Topic: CB450 K0 Bomber In For Restoration

[RRRToolSolutions]

Bill, he has. I haven't heard much out of him since he's working again. I think he's building houses and stays busy.

I think we're going to bring them to Deal's Gap next year when we do our 2 stroke meet. It's ok to bring valves as along as you have a smoker with you too. I'll likely take this one and my green meanie H2.

Thanks for the compliments. This one is dificult due to parts availability.

Gordon

[mrbreeze]

The Bomber is lookin great Gordon!!! Back in the early 70's, I had a 305 Scrambler and always lusted over a 450. When I first saw a 750 four....all interest of a 450 went away although I did get a 500 twin in the late 70's. Now that they are all old and a rare sight on the road....I want one of each!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Gordon,

I really hate to ask this but...........................

WHAT'S NEXT??   

[RRRToolSolutions]

Jerry, I want a Z1 Kawi. I almost bought one last year, but was working on the CB750 and passed on it. I would like to have one restored 100% stock. A nice 1973 would be great, but even the 74 or 75 would be a good choice. I love the blue 75's.

[bill440cars]

       Well Gordon,

              What ever you go for next, might as well be ready to be COMPLETELY gone through! From what we've seen, YOU pull out ALL the stops! You are definitely a point of interest when the subject of "Restoring Bikes" comes up, my friend.

                                Later on, Bill

[Caferacingparts]

The seat hinges/rubber bumpers are one very good example - there are not available, they are not reproduced by anyone, and there is nothing that will substitute. I'm having a machinist fabricate them from raw stock at a price that is 1/2 of what the bike cost new.

  Gordon,
   I've no idea what a Black Bomber seat bumper looks like, but if you have a sample Greg at Clauss Studios might be able to help. Greg specializes in replicating rubber and plastic goods for vintage cars, scooters, and motorcycles.  Greg's website is www.claussstudios.com

                              Cheers, Bret @ Glass from the Past
   

[RRRToolSolutions]

Bret, Greg turned out to be the answer to my rubber parts - thanks.

Guys, here is an update up to the 10th of November. I always get carried away when assembly starts and I sometimes forget to take photos for my album and records. I been lucky enought to get a nos exhaust and I've bit the bullet and bought the Hagon reproduction (Girling) shocks, so those will look original when installed. The photos below with a temporary bolt/washer in the oil filter in case the savy among us see it and point this out.

Some may find this interesting - all Black parts were powder coated - even the fuel tank! My powder coater is amazing. The engine case covers and fork lowers are also powder coated Silver for heat and durability. I had planned to do the fenders and side covers in the same, but gloss of Silver is not the same as the Black, so I went to my regular painter for his 10 coat urethane/clear custom job.

I should be changing those 4 gears by Christmas. I'll also add that these are a sweet challenge to anyone wanting to get one done. Several of the parts had to be built/machined from the originals. Several items are simply "not available" anywhere known to man. I've spoken with 25 different suppliers and built a lot of friendships during the course of this project.

Regards,
Gordon

[DarkRider]

Wow! thats a major transformation from the condition the bike was in when you first got it...looking great so far gordon.

[Tim.]

That is bloody amazing, and inspiring.  Unreal.  Makes me wish I split my cases - maybe I'll pick up another engine to turn into a real jewel.

[Raul CB750K1]

Speechless. Can't wait to see the finished bike. Good work!!!!

[olds-cool]

I'm glad you took on the challenge.  Even unfinished the bike is a beauty.

[Tim.]

We should also give credit where credit is due, and applaud Honda for such a timeless, fantastic design of a bike.

[RRRToolSolutions]

Tintin - you are so right on that one. I decided on a Bomber project like this one for two reasons.

First was to show that rarely is a bike "too far gone" for a restoration. I'd rather see them brought back to life as originals than to be chopped/cut up. I love the stock bikes that remind you of the days they sat in the showrooms waiting for one us lucky persons to buy them. While this predates me by 5-6 years (I would have been 9 in 1967) I can only imagine it stiing there in it's glory and the King of all things Honda. Tis was their "bad boy" in 1965 ~1968.

Second is because I became intrigued by the engine's design. This is the first and only torsion bar valve train that I know of. It's design brings some serious high-perf research and development with it. By not having valve springs, the valve angles are optomized and the flow into the steel inserted hemi-spherical heads is almost perfect. They are not impeded by the convential design angles. A look from Carb side or the Exhaust side demonstrate a straight-shot to the combustion chamber - I've never seen anythings like it since. Add to that it's dual overhead camshafts, externally adjustable valve clearances, and it's complex chain and roller system - I had to see one up-close and personal. I've wanted to take one of these apart for myself for years now. This one gave me plently to write about for some future articles in the VJMC and Motorcycle Classics. I did not expect factory undercut transmission parts, plunger oil pump,hard to find pieces. These all added to the enjoyment.

Restore them, don't attempt at art - save that for plastic bikes, canvas or paper. Join the VJMC or similar group and put these machines back on the roads.

Regards,
Gordon SC Rep VJMC

[malcolmgb]

Fantastic job there Ilbikes, to echo my earlier post it is great you are rebuilding it to former glory rather than scrapping it. I was 16 when they came out and admired them but never had the money for one, I looked around for one before I got my 400 but they are very rare over here and cost a small fortune in any condition. Good luck with the rest of the rebuild.

[mikedialect]

Gordon,

your home is becoming a true place of wonder. Wonderful work so far! I wish I were near by as I've never seen one in person. Very inspiring!

[bill440cars]

         Like Mike, I wouldn't seeing that one myself! I have seen only one in person and it was in 68', so it was pretty new at the time. However, there is absolutely no comparison of that one to Gordon's. This one, is much better than a new one, in my opinion! The one I saw was red instead of black. And, some don't recognize it, but the 450 was a milestone in it's own right because of the reasons Gordon stated.

                                        Later on, Bill  

[bryanj]

Gordon, i like the others are amazed by your workmanship and persistence AND you haven't took years, unlike me.

I did work on several 500 twins and yes they are mechanically unusual, only bits of advice i could give are locktite and make sure the starter clutch bolts are really tight as the 500 had a tendancy to loosen them wrecking the rotor, and open up the centifugal oil filter regularly as its amazing just how much crap they collect.
I remember reading about the Black Bombers but by the time i was drooling in windows earning sod all and running an Enfield Crusader it was 750 and 500 fours alongside Bonnevilles and Atlases----No comparrison really

[RRRToolSolutions]

Bryan, I bought 2 spares and the rotor and starterr clutches were all loose, the knock pin wallowed out, and on one - the heads of the screws completely worn off. I don't want the metal floating through the engine either.

I took my rotor to a modern machinist (same old gentleman making my CB750 frame kits). He has added hardened drive pins in three places (for exact balance) that will give the rotor/starter clutch 4 places to carry the load instead of the one knock pin. He did this on the best of the 3 rotors I had. He used a hardened collar in the soft aluminum to fill the enlargened hole where pin wear occured - this will take care of the slop and prevent it from happening. This is the biggest design flaw I've seen of that model. They just did not have the surface area needed to support the torque load. These 4 precision fit pins should handle the load and the only thing the screws have to do is provide clamp load to keep the pieces together which is their intended design.

Thanks for the heads-up though. Hopefully we've provided some help to others.

Gordon