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

Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *60% Complete*

For the past two days I cleared my tank and seat. It's nice and smooth but will require a wetsand and buff. I've ordered a lot of stuff for the bike so I can meet the deadline for the DTT book but I don't think I'm going to make it. I don't want to let my debt become uncontrollable so I'm going to hold off on ordering some parts. This is an expensive project for me.

I've decided not to use the CM400 master cylinder and I'm in the process off rebuilding the original MC. I should have done this before, but I'm planning on replacing the swingarm bushings to bronze ones. That means more money :(. Does anyone have any advice on removing the old bushings? I plan to use a chisel to get them out, then drive the bronze bushings in with a piece of wood and a hammer. I'm also modifying the original clock mounts to have the gauges sit 3/4 inch lower. This coming week I'll be remounting the old wiring harness so I'll have a chance to fire the bike up. The exhaust needs to be wrapped as well so that'll be next.

So much to do, so little money!

God Bless!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *60% Complete*

this bike is turnin out sexy. love it. awesome play with the colors too
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *60% Complete*

Ladies.....and gentlemen,
I have an update for you :D. I've been working on the bike for the past 5 hours and I've got a few things done. I painted the clock bracket, re-installed half of the wiring harness, and cleaned up the rear fender a bit, which needs further cleaning. I also adjusted the valve clearance. It took me a while to figure that out. Anyway, tension is also set on the cam chain and the points were properly gapped. Once I install the battery, I will be setting the ignition timing. I haven't realized it before but the inside of the engine looks clean and the points looked like it was replaced a while ago. Not bad. Carbs were also mounted as well. I'm waiting on more parts to come in and I just have to buy a few fasteners and washers from HD.

IMG_4584.jpg



IMG_4568.jpg


Where the bracket originally sat.
IMG_4577.jpg


It will be mounted here, which dropped the clocks about half an inch.
IMG_4581.jpg


This project will be wrapped up soon.
God Bless!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *65% Complete*

Good stuff! I like the white wheels a lot. I'm not real fond of the other white bits because it sets those components off quite a bit and they are not exactly sexy components to draw so much attention. Otherwise, well done.

--Chris
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *65% Complete*

I made more progress today: I was able to paint the chopped rear fender, mounted my pod filters and headlight bucket, and got some wiring done today as well. I also painted my speedo and tacho cable with Plasti-Dip.

And now to the pictures:

I like to sit on my bike and make stupid faces.
IMG_4594.jpg


IMG_4587.jpg



IMG_4588.jpg



IMG_4590.jpg



IMG_4592.jpg


I have a few small things left to do such as rebuild my MC, wrap the exhaust, and get my rear sets hooked up. Almost there, then I'm going to have to tune it once I fire it up.

God Bless fellas!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

Really nice man. Bike is getting so close. That bucket looks really good as does that fender. Soooo shiny! man, those pegs are up there though! I'm in love with those wheels! They look fantastic with the red and black! Keep it up!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

Thanks Troy!

I agree with the pegs, but once I get the seat on, it'll boost my bottom up about 3 or 4 inches so the pegs should be find. It's actually quite comfortable and it'll put those knee indents to good use! :D
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

F&#k man I am really diggin this as it's coming together. My plan has been to powder my frame in gunmetal this winter for some time and now seeing it against the black engine and white trim I absolutely certain it has to happen...

Can wait to see it all finished.
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

very nice the bike looks great, i agree having the rear sets that high is comfortable :)
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

Time for another update! Let's get this thing on the road!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

Thanks guys!

Valvesprung, your KZ was an inspiration to me. I liked the black and white combo but I think the gunmetal frame will look very cool. How's it running?

autoguy, thanks for dropping in. High pegs FTW!

And Troy..............
I'm as excited as you our to get this thing out there! I'll be doing some work on it after church and if it's something to make note of, I'll post an update. I received my LED flasher and MC rebuild kit yesterday. I'm just waiting on my MC pliers and some little stuff. So close!

God Bless!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

Thanks mate i appreciate it. She's running like a champ and I've managed about 1400 miles so far this year all of them priceless ;D
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *70% Complete*

I was able to buy some replacement fasteners from HD today and installed them on the bike. I also was able to install the gauge bracket and gauges themselves. Here are a couple of pictures of how they sit.

IMG_4595.jpg


IMG_4596.jpg


In the future I will be getting rid of the idiot lights and replacing them with LED's elsewhere. I will also relocate the ignition switch near the gauges as well. My speedometer is a bit loose however, and I don't want it rattling while I'm riding so I might try to put some washers inside to fill in the gap.

I mocked up the seat and the tank and boy does it look good! I don't want to post a picture of it yet, but I'm thinking about lowering the headlight more. I'm not too sold on headlights that sit up high, so that means I'm going to have to flip the headlight ears upside down again and install them. More to come tomorrow!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *74% Complete*

Yesterday night, I lowered the headlight bucket. There is a small space between the gauges and the bucket but I