-
Don't overlook our Welcome Package, it contains many links to important and helpful information about functions at VHT like posting pictures and sending PMs (private messages), as well as finding the parts you need.
AD
1974 CB450 - maintenance, repair, and upgrade log
- Thread starter stl360+450
- Start date
stl360+450
Veteran Member
I hope that's all it is. The fact that this brand seems to have vanished from the face of the Earth has me worried about the other two I'm relying on.
RobMan
Veteran Member
My experience is mostly with wet lead acid batteries but if I got 4 years out of one I was very pleased. Most of them usually failed after 2 or 3 years.
stl360+450
Veteran Member
I keep pretty good records and before I looked up the purchase date I was *thinking* it was two or three years old. It's going on five and it went through a very harsh winter this year, so I guess I can't complain. Time flies.
I ordered a Motobatt replacement and look forward to favoring this bike for a little while to make up for lost time.
stl360+450
Veteran Member
The Motobatt MB12U battery arrived and I installed it along with my spare NOS spark advancer and a fresh set of Nippon Denso W22ES-U sparkplugs (once step hotter than the NGK B8ES plugs I took out).
Both plugs were showing signs of fouling that I believe is related to using off-the-shelf springs on my spark advance. All of the springs I've tested so far yield a much later start for the advance curve and the ignition system doesn't seem to tolerate that very well.
I made a short ride in and around the nearby Tower Grove Park this morning, stopping at the Turkish Pavilion for a photo.
I've been trying to carry my tool roll to ward off mechanical and electrical gremlins, yet twice my left mirror has gotten loose on recent rides. Usually I can fix it by carefully hand-tightening the nut and turning the whole mirror to get it tight at a desired spot, but it came loose a second time today, so I decided to pull out a 14mm wrench and do it right. The tool kit fits in one of my jacket pockets and folds out nicely on the tank.
Both plugs were showing signs of fouling that I believe is related to using off-the-shelf springs on my spark advance. All of the springs I've tested so far yield a much later start for the advance curve and the ignition system doesn't seem to tolerate that very well.
I made a short ride in and around the nearby Tower Grove Park this morning, stopping at the Turkish Pavilion for a photo.
I've been trying to carry my tool roll to ward off mechanical and electrical gremlins, yet twice my left mirror has gotten loose on recent rides. Usually I can fix it by carefully hand-tightening the nut and turning the whole mirror to get it tight at a desired spot, but it came loose a second time today, so I decided to pull out a 14mm wrench and do it right. The tool kit fits in one of my jacket pockets and folds out nicely on the tank.
Last edited:
I had a Yuasa AGM battery in my 750 and got about 7-8 years out of it. I would put it on a tender for a few days each month during winter storage.
It finally gave up the ghost last year and I replaced it with a Duraboost Lithium battery. Much smaller and lighter.
It finally gave up the ghost last year and I replaced it with a Duraboost Lithium battery. Much smaller and lighter.
stl360+450
Veteran Member
Thanks for the suggestion. I did purchase a battery tender recently and was wondering if it would be sufficient to rotate it amongst my four riders next winter. Sounds like this should work.
Watch the amperage output though, if they charge at a half amp or higher it would be too much to leave on for days at a time.
stl360+450
Veteran Member
My old charger was a straight ½-Amp NAPA charger, always on when connected. Loaned it out and it has not been returned, so I got one from HF and another from O'Reilly's.
The HF unit charges at ½-Amp, but is microprocessor controlled for battery maintenance. It's so smart that it won't charge a battery that has less than 12 V. This cost only $10, so it'll go in the garage for maintenance duty.
I then bought another charger from O'Reilly's so I can charge a battery that actually needs to be charged. That one seems to produce 0.8 Amps and, if it has a minimum voltage level for operation, it is much more reasonable. I couldn't find any mention of it in the instructions.
Last edited:
stl360+450
Veteran Member
I've been riding the CB450 exclusively over the last week or so and used it to go to campus this morning to check out a book from the school library.
In the department office, I ran into a part-time campus mailman (retiree) and we had a short conversation about motorcycles. He said his first bike was a 1957 Triumph Bonneville and that he later owned a Honda 305cc, ending his bike career with a 1972 CB750 that he sold in the mid-90's.
I took a circuitous route home and was asked at a stoplight if the bike has a kickstart. I affirmed and the driver gave a thumbs up. I asked if he rode and learned that he had just gotten back from a road trip in the rain on his 1800cc Goldwing. Then the light turned green.
