Topic: Look what I ran across at the Harley dealership a CB450 DOHC

[dhall57]

Like I said in the *What did you do to your bike today Section*when he told me he had something he wanted to show me my heart was beating faster I was getting pumped could it be, hoping it would be a sohc4 and even better a 750 Four. I had got lucky with a 750KO 6 months ago that now sits in my garage. Could I be lucky again what a Christmas present that would be We walked out  the back of the dealership to a old metal storage building and he unlocked the door. Well all my hoping and wishing and even a little praying didn't bring forth what I wanted to be behind that door, but its was still great to see another old Honda, a little on the rough side but still a Honda indeed. I've got in the habit of always trying to have my camera with me, because you just can't tell what you might run across and need it. Check out the pics:


 

[motocyconomad]

'70 450 twin .......nice!!!

[70CB750]

Sooo did you get it?

[MrGardman]

Looks pretty complete also. I bought a CB450 new in 1970. I really liked it. That was one of my first true Honda road bikes.

[dhall57]

I always liked the CB450 DOHC. Back in high school in the early 70's a friend bought a brand new 71 or 72 CB450 very nice bike and a Strong runner. Not until someone else bought a Kaw 400 2 stroke triple was there anything faster, but the Honda was a much better all around bike than the 2 stroke smoker. I'll be the first to admit I don't need another bike. Let me say it again I don't need another bike, maybe if I say it enough I'll convince myself already having 3 in the garage already 2 750's and a Harley. I'm pretty much a 750 guy, but I can't stop thinking about this little guy. A 750 it's not, but when your a fan of any of the classic early 70 Honda's like we all are here you know its tough to walk away and leave it sitting there. You can see by my pics its rough and would need a lot of work more than either one of my 750's did to get it safe and road ready. You can see it has been put up somewhere for quite a few years and neglected and rusty in places including the frame, but it's pretty much all original. Even the factory pipes seem to been in decent shape. Did not look inside tank to see what shape it was in but you can see tank is missing the stripe so I don't know if PO had to replace the tank or just repainted it minis stripe. Engine is free and bikes does have clear title, big plus The owner never hinted around about wanting to sell it, he just thought I would like to see another old Honda. I know 750 parts are pretty easy to come by but does anybody know the availability on 450 parts. I guess you can tell I'm itching to go back and check this little CB out a little better and get some more info on it and maybe throw him a price. Is this what addiction is all about I'll keep everybody informed. Any 450 dohc experts out there please chime in
Here's the mileage 14432 not many miles for a 41 year old bike and and gauges aren't in to bad of shape . One other thing the build date is 8/70.
Is it a 70 or 71? I think the owner said it is titled a 1971.

[Stev-o]

Don't blame ya for not wanting it.

[tortelvis]

Parts for this are pretty scarce! It was my first bike, a 70 model straight off the showroom for $872.

[Johnie]

I know what you mean about the addiction to the older Honda's. I owned a new CB450 in the early 70's and the only real complaint I had was the vibration at highway speeds. It was bad enough to make my hands go to sleep and I was only a teenager. I only had it a year and then traded it in for a CB750. The main reason I traded was the vibration issue. I agree this looks like it needs a bit of work, but maybe you are up for it. With a title, free engine and what appears to be a complete bike, maybe you can get a good buy on it. Guess you have to decide if you are up for the challenge. Looking at the bike and the oxidation I would guess the tank interior is in need of some work too. Carbs could be a mess. But we all have seen worse. Nice pics...always a plus to have the camera with you. I bet you have been looking at those pics a lot since you took them too.

[dhall57]

Yeah you hit the nail on the head about the pictures. I still have plenty stuff I want to do on my KO and K6 and I'm looking at a major project like this, I guess I did do to many drugs back in the 70's something is wrong with this picture wouldn't you say Johnie   I had a 74 CB360 back in the day, just like the one you fixed up earlier in the year and there was plenty of vibration through the pegs and grips also.  It's probally a good thing it wasn't a 750 in that shed like I was hoping, because if I could of got it at any where near a decent price it would be in my garage right now and explained it to the wife later

[Johnie]

Right Hall...and the vibration on that 360 was a lot worse than I recall with the 450. The 750 was the way to go. Actually, I have decided the only bike I will keep in my collection now is the CB750. If I were to do any others I would either sell them or part it depending on the condition. I am like the rest of you here and just really like the styling, look, performance and reliability of these SOHC's.

