Aussie 72' CB450 Brat/Cafe Inspired Build

[blakews]

G'day guys! If anyone reads this haha. Bought my cb450 a few weeks ago and am currently in the process of bratting it.

Plans are a long flat seat, clip ons, new exhaust, new lights and blinkers and just a general shed of any unessential weight.

Started last week so I waited to actually have some progress shots for you, hope you enjoy.

Blake

 

[blakews]

I think I need to go lower on the seat to get the look I'm after but I'll just keep experimenting.

 

[geepurrzz]

Looking good so far. Keep us posted. I just signed up on dtt just to follow this thread and ask a couple questions as I am also building a brat from a cb450. What did u build the seat hoop with?

 

[blakews]

Looking good so far. Keep us posted. I just signed up on dtt just to follow this thread and ask a couple questions as I am also building a brat from a cb450. What did u build the seat hoop with?

It's just plain old mild steel bent into shape by a local metal fabricator and welded on (not overly well) by me. Dropped the seat off at the upholsterer yesterday so with any luck I'll have that back early next week and it will really start to take shape!

 

[blakews]

Re: Aussie 72' CB450 Brat/Cafe Inspired Build - Actual Progress Made!

So I had a lot of parts turn up this last week, new filters to replace the rubbish little pods that were choking the bike, clip ons, indicators and my seat from the upholsterer!

Could not be happier with how the seat has ended up, now I just need to find a smallish tail light so as not to wreck the lines too much.

Keen eyes will notice a little mod to the fuel tank, the existing rear mount was completely buggered so I fashioned another with an old belt and I actually think it looks alright! What do you guys think?

 

[blakews]

Couple more photos

 

[trek97]

I think shes lookin good so far.
How did you mount the R/R ,starter solenoid & battery? Pics plz
Once you get the fenders and mufflers back on it will be a nice machine.
I predict we will see a pair of rearsets in the near future.

 

[blakews]

I think shes lookin good so far.
How did you mount the R/R ,starter solenoid & battery? Pics plz
Once you get the fenders and mufflers back on it will be a nice machine.
I predict we will see a pair of rearsets in the near future.

I've got a local sheet metal shop making me up an under seat electronics box at the moment, plan is to mount everything in there. I'll upload when I get it back and mounted.
I bought some aftermarket mufflers for it but they hit on a a large bolt on the frame (right under the kickstand) so I think I may have to get a small extension of sorts.
Love working on the old girl but there seems like there's always something making life hard for me! All part of the fun haha

And in the future yes, definitely rearsets, once I recover from these recent purchases

 

[SmugMonkey]

Looks fantastic so far. How stable are those rear turn signal mounts though? Wouldn't the slight rotation of the shock under load slowly work it out of position? I'm not criticizing, I'm just new to this and actually think it's a really good idea if it works. I've been trying to figure out what to do with mine and I think that might be a great option.

 

[travgusmc]

Very clean looking bike. I love the seat! Silver looks good on these tanks also like the black wrapped pipes... hmm ideas for my 500T project.

 

[blakews]

Looks fantastic so far. How stable are those rear turn signal mounts though? Wouldn't the slight rotation of the shock under load slowly work it out of position? I'm not criticizing, I'm just new to this and actually think it's a really good idea if it works. I've been trying to figure out what to do with mine and I think that might be a great option.

Thanks mate! Can't really give an answer to that at the moment as its still in the build stage, I'll let you know when I get to ride it though!

 

[blakews]

Worked on the bike a bit more today and was able to get the indicators and tail light all wired up. I had to modify the mounts a little bit for the light to sit where I wanted but I'm pretty happy with it, a touch lower would be ideal but ah well.


Exhausts arrived and were installed and I'm stoked with how they look!


Also found this delicious looking oil plug, and no the cuts in the side were not from me, looks like the previous owner had trouble getting it off. Freeze spray, vice grips and elbow grease finally got it

 

[Luugo86]

what kind of rejetting on the carbs did you have to do to accommodate that sexy exhaust? Looks good man

 

[blakews]

what kind of rejetting on the carbs did you have to do to accommodate that sexy exhaust? Looks good man

It's got 145's in it at the moment so when I get my plug back from my fitter and turner mate I'll oil her up and test them. If anything I think I'd only have to go to 150's. Your area of expertise by any chance? It's not exactly mine

 

[trek97]

The exhaust system looks great! from the pic angle, you may find she performs a bit better if you add 15cm or more to the length.

That tail light is gonna make it look like your shooting a deathray out your butt. You could mount it to the rear fender. OR, Do you intend to install a rear fender. Or, just planning to sling and clog the air filters w a bunch of shit?

do you got plenty of clearnce twixed tire/plate. Or is it gonna fold it up under seat, first bump?

 

[blakews]

The exhaust system looks great! from the pic angle, you may find she performs a bit better if you add 15cm or more to the length.

That tail light is gonna make it look like your shooting a deathray out your butt.

Here's more of a side view, still think so? I might look into getting an extension then by the sounds of that.


Hahahaha well as long as the cars behind me see said deathray and slow down it I'll be a happy bloke

 

[trek97]

Haha, yep safety first!

You should be able to tell if the sorter exhaust is robbing performance once you get her running again.

 

[trek97]

She is still a great looking machine. I like the silver and black. it looks nice and clean.

 

[blakews]

Didn't notice the edit sorry mate

The exhaust system looks great! from the pic angle, you may find she performs a bit better if you add 15cm or more to the length.

That tail light is gonna make it look like your shooting a deathray out your butt. You could mount it to the rear fender. OR, Do you intend to install a rear fender. Or, just planning to sling and clog the air filters w a bunch of shit?

do you got plenty of clearnce twixed tire/plate. Or is it gonna fold it up under seat, first bump?

Yes I'll definitely be adding a fender. Whether it'll be a rolled unit following the shape of the wheel, or a piece of sheet mounted up across the frame uprights I've not decided yet.

Number plate seems to clear the tyre so far, putting the plate on a bit of an angle helps.
Sadly in Aus they are very strict on number plate mounting so I cant put it on its side or anything.

 

[trek97]

I understand the pain in the butt that mounting the plate can be. Here in Illinois, police wont really bust a guy simply if the plate is not mounted to the letter of the law. However, if he stops you for speeding or whatever. Then he will also write up a second violation for the "mis" mounted plate. So, in the end it will cost ya.
Ive mounted mine correctly so this dont happen. It is what it is. :