Author Topic: polish the 72 450 (Read 6233 times)

michiganmike · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2013, 06:36:58 PM »

Quote from: rb550four on January 30, 2013, 07:18:02 PM

So ,it seems , this little 450 has a 500T top end, i'm surprised. No wonder why the last owner thought it was fast for just a 450....

its funny, you mention "the 3rd bolt on the inside of the chainguard that you can't get to" I seem to remember a similar poorly placed bolt on the CB750's that was the reason that I bought a 24 inch 3/8 drive extension so I could get at it from the right side, through the wheel. It's the only thing I ever used it for.

CafeDawg · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2013, 07:19:58 PM »

rb I know you scour ebay but didn't know if you've seen this seat for your 450.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-1973-CB450-Seat-/300858125349?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACB&hash=item460c8aac25&vxp=mtr

CD

rb550four · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2013, 07:33:07 PM »

Thanks CD, I checked the seat out, and there is a handy compatibility chart on the same site, don't know what the difference would be , but I got the" not compatible" Wonder why? looks the same to me.I wonder if it's a different mount or spring ? looks like the same pan?
The search continues.
The search for the bomber tank is over, there aren't any reasonable ones left on the planet. I can live without one , I suppose, but they really do look sofa king cool.

CafeDawg · « **Reply #28 on:** February 12, 2013, 08:26:41 PM »

rb maybe it wouldn't fit but I bet he doesn't know what he has, I mean I never heard of anything that Honda makes that doesn't fit more than one year or even one model. He listed it as a 450K6 Super Sport. So it's an F and a K? Worth a shot for the price?
Or maybe a little more research.
CD

Stev-o · « **Reply #29 on:** February 12, 2013, 08:33:36 PM »

450 Super Sport? Have not heard of that. CD may have a point, guy might not know what he has.

rb550four · « **Reply #30 on:** February 13, 2013, 04:40:45 PM »

True that on the seat.

New tank idea.... somebody's gotta tell me if I've gone over the edge...,
Stock 450 tank, applied chrome side panels , and rubber tank pads!

Maybe leave the HONDA on the side and not go with the badges, that may be taking things too far...I don't need no stinkin badges.

So , What do you think?

Stev-o · « **Reply #31 on:** February 13, 2013, 04:45:38 PM »

Applied chrome side panels? Can't visualize this, might come off as a cheap knock off?
No offense intended.

rb550four · « **Reply #32 on:** February 13, 2013, 06:44:37 PM »

No offence taken, I just don't know my limits yet, don't know if I can pull it off and have it come out decent or just end up screwing up a tank.
I'm starting to realize that my inattentiveness toward this machine these past years may have been due to the unattractive (butt ugly,I'll have to do something about that )tank. That's it! I have " Ugly Tank Syndrome "! How many other riders suffer from this? "Hey man want to go for a ride?", and you just sit there with your face in your hands, shaking your head, "Can't man, my tank's too ugly." Maybe there is someone that you know that is suffering from UTS and doesn't know it. He keeps rambling on about fat tires or white walls or spiral spokes, you know, things that don't make sense, now that we have identified a possible cause , we may be able to help.
Maybe rubber tank pads and a 3 color paint job? Too similar to Triumph maybe? Hey give me a break , I got UTS! I need help!

Stev-o · « **Reply #33 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:07:34 PM »

That is some good observational humor! On a serious note, I dont think the tank is ugly, maybe just needs a good paint job. That always does it for me, maybe a bright red?! I'm having one of mine done now.

rb550four · « **Reply #34 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:26:28 PM »

Red has been a favorite around here for a while, too many red ones in the garage now. Have gold, lime green, black, orange, and lots of red. No blue, turquoise, or purple. May have to try either one of them or all of them.
Does that mean rubber tank pads is not so good either? Could just try the paint first, and see if this clears up. Good idea.

rb550four · « **Reply #35 on:** February 15, 2013, 03:47:17 PM »

There's no parts left in the box. Still waiting for the sprockets,plugs and battery to get here.
Wanting to start working on the ugly tank, it has some dings, scratches, and grey primer on the top.
The tank tunnel was spread wide for some reason and didn't sit well on the rubbers, sloppy left to right, took some tie down straps from the truck and wrapped the tank, cranked it back to where it fits nicely and the wide strap left no scars. So now I have no objections with the fit, just with the overall look.
Put the idea of the rubber tank pads on back burner for now so I can obsess over the paint. I'm still at 3 colors, Metal flake dark blue base, 6 shades or so lighter metal flake blue contour stripe with red or black pinstripe on that and a hint of metal flake purple ghost flame over the top of the tank over the dark blue. Not done obsessing yet, still plenty of time before paint day comes round and there's still parts on the way.

