74 CB450 - Hodge Podge
- Thread starter Deli Sandwich
- Start date
klx678
Been Around the Block
eurodave said:
A friend of mine built a 450 street/tracker back in the early 70s using a cut down XR750 tail, an Elsinore 250 fuel tank, a spool front wheel, and hand made flat track pipes with megaphones exiting on the right. It looked good.
Back around 1975 there were several street/trackers (although the name didn't exist then) running around in Tuscarawas County in Ohio. One was an actual flat tracker, a PowerDyne 250 (licensed first generation Yamaha MX engine design). One was an actual XR750 chassis ridden by Mert Lawill with a Sportster engine wedged in and dual disc front brakes. The guy with the "XR900" sold it and built a Shell Thuett 750 kitted Champion framed Yamaha that actually eventually ended up on a flat track for real. There were several BSA and Triumphs stripped down to look flat track. But the one that really stuck with me was the one modified stock framed Kawasaki 350 Big Horn. The reason - they were rotary valve two strokes and the carb/air filter stuck out nearly a foot on the right side with a plastic shield covering the front of the filter. The type of bike has been featured in some Metro Racing ads, a Woody Kyle replica to be specific. Rockets as long as they didn't seize.
Really an amazing time back then... who'd a thunk they'd be so far ahead of their time.
Flying_Flannel_89
New Member
eurodave said:
Sweet looking bike! What kind of bars are those?
Flying_Flannel_89
New Member
Well they look really cool on there, even compliments the stock tank nicely. your 450 sorta makes me want to rethink my plans for mine, it just looks so right.eurodave said:
Deli Sandwich
New Member
Hello all. been such a long time since I updated this thread. It goes all the way to February!
Anyway, I've been slowly making progress and getting this bike finished. So here are some pics.
I'm glad theres been so much discussion since the first page, but honestly, I'm not building a flat tracker, or anything like that.
I'm just getting my inspiration from those style of bikes.
Sorry if I'm not following any sort of rules or conformity to the actual racers and people who take pride in that style of bike.
As of this past weekend I made the seat pan, and shaved the foam to fit.
And the last photo you see how the new battery box/electronics brackets were fitted.
I deconstructed the original wiring harness, and stripped all the wires I wasnt using anymore.
Basically any wiring that didnt have to do with getting the bike started, or the headlight, and brake light.
Everything else was discarded.
I rewired it up, crossed my fingers, and pushed the new start button.
It started started after not running since February. Pretty stoked on that.
Still hasnt kicked over yet, cause the tank and carbs werent in working order,
so im not out of the woods yet.
Im hoping to get this back on the road this weekend.
I still have to chop the exhaust to the length i see fit and wrap the pipes with tape.
Weld on a loop tail
and then sand/paint all the areas where i grinded off brackets etc.
Anyway, I've been slowly making progress and getting this bike finished. So here are some pics.
I'm glad theres been so much discussion since the first page, but honestly, I'm not building a flat tracker, or anything like that.
I'm just getting my inspiration from those style of bikes.
Sorry if I'm not following any sort of rules or conformity to the actual racers and people who take pride in that style of bike.
As of this past weekend I made the seat pan, and shaved the foam to fit.
And the last photo you see how the new battery box/electronics brackets were fitted.
I deconstructed the original wiring harness, and stripped all the wires I wasnt using anymore.
Basically any wiring that didnt have to do with getting the bike started, or the headlight, and brake light.
Everything else was discarded.
I rewired it up, crossed my fingers, and pushed the new start button.
It started started after not running since February. Pretty stoked on that.
Still hasnt kicked over yet, cause the tank and carbs werent in working order,
so im not out of the woods yet.
Im hoping to get this back on the road this weekend.
I still have to chop the exhaust to the length i see fit and wrap the pipes with tape.
Weld on a loop tail
and then sand/paint all the areas where i grinded off brackets etc.
