Author Topic: The Brown Bomber: 1973 CB450 (Read 3745 times)

Scott S · « **on:** May 17, 2020, 04:13:59 AM »

Picked up a nice runner from my buddy Pamco Pete. She's a 1973 CB450 with a 10/72 build date and ~9700 original miles. Plenty of patina, surface rust and some dings, bu a super solid bike that just needs some cosmetic work.

The original owner traded her in and Pete had the dealer take care of a 40+ year old out of state title so, technically, I'm the 3rd owner (when you take the dealer out ofthe equation).
I plan on changing those awful bars. It actually came with even higher ape hangers, so the clutch, throttle and upper brake cable are all way too long. Can't I just change the upper throttle cable?
I have forks gaiters and some better bars. It needs some organic pads....the front brakes are all rebuilt but the sintered pads squeak like crazy. Other than that, lots and lots of elbow grease, polishing, frame paint touch up, etc.

Scott S · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2020, 04:15:28 AM »

These long cables and hoses need to go! As do the bars. I found a set of Super Bike style bars in my stash. I already ordered some replacement cables (used, because I wanted to keep the gray color), some grips, etc.

Scott S · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2020, 04:18:48 AM »

Decent amount of patina on this one. The paint on the tank is really nice, though there are a few dimples and dings.

Side covers aren't quite as nice. The RH side is worse than the LH side. Everything will get a good deep clean and some clay bar, polishing, etc.

Scott S · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2020, 04:19:39 AM »

Seat is in really nice shape. I'll see if I can bring back a little bit if the shine and color.

Scott S · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2020, 04:22:27 AM »

The front fender has some dimples, too. Was this thing in a hail storm or something!? I can tap those out. I will have the forks out soon to install the gaiters, which I happen to have in my stash.

The rear has probably the worst rust on the bike. Why does this spot seem to rust on all the 450 fenders I've seen?

There's surface rust on the frame in spots, too. I'll clean all that up and touch it up with a sponge brush.

Scott S · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2020, 04:25:29 AM »

The engine is getting a de-greasing this morning. It's really not that bad, though. I will also be replacing the fuel lines with the proper 5.5mm lines. I ordered a quick disconnect for the gas tank crossover line.

The side covers will get a polish, too. I was gonna try to do it on the bike, but I think I'll spend the $40 and get a gasket kit and do it right.

Scott S · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2020, 04:36:36 AM »

And, BTW... the bike has (gasp!) PODS!

The stock air filters are NLA for this bike. I did find a set of clean, used and have them on the way. If nothing else, I'll figure out a way to replace the filter element.
But....the darn thing seems to run fine with the pods. No popping, flat spots, etc. The P.O. did use the rubber extensions from the old air filters, and the pods are mounted to them.
He also rebuilt the carbs and used a kit. I have all of the stock brass.

Honestly, not sure if I should even mess with it, as it runs just fine right now.

The stock mufflers are in decent shape, with some repairs underneath. I do have a pair of reverse cone mufflers that I thought about trying out, too.

onepieceatatime · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2020, 04:48:33 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on May 17, 2020, 04:25:29 AM

... I ordered a quick disconnect for the gas tank crossover line.

Willing to share the details on that?
I wouldn't mind making that modification to mine too.

ekpent · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2020, 05:04:38 AM »

Looks like a nice honest true survivor. Clean her up a bit and enjoy. Bet it has an electronic ignition.

Scott S · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2020, 05:19:46 AM »

Quote from: ekpent on May 17, 2020, 05:04:38 AM

Looks like a nice honest true survivor. Clean her up a bit and enjoy. Bet it has an electronic ignition.

Of course! Pete bought this bike so he could develop an ignition for this model. It has the Pamco with E-Advance (and it's genuine, since I bought it from Pamco Pete himself!) and an upgraded reg/rec and the charging mod. Charges at a strong 14V.

Quote from: onepieceatatime on May 17, 2020, 04:48:33 AM

Quote from: Scott S on May 17, 2020, 04:25:29 AM
... I ordered a quick disconnect for the gas tank crossover line.

Willing to share the details on that?
I wouldn't mind making that modification to mine too.

Motion Pro 12-0037. There's a cheaper one, but it's a one way check valve. This one cuts off fuel flow from both sides. I've used them before on a couple of CL350's.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-1-4-Gas-Fuel-In-Line-Hose-Quick-Release-Disconnect-Coupling-12-0037/352641029753?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

onepieceatatime · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2020, 05:33:33 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on May 17, 2020, 05:19:46 AM

Quote from: ekpent on May 17, 2020, 05:04:38 AM
Looks like a nice honest true survivor. Clean her up a bit and enjoy. Bet it has an electronic ignition.

