Show us your 450s

GMX

GMX

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I thought it'd be nice to have a specific thread for members to show their 450's for reference and build ideas, work in progress, or finished project.
This CL450 K4 followed me home recently.
It appears to be mostly complete and original with maybe 3 previous owners.
Currently formulating a needed parts and maintenance list.

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Aside from an odd looking seat cover, it looks pretty original and complete. Now you have to amend your signature... for the better! (y)
 
Picked mine up a couple years ago hoping it would be a quick clean up and ride but low compression on one cylinder slowed that hope. It’s been too long getting started on this project. I was planning on a top end rebuild last winter but is now on this winters list. Feels like Groundhog Day when I say I’ll get to it soon. Lol.
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Mine is a 1974 CB450 K7, purchased in 2011. It came in a non-original color (black) with gauges and a few other parts likely borrowed from a 500T. I painted another set of covers and a spare tank that are shown below. It has Jay's oil pump and many new/replacement parts, but it's mostly stock.

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I'm looking forward to seeing more contributions to this thread — there are lots of great dohc 450's among the VHT members.
 
I bought this bike around 1975 and it was my main mode of transport in the non-winter months. It's a 1971 except for the headlight case (7") and fork ears. I rode it until 1982 when yougnin's arrived and it was relegated to the back of the garage until about 2012 when I decided to bring it back to life. It was complete frame up restoration. Still a few things to do but happy with the result.
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Ironic, and timely! I was just about to post this:

Well c'mon, I know there are more than 3 DOHC 450s here.... don't make me go copying pictures of projects and posting them here FOR you :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Now there are 5 total including this one.

This all-original beauty was posted for sale here about 4 years ago, I wanted to buy it badly but he wanted more than I could afford.

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A before and where I am at since I started on this project back in January 2024.

Photo from Craigslist.

CB450-1.jpg


Engine starts and idles (poorly} all the electrics work. So close but so far away.
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Wanted to add an update photo since I completed the build some time back. Currently have over 500 miles on the bike so far and running great. Photo take at a small park close to my house, you can see the mighty Haw river in the background, about ankle deep when the picture was taken.

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As much as I would like to keep this post short and sweet, my 1971 CL450 purchase quickly turned bittersweet when I learned what I was up against. If I knew what I knew now, I would have passed up on this bike. That's just me being honest. I did meet/make some long term friends here and learned how to wrench on a motorcycle. That in itself is priceless. When I brought this bike home, my only experience prior was cleaning a carb on a lawnmower...

The previous owner and his family had to "make things work", seeing that they had limited resources in the 70's. The bike was nothing short of abused.

Behind each and every bolt/part I took off of the bike, there was always another problem.

Here are a few examples...

CB450 fender on a 19' wheel
CB350 headlight bucket
CB550 front forks
Almost all screws/bolts were rusted stuck
Cracked cam bearing cover over the points
About 5-6 different oil leaks
Mismatched carbs (14H & 723A)
Turn signals didn't work
One of the coils was leaking white goo
Misc parts that didn't belong on the bike, such as a clutch lever flipped upside down to act as a front brake lever
Missing many washers, o-rings, and other items
Three layers of paint on the tank
Worn out, crusty cables
Sloppy advancer springs
A wiring harness that was hacked and repaired to death
Bent, worn out centerstand and brake arm
Baffles rotted out of the exhaust, many rusted out holes with leaks

The positives;
140psi compression per cylinder, give or take
The starter worked
The horn worked!

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Now here we are, after a grueling journey. Can't wait to finish the paint on it. I will be painting the bike frame when I eventually tear it down for a top end job.

