68 CB450 Rebuild with pictures

[Mike546_imp]

Success, the old bike fired right up without much fanfare. Like I never even had it apart. Actually it didn't start on the first try because the battery was low but after I charged it up it started no problem. A few more parts, recover the seat and I'll be waiting for the warm weather to get here for the first ride.

 

[Django]

Wow! That must be fun.

 

[the Ferret]

Very cool Mike. Glad she fired off right away. Got to feel good to do that yourself.

 

[Ron in MO_imp]

Mike. Your rebuild project is something that many of us would like to experience, so thanks for the detailed reports and pictures. The CB450 is looking great!

 

[Razor]

Great! Exciting times. Your first ride is just around the corner.

 

[Cormanus]

Great work. Must be a blast that she went 'first kick'.

 

[redbirds_imp]

Congrats Mike. I know you must be anxious to get her out on the road.

 

[Mike546_imp]

Thanks guys, I always wanted to do something like this but thought it would be such a daunting project. It's had its moments but overall there wasn't anything overwhelming. The best and worst part is tracking down all the parts. There is so much available for these early Honda's. Give it a try.



[url=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/Mike_Bova/media/CB450/B191E17B-ECB9-453B-88B6-13526F453E54_zpslbn6wk1h.jpg.html]

 

[rboe]

Full marks!

 

[Elipten_imp]

Enjoying this thread and project.


2014 CB1100 DLX
2013 CB1100 Std
1990 BMW K75 RT

 

[Chapomis_imp]

It mush be a real reward to have taken the engine down, put all those pieces back together and have it fire right up. It's alive !

 

[curlyjoe]

Great job Mike! She looks beautiful!

 

[NightRider_imp]

You are right, Mike. People toured on these "big" bikes. The 450 was Honda's first large bike and was well thought of by the press at the time.

This was the age when the soon to be announced CB750 was thought of as a "superbike" and an 1100 would have been what, a "megabike"?

 

[rbike_imp]

I went cross county 3 times on mine.

 

[Mike546_imp]

I'll have to do some shakedown rides before I'll be ready to leave town. Cross country? I don't know about that.

 

[Mike546_imp]

I wasn't happy with the fitment of the gauges. I was having clearance problems hooking up the speedometer cable, it was hitting the headlight bucket. I got a different mounting bracket with the high beam indicator in the center of the bracket. That moved the gauges farther apart and gave me the clearance I needed. I like the look too.

Before


After
[url=http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/Mike_Bova/media/CB450/09F9825F-A2EB-4213-B82E-34BC793D4CCA_zpsv2ozmnnp.jpg.html]

 

[Chapomis_imp]

Nice work Mike, very inspiring. I need to find a worthy opponent for my efforts.

 

[Cormanus]

Looks good, Mike. Wasn't the original high beam indicator the left hand light in the tachometer?

 

[Mike546_imp]

Looks good, Mike. Wasn't the original high beam indicator the left hand light in the tachometer?

That's the neutral light. It was originally in the top of the headlight bucket. I'v got a disc brake front end on it so the gauges aren't original to the 68. I think its a 72 front end.

Nice work Mike, very inspiring. I need to find a worthy opponent for my efforts.

Pick up a 750, there are plenty of parts around.

 

[Cormanus]

Of course it was. Thanks Mike.