03-10-2016, 08:28 PM
(03-10-2016, 02:24 PM)wiredgeorge_imp Wrote: I bought a new 69 (I think) CB450 while stationed over in Okinawa. Boiught it in 1972 I believe. It was my first BIG street bike. It was a left over in a crate at the local Honda shop. There were a few 550s and 750s around as I recall but not many on the island as the speed limit was 31 mph. Brought the bike back after making some mods (fold up footpegs, headlight bulb, turn signal lenses, etc.) to meet US DOT standards. The bike was fun to ride and felt really fast to me but vibrated badly as I recall. My wife and I rode all around the area on it. Sold the bike when I went overseas in 1976 as a civilian. Probably one of the best looking bikes I have ever owned. I always wanted one of the red ones that were sold in the early 70s but the black one with the chrome sides on the tank and the knee rubber looks like a tux almost.
This 44 year old photo was taken on the beach in Okinawa:
That's a great story George. I first came across one when I was 11 or 12 and the guy around the corner from my house had a few bikes he worked on in his garage. I remember him taking the transmission gears out of it and baking them in his mothers oven. He was telling us how baking them would make them stronger. I was thinking how cool is that. I always wanted one after that. It only took me 45 more years to get one.