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ancientdad said:
Well c'mon, I know there are more than 3 DOHC 450s here.... don't make me go copying pictures of projects and posting them here FOR you
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The original post doesn't seem to exclude bored out dohc 450s with red frames, chrome tanks, or MegaCycle cams. I think we're missing at least one of those here...
 
stl360+450 said:
The original post doesn't seem to exclude bored out dohc 450s with red frames, chrome tanks, or MegaCycle cams. I think we're missing at least one of those here...
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Well I didn't want to be the first one, or even right away, I mean I think most here have seen it already with as often as it has been posted. :rolleyes:

As purchased in late 2016
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Early version with "road warrior" headlight from 2017, first month after it was built
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At the Barber Vintage Festival 2018, frame repaired, different cams, different pipes but mostly the same
450 at Barber.jpg

And from early 2024, after modern tires (the previous year) and a CB77 headlight and gauge assembly, along with a major rear brake revision. Aside from the need to replace the tank due to the deteriorating chrome, it's pretty much the same now.
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I love this thread but man if I'm not careful, my wallet is definitely not going to. You guys bring me closer to buying a third bike already every day :)
 
This is not mine but I thought this would be a good place to share this YouTube video from a 450 enthusiast from Japan, I really wish it was dubbed or even subbed. If you have some time worth a watch IMO.

 
Okay I confess - I've got two!
Of course one is a project that hasn't seen much action, but I have just stripped the carbs & want to hear it run.
First is my 1970 K1, was very nice when I purchased it but had later US style mudguards (fenders to you) and a nicely upholstered but vey tall seat. So I've fixed a few simple things for free but spent some cash on original mudguards sourced from Japan & rechromed here (ouch) & had that seat lowered to look nicer - but it's rather firm now!
IMG_20240515_142841_8.jpg

Next is my 1973 K6 project - very complete but not run in a very long time. Motor is free but all the rubber bits are rock hard or perished. Just removed the carbs & stripped the one that's worst inside, lots of white corrosion! I found a good source of carb rebuild kits (Damineding) in Taiwan, got stuff for my CL77 there before, they have intake rubbers too & brake caliper & cylinder kits - but I haven't been able to get those apart yet.
I have all the parts, have removed some to work on & recovered the seat. I don't know what I will find as this progresses.
k6 #2.jpg
 
SomersetChris said:
Okay I confess - I've got two!
Of course one is a project that hasn't seen much action, but I have just stripped the carbs & want to hear it run.
First is my 1970 K1, was very nice when I purchased it but had later US style mudguards (fenders to you) and a nicely upholstered but vey tall seat. So I've fixed a few simple things for free but spent some cash on original mudguards sourced from Japan & rechromed here (ouch) & had that seat lowered to look nicer - but it's rather firm now!

Next is my 1973 K6 project - very complete but not run in a very long time. Motor is free but all the rubber bits are rock hard or perished. Just removed the carbs & stripped the one that's worst inside, lots of white corrosion! I found a good source of carb rebuild kits (Damineding) in Taiwan, got stuff for my CL77 there before, they have intake rubbers too & brake caliper & cylinder kits - but I haven't been able to get those apart yet.
I have all the parts, have removed some to work on & recovered the seat. I don't know what I will find as this progresses.
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Very nice K1 (I'd love to have one) and I have to tell you, the stator cover on your K6 is not original and would sell for a lot of money - it looks to be from a K0 and they are hard to find unmolested.
 
ancientdad said:
Very nice K1 (I'd love to have one) and I have to tell you, the stator cover on your K6 is not original and would sell for a lot of money - it looks to be from a K0 and they are hard to find unmolested.
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Thanks, I had a K1 in the late 70s to early 80s when nobody here knew what they were & it had no value! Alwasy regretted selling it & this one cost a lot more!
I had no idea about the stator cover as it appears to be the same on both of my bikes.
Difficult to see in these photos, but the "Honda" logo & it's surround looks different on yours - is that it?
 