[dhall57]

Since I have two 750's I guess I'm rather partial to them also. And you have four Johnie, you've got it bad. There's no hope for you

[MCRider]

As to the model year, rmember Hondas of that era do not use model years. They use the "K" numbering. Parts are bought from the VIN number not the year on the title. It could be titled a 70. or it could be it sat in the showroom a bit longer and got a 71 title.

Or a real lazy dealer may have forgot it was in the crate in the warehouse and didn't set it up and sell it till 72, and it got a 72 title.

The year didn't correctly identify the models until after Honda got sued over this and lost, somewhere after 1974.

[dhall57]

Thanks for the info rider. I had forgot about that little bit of trivia. I'm a 750 person, but by the pics and condition you see in your opinion should I even consider tackling this CB450 project and checking into it futher with the owner? Its up to me, but I just like to hear different opinions from everybody. I have no idea what he would want for it, don't know if he even wants to sell since that was never brought up originally. I'm thinking around $300 max.

[MCRider]

Thanks for the info rider. I'm a 750 person, but by the pics and condition you see in your opinion should I even consider tackling this CB450 project and checking into it futher with the owner? Its up to me, but I just like to hear different opinions. I have no idea what he would want for it since that was never brought up originally. I'm thinking around $300 max.

I had a CB450 one summer, 1972 or so. it was fun. Lot of guys race them AHRMA, must be something to it. But I've never seen one since, up close.

You're on your own. The cheaper the better.   

[Johnie]

You are correct Hall...I am hopeless!!! And I can not find a doctor to snap me out of it. I know a lot of talk has been the $1 per cc or in your case $450. But after looking at the work you will need I think you are in the ballpark with $300. At that price you can put it away for a while and get to it once you finish the others. Figure to rechrome you are talking over $1,000. Tell him what you plan to do with it and maybe he will understand why you can not offer more for a bike that you can not test drive. Even bring pics of your current bikes to show him. I found that it helps when I bring pics of my 750's to a sale and show them what I do with them. They people seem to really enjoy knowing the bike is being brought back to showroom condition. I even had a person give me a nice deal on my running K4 sunflake orange as long as I promised to send pics of the progress. No problemo...

[dhall57]

Very helpful. Thanks for your opinion. The more I study about it I'm thinking against it. I just walked out into my garage and I'm pretty much maxed out as far as room. My 3 bikes, my sons dirt bike, lawn mower, weight machine, tool box, etc. It would be a major endeavor that would require extra $$ that I really don't have right now. If I'm going to spend any money right now it really should be on the KO or K6 not on another bike that I don't really need and one that would require a lot of work like the 450 would. Rather I get it or not I enjoyed looking at it yesterday, it made my day. I just like looking at old Honda's. It just comes natural to want to bring them home, but of course you can't always do that.

[Johnie]

Trade him the weight machine for it...

[dhall57]

Can't do that! been working out since high school like I've been riding motorcycles. I don't want to ever stop doing either one. But at 54 its sure is a lot harder to try to stay in some what decent shape than it use to be. 

[grcamna2]

That little CB450 may try to follow you home...watch your back.

[FuZZie]

That little CB450 may try to follow you home...watch your back.

even better if you don't watch your back. 

[Retro Rocket]

But at 54 its sure is a lot harder to try to stay in some what decent shape than it use to be.

Amen to that....

[bill440cars]

         Cool, that you came across that 450. As to what year it really is, check the info, in this link and you'll know what to buy parts for, as there were a few changes over the years, though not many. 

        http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0450/sport/sport.htm

[grcamna2]

dhall57,
             If you need some help with that CB450(if you do purchase that...it seems that's what would make US happy!)................I have experience w/ rebuilding that motorcycle and I'd be glad to lend a hand.

[rb550four]

Well? Did ya buy it? I'd like to see the rebuild on this.I have this same machine(running) setting in my barn along side of 13 550's, was thinking of stripping the front end off for a 550 project but it just seems wrong. I wonder what someone else would do with it.

[grcamna2]

I'd like to have it...aside from the twin vibes.