a single piece of chrome is usable, and the uppper engine case is broken (gone/missing a huge chunk) from what could be a chain disaster.

Anyway, I'll take several photos as I go because I intend to bring this back to as-new and will fix everyone of those stripped threads with the proper helicoils, I've got a correct harness, I have a good frind that can make magic with his welder and we'll fix those frame sores, and I'll find a "doner" case half and cut/weld my missing "chunk" onto the bike's original case. I intend to have this done by January 2008 and it will be photo album full of "fixing it right". I don't think many would tackle one as bad as this, but I'm in this hobby for the work and the projects planning part of it. This will surely be my biggest test to date.

This thing needs a funeral!

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2007, 11:42:24 PM »

It is not much worse than my CB350twin was, but the Black Bomber is a much more valuable bike. Congratulations on you find!!!

scunny · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2007, 01:24:52 AM »

I think my bikes PO must have owned that, seems to have the same "calling cards"

bryanj · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2007, 07:20:05 AM »

The only desription for that is Orrible with a capital O, i would help if i could but that one didnt come to UK to the best of my knowledge, Although good old Dave Silver seems to list a lot of parts for it!

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:15:53 AM »

Good Grief Gordon!

That one certainly ended up with the right person to take care of it!

Most anyone else would have junked it and the world would be minus another Classic Black Bomber. $:-\$ Sure am glad you've got that attitude.

Not going to be a walk in the park but, when you get through, your efforts will certainly show! You take care now.

Later on, Bill

malcolmgb · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2007, 03:22:45 PM »

Quote from: bryanj on May 28, 2007, 07:20:05 AM

The only desription for that is Orrible with a capital O, i would help if i could but that one didnt come to UK to the best of my knowledge, Although good old Dave Silver seems to list a lot of parts for it!

Hi Bryan, the 'Black Bomber' was sold over here in the UK, there was one in my home town back in '66 I always looked at it enviously, I would now prefer the later 5 speed one though

Ilbikes - Good to see you are restoring it rather than breaking, like Bill says we don't want to see these classics disappear.

750goes · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:15:44 PM »

definitely F'ugly at the moment -

you will need lots of pictures to remember what it looked like.....

Kevin D · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2007, 05:58:29 AM »

Ilbikes - you are clearly someone who likes a challenge. I admire your effort, and wish you well. Adjusting my chain is a big deal for me.

About 1969 we took a hi-miler Black Bomber in trade. I don't remember it coming in or going out but I do remember it sitting there gathering dust in the corner of the shop for a long time. I'd never before seen a cycle with 50,000 miles on the odo. The bike was complete and in decent condition but it was nearly worthless as it's dated styling couldn't compete with the candyapple and chrome on the newer models. So I took it out for for some exercise, no I took it out and thrashed it, to see what it was made of. The session was cut short by a flat rear tire from one hole shot too many. As I fixed the flat I had my first realization that a Honda might be something special...bulletproof and indestructible...

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2007, 08:28:41 AM »

Kevin, this won't be the first, but perhaps the most challenging of many I've done. As I get older, the fun is in the working and restoration that keeps me most content.

See this K4 was a $112 EBay purchase..

These 3 H2's parts bikes --

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2007, 12:35:50 PM »

I firmly believe there's a special place in Heaven for people willing to take on a restoration like this. Best of luck to you.

bryanj · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2007, 03:14:15 AM »

You know when i worked for a Honda dealer the rep never admitted to the 450 being imported, perhaps it was a different model?

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #11 on:** June 07, 2007, 08:30:09 PM »

Geez Gordon! Here we go again. Have fun!

DarkRider · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2007, 08:00:40 PM »

any updates Gordon?

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2007, 07:43:37 PM »

Well there is some progress. The ugly is gone and now it's on to powdercoat, polishing, paint, and chrome. The engine is completely disassembled and cleaned. I'm about 80% there on getting the engine parts needed to do the 1st over (.25mm) ore and new KO pistons. I sill have several threads to repair with heli-coils and one fin has to be grafted from a doner cylinder. The upper case is going to be replaced with a 1967 I found (still a 4 speed), because the previous damage left by a thrown chain is just too much for a practical repair. I've ordered every frame, engine, and exhaust piece with "283" on it in Honda's inventory and the majority came back N/A. Now I'm on EBay, CMS, Western Hills, VJMC, friends, and newsletters looking for the missing pieces. I've bought a 2nd parts bike and a large box of parts from a retiring collector, but I've got to make a 12 hour trip to collect them since he won't ship.

A Black Bomber is not an easy bike to find parts for and Honda has almost nothing left. My very good friend and local dealer has literally ordered and received every available part for the 283 model for me. While the original list would have cost me as much as a new superbike, the available parts were a fraction of what was ordered. It shares little with the newer 1968-1974 K1 + 5 speeds, so it's down to truely restoring many of the original, used, and worn parts. It's often cheaper and more accurate to buy new OEM bolts, brackets, rubbers, and chrome pieces that to have them powdercoated or chromed. In this case, the only choice is to wait for the rare part to show up on Ebay or refinish the used part. The seat hinges/rubber bumpers are one very good example - there are not available, they are not reproduced by anyone, and there is nothing that will substitute. I'm having a machinist fabricate them from raw stock at a price that is 1/2 of what the bike cost new.

