My First 1974 cb450: Tabasco! [SOLD! "FIGHTER" THREAD UP!]

[CThor]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

I just pulled my motor today, its pretty heavy but I was able to do it myself. Pull it out to the shifter side is my advice. I started the other way since I didn't know it mattered but the points area sticks up higher than on the other side so it kept hitting the frame. Came out pretty easy to the other side.

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

I just pulled my motor today, its pretty heavy but I was able to do it myself. Pull it out to the shifter side is my advice. I started the other way since I didn't know it mattered but the points area sticks up higher than on the other side so it kept hitting the frame. Came out pretty easy to the other side.

Thanks for the info man! I think I'm going to pull the motor out first after removing the wiring harness then I'm going to remove the wheels after.

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Quick update of the tear down:
Just removed the clocks, master cylinder, and bars. My master cylinder is going to need a rebuild. Also hammered the knee indents into the tank.

I need more time to work on this beast!

 

[autoguy]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Quick update of the tear down:
Just removed the clocks, master cylinder, and bars. My master cylinder is going to need a rebuild. Also hammered the knee indents into the tank.

I need more time to work on this beast!

picts of the knee dents ?

still debating if my 450 needs knee dents

 

[CThor]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

picts of the knee dents ?

still debating if my 450 needs knee dents

I was thinking the same thing... ha ha

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Today's Update:
Within a couple hours, I made some pretty good progress tearing the bike down. I still have some other bits to remove such as the wheels, forks, triple trees, shocks, swing arm, and center stand.

New addition to the neat pile of parts in my garage:

I got the engine out, which was pretty heavy. I used a scissor jack from my car to keep it stable while removing the engine bolts.

And here's how it currently sits:

Here's some pictures of the knee indents on the fuel tank. It was pretty easy and I'm happy with them for now. I will be smoothing them out with bondo once I get the tank stripped. Hurry up paycheck, I need you!

Here's the tank mocked up on my bike.

 

[CThor]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Progress! ;D I just may be inspired now to put some dents in my tank, hmmm.... I'll think it over. They look good! Oh by the way I keep forgetting to let you know I got the brake pedal removed the other day with the motor...

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Progress! ;D I just may be inspired now to put some dents in my tank, hmmm.... I'll think it over. They look good! Oh by the way I keep forgetting to let you know I got the brake pedal removed the other day with the motor...

Thank you! Finally some real progress lol!
I'll PM you about the brake lever

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

So here's my idea about the color scheme. I decided to rattle can the bike and use duplicolor's engine enamel.

The colors I bought are:
- Dark Red for the tank and seat
- White for stripes and accents on the bike
- Cast Iron/Gunmetal for the frame and swing arm
- Low Gloss Black for the engine.

I will be adding some details here and there. I also bought DupliColor Engine Enamel Clear for smaller parts. The tank and seat will get a 2-part clear cloat. Should I throw some regular clear on the engine or not?

 

[troybilt]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Man it sounds like you've got your stuff together and have a good plan. Nice start on the build by the way! I really like that tank. nice job! Make sure to hit the motor with high heat primer. I think the colors will look very cool. Troy

 

[autoguy]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

the tank looks damn good, got me thinking more about putting knee dents in my tank i have been resisting so far

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

the tank looks damn good, got me thinking more about putting knee dents in my tank i have been resisting so far

Do the knee indents! It's really simple, you just have to make sure you get the shape that you want.

Originally I wasn't going to put on side covers, but I'm considering them. I won't be making a new bracket for my battery or relocating it, so side covers might give it a cleaner look. I need to decide soon before I cut the tabs off of my frame. Any suggestions?

 

[Flugtechnik]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

I think my battery looks like crap too so I am keeping the side covers. I just need to get some side cover bolts. I've got side covers, but no bolts. I'm planning a trip to the fastener store so hopefully I will be able to conjure up something there.

The tank looks great.

 

[Canuck Plumber]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

If you are hesitant to pound out your tank as I was, the CB500 tank already has the dents from the factory and all though it is snug, it does fit on the 400-450 frame. The only mod you need to concern yourself with is the fact that the mount screw is farther back so you will need to make up an adapter plate or some sort of apparatus that hold the tank down. Also the rubber cushing mounts needed to be shorted under the tank. It was all together pretty simple.

 

[autoguy]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Do the knee indents! It's really simple, you just have to make sure you get the shape that you want.

Originally I wasn't going to put on side covers, but I'm considering them. I won't be making a new bracket for my battery or relocating it, so side covers might give it a cleaner look. I need to decide soon before I cut the tabs off of my frame. Any suggestions?

i might, i was eyeing the tank today, did not grab my hammer though the knee dents do look damn good

Canuck Plumber, welcome back, and thanks for the idea, pricing cb500 tanks now

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

i might, i was eyeing the tank today, did not grab my hammer though the knee dents do look damn good

Canuck Plumber, welcome back, and thanks for the idea, pricing cb500 tanks now

Hopefully you gain the courage to do so throughout my build .

Update:
I was able to strip the bike down to the frame. Tomorrow it will be stripped then painted. I can't believe I took the whole thing down already. LET THE REAL BUILDING COMMENCE!

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

I tried stripping the frame today, along with other pieces such as the swing arm, center stand, battery holder, and headlight bucket. Well I learned that you should try to strip more than one at a time because then the paint just dries right back onto the part, making it difficult to remove. Lesson learned haha.

So I ended up using the whole can of Aircraft Stripper and I didn't even finish yet. My gf is over too so I don't want to just keep working on the bike without giving her any attention. I got the most work done on the frame, however it still needs to be further stripped. Just the places here and there need some more stripper and drill brush action then I should be good. Hopefully I'll get to start painting by Thursday.

 

[Tim]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

I gotta ask.

I paid $200 to have my dirty greasy old frame, two swingarms and all the engine mounts etc. sandblasted clean, masked off and powdercoated in gloss black.

While I certainly appreciate the DIY approach, is it actually more economical to chemically strip a frame and paint it yourself?

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

That's a good question, but I would assume so. But it's not just the economical factor. It's the experience as you mentioned. This is my first time doing something like this so I'm determined to put in the work.

Here's what I've spend for the process:
Aircraft stripper - $16 (2 cans)
Acetone - $6
Self-Etching Primer - $5
Paint - $5
Clear coat - $5
Drill brushes - $4 from Harbor Freight
Drill - $13 from Harbor Freight
A lot of time

So I spent about $50. $200 to get everything done for you is not a bad deal at all though! It's just that I don't have $200 to spend all at once and I want to get things done already while saving some money.

 

[goodfornothing]

Re: My First 1974 cb450: Cafe Project!

Update for today..

Frame ready for primer:

Frame Primed:

Painted with 3 light layers and 2 light clear coats:

I got a couple runs on the frame so wetsanding will be done next Thursday. More layers will be sprayed on to make the color more deep.

Electrolysis to remove rust on the swing arm, battery holder, and centerstand:

Tomato Soup:

It's currently cooking in the garage right now. I'll have to check it out when I get home form work tonight. They will be painted tomorrow. Gotta get this thing done! I should probably take an MSF course when the project inches to near completion.