Topic: CB 450

[Haoleman]

Well, after much searching, I just picked up a 73 CB 450 with 10,000 miles on it.  Bike is in great shape but needs carbs gone through.  My plan is to convert it to a clubman ala Omar's DTR CB 450 as I think it's really cool.  I plan to do the rims differently as to do gold anodized rims with SS spokes, it would be over 600 just for parts plus the labor for respoking and truing.  I plan to set up a PC oven and do my own powder coating. Thinking gold rims and black spokes and hub if I can figure out how to mask it or just do the rim in gold.  Maybe gold plating the chrome would be a better choice and less expensive.

My immediate needs are to rebuild the carbs and I was wondering what is the best carb cleaner to use.  Also a good source for carb kits and anything else for a CB 450. I just bought a large ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight to use for the cleaning tank and I will clean, strip and polish them before reassembly.  Any advice is appreciated.

[bucky katt]

you'll get all sorts of opinions on carb cleaner. i personally, prefer simple green. just tear the carbs down and put the body and parts into the simple green (even better if you have an ultrasonic cleaner to use it in) simple green is alot safer and in my opinion works just as good as carb cleaner. make sure, when you pull the carbs out of the bath that you blow all the passages clean and when you think the carbs are clean enough, soak and clean them again just to make sure. on an unrelated note, you from or in Hawaii?

[CycleRanger]

I've been using Simple Green to clean the aluminum on my CB and I've been pretty impressed with how well it works.
I use a stiff nylon brush and a brass brush.

I still use carb cleaner (which is basically just spray acetone) for the stubborn grease, stains, glaze, etc.
But the Simple Green is cheaper and better for "the environment".