In the department office, I ran into a part-time campus mailman (retiree) and we had a short conversation about motorcycles. He said his first bike was a 1957 Triumph Bonneville and that he later owned a Honda 305cc, ending his bike career with a 1972 CB750 that he sold in the mid-90's.
I took a circuitous route home and was asked at a stoplight if the bike has a kickstart. I affirmed and the driver gave a thumbs up. I asked if he rode and learned that he had just gotten back from a road trip in the rain on his 1800cc Goldwing. Then the light turned green.
Last edited:
stl360+450
Veteran Member
I got the CB450 out this morning for the first time in about two weeks after a period of poor weather and a short trip.
For whatever reason these tubes lose air rather quickly, in my opinion. They were down to about 20-22 psi when I checked pre-ride and I usually keep them at 30 psi. The tubes on some of my other bikes seem to hold air much better. Does this in any way reflect the quality of the tubes or Schrader valves?
I've also been annoyed by the stem caps ever since I got them. They easily over tighten and come loose. I have no idea why I waited until today to replace them. I think their only selling point must be that the cap can be used to remove the valve.
It's a good day when valve stem caps are the biggest ongoing concern.
For whatever reason these tubes lose air rather quickly, in my opinion. They were down to about 20-22 psi when I checked pre-ride and I usually keep them at 30 psi. The tubes on some of my other bikes seem to hold air much better. Does this in any way reflect the quality of the tubes or Schrader valves?
I've also been annoyed by the stem caps ever since I got them. They easily over tighten and come loose. I have no idea why I waited until today to replace them. I think their only selling point must be that the cap can be used to remove the valve.
It's a good day when valve stem caps are the biggest ongoing concern.
I got the CB450 out this morning for the first time in about two weeks after a period of poor weather and a short trip.
For whatever reason these tubes lose air rather quickly, in my opinion. They were down to about 20-22 psi when I checked pre-ride and I usually keep them at 30 psi. The tubes on some of my other bikes seem to hold air much better. Does this in any way reflect the quality of the tubes or Schrader valves?
I've also been annoyed by the stem caps ever since I got them. They easily over tighten and come loose. I have no idea why I waited until today to replace them. I think their only selling point must be that the cap can be used to remove the valve.
It's a good day when valve stem caps are the biggest ongoing concern.
Exact same issue with the Bikemaster tubes I had for my 450. Front kept losing air and I finally just broke down and replaced it thinking I must've pinched it or done something to cause a slow leak. Nope - after all the work replacing it, took the old tube and did the bucket test. Valve was leaking no matter how it was tightened. Swapped in a new valve from an ancient set and leak is gone. Kept it around as a spare.
stl360+450
Veteran Member
Interesting. This bike is due for tires, so we'll see how the new tubes fare. I've had this issue with two of my bikes and both sets of tubes came from the same shop, so I'm sticking with the other shops going forward.
stl360+450
Veteran Member
I'm leaving in a couple of days to visit my parents in Georgia, so trying not to miss out on any excuse to ride right now. Today's excuse: sandwiches.
This place has been one of my favorites for years and is not too far from my neighborhood. They have lots of glass bottled soda options (including Cheerwine) and chips (like Herr's jalapeño popper cheese curls). They receive a fair amount of press and it's well deserved in my opinion. If you go during the busy period there will be a line out the door, down the side of the building.
This place has been one of my favorites for years and is not too far from my neighborhood. They have lots of glass bottled soda options (including Cheerwine) and chips (like Herr's jalapeño popper cheese curls). They receive a fair amount of press and it's well deserved in my opinion. If you go during the busy period there will be a line out the door, down the side of the building.
Last edited:
Only another 400 miles or so and you could visit me....
stl360+450
Veteran Member
That would be nice, too, just not in the cards this summer. It's been hard to find a week to visit my parents this summer and I think they have a whole sons-do list for me and my brother who will also be there.
Well enjoy your time with them no matter what you're doing while there. Time marches on and is undefeated when it comes to the finite amount of time to spend with loved ones (or lack thereof).
stl360+450
Veteran Member
Exactly. I try to never miss the opportunity.Well enjoy your time with them no matter what you're doing while there. Time marches on and is undefeated when it comes to the finite amount of time to spend with loved ones (or lack thereof).