From CB450 Racer to Bobber

Awesome looking so far. I like the removable plate/brake light mounts. Now, if you could somehow magically get the wiring into the tubes and have it connect/disconnect inside...

If you ever want to trade your Grimeca for a GT750 4LS brake, just let me know It would look great on my XS!

Could maybe pull it off with a cigarette lighter socket. It would be damn cool.

I'll keep that in mind, Tim.

The idea of a hidden connector for the rear light was something I thought about as well... Can't do a cigarette lighter socket, as I need to run three wires to it (ground, rear light and brake light). Maybe a magnetic connector, like the chargeport on a Macbook?

It will probably be a bit more conventional though. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Remember your frame itself can be your ground, so the other plain receiver tube could handle that duty.

And your absolutely right. I'll give it a bit more thought.

A two pin weatherpack connector should snuggle into the frame tubes, just leave enough wire to work with. Also, a Dean's connector set would works well.

This is awesome.
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I normally work with Superseal connectors (very similar to the Weatherpack stuff). Will definitely try to fit a two-pin connector in the frametube.

Then leaves a bunch of other wires to be run through the frame as well (front lighting, horn, ignition, etc.)

As I never took that in account when the frame was build, that will be a massive challenge (most tubes are closed of at their respective ends). I'll look into it, but not sure yet whether to go that route.

nice build.

Drill and fish tape will be your friend.

The Weatherpack type connector would be the easiest route. I have a tendency to over engineer and go for the wow factor, hence my recommendation of the cig lighter.

Finally had some time to work on the bike again last weekend.

The verdict on the wiring for the rear light: It would fit, just.



However, since it would be the only wiring that could be run through the frame, without drilling holes all over the place, I have decided to run it outside the frame on this project. The wiring will still draw some attention, but more to that in a later post.

What else has been done? Well, the engine has been rebuild. Nothing special, just a total strip and built, good clean, and black paint for the crankcase. Still in very good nick inside.



Then some more work on the front. Made new brake cables, headlight bracket and found a very nice mounting position for the (new) voltage regulator/rectifier (can you spot it?). Will modify the wiring from the generator in order to get maximum charging all the time, not only when the lights are on.



Also fitted other clip-ons (yes, still clip-ons), that give a bit more room for the drop-dead gorgeous Cuppini-levers. Also trying some fork-boots, but haven't made my mind up yet about them.



That's it for this time, more to follow!

I love the way this is coming along. Definitely going in my 'inspiration' files.

Wow, really like the looks of this one! At first I didn't find the frameend / backwheel mount (not sure what it called) great, but now when you have added wheels and so... just looking great!
Pure inspiration !

Looks great! Proof that you don't need a lot of stretch to look awesome.

Build is looking great! Cant believe the change it took from when you started.

great build, that is not a friend that did those welds, that is a BEST friend that did those welds-nice.

Time for a little update, almost two months have passed! Haven't been able to do as much as I would have liked to, but it's still going in the right direction.

Have started on the wiring, so I first drew a wiring diagram.



Rear lighting wired up.



The new Mikuni's have also arrived, so made spacers for the inlet manifolds (otherwise the choke-levers touch the head). This picture also shows the new ignition coils.



Also made a mock-up for the battery box out of cardboard, which is now being made in aluminium. Unfortunately, my friend has been ill for a few weeks and now has a backlog of work to catch up on, so the bike has been sitting at home until I can take it to him to start work on the exhausts. Luckily, the bike is in good company!



The last reason for the delay in work done on the CB450 is the arrival of a new project... You just can't turn down a '72 CB750 K2 if somebody gives it to you, now can you?





It's in decent shape, but the carbs are missing, it needs some wiring done (new loom included!), and the front brakes need sorting out. I'm thinking brat/flat tracker sort of bike... I have stripped it a bit and have ordered some parts. Will start a new thread when the project really starts!

oh man....great work on the bob....but i'm eyeballing that 916 (always wanted one)

Im by no means a honda guy but i love your motorcycle good stuff man

Bad. Ass.