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I am shopping for my first project bike... A guy I know has 1 of each for sale both similar in price and condition. The 350 is a 71 the 450 is a 70. The 450 is in storage about 2hrs away, and neither of us have a truck right now so I would have to borrow one if I went that route. So the question is what would you rather have if you had the choice? Is there a large power difference over the 350 vs. 450? How about performance aftermarket for one motor vs the other?? Thanks in advance!
350
Cheaper parts
More parts availability
Greater aftermarket
Simpler engine
Very easy bike to modify and to ride
A little slow in stock trim
Dime a dozen
450
A little quicker
One of the prettiest motors Honda ever made
Torquey
Slightly rare
DOHC motor is more complicated
Not much in the way of 450 specific aftermarket
Stock parts are harder to come by
Alll that said though, Id take the 450 just because its a cool bike and youre not likely to run into another anytime real soon.
Good info thanks for that. So with some performance parts you can really wake up these 350 motors? I want to do alot of hwy driving and well have a heavy right hand? [equal to heavy right foot? lol]
I have done the whole rare car thing the shock factor/originality is great but finding the parts and then paying the price when they do come up is getting old. I might just stick with simple, cheap, and proven for this first project.
Probably getting off on another tangent here but how about 350's vs. 360's? I see alot of 360s pop up on the clist in the tristate area here.
If youre willing to spend the cash, you can build a pretty damn fast 350. In stock trim you'll have no problem cruising at 60mph. As far as the 350/360 comparison, always take a 350. The 360 isnt a bad bike really, but a 350 IS a great bike.
Take the 450. Stock it is faster and has way more torque. More parts available form more suppliers for the 350 if you want to race it, but for a mild street bike hotrod, the 450 has more oomph. What I don't remember was when the 450 changed to 5 speeds. I'm sure it was before 70 though.
Are they both running and do the both come with legal paperwork? "used to run" isn't quite the same as running.
I personally love my 450. As stated they have plenty of torque. I haven't had an issue finding parts, but for the aftermarket the 350 def has more available. As for the trans, the 70 will be a 5 speed. My dad has a 69 and its a 5 speed. I think only the first year (or 2) had the undesireable 4 spd. Either way you will have a blast wrenching/riding either!
ugh you guys are killing me with this! haha. I think I am gonna pick up the 350 just becasue I can ride it home for now. I dont think the 450 is going anywhere any time soon. I would like to have both so the lady can go riding with me too. well see.
I don't really have a problem finding parts for my 450. I can go into a dealership and order things just as if it were new. I think if you are used to a heavy foot on the highway with cars you're going to be disappointed in either bike, especially in stock form. These old bikes aren't exactly screamers. Changing the sprockets can help a bit though. I moved to a 17t up front and I can't wind it out now, meaning my engine can't fulfill the gearing.
yeah coming from a daily driven 350 rider, if youre doing 60 plus on the regular like me then it isnt the most comfortable. well it was much more comfortable when it was stock. sure the ooo's and ahhh's are nice but sometimes I would kill for the comforts of a street bike. my friend has a 450 and there stock carb setup is so much easier than the 350 but you cant beat the simplicity of the trusty 350 engine. its as basic as they come and reliable. as far as 360's, i tend to refer to them as the 350's bitch cousin not much change but i find the frame differences to favor the 350 IMO.
Of the two choices, given that both are in similar running condition the 450 is the better choice for performance hands down.
PJ can tell you how to build a 378cc 350 that'll go like heck (for a little bike),
but with a 450......swap in a 500T crank and a set of regularly available 73-74mm 450 overbore pistons and you're up into the 540cc range.
Choose the one that appeals to you in the end, but the 450 is just more bike.
Parts are easy to find, real viable performance can be had for little money vs the 350.
I don't really have a problem finding parts for my 450. I can go into a dealership and order things just as if it were new. I think if you are used to a heavy foot on the highway with cars you're going to be disappointed in either bike, especially in stock form. These old bikes aren't exactly screamers. Changing the sprockets can help a bit though. I moved to a 17t up front and I can't wind it out now, meaning my engine can't fulfill the gearing.
My 450 pulls hard right up to about 85-90mph... Nothing like a modern 600cc supersport, but still surprisingly quick given the engine size. I topped it out at around 110mph (indicated). Its not exactly stock but no major engine mods.
Id still go for the 350 myself. Dont get me wrong, love my 450 and everything but christ is that valve system ever annoying... really neat, but annoying... Plus parts for the 350 are way more plentiful and cheaper as well. And the aftermarket supports the 350 a lot more... You can get aftermarket stuff for the 450 but again, its going to cost you more than it would for the 350.
i'm just saying acceleration is car like...nothing hard to handle. I do, not for sake of argument but sake of personal experience, have a hard time believing the 110mph number. The speedo isn't all that accurate, though I doubt it's all that far off. I just wind my motor out and I've probably never even hit 100.
I am not looking to hit triple digits on the regular or at all, but it would be nice to be able to cruise 70-75 on the expressway and not piss off the other people... Ive owned a 600rr in the past so I am already setting my self up for disappointment at first. I just want something fun to shoot down to the shore , and scoot around the city on.
I like the idea of the stroker crank and over bore, but at first I just want something that runs and I can fiddle with until I am comfortable with the motors.
Pawn, check your gearing and give the engine/tuning a once over...sounds like you might be down on power a bit or perhaps geared off? I'm sitting at 265 (too fucking fat!!!) and still hit a gps verified 106 on a 90% stock 500t and the 450 is a slightly hotter engine. No barn burner by any means but more than capable of hitting 100+
I will man. I really actually have no idea what speed I get to since I have no gauges, but I imagine I've only ever topped out at a max of like 90-95mph on my 450. It was in bits when I bought it, and I am due for a valve job at the very least.
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not much change but i find the frame differences to favor the 350 IMO.
