Author Topic: Big bike day; CB450 Black Bomber and Yamaha RD400 picked up! (Read 6690 times)

zoo mob · « **on:** October 18, 2009, 10:36:40 PM »

Got two more projects today, a 67 Black Bomber and 76 RD400C. The bomber is all original and complete with the exception of the mufflers, and one of the originals came with. Looks to have some rust etc, but I think it will clean up ok. Engine turns over and has compression, and I expect to have it running soon. Picked up one earlier this summer with a friend and had to sell it. Hope to keep this one and do a mild resto for now. The RD has only 4500 miles, is all original, and looks to clean up to really, really nice shape. We'll see what happens with this one. I'll post up some more pics once they receive a little attention, just got done with 10 hours in the car going to get them. Oh, and I got them for an absolute steal.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2009, 11:03:55 PM »

NICE

ColinMc · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2009, 11:27:11 PM »

awesome...VERY jealous of that RD...mmmm

zoo mob · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2009, 11:49:31 PM »

Did a little 2am steel-wooling and investigating, and found that the bomber even has its original tool kit.....and its complete!

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2009, 03:45:32 AM »

Well, I BIG CONGRATULATIONS to YOU! Cool deal there! Couple of GREAT bikes you've picked up on. looking forwards to seeing them come around too!

zoo mob · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:34:10 PM »

Here's a couple of pictures of the 450 after a mild detailing session. Can't really decide what to do with it, I've got nowhere near the money to restore it to new condition. I feel like if I could just respray the bodywork, get another muffler to go with the one original that came with it, and clean and reseal the motor, it would be a really nice looking rider, no show bike to be sure, but nice. Just don't want to lose the value of its originality. Any thoughts here?

The Rd has come along nicely; cleaned it up real good, swapped oils and gas, new plugs, a cleaning of the electrical contacts in the run/off switch, and she came right to life, didn't even have to mess with the carbs yet and it settles to a nice idle and doesn't seem to smoke at all. My only issue right now is getting it into gear; when I go it, the clutch cable had rusted through and broken. I replaced it with a new one which I'd noticed was reaaaalllly hard to squeeze, and now, it doesn't seem to go into gear, if I pull the lever and shift to first, the neutral light goes off, but it does not want to go anywhere. Any ideas if this is simply an adjustment issue or rather a more serious transmission issue? Thanks.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:52:54 PM »

You do manage to find some neat bikes. If you don't have the money to restore the bomber why not just clean it up replace/repair what's necessary and enjoy owning it for awhile. Preserve it as close to stock as you can for someone else with deeper pockets somewhere down the line when you pass it on.

bryanj · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:35:26 AM »

Sounds like the clutch has stuck open to me

Cue · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:13:17 PM »

If you decide to sell the CB450 let me know. I bought an old turd 65 K0 and truthfully there is not enough there to restore. It lacks headlight bucket, light, speedo, tank, seat, fenders, side covers, mufflers, basically, anything that is of value. At best it is parts for another bike. Let me know.

Thanks
Mike

bill440cars · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:00:10 AM »

Quote from: bryanj on October 29, 2009, 07:35:26 AM

Sounds like the clutch has stuck open to me

Yeah, you need to open the thing up (just pull the clutch cover, not the entire engine) and check into it. Funny that the clutch would be stuck open, but seems to be (like bryanj said).

That's what I'd do to the 450, just clean her up, do what ever you HAVE to and ride.

Very Cool Acquisition!

zoo mob · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2009, 09:03:14 PM »

The Bomber is possibly for sale, talk to me if anyone is interested, its amazingly original, and I did manage to get it to run for a minute without even taking the carbs apart. The issue with the RD was just the clutch cable. Got it running and it rips! It's now being torn down and slowly refreshed as I insulate my garage and put in heat. Should be great this spring.

zoo mob · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2009, 12:06:35 AM »

OK, its officially for sale now. Help a brother out.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcy/1531510066.html

mgbgt89 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2009, 05:31:53 AM »

I want an RD400 so bad. Nice find.

strynboen · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:52:56 AM »

hvat kosts cargo to europa for,that old bomber,,can you pyt it on a maersk ship to europa..think its vill be to expensive

it vill looks good vith min cd-50

zoo mob · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:54:32 AM »

Bomber sold to the first caller, thanks internet.

strynboen · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:56:34 AM »

lucky man

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2009, 12:26:36 PM »

certainly was a very fair price

cb650 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2010, 09:05:51 AM »

You going to keep it green? I always liked the green RD's. Only ons I liked better was the DS. Someone here is lucky enough to have two.

zoo mob · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2010, 05:04:24 PM »

Yeah, the RD is going to get a very mild restoration, not sure if the frame will be repainted, but all of the rest of the paint is excellent with a couple of tiny, tiny rust flaws on the tank. The only thing I'm changing are the handlebars; I'm hoping to get something just a bit flatter.

cb650 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2010, 08:27:58 AM »

Next time I'm in MI I'll have to look you up.

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Author Topic: Big bike day; CB450 Black Bomber and Yamaha RD400 picked up! (Read 6690 times)