1972 CB450 K5 Hot Mess

I think I saw a video where the crack was basically in the same as well. Not sure why it cracks there perhaps just a weak point from when they were stamped out. Hopefully the solder job I did will hold up.
 
Had a chance to get out to the garage and pulled the tach and took it apart. The problem was immediately obvious with both the screws that hold the clock face down had backed out with one actually catching the needle and holding it at 2K. I must not have tightened them properly when I disassembled it the last time. Used a small drop of blue Loctite on them and tightened up and then reassembled. The chrome crimp ring is a bit worse for wear but it should be water tight. Didn;t ride it but seemed to work OK running in the garage. Hope the speedo does not suffer the same issue.

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I had a chance to try out the cutout timing cover that @VintageHondaGarage made and works great. Stopped the oil dribble that was coming out even with the bike leaned slightly the right. I will post some videos later but I was pleased to see that the left timing mark is spot on! The right is slightly retarded just off the F mark towards the the T mark. Question, in order to advance the timing slightly would I would need to close the right points slightly?


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RobMan said:
I had a chance to try out the cutout timing cover that @VintageHondaGarage made and works great. Stopped the oil dribble that was coming out even with the bike leaned slightly the right. I will post some videos later but I was pleased to see that the left timing mark is spot on! The right is slightly retarded just off the F mark towards the the T mark. Question, in order to advance the timing slightly would I would need to close the right points slightly?
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No, open the points gap slightly, causes the rubbing block of the points to contact the lobe sooner.

Cover looks cool and seems to work well.
 
That worked! It was just slightly off but after just barely opening points to about 15 thousandths looks spot on as well. Also checked the advancer and it advances and retards when applying and letting off the throttle so I call it a pass as well.

ancientdad said:
Cover looks cool and seems to work well.
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Yes the cover works well. The only thing is it is made for button head screws so you will need to come up with some. I used a bit of cut off fuel line to act as a spacer/washer on the screws I used.
 
RobMan said:
That worked! It was just slightly off but after just barely opening points to about 15 thousandths looks spot on as well. Also checked the advancer and it advances and retards when applying and letting off the throttle so I call it a pass as well.


Yes the cover works well. The only thing is it is made for button head screws so you will need to come up with some. I used a bit of cut off fuel line to act as a spacer/washer on the screws I used.
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I’m trying to get my hands on a 450 so that I can get the proper bolt length and include them with the covers to avoid this issue. The 350 covers I know the length of and am just waiting on the bulk order I did to come in.
 
VintageHondaGarage said:
I’m trying to get my hands on a 450 so that I can get the proper bolt length and include them with the covers to avoid this issue. The 350 covers I know the length of and am just waiting on the bulk order I did to come in.
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You can use a site like Partzilla to get the bolt length. They usually list the size in the description. For example #20 in the pic is the alternator cover screw, 6mm X 45mm long. Oval head is the counter sunk type of screw.


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boddy said:
You can use a site like Partzilla to get the bolt length. They usually list the size in the description. For example #20 in the pic is the alternator cover screw, 6mm X 45mm long. Oval head is the counter sunk type of screw.


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I’m well aware, but my cover isn’t the same dimension depth-wise as the stock cover, so I need to figure out what length will be best.
 
If your cover does not have a counter sink for the oval head screw, I would add 5mm to the standard 45mm length. The stock cover is about 12mm thick so if your cover is more, then subtract the difference and add it to the screw length.
 
Went for about a 30 mile ride earlier and other than a duhhhh moment when I found the choke was still closed about 1/2 way which will limit your Vroom Vroom, everything ran well, no weird noises or leaks. We are having intermittent showers it's back in the garage. I think the only thing left is to paint the tank and side covers. Hopefully can start on that soon.

Pre-ride video, idling nicely.

IMG_5394.MOV

drive.google.com drive.google.com
 
RobMan said:
Went for about a 30 mile ride earlier and other than a duhhhh moment when I found the choke was still closed about 1/2 way which will limit your Vroom Vroom, everything ran well, no weird noises or leaks. We are having intermittent showers it's back in the garage. I think the only thing left is to paint the tank and side covers. Hopefully can start on that soon.

Pre-ride video, idling nicely.

IMG_5394.MOV

drive.google.com drive.google.com
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Really nice, that's how they're supposed to sound. (y)
 
What mufflers are those? Do they have a removable baffle? I knew you ordered headers, but was surprised to see the new mufflers. The bike sounds really good.
 
