[ProTeal55]

I figured I would do a mini thread to show the progress of the CB450 project thus far. Remember, This project is up for grabs if anyone wants the bike "as is" . If not, I am gonna finish it and ride it untill sold..

Here we go:
Starting point was a 6000 original mile 1974 Honda CB450 DOHC..

I got the bike complete (minus the seat). Everything that I was not going to use was removed and sold on Ebay, and various sites I am on.

The first major project was to get the bike lower to the ground, and this was achieved with 11'' short shocks in the rear, and pushing the tubes up front thru the triple-tree's about 3''. As you can see the bike is slammed (which is the way they all should be) -->

Then I got bored and started tearing into the bike with my grinder and trusty sawzall..All brackets / tabs / and anything else I saw fit was removed, sanded down, and covered with a few coats of Dupli-color low gloss engine enamel. I have had great luck with this stuff, as it is almost like powdercoating in a rattlecan.

Next issue was to mount the seat.
The seat I got came with a pad, so that was one less thing I had to worry about.

The framerails on the bike had to be cut to allow the seat to fit. So that along with some grinding and all was good. With the bike being so low I had to take out 1'' outta the bottom of the seat to prevent seat to tire "love". My guess is I am gonna have to run the rear shocks on their hardest setting, but the look will be worth it.. A "tray" was made to clear the rear wheel and also mount the battery and some electrics..Also the sidecovers were removed to go for that clean " no sidecover look".

A pan was made to attach the seat too, along with to mount the electrics under (and out of sight)..

The inside of the seat itself was built up with hardened wood, and then painted black to match. The whole seat/tray combo came out really really well, and works even better.

The rearsets (which are about 80% complete at this time) were almost too easy.
I took a trip to the local sportbike junkyard and scored a set of controls offa 2001 GSXR.
All I did was bolt them into the pass. peg mounting holes, and then cut down/off the stock mounts..
All that is left is to make up the linkages, and I am done (the one in the pics below is just a piece of wire for mockup)

Allot of other things have been done to this bike to get it to it's current state...
Things like a smoothed out top triple tree, clip-on's mounted above the top tree, ultra clean master/universal throttle and clutch perch, etc..Still waiting on my grips (will be the same as these, just black) --->

Here's some pics of the new sealed battery in it's new home, under the hump of the cafe seat.
We built 4 supports to hold the battery in place, along with a strap over it to insure it wont be going anywhere...
That along with the trailer box all sits under perfectly, out of sight...

Got some real K&N filters for the scoot, as I cant stand those cheap ass Emigo filters that everyone uses..
(still need to be oiled) -->

And here's some final pics to see how the bike currently sits/looks...
All that is needed to get this bike finished is some time, sort out the wiring, finish the rearseat and exhaust, and other little BS things here and there...

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago

 

[ProTeal55]

(Pardon the crappy pics - not much light where the bike is being worked on..)

My new Avon RoadRider tires are mounted and back on the bike. Def. give the bike a "beefier" look/feel than before. Sizes are 120/80/18 in the rear and 100/90/19 up front. The 120 def. fills up the swingarm nicely, compared to the pizza cutter that was on their before. Along with that we got alittle speed hole crazy on the rear of the bike while the wheel was off (see below). More speed holes to be drilled as the bike progresses.. ;D

Below is the 1st of many videos I am gonna host of the bike so you guys can hear what the "Franken-Exhaust" sounds like. This vid was shot about 12:30am with my buddy Danny putting the bike thru the gears down Western avenue..You really cant hear just how loud this little bike is, becasuse on the video below the exhaust is exiting away from the camera (trust me-it's loud)
http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q49/ProTeal55/?action=view¤t=CB450-1.flv
I will get some more vid of the bike idling and stuff once the carbs get worked out...

I also took some more pics of the reasets and exhaust per request (@ 300 dpi). The problem is not with my camera, it is the fact the post office (where the bike is being built)has bad lighting. Once the bike gets finished and I have some time to clean it up alittle, I will take it outside and get some better pics - but untill then --->

Besides some more little odd's and ends, the actual building of the bike is done. Now I just need to spend some time getting it running the best I can, clean the carbs, etc...

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago

Edited by - PROTEAL55 on Apr 23 2007 11:29:29 AM

Edited by - PROTEAL55 on Apr 23 2007 11:31:36 AM

 

[fuzzybutt]

bike looks GREAT! wish i had the extra cash laying around. i'd buy it in a heartbeat. BUT i just dropped an assload of cash on a handylift and a smithy lathe/mill

some people are like slinkies, basically useless but they still make me smile when i push them down the stairs

 

[LiLBull]

bike looks great I liked the video hearing it way before you saw it shouting by.ww.backallycustoms.com you can see my 450 it shas the dual red stripes just keep clicking on WAR HORSE .Your exhaust is the only way you can use the foot pegs for rearsets it hit sthe exhaust if you had standard fair .good job you guys share that warehouse or its yours.

Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.

 

[ProTeal55]

The warehouse where the bike is being finished is actually an old Chicago Post Office. It is my buddy Danny, along with 6 or 7 more guys who have split up the space. It is gonna be a crazy summer down their, as the bar is being built as I type this, along with the install of 2 stripper poles..

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago
1972 CB750 Hooligan/Street Fighter
1974 CB/CL450 Cafe/Bar/Stripclub Racer

 

[LiLBull]

I stay clear of drunk guys on stripper poles .
But that place is what I have been looking for for years ,its cool !! I drilled holes in my clutch cover to even drilled some in the area that covers the chain sprocket and clutch throw arm it just looks cool.Im leary of a street bike with holes for brake cooling a race bike but not a street bike .Hey its not like you use the rear brake any way !!! So what am I thinking ...where is my drill!

Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.

 

[champ]

Thats it Pro.... I'm flying to chicago to check out the warehouse!! I thought the bike project was cool.....but the facility where your building it has got me intrigued!!

JS

 

[ProTeal55]

<center>* 1974 HONDA CB/CL 450 PROJECT UPDATE 4/27/07 *</center>

She be done !!! ;D

Last night the post office was rockin with progress on the CB450 project. My bud Steven from the Ton-Up club brought my carbs back, freshly cleaned and bead blasted (look great). I owe him allot for the help, as well as my buddy Danny and Chris (cursed)..Those went back on the bike and after a few turns of the screwdriver the bike was running better than it ever has. A new brake rod was made up to raise the pedal on the rearset, and thus make it alittle easier to apply the rear brake. Some cleanup on the wiring, addition of a battery tender lead, and a few other things and we are done ! And for the people who were wondering how the exhaust exit's while I am on the bike I took some pics for you to see (pardon the ripped pants - long story)-->

With the angle of the pipes along with the 45 bend turnouts I dont think I am gonna have any issues with exhaust heat/buring my pants/etc. Even after blasting the bike around the pipes really dont ge that hot, espeically yhr part where I wrapped them twice..It was rainning pretty much on and off all day, but we got a small window where it was dry out to take the bike up and down the street for some more 'shakedown" runs ;D See the latest video's below -->
Here's Danny taking it down Western--->
http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q49/ProTeal55/?action=view&current=CB450-2.flv
And here he is doing a fly-by---->
http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q49/ProTeal55/?action=view&current=CB450-3.flv
I think I am gonna re-name this bike "cut-off" becasue both my buddy Danny & I both cut cutoff pretty hard last night while riding the bike down Western (within 5 min from each other). Mine was allot closer than his, but both still could of been pretty bad. Atleast I know the brakes work :. If I end up keeping this bike a dual-disc front end is def. in it's future...

We met the deadline for the Rockers Reunion (tomorrow 4/28/07), which is killer. The bike is low/loud/and from how much I have rode it seems really streetable. I am gonna go down early tomorrow to the post office and get some seat time in before I head over to the show (1pm). As promised I plan to take a bunch of pics of the bike at the show, and whatever else I think you guys would enjoy seeing..

Ride safe - and watch out for the cagers... :

http://www.tonupchicago.com

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago
1972 CB750 Hooligan/Street Fighter
1974 CB/CL450 Cafe/Bar/Stripclub Racer

 

[texmawby]

i still don't know why your gonna sell them.....

seems like you got some cool, mildly custom cycles.
(that both run)

nothin' against harleys, but why not keep the other two?

texy

p.s.- saw a repair shop the other day with a cool name, "hogs and rice."

 

[ProTeal55]

<center>* Project Update 4-29-07 *</center>

Woke up early yesterday and headed down to the post office to mess around with the bike before I headed to the Rockers Reunion. With the recent weather I really didnt have any time to actually ride the bike and put some miles on it..After swapping the plate off the CB750 onto the CB450 I was ready to roll.. ;D The first issue I was faced with was the bike not wanting to start. After figuring out the "sweet spot" of where the choke needed to be that issue was solved. Then I figured I would take it for a spin down Western to get some gas. I almost killed myself pulling onto the street because the throttle cable(s) were being pinched/pulled under the tank every time I turned the bars :. Never been on a bike where you dont need to turn the throttle to rev it ;D

So we got the bike back to the post office, pulled the tank and re-routed the throttle cable so each side (one cable that splits to two) was on each side of the backbone. The tank goes back on the the issue was solved. By this time about 3 or 4 other guys showed up and were ready to get rollin to the show (about 15 blocks away). So, off we go.