SomersetChris said:
Thanks, I had a K1 in the late 70s to early 80s when nobody here knew what they were & it had no value! Alwasy regretted selling it & this one cost a lot more!
I had no idea about the stator cover as it appears to be the same on both of my bikes.
Difficult to see in these photos, but the "Honda" logo & it's surround looks different on yours - is that it?
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Yes, the plain Honda logo on yours tells me it's from the K0, maybe the K1 (@12ozPBR would know for sure). AFAIK there are 3 variations over the years

K0 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/384788969285

K2(?) - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/236330822088

K3 or K4 and later - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/388348131255
 
ancientdad said:
Yes, the plain Honda logo on yours tells me it's from the K0, maybe the K1 (@12ozPBR would know for sure). AFAIK there are 3 variations over the years

K0 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/384788969285

K2(?) - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/236330822088

K3 or K4 and later - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/388348131255
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Interesting, I just had a quick look at the various models on CMSNL & they all look the same when you look at the individual parts - until you get to the CB500T.
Problem is people replaced bits over the years & that cover is prone to damage if the bike falls onto the left side - maybe Honda superseded the 450 cover with the 500?
 
I understand they are prone to being damaged so getting hard to find but my goodness they are proud of those aren't they. Looks like someone could make some money on a repop version.
 
SomersetChris said:
Interesting, I just had a quick look at the various models on CMSNL & they all look the same when you look at the individual parts - until you get to the CB500T.
Problem is people replaced bits over the years & that cover is prone to damage if the bike falls onto the left side - maybe Honda superseded the 450 cover with the 500?
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You can't always trust the pictures of parts at CMSNL, and many times they don't have a picture at all. Even the depictions in the parts fiches are incorrect a fair amount of the time, like the thrust washer position on the CB450K0 crankshaft - on the wrong side of the gear. Again, Chris would know for sure but I've personally seen 2 different stator covers, both of which I own, K0 version from my current drag bike project parts and the later K5 version on my red 450.

K0

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K5 (red letters done by my wife)

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ancientdad said:
Yes, the plain Honda logo on yours tells me it's from the K0, maybe the K1 (@12ozPBR would know for sure). AFAIK there are 3 variations over the years

K0 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/384788969285

K2(?) - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/236330822088

K3 or K4 and later - https://www.ebay.ca/itm/388348131255
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To my knowledge there are only 2 types of 450 stator covers. The K0-K3 and then the later style. Your K2(?) example from eBay is not a 450 stator cover. I’m pretty sure it is from a smaller CC bike. Anyway, now that I have discovered this thread I will go and scroll through the volumes of photos I have to find some of the 450s I’ve had or put together. Nice idea for a thread! 👍
 
12ozPBR said:
To my knowledge there are only 2 types of 450 stator covers. The K0-K3 and then the later style. Your K2(?) example from eBay is not a 450 stator cover. I’m pretty sure it is from a smaller CC bike. Anyway, now that I have discovered this thread I will go and scroll through the volumes of photos I have to find some of the 450s I’ve had or put together. Nice idea for a thread! 👍
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Thanks for clarifying that Chris, I knew you'd know. I will say that the middle cover link above did remind me of a 160 when I looked it up, but that's the picture CMSNL used in the K2 list so it proves they don't always use the correct depictions and I wasn't sure myself.

Now, you have a 450 or two that need to be in this thread.... :giggle:
 
I really need to be better organized with my photos (and other aspects of life as well) so this will have to suffice for now.
This photo is from 2021 at a particular point when the shop was chock full of 450 goodness 🥰
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This is my 1989 CB 450 DX, I think I was lucky! I'm using the motorcycle every day! I only changed the spark plugs, air filter, and engine oil. I'm thinking of buying another fuel tank and all the fairings, to change them from time to time and change the look of the motorcycle!
GMX said:
I thought it'd be nice to have a specific thread for members to show their 450's for reference and build ideas, work in progress, or finished project.
This CL450 K3 followed me home recently.
It appears to be mostly complete and original with maybe 3 previous owners.
Currently formulating a needed parts and maintenance list.

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I’ll throw my somewhat recognizable as a 450 in the mix. IMG_1869.jpeg

Finally getting to riding weather that doesn’t cause massive dehydration - it’s a fun ride to work time to time.
 
