Author Topic: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project  (Read 59840 times)

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Offline DustyRags

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #275 on: March 03, 2013, 06:25:37 PM »
Woah, that came out NICE!
1976 CB550K- sold
2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500- sold
2000 CB750 Nighthawk - sold
1975 XL350 - crashed
2004 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - sold

maduncle

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #276 on: March 03, 2013, 10:44:13 PM »
Very nice Cliff! Freebie 750 parts? I'm there! Hey if you need some extensions made for those exhausts, let me know. Cheers, Terry. ;D

PM me to arrange a parts pick up time Terry,

And I plan to keep my exhaust as is until i get a custom 2 into 1 full set made.

I like 'em, even if they are crazy short!

maduncle

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #277 on: March 07, 2013, 02:23:07 AM »

Momentous day today - I ordered the last two parts for the bike, the neutral light lamp holder that plugs into the gauge and the high beam indicator lamp holder that plugs into the gauge. I found a great guy on eBay who is reconditioning CA, CB gauges and he has been able to source the two lamp holders I needed.

My 8 cell Antigravity battery arrived today and fitted the holder I had made for it like a glove. I did make the holder +3mm for the width and I am glad I did! I quickly tested the starter and wow what a difference, the bike would have fired up if it had petrol for sure.

I adjusted the angle of the levers on the bars, they were too high for my hands so I dropped them down a bit, much better feel and look.

I collect my upholstered seat base next week, and the bike leaves home tomorrow night to go to a friends place for a fine tune, headlamp wire up and inspection as to why it is not yet lifting oil.

So I would say it is now 99.99% complete.

Offline Flying J

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #278 on: March 07, 2013, 10:59:38 PM »
Could you PM me his info. I have 2 gauges and one has broken glass.

maduncle

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #279 on: March 27, 2013, 03:21:23 AM »
Okay - here is my first attempt at posting a video of the bike running...

The CB450 running

... and of my mate and I taking turns test riding it.

CB450 on the road

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #280 on: March 27, 2013, 04:59:29 AM »
Beautiful looking bike Cliff...congrats  ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline DustyRags

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #281 on: March 27, 2013, 10:24:42 AM »
Oh man... that's nice.
1976 CB550K- sold
2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500- sold
2000 CB750 Nighthawk - sold
1975 XL350 - crashed
2004 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - sold

Offline rb550four

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #282 on: March 27, 2013, 11:35:27 AM »
From heap of junk to a beautiful classic rider. That's got to feel good.




What's next?
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #283 on: March 27, 2013, 11:11:27 PM »
Looking good Cliff, well done! Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

maduncle

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #284 on: March 30, 2013, 02:43:58 AM »

I went to the Annual 'Honda Broadford Bonanza' held over two days each Easter at a motorcycle racing complex about an hour north of home. My CB450 was already there and waiting for me - so all that was left to do was to get registered and get out on the race track.

Bearing in mind I had not ridden the CB450 more than 100m in second gear, I had never been on a race track before and I have a shocking head cold!

Anyway - photos.


Heading out to the track.


Getting the feel for it.


Learning to lean (need to get my big feet up on the pegs for those corners)


The result of the head shield slipping whilst riding (the left side was fine - so they work)


Black spring from rich exhaust - neat new way of checking the fuel mixture for each carb.

The bike went really well - shifted through all the gears, cornered well, pulled well (incredibly tall gears in this 4 speed) never faltered under throttle - I am well pleased.

Only issue was the speedo basically 'blew up'. I had the cable connected and on my first run the speedo needle was all over the shop and then was thrashing about so much it broke! So I disconnected the speedo cable.

So a couple of minor teething problems before the inspection for registration - plus I now have to wash it (!!!) after the race today.

Offline DustyRags

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #285 on: March 30, 2013, 08:07:31 AM »
Looks amazing!

So, I gotta admit, getting my toes caught in a turn is one of my biggest (irrational?) fears, and one of the reasons I ride a cruiser-style bike now. I'm curious- have you caught your toes? If so, was it a brush (like dragging a peg), or something that was/could be nasty?
1976 CB550K- sold
2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500- sold
2000 CB750 Nighthawk - sold
1975 XL350 - crashed
2004 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - sold

maduncle

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #286 on: March 30, 2013, 02:16:02 PM »
I have never caught my toes in a corner, but this bike is a new set up and the photos have shown me what I need to be careful of and what I need to do - basically get my toes up on the heel pegs if I plan to lean any further!

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #287 on: March 30, 2013, 02:21:45 PM »
My boots have hit the ground hundreds of times guys, only ever got freaky when you get stuck your boot stuck under the gear lever, otherwise its no big deal. Just put the ball of your foot on the pegs , then you can scrape your pegs... ;D
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: The Runcible Racer - maduncle's CB450 project
« Reply #288 on: March 30, 2013, 06:58:24 PM »
Ha ha, I know that feeling Cliff, I've ruined two pairs of wet weather pants by standing too close to the pipe on my Rocket III when I'm filling it up at a servo when the pipe's hot. Good to see that it's going well! Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)