Stev-o · « **Reply #36 on:** February 15, 2013, 04:06:18 PM »

Ambitious paint design...

rb550four · « **Reply #37 on:** February 15, 2013, 08:19:08 PM »

Really? I figured the pinstripping is the hardest part, the rest is just tape and patience. Once I get the tank prepped and primed ,the base coat/ clear coat part could can be knocked out in a day,without the stripping.
I'm going for just a little interest, nothing loud. Smooth easy lines, no striking contrasts , bright colors, or giant flakes. Don't want to see flames from 20 feet away, 10 feet would be okay.
I recently saw very nice effect on a tank with a dark purple /black cherry mix as the base. A semi crinkled foil panel on each side with a candy coat of the same tint over that, an outline stripe maybe 8 shades away around the panels. Maybe 10 or 12 coats of clear. Smooth as a baby's ass, and the shine was just brilliant even though it hadn't been waxed in months. just beautiful. Bet that one took a week or more to do.

rb550four · « **Reply #38 on:** February 16, 2013, 11:53:51 AM »

Picked up some foamy grips to absorb some vibration today. Also got the little steel ball for the clutch actuator, new acorn nuts for the rear shocks and a bunch of other crap in the bag but there was no sprockets yet, maybe Monday.How can that be a hard to get item? The tach cable is not available through Honda or Motion Pro. Carb parts are like hen's teeth, although the main jets are available at different sizes at bike barn and a couple other sites.
Parts are not as readily available as they are for the 500/550's, it seems .

rb550four · « **Reply #39 on:** February 19, 2013, 07:41:44 PM »

Sprockets came in finally! I put them on as soon as I got home then had to leave, will cut the chain to fit tomorrow, finish up greasing the clutch actuator, paint the chain guard and fun stuff like that.
Then it do something to the tank. Discussed an chrome applique , didn't flush. Other thought is to take down the paint with very fine sandpaper, buff the steel on both sides ( there's no bondo on it)to a highly polished chrome like shine and clear coat those areas.
Then paint the rest of it a couple or more colors around the polished sides. Thought I was past the rubber tank pads......not yet.

rb550four · « **Reply #40 on:** February 21, 2013, 03:11:22 PM »

18 degrees, strong wind today again. Finally picked up some small jobs to stay busy, called the customer this morning, asked if they could wait , tomorrow may get to 30 degrees and I have to be outside ....I'm just too old for that crap anymore.
Did however get out to a freezing shop, cut the new chain ,prepped and painted the chainguard. It's in the shop with a hairdyer on it right now. Was about to start sanding the tank when I realized that I can't feel my fingers and toes anymore, so here I am, hoping for a warm spell so I can work on the bikes...Oh, I mean get back to work.
Clutch actuator, cable, and chain guard go in next and can be buttoned up. Ordered new mirrors, should be in tomorrow. They always have to be in new condition because when people look at your machine, they have to feel the seat, and the gas tank, then play with the mirrors. Don't know why, but that's what they do, if you let them touch it at all. So I like that stuff to shine.
So far I've managed to save what sanity is left, and am hopeful of an early spring.

rb550four · « **Reply #41 on:** February 22, 2013, 04:32:27 PM »

I must say, it was nice to be back to work today. It was a warmer day today,no wind, very nice.
Got out at 5:30 and the shop stayed open for me so, the new mirrors are on,
The chain guard is almost all bolted on . Looks decent considering the temperature when painted. i use a hairdryer on all kinds of stuff, it's a handy tool to have around the shop.
Broke open a nice bottle of wine, don't think there will much going on in the shop tonight.