Keep in mind this is the first time I have had this bike out on the road, in traffic, etc..
You feel like you are superman on this bike with the low bars and way far back rearsets. The seat LOOKS good but def. is not as comfy as my Gualarri seat on my CB750. The rear brake def. needs to be adjusted because it basically didn't do anything to stop me. The 1/2 turn throttle is WAY too touchy, and makes hitting the front brake "intresting" to say the least, so thats gonna get changed 4 sure. I hit a few solid bumps and was surprised on how well the bike took them. That big front tire had allot to do with it I am sure. This bike is def. a stoplight racer, and makes my CB750 feel like a Roadking ;D

So about 1/2 way into the show our buddy Steven's low oil light lights up on his CB350 Cafe racer. So we pull into a gas station so he can check it out. Seems as if when he re-built the motor over the winter he forget to put oil in it : ;D ;D. So I sat in amazement to watch him dump 2 1/2 quarts of oil in that thing. Gotta love a Honda right ? ;D This whole time my bike was idling because I didn't want to shut it off, and deal with starting it again. Just sitting their making a whole bunch of noise as it idled along..Some more fellow Ton-Uppers came by and were looking over the bike when WHAM, the bike dies. :-X. So I think I must of had the gas off. I go to check, gas is "on". I look at the headlite and I got nothing :'(. The thing is dead in the water ! So after a few select swear words and me almost launching my hat across Diversy we decide to try and push start it. Mind you it is about 80 outside and most of us are "rockered" up to dress the part for the show. I was just wearing jeans a work shirt but allot of the guys were in full leathers and what not..After 3 or 4 attempts we figure out the thing aint gonna start, so I start pushing..I was only about 5 blocks away, but 5 blocks in the city is allot different than 5 blocks in the burbs.. :-\ I did try to be pushed by another guy on his bike and what not, but that was just a bad situation, so I pushed it..

Long story short I finally get the bike to the show, and back it into a space in front of Delilah's. I pull the seat and everything looks in order, no burned or melted wires, etc. My guess is something is wrong with the charging system , and I prob. have been riding the thing on battery power alone this whole time. So now of course everyone at the show is all over my bike like flys on #$%*. The pipes, speed holes, schwin grips, and the bike's low stance itself was a HUGE hit. I answered more questions and got more praise on this bike then I ever did on the CB750 (which felt nice after my pushing). I had about 70% of the vote for the best cafe racer but the club officials decided it would look kinda bad if a club member won (kinda looks biased), and especially for a bike that wasn't running on it own power (which I understand). I did get the thing started once and made it down the street full throttle for the crowd, but ended up pushing it back to it's spot ;D The whole show stopped when I got that thing running, which was a good feeling..

So all in all it was a good day, just alittle disappointing. Knowing my riding was done for the day I decided I might as well enjoy the show and drink, drink, drink. And thats exactly what I did. Wait till the pictures get posted fromthe show, and I betcha two to 1 that I am holding a Crown Royal & Coke. The bike got towed back to the post office in my buddies truck, put on the battery tender, went home and crashed out.. We are gonna tear into the wiring this week and figure/fix the issue.

Long day - but a good one.
The bike will be 100% come Mods Vs. Rockers time, and I am taking that damn 1st place this time !! ;D

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago
1972 CB750 Hooligan/Street Fighter
1974 CB/CL450 Cafe/Bar/Stripclub Racer
1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Hardtop

 

[ProTeal55]

<center>* * * 1974 Honda CB/CL450 Update 5/4/07 * * *</center>

The Bike is Fixed !!!
Came down to be something small/stupid that I knew it was gonna be.
Seems as if Honda wired these bikes kinda goofy back in the day. When the bike was stock the headlite only cam on when the rider turned it on (not like today when they are always on). When the headlite was OFF, only 1/2 the charging system was working on the bike. The minute the headlite was switched ON, the other 1/2 of the charging system was basically turned on. My issue was that I was running with a H4 bulb on all the time with the charging system only working at 1/2 capacity (thus my dead bike last Saturday). All we had to do was jump the wire and now the charging system is running at 100% all the time the bike is running. I am still gonna hookup a small toggle switch to turn on/off the headlite just incase I need to conserve some power (it will at least get me home if needed)..

I cant say how happy this issue is solved. Me and electrial issues DO NOT mix. I would rather float a valve or take out a piston , cause then at least I know what the issue is. Trying to find an electrial issue is not fun..

Now plans call to clean up the wiring (we tore EVERYTHING apart), and get that all back looking pretty, and ride the thing. I need to get more miles on it and see what other issues pop up..

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago
1972 CB750 Hooligan/Street Fighter
1974 CB/CL450 Cafe/Bar/Stripclub Racer
1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Hardtop

Edited by - PROTEAL55 on May 04 2007 3:03:22 PM