This easily exceeds the level of search difficulty of my H2C parts and restoration. It's going to be a while longer before I hear this one rumble to life again after it's early retirement years before.

Thanks for asking.
Regards,
Gordon

bill440cars · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2007, 08:30:33 PM »

Whew!!!! Gotta give credit, where credit's due.

Gordon, when you go into something, you go ALL the way guy! With the way you are going after that Bomber Resto, it's easy to understand why it bothers you to see a fairly decent bike "chopped up". Keep up the great work and Lots of Luck with finding your needed parts.

Later on, Bill

tsflstb · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2007, 10:30:58 AM »

Seriously, you should look at getting some kind of government grant for preserving history. Or open a little museum in your garage. I'd pay $5 to just stare at everthing for an hour.

In another 30 years, there will be very few pristine stock bikes from the 60's and 70's left. Hopefully folks like you will keep these in circulation so we have more than pictures and museum pieces to look at. Thanks for doing what you do...not many of us have the patience for full-on restorations.

PS
<---Don't hate me. I did question myself for a long time before a hacksaw touched the frame. I thought it was too far gone for a stock restoration...now I see what you start with.

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2007, 06:29:48 PM »

Well thanks. That's a very nice way of putting it. My wife thinks I'm crazy to want to fool around with old, dirty parts and play like boys putting together model trains..I find it very relaxing and the trips down memory lane are worth every greasy finger nail.

I hope to leave my wife's next husband a few choice machines to ride.

Again, thanks for the kind words.

Gordon

dusterdude · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2007, 08:34:00 AM »

model trains are cool.

LoopsAndLogic · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2007, 12:37:44 PM »

Quote from: Ilbikes on July 02, 2007, 06:29:48 PM

Well thanks. That's a very nice way of putting it. My wife thinks I'm crazy to want to fool around with old, dirty parts and play like boys putting together model trains..I find it very relaxing and the trips down memory lane are worth every greasy finger nail.

I hope to leave my wife's next husband a few choice machines to ride.

Again, thanks for the kind words.

Gordon

Man when I saw this picture, I couldn't control my saliva

Wait a minute, this isn't mine......... DAD! Get off my shoulders!!!

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2007, 02:00:25 PM »

Quote from: malcolmgb on May 28, 2007, 03:22:45 PM

Quote from: bryanj on May 28, 2007, 07:20:05 AM
The only desription for that is Orrible with a capital O, i would help if i could but that one didnt come to UK to the best of my knowledge, Although good old Dave Silver seems to list a lot of parts for it!
Hi Bryan, the 'Black Bomber' was sold over here in the UK, there was one in my home town back in '66 I always looked at it enviously, I would now prefer the later 5 speed one though

Ilbikes - Good to see you are restoring it rather than breaking, like Bill says we don't want to see these classics disappear.

Hi Bryan, Malc is correct in saying that the Black Bomber came to the UK. It came in 1965 and I have a pic in a book of road racer Dave Degens testing one.
The reg number is FNY444C, very apt as the motor was 444cc

I think the 5 speed CB500T was a model that everyone else got before it made it to our shores.

Sam.

malcolmgb · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2007, 03:12:07 PM »

Hi Sam
The 5 speed box was used from the K1 onwards, still a 450 (444cc) it had major style changes too especially the petrol tank which had a very European look after the 'Black Bomber' bulbous tank.
I would still like one if anyone knows of one for sale cheap in NW New Jersey area, I've given up in the UK.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #21 on:** July 03, 2007, 03:50:25 PM »

Quote from: malcolmgb on July 03, 2007, 03:12:07 PM

Hi Sam
NW New Jersey area, I've given up in the UK.

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #22 on:** October 06, 2007, 04:10:53 PM »

Well, fast forward to October 5th - I've got the frame powdercoated, wheels, fittings, and bolts re-chromed, laced, polished, sheet metal straightend, blasted and cleaned - and painted. After tracking down, begging from friends old and new, Ebay for 5 months - she's assembled and rolling finally! Now it's on to engine assembly over the next few weeks -

Oh, there will be a post on "What Not to Do When Repairing Your Motorcycle". This bike had been the recipient of several "backyard and unbelievable" repairs over the years and I've decided to photograph and document those afterward.

Regards,
Gordon

mgmuellner · « **Reply #23 on:** October 06, 2007, 06:01:20 PM »

She's coming together very nicely

bill440cars · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2007, 06:22:34 PM »

Quote from: mgmuellner on October 06, 2007, 06:01:20 PM

She's coming together very nicely

You got that right mg! Gordon IS doing ONE JAM UP JOB on that baby! That 450K0 will be one PRIZE looking bike.

Anyone who didn't see what Gordon started with, should go back and check it out.

Hey Gordon, Did Ric get his finished yet? Just wondered.
Later on, Bill

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Author Topic: CB450 K0 Bomber In For Restoration (Read 10771 times)