May as well throw in my very first 450 during high school, along with the crate tag I removed from it before opening the crate in my father's garage. I talked the dealership I worked for at the time into letting me take it home in the crate, so my Dad brought his truck to my job and brought it home. A month or so later when he decided he wanted to trade up from his SL350K1 to a CB450K4, we did the same thing and put his bike together at home too. Not much cooler than being the first person to touch it after it left the factory.

1972 CL450K4.jpg CL450 crate tag.jpg
 
KHSE said:
How many pieces are there in the crate?
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It's hard to remember for sure, but seat, front fender, handlebars, gauges, footpegs, front wheel, turn signals, bags of hardware, taillight assembly and a few I can't recall ATM, at least 10 pieces or more based on which model probably. The 175s were the biggest bikes shipped 2 to a crate, big ol pile of stuff in that one and lots of fasteners.

Not exactly like the '70s models would be, but we have the late '60s dealer setup instructions and it covers the CB450K0. Here's a link to it.

 
So cool! Those were the good ol days for sure.
With that CL450, you had to be the coolest kid in your high school!
Lots of parts to setup back then.
Since I was a loyal repeat customer at my Honda dealer, they let me bring my 1998? Superhawk VTR1000 home in the crate and put it together, but there weren't many separate parts back then.
It was a metal frame with cardboard surrounding it.
 
GMX said:
So cool! Those were the good ol days for sure.
With that CL450, you had to be the coolest kid in your high school!
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Only cool enough to get one girl to go out with me. :ROFLMAO: But she loved doing wheelies and we did a few in the school parking lot a couple times a week before classes started. It's a wonder the school didn't call the cops.
GMX said:
Lots of parts to setup back then.
Since I was a loyal repeat customer at my Honda dealer, they let me bring my 1998? Superhawk VTR1000 home in the crate and put it together, but there weren't many separate parts back then.
It was a metal frame with cardboard surrounding it.
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Very cool! It's definitely a fun experience, glad you got to do it too. I'm just amazed any dealership would allow it at that late a time (1998) in Honda's existence in the US. When I was able to do that, Tampa was so much smaller (a single division of Tampa police back then covered the entire city out of one building downtown) and it was much more of a small town feel than it was 30 years later, I'm guessing they'd never do it today unless it was some rich buddy of the dealership owner. Obviously I haven't been privy to the way new Hondas are crated up lately, and I'm really not surprised that they came a lot more pre-assembled later on with more modern features and higher-tech systems involved, removing some chances for things to be screwed up by a rookie young kid like I was hammering wooden crates apart and assembling bikes on the sidewalk in front of the dealership with the entire parking lot of customers, salesmen and mechanics watching. :rolleyes:
 
KHSE said:
Thanks but I can't download the pdf file - the number of downloads has exceeded the limit. I'd be interested in seeing it, especially if there's pictures...
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Oh there are pictures, though black and white and with the typical low pixels of the era LOL. Seems a few people downloaded it and used up the number I allotted. Here's a new link

 
ancientdad said:
Here's a new link
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Thanks!! That's pretty neat. I didn't realize how broken down they were. There's a fair bit of work to put them together...

How cool would it be to find an original bike in its original crate?? The holy grail of Honda fanatics?
 
KHSE said:
Thanks!! That's pretty neat. I didn't realize how broken down they were. There's a fair bit of work to put them together...
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It was 1970 the first time I put one together new at my first dealership job, and I was paid $2 per bike to do it. The 175s paid a little bit more because of them coming two per crate with lots of loose parts.
KHSE said:
How cool would it be to find an original bike in its original crate?? The holy grail of Honda fanatics?
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Yes, except for all the aging and corrosion that would happen along the way because the crates were open wood slats and the bikes were barely covered with thin plastic, dripped over them and loose enough that plenty of dampness could get inside. Aside from that, yes it would be very cool
 
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