Of course! Pete bought this bike so he could develop an ignition for this model. It has the Pamco with E-Advance (and it's genuine, since I bought it from Pamco Pete himself!) and an upgraded reg/rec and the charging mod. Charges at a strong 14V.

Quote from: onepieceatatime on May 17, 2020, 04:48:33 AM
Quote from: Scott S on May 17, 2020, 04:25:29 AM
... I ordered a quick disconnect for the gas tank crossover line.

Willing to share the details on that?
I wouldn't mind making that modification to mine too.

Motion Pro 12-0037. There's a cheaper one, but it's a one way check valve. This one cuts off fuel flow from both sides. I've used them before on a couple of CL350's.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-1-4-Gas-Fuel-In-Line-Hose-Quick-Release-Disconnect-Coupling-12-0037/352641029753?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Thanks!

Ichiban 4 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2020, 01:10:48 PM »

That's a really nice bike Scott. I had a '73 CB450 just like it..only it was new when I got it..and candy red paint. They're 'sleeper' bikes I feel. Look like regular CB series engineering..but can go like a bat-out-of-Hell once they get on the cams @ about 6,000 rpm. I found that out after mine got broken-in and I goosed the throttle one time. Think it went from about 60 mph to 100 mph in 5 seconds LOL
Of course that's 'old school' memory talking here..but I still feel that CB450 performance was/is impressive.
Cheers..Al/Ichi

grcamna2 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2020, 04:40:05 PM »

Very nice CB450K6 Scott S

Will you be removing some of it or all the patina ?

72 yellow · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2020, 05:39:02 PM »

Nice find. I had a new 70 CB450 had no trouble keeping up with my buddies 650 Triumphs and BSA's.

slikwilli420 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2020, 07:42:25 PM »

I just picked up reproduction air filters for my 71 cl450. They changed for 72 and on but worth reaching out to see of they have some in the works.

Scott S · « **Reply #15 on:** May 24, 2020, 02:56:24 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 18, 2020, 04:40:05 PM

Will you be removing some of it or all the patina ?

Just a lot of spit polish and elbow grease. This kind of stuff...

Exhaust, before and after

Clamps, before and after

Scott S · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2020, 02:59:45 PM »

The forks were recently rebuilt, but they were grimy and missing the gaiters.

Polished them up, knocked out a small ding on the front fender, and installed some gaiters I had in my parts stash. I'm waiting for the new organic brake pads to show up so I can stop that horrible squealing. And I'll clean up the front wheel before putting it back in.

Scott S · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2020, 03:02:21 PM »

And I changed out the bars for some I had in my stash. I think these came on the last 550F, but they're really close to Super Bike bars with just a touch more rise and pullback.
New grips, new upper brake hose, bled the brake, and I have replacement clutch and throttle cables in the stock length.
Oh...and I swapped out the turn signals for something sleeker.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2020, 04:51:46 PM »

Those bars look better Scott S

They're wider than CB400F oem bars and also look like they have just a bit more rise.

Scott S · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2020, 04:56:41 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 24, 2020, 04:51:46 PM

Those bars look better Scott S They're wider than CB400F oem bars and also look like they have just a bit more rise.

They're a good bit wider than 400F bars. The best part is that they were free!

Scott S · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2020, 04:57:03 PM »

All of the bodywork will get a clay bar and wax treatment. In the meantime, my GF touched up the emblems for me. I know the orange isn't exactly correct, but I think it looks great with the brown paint.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2020, 05:08:05 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on May 24, 2020, 04:56:41 PM

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 24, 2020, 04:51:46 PM
Those bars look better Scott S They're wider than CB400F oem bars and also look like they have just a bit more rise.

They're a good bit wider than 400F bars. The best part is that they were free!

I enjoy seeing them,the lack of pull-back is nice.

kap384@telus.net · « **Reply #22 on:** May 25, 2020, 11:26:02 AM »

Nice clean-up work!

bek1966 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 25, 2020, 08:02:15 PM »

I really like the steps you are taking to clean-up/upgrade this bike without changing it too much. Thanks for the great before and after pics!

Regards,
Brad

Scott S · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2020, 07:15:41 AM »

Here are some "after" pics. I still have a small punch list of things to do, such as final clutch adjustment, clean/lube the chain, fit the drain plug O-ring and add oil, etc.
The rubber dampers for the handle bar risers are a little loose, too. I think I can add a washer between the riser and top triple to tighten it up. Just wish I had seen that when I had it all apart changing the bars, grips, cables, etc.

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Author Topic: The Brown Bomber: 1973 CB450 (Read 3745 times)