RobMan said:
Went for about a 30 mile ride earlier and other than a duhhhh moment when I found the choke was still closed about 1/2 way which will limit your Vroom Vroom, everything ran well, no weird noises or leaks. We are having intermittent showers it's back in the garage. I think the only thing left is to paint the tank and side covers. Hopefully can start on that soon.

Pre-ride video, idling nicely.

IMG_5394.MOV

drive.google.com drive.google.com
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Final product on your bike is going to be a testament to either dedication or insanity. Starting where that thing came from to this is pretty damn impressive.

I’m still digging the unfinished patina of the primer.
 
stl360+450 said:
What mufflers are those? Do they have a removable baffle? I knew you ordered headers, but was surprised to see the new mufflers. The bike sounds really good.
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They are the original mufflers, the chrome was shot and a lot of surface rust so I sanded the crap out of them and painted VHT flameproof black. I need to take it on a really long ride to see if I can get the paint to cure properly. The mufflers were "modified" by the PO with a chisel I think knocking four slits around the outlet. I didn't know how I was going to like the sound but I actually like it. I need to get the wife to take a few videos when I am riding and accelerating to hear how they sound off the bike. :LOL:
 
EzPete said:
Final product on your bike is going to be a testament to either dedication or insanity. Starting where that thing came from to this is pretty damn impressive.

I’m still digging the unfinished patina of the primer.
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Thank you and I like the primer look as well but when I have a couple of good days with no honey do's I will try my hand at rattle can painting. I am going to paint with Honda Milano Red that @Richard Pitman painted his 175 and I was really taken with the color. Hopefully will turn out close to as nice as his. As for dedication or insanity I cannot bring myself to tally up my receipts but I am sure I could have about paid cash for the new Royal Enfield 650 I was considering but i would not have had the satisfaction of this build or the pleasure of being a member of this forum.
 
My 450 came with sportster tips and they really weren't bad at all except they had been fitted to the headers using a bit of plain galvanized pipe extensions. You might be able to pick up a used set on the cheap if you're interested. The extensions would have looked cool in the flameproof black. I think they may have been 65613 tips, like these.

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Count me among those who are glad you opted for the 450K5 over the Royal Enfield.

Did you already get your gold decals?
 
stl360+450 said:
My 450 came with sportster tips and they really weren't bad at all except they had been fitted to the headers using a bit of plain galvanized pipe extensions. You might be able to pick up a used set on the cheap if you're interested. The extensions would have looked cool in the flameproof black. I think they may have been 65613 tips, like these.

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Thanks for the link and those do look nice and I am sure would sound good. I am hoping the paint cures well and if it does I will probably run them for a while. I did break down and ordered a 1975 CB500T front fender off E-bay at a decent price and it just came in today and of course I put it on today. I will post pics later but I like the look especially better than the black and chrome one I had.
 
The 500T fender looks great. Now that I have a better look at the black pipes I can easily recognize them as OEM. Somehow the black paint has a slimming effect that threw me off while watching the video earlier. They look good!
 
RobMan said:
Thank you! I am looking forward to getting a few more confidence miles under my belt and we can meet up for a coffee run we spoke about. :)
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And of course we'll need pictures of that as well!

EzPete is right, from where that bike started to where it is now has been quite the successful journey.
 
stl360+450 said:
The 500T fender looks great. Now that I have a better look at the black pipes I can easily recognize them as OEM. Somehow the black paint has a slimming effect that threw me off while watching the video earlier. They look good!
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Thanks for the compliment on the fender. My search for a nice 450 front fender wasn't going well but I found there were a number of the 500T fenders available at reasonable prices and the more I thought about it the more I liked it. The black mufflers were a stop gap measure but they are growing on me as well and as for a slimming effect you know a lady always looks great in a little black dress. :whistle:
 
ancientdad said:
And of course we'll need pictures of that as well!
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Of course obligatory pictures. We may have to keep a low profile though, I'm not sure the local biker crowd will be up for two 72 CB450's!
ancientdad said:
EzPete is right, from where that bike started to where it is now has been quite the successful journey.
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It has been quite a journey so far and I have to say I am pleased with the results myself!
 
RobMan said:
Thank you! I am looking forward to getting a few more confidence miles under my belt and we can meet up for a coffee run we spoke about. :)
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Funny you say that. I took my first ride on 85 the other day. After 40+ years riding at freeway speeds takes a little getting used to :oops:. Let me know when you're ready. And yes there will be plenty of pics :cool:.
 