rb550four · « **Reply #42 on:** February 23, 2013, 05:49:00 PM »

Finished up that trim job today. After work I went to the theater and layed out new ceiling rafters, 54 -48' tji's coming in first thing Monday morning. Been a while since I could work there,feels good.
Got into the shop after that, installed newly painted chain guard, cleaned and greased the clutch actuator, installed new Ball, clutch cable ,and adjusted it. The bottom end is tide up. It's almost down to the tank, side covers, horn, and seat.
Then it's start up time.
Pics of present condition tomorrow. Won't be in the shop for long ,it's DAYTONA 500, and the coming of spring.

rb550four · « **Reply #43 on:** March 05, 2013, 03:50:15 PM »

All the ceiling joists were put up in a day at the theater. My youngest daughter bought a house in Pittsburgh, so I went down for a few days to fix what needed fixin, as much as I could do in 5 days anyways, planned a trip to go back in May, good timing for the Pittsbugh Grand Prix. Hoping to bring a few machines down to fill the field alittle more than last year, Hoping others can attend too, it's one hell of a car show,the racing is very cool, but the bike scene needs improvement.
Anyways, much to my surprise , no motorsickles foller'd me home this time. Will have to leave some space on the trailer for when I come back next trip.
Getting stuff unpacked and sorted now, checked the garage when I got back. There has been no elf activity out there, the tank hasn't been sanded and the paint is right where I left it.
Gonna get focused this week and get some stuff done on the 450, I hope.

rb550four · « **Reply #44 on:** March 06, 2013, 02:23:15 PM »

Got out an hour early today and hit the garage. Sanded both sides of that butt ugly tank and put the bare metal to the buffer for a while. It'll never be chrome like a bomber tank but it's close. Some more time on the buffer and it' s getting clearcoated. After that, focus will be on the rest of the tank.
I put it on the machine to see how it may look, it makes the whole machine pop! Looks like a different machine already. I like. Am hoping for a warm weekend and shop time so's I can paint. The rubber knee pads on the tank doesn't seem necessary anymore..... I may no longer suffer from Ugly Tank Syndrome.
Pics when I get a bit further along.

rb550four · « **Reply #45 on:** March 10, 2013, 08:32:49 AM »

Re buffed the bare metal yesterday and clearcoated both side so it'll keep until temperatures get better for paint.
Thought I had a line on some sidecovers, mine are crap, that fell thru so I 'm looking again.

rb550four · « **Reply #46 on:** March 10, 2013, 10:46:53 AM »

Nowhere near finished on the tank , but it's been clear coated so it won't rust while we wait for painting weather.

rb550four · « **Reply #47 on:** March 17, 2013, 11:14:41 AM »

The tank is in primer except for the shinning steel panel but the temps haven't been over 27 degrees, can't paint for a while....gotta move south.

rb550four · « **Reply #48 on:** March 25, 2013, 01:13:33 PM »

Okay , so to day was maybe 40 degrees, have the day off - worked on Sunday, the sun is shinning,ice is melting and it's finally starting to smell like motorcycles outside.
I had all these plans of a two tone paint job.....I have a few gallons of colors from other machines in the shop, no blue or purple, only reds golds greens and metalflake sunrise orange with lotsa pearl.
I'm afraid that I didn't get out of my comfort zone with a new color, I shot the tank sunrise orange. It was almost warm and I flipped the heat on in the shop.....I'm not real pleased with myself for rushing into it , but spring has been taking too long getting here and I've been out of the shop for a while. It looks good in sunrise..... and it's not in primer anymore...... but it looks like my other bikes and I wanted something different for a change. At least the sides are in shiny steel, that's a little different.
The paint went on good and is still drying now. I'll give it a few clear coats next time it warms up , then shoot some pics when it's on the bike.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #49 on:** March 25, 2013, 03:39:01 PM »

I hear you rb550 was almost 50 yesterday and woke up to snow today sigh my one day off to do some painting and gotta put it on the back burner.

That bucket in the back yard is my paint booth lol......

Matt

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Author Topic: polish the 72 450 (Read 6233 times)