"CB450 DIARY" blog available here

As an avid Honda fan, the Black Bomber has long been a favourite of mine and whenever I spotted one at a
classic bike show or at one of the local bike-meets, I was always envious of the owners. In particular, I often spotted a couple of them up at Rivington Barn and even went as far as to ask if either one was for sale, but the answer was a fairly swift no! For me, this little 450 represents something very special in Honda's timeline. It was their first foray into what was then considered to be "big bike" territory and as usual, they didn't tiptoe into the market, they stormed in with technical guns blazing!

This was the first mass-produced DOHC engine in the world and was superbly engineered. In 1965, the 444cc unit produced just 4 BHP less than the 650 Bonneville and incorporated many innovative features including torsion-bar valve springing, double overhead cams, electric kickstart, horizontally-split crankcases, CV carbs and much more. It quite simply blew everyone away with its technical advancements, innovative design and incredible build quality.

Although everyone sang the praises of Honda's achievements, the CB450 was not a big sales hit. For all its technological advancements, it was heavy and therefore relatively slow. Nevertheless, Honda had shown the biking world that they were serious contenders in the big bike market and had set new standards which other manufacturers just couldn't match. The CB450 was, in effect, a death threat to the British bike industry and pretty soon, the deathblow would come in the form of the illustrious CB750 in 1969.

The CB450 was altered in 1968 in the hope of attracting more sales in the US. A new tank was fitted and a five-speed gearbox was installed. Other mods included a new crank, oil pump, and carbs. This is the model which I have (though it was registered in1970). The 10 millionth bike to roll off Honda's production line was a K1! In the photo (right) you can see the proud Soichiro Honda riding it off the ramp. I wonder where that bike is right now?

The line continued into the late seventies with more revisions aimed mainly at the American bikers and eventually was bored out to become the CB500T. Throughout most its life, it was also available in a scrambler version called the CL450.

The photo on the left is my bike. Click it to enlarge. As you can see, it is in stunning condition, following a two year nut and bolt restoration.

The engine was fully rebuilt and all chrome work was triple-chromed! The wheels were rebuilt with English Chrome Rims and Stainless Steel spokes. All fasteners are stainless too. The seat has been professionally recovered and looks brilliant! A new Lucas battery is installed and the cables are the correct grey colour. There's not a single detail been missed on this gorgeous bike.

So why did I buy one? Well, apart from the fact that I've always fancied one (as mentioned previously), I have gotten a little tired recently of flying around on modern machinery. I love to "tinker" and on a modern 17,000rpm supersports, there's not a great deal of tinkering to be done!

I quite fancy the idea of tootling around on this fine 40yr old, enjoying my surroundings and savouring the experience of biking instead of constantly whizzing around at breakneck speeds watching out for cops and their speedtraps and wondering if you're gonna make it around the next bend safely.

And because of the Honda's reliable engine, there's absolutely no reason why I can't still go on long trips. Okay, so the motorways won't be much fun, but that'll encourage me to plan A-Road routes. I'm also quite looking forward to putting the bike into a few Classic Shows over the coming year. Park the bike up, get the picnic out and sit there in the sun as bikers come along to admire her and have a good old chinwag. Sounds good to me!

Here's a few more pics. When I get the chance, I'll take some more and upload them...

Click photo to ENLARGE

Click photo to ENLARGE

Click photo to ENLARGE

"CB450 DIARY" blog available here

>>> UPDATE <<<

Since the above photos were taken, I have now managed to source some more parts. The ones which I am most pleased about are the NOS speedo and tacho! Brand new, out of the 1970 box - found 'em in America. Also pleased to have installed some new shock absorbers just as in the advert further down the page. The only thing I'm waiting for now (again from America) is a proper front mudguard and a cable-guide near the instrument cluster.

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

And the eagle-eyed viewers will probably have noticed the period headlight-visor and the new tank emblems which show the engine capacity.

20 Feb 2010

Went for short spin to my cousin's house in Euxton for a brew and a natter and then it started to snow so I headed home. I'd forgotten to turn the petcock to the OFF position so unfortunately, one of the carb bowls had overflowed and dripped onto the gearbox casing, causing the lacquer to go brown. Bummer!

Back in Horwich, the weather was fine, so I called at the Great Barn, Rivington for Breakfast...

Click images to ENLARGE

Click images to ENLARGE

On the way to Euxton, the bike had ran like a dream, but on the way back it was spitting and farting. There's definately something amiss with that left carb (or maybe it's the coil. I won't know until I strip things down and take a proper look - but I just wanna be out and about on it right now :-)

                      "CB450 DIARY" blog available here

CB450 MANUALS FOR DOWNLOAD

CB450 to CB500T Service Manual 18Mb

Right-Click the desired file and then choose "SAVE TARGET AS"