Topic: CB450 hard to kick over

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

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I've amended this post, it kicks over but with a lot of resistance. Any ideas?

Engine turns over with starter, but the kick lever won't budge. If I put pressure on the lever at the same time as running the electric start it will move, but not on it's own.

Is there a some kind of kick failure engagement issue with these bikes?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

scratch that... it kicks over, but with a lot of resistance. are the 450's just monsters to kick over compared to my 550?

bastard still won't start, has fuel & correctly timed spark 

[hoodellyhoo]

I've kicked over a few 450 motors in parts bikes and found it no harder than on my 350.

[grcamna2]

  The kickstart lever is short for what it has to do.

[MoMo]

A 450 is not hard to kick, you may have a problem with the gear.  You mentioned spark and fuel but what about compression? and are the carbs clean?  Also, a 450 will not start unless the choke is completely closed, it is one of the more cold-blooded Hondas...Larry

[grcamna2]

  Try fully cleaning the points and static timing it,valve adj.,and good plugs,etc. &
then do what the man on the last post said...work w/ the choke fully closed...
maybe try a small hair open,then closed again, working the starter and while you
are doing that, try your best to keep the throttle butterflys just about closed also.
What I have described creates the maximum vacuum draw through the carbs. while
allowing just enough air in to start it. Play with the"closed throttle idea" for a bit
& if the plugs get wet, check your floats & float needles and make sure your carbs
are all set to spec, i.e. floats not filled w/ fuel,float height correct,float needles sealing
well,etc. & OH YEAH...MAKE SURE that you synchronize both of your throttle cables....
in other words get both throttle butterflys opening & closing at exactly the same time !
Work w/ the throttle cable adjusters on top of ea. carb.
                                                                                           ALL the Best,
                                                                                                                 Bill

[tbpmusic]

450 isn't all that hard to kick over, though it is harder than a 350 (it's a manlier engine).
Main problem with a 450 is that the kicker doesn't really even engage till you're almost halfway through the kick stroke.

That said, sounds like you have a problem with the kick shaft or its engaging mechanism.
Sadly, this stuff is mainly all inside the crankcases, require engine removal and case splitting to replace.
A small part of the mechanism can be accessed by pulling the oil filter and oil pump/clutch, but it's mostly inside the cases.

[grcamna2]

Have you got it starting nicely yet ?