Topic: '72 CB450 Restoration Thread (GoManGO!)

[fendersrule]

Slowly, but surely, said the cat.

Still have a good amount to do. I hate showing "in progress" shots. Again, I'm a big proponent of chrome trim on the tank. That will go on soon.









I'll be ready to race Stev-o the twisties soon.

[MoMo]

Looking good, especially the fenders .  Is there something amiss with the clutch lever and bracket or is it just the angle of the photo? Mango and silver is  awesome...Larry

[Stev-o]

Noticed that too, clutch cable needs proper adjustment?

[fendersrule]

Clutch and brakes are not hooked up yet, so the levers are just danglin'.

Yeah, the switch housings are what they are I guess. Maybe call it patina. I figure it would take hours to paint them. I'm likely going to buy some new NOS switches. Even though they are shiny, they've still got that weird purple color, so maybe not..

Today I'm going to install the chain, battery, and test/fix electricals.

May even start it.....it's been awhile. New CB450s sound like machine guns.

[Stev-o]

I vote for new controls.  Patina is fine, but what I think cal is saying is it looks out of place next to new shiny mango paint. I agree.

[fendersrule]

Meh, not concerned for now. Down the road I will worry about the switches. It isn't enough to delay the project another week. I don't notice them…they look original to me.

* All wiring is done. All electrical systems work. Kinks are worked out.
* Drive chain is installed and adjusted.
* Clutch cable is installed and adjusted
* Tank is drying, and is soon ready for gas.

The only thing left is front brakes, and some minor hardware/emblem attaching. I'm tempted to just drive it around a little with just the rear brake.

[fendersrule]

Well, all done (or 98%), but have some issue to work out with the steering/front end. Something doesn't feel right…it's not notchy, but feels really "resistive", even going straight.

I loosened the tapered bearings. Now the front end will fall all the way left or right when centered, so I assume they don't need to be any looser than that. But something still doesn't feel right….

With the front end off the ground, the tire spins just fine…a couple revolutions. It's not a brake issue.





I did manage to drive about an 1/8 mile with it, but again, something was off. The good news is that it doesn't leak, no noises, all electrical work, brakes work great, shocks work nicely, etc. Lots to be happy about, but it still is not road ready yet…ugh.

Maybe everything is fine, and the fact that I have brand new tires and tapered steering bearings I'm going to need to get use to stuff?

[fendersrule]

Thanks.

Fender is installed correctly, wheel spins just fine. There's no interference. I could check the axle spacing, but I don't think anything has changed. The axle was loose, so I tightened it. I didn't have a deep socket that would fit it, so I got it really hand tight. I'll go back and torque that later.

Good call on the axle gap. The gap is in the rear as it should be.

I think the issue is still with the steering bearings. The bike "wants" to stand up pulls a little bit left or right, which tells me the steering bearings are still too tight.

No cables are bending, I took time to route and tie things down properly.

I'll loosen it some more today, and then of course check for play.

[fendersrule]

So I had to pull the front end apart and install a shim.

Bike is 100% ready for road testing. I will be doing lots of riding tomorrow.

So far, no leaks, no issues.

[DustyRags]

Nicely done! 

[fendersrule]

Well, I'm off to replacing clutch components now. Bike is slipping, predominately in first gear. It may/may not be slipping in other gears, hard to tell or "feel".

I'm hoping that this is the culprit since much of the transmission components were replaced (one fork, both detent wheels, star wheel, and some other various things). Dogs looked to be good with only minimal wear.

The clutch plates or springs were no measured during reassembly, so I'm expecting to see lots of wear.

[fendersrule]

Some photos from the weekend outing.

[DustyRags]

Gorgeous.

[MrGardman]

That is one beautiful bike. Great job!!

[grcamna2]

The tach./speedo meters look nice w/ white faces,they won't bake in the sun and fade later either.

[fendersrule]

Thanks guys. Once I repack my clutch basket (and if that fixes my slippage which I'm assuming it would because my springs are well under spec).

[fendersrule]

Well, engine is out and upside down in a milk crate.

There is a problem with disengagement in first gear under torque. It disengages, and then immediately reengages. Not fun.

Transmission is disassembled.

Been working with Steve L. on trying to find the culprit. I'm going to mail my transmission components to Bill since he's closer to have him take an expert look at all the pieces. My observations:

1) Damaged R. Fork. This fork was in great shape during rebuild, but now it's obvious the slider gear ground it because of dog engagement issues. It wore the same way the original fork wore…in just 20 miles. Going to need a new fork, but this likely isn't the problem, just a symptom of the problem (dogs not engaging).

2) Wear on slider gear from when fork was making contact with the gear. New slider gear should be ordered, but likely not the problem.

3) Star wheel is showing some wear. My father didn't know he could buy a new one, so he bought a used one that was in better shape than my original one. I've ordered a new star wheel.

4) Large detent roller is in great shape with no slop or play. Small detent roller is in good shape.

5) Drum seems to be in good shape, though I have a spare and I don't know which one is better to use. Pins look good and are straight.

Everything else is seems fine, but I'm not experienced to know what's "OK" for wear, and what should be replaced. That's where Bill can come in and peek closer at things. The shop manual isn't too comprehensive on the transmission. Bill probably has better tools to measure things as well.

[fendersrule]

Transmission is repaired and back in the frame. We think the culprit is a damaged spindle. All worn parts replaced. The transmission can be considered new at this point.

I'm hooking things back up and should have a good test trial this weekend. I believe the issue is fixed. Reason being, there's nothing else left to replace.

[fendersrule]

on the road again…..

[fendersrule]

35 miles strong...

[fendersrule]

Did 75 miles today. Runs like a raped ape. Damn thing is fun…CB750 will start to collect dust.










I have a new master cylinder on the way to improved braking. It will also help with the looks.

[MoMo]

bike looks great fenders.  The patina of the present MC matches that of the switches, I think a new one will not look as good as present unless you redo the switches too.  Far as improved braking I doubt there'll be any difference .  Cannot tell but do you have stainless lines?  Larry

[MrGardman]

Bike is beautiful. You did a great job. I really like those white instrument faces.

[fendersrule]

bike looks great fenders.  The patina of the present MC matches that of the switches, I think a new one will not look as good as present unless you redo the switches too.  Far as improved braking I doubt there'll be any difference .  Cannot tell but do you have stainless lines?  Larry

My K7 has a new DSS master with stock lines. This K5 has a stock master w/ stainless lines. The K7 has more stopping power.....

I think it will actually look better being black. The switches will still be an odd color, but just less of the odd color now, but still enough odd color on both sides to be symetrical on the eyes. I'm not sure how it could look worse since the master cyl and the right switch are separate items. By the way, it's not all about looks...I'm wanting this thing to stop fast and safely. It just feels like it could stop better, or at least as good as the K7.

[fendersrule]

Such a beautiful bike. The g/f did a great job with the tangerine.