Anybody owned a Honda CB450 ?

[MarkShelley]

Looking for a classic and the CB450 twin from the early 70s appeals. Anybody had experience of them?

 

[theoneandonly]

Black Bomber ?
early version of cb500t .
like any old Honda , well built .
look for rusty mudguards , look under seat .
parts availability is ok if you live in the states . easy enough to work on .
condition and rust , would be the 2 things.
avoid camchain rattles . it is a pig to change .

 

[steve hughes]

I looked and ummed and hahhed back in 2016 before I went down the 2T line. Innovative engine with new cam feelers etc. lots of u tube videos showing teardowns so they may highlight engine issues. Unusual Suzukiesque speedo tacho binacle. Remember these are mid 60’s bikes so suspension and handling will be very basic.

Much nicer looking than the pig ugly CB500T which followed in its launch colour of ……brown!

In 2016 they were hovering around £6-7k and most had been subject to partial or full renovation. Not sure on current prices. A quick blimp at Dave Silver shows lots of pattern spares still available from 1965 models onwards.

You usually find a minter so I look forward to seeing the photos

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Looking for a classic and the CB450 twin from the early 70s appeals. Anybody had experience of them?

I've got a cylinder head and a seat for one

I hope that helps

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Ooo and a petrol tank in need of some TLC

 

[GlynnJ]

I would buy the best you can for the least money because certain parts are getting hard to find.

I had a CB500T in the lovely shade of brown, and did a lot of work to it. As said above, cam chain replacement is a real pain, and parts of the complex adjuster/jockey wheel system are not available. The valve adjustment is quirky too. In the end, you'll have a fairly slow bike with shit brakes, but it will look nice.

 

[Robbi]

Have a look at a CL450 as an interesting alternative.

 

[MarkShelley]

Have a look at a CL450 as an interesting alternative.

Not a fan of the CL range to be honest. I do quite like second version the SL350 with the twin downtube frame.

 

[Number 6]

Looking for a classic and the CB450 twin from the early 70s appeals. Anybody had experience of them?

The engines are incredibly well engineered, the weak points are the cam followers which can wear out pretty quickly due to lack of oil.

I turned this.....



into this.....



Converted to a rotary oil pump with cooler and direct feed to the camshafts. Also a coil spring valve conversion due to race cams but the standard torsion bar system is fine for road use.

 

[jonnie comet]

View attachment 476748

.....One gloriously rotten motorbike..... ........

 

[Number 6]

The crankshafts are full roller bearing and copper plated, they make British twins look ridiculous.

 

[Bubb]

The crankshafts are full roller bearing and copper plated, they make British twins look ridiculous.

View attachment 476751

Why copper plate the crank?
There must be a reason, but I cannot think why….

 

[TYKEBBS]

Good condition original Black Bombers command strong money ...they are a lovely 'little' bike

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I've got a cylinder head and a seat for one

I hope that helps

Seat now SOLD

 

[Number 6]

Why copper plate the crank?
There must be a reason, but I cannot think why….

I don't know why they did that unless it was for corrosion resistance, the original conrods were copper plated too.