Put another 20 miles or so on it today and I would say the bike is running very well. I only noticed one hiccup and it was one I expected when I felt a loss of power but only needed to be switched to reserve and picked back up on the go. My better half took a short video of me leaving complete with commentary that I will share. :D

IMG_7694.MOV

drive.google.com drive.google.com
 
RobMan said:
Put another 20 miles or so on it today and I would say the bike is running very well. I only noticed one hiccup and it was one I expected when I felt a loss of power but only needed to be switched to reserve and picked back up on the go. My better half took a short video of me leaving complete with commentary that I will share. :D
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It sounds good riding away, and the play by play was well worth it!
 
She has a way with words! After I got home I decided I would pull the tank for painting since it was low on fuel anyway and I started draining it and only got about a cup out. Looked in the tank and still fuel on the left but none on the right, petcock side. Hummm oh yeah I had capped the crossover line outlets for ease of maintenance. Glad I made it home and need to get one of those quick disconnect fittings. :unsure:
 
Just hanging out! Had a little time before the recent cold front and pulled the tank and side covers, cleaned old primer with tar and wax remover and then re-primed with several coats of filler primer. Waiting for warmer weather again to lightly wet sand and then spray the color on them and then back to the waiting game to let that cure for a week or so and then go for clear.

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RobMan said:
Just hanging out! Had a little time before the recent cold front and pulled the tank and side covers, cleaned old primer with tar and wax remover and then re-primed with several coats of filler primer. Waiting for warmer weather again to lightly wet sand and then spray the color on them and then back to the waiting game to let that cure for a week or so and then go for clear.
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Rob, your methodical approach and patience throughout this project is very impressive! I can’t wait to see how your paint work turns out.
 
12ozPBR said:
Rob, your methodical approach and patience throughout this project is very impressive! I can’t wait to see how your paint work turns out.
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Appreciate the compliment but I have to give most of the credit to the great shop teachers I had in school and supervisors in the Air Force. Also the number of times I have got in a hurry on a project and got ahead of myself and something comes undone has finally taught me to slow down. :sneaky:
 
Painted the tank and side covers the other day and I do like the color but I am concerned with how grainy the finish turned out. I am not sure if it was technique, weather or a combination of the two. I am letting it cure until next week and I will see if I can sand it out a bit and improve the finish before shooting the 2K clear. Paint and body work is like carpentry for me, a whole lot of work invested for marginal results sometimes. Helps being a dumb old country boy I don't know when to quit. :LOL:

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That’s usually from spraying too dry. Either too much distance from the surface or too fast of a pass.
 
Technique then. Probably too fast from being concerned about runs. I will try Jim's suggestion wet sanding and I have another can of red. Thanks.
 
RobMan said:
Painted the tank and side covers the other day and I do like the color but I am concerned with how grainy the finish turned out. I am not sure if it was technique, weather or a combination of the two. I am letting it cure until next week and I will see if I can sand it out a bit and improve the finish before shooting the 2K clear. Paint and body work is like carpentry for me, a whole lot of work invested for marginal results sometimes. Helps being a dumb old country boy I don't know when to quit. :LOL:

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Dude, we're gonna be twin twins on our coffee ride! Ditto on what LDR said. I have a friend who was a professional body and paint man redo my boat a long time ago. I was amazed how smooth he got the finish with wet sanding.
 
Mine might be the ugly twin depending on the paint! Whatever I turn out with is how it is going to be for at least this summer and I am not planning on decals. After that I might break down and get the services of a professional next winter.
 
RobMan said:
Whatever I turn out with is how it is going to be for at least this summer
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I think you're selling yourself short here. You've been doing a great job spiffing this bike up from the word go and I think you'll be surprised by how much difference wet sanding makes, especially with the color paint. Don't be worried if the color appears a little dull after wet sanding, this will instantly change when the clear is applied.

I always end up with orange peel in my clear and I think part of that is a fear of wet sanding or buffing through the clear into the color. Another aspect is painting in high humidity outdoors. I am okay with a little orange peel and keep trying to improve with each paint job. I enjoy doing things myself even if it's not at the level of a professional.
 
Kinda running on a time crunch again gotta spray the clear before pollen season otherwise I will have a clear coat with a yellow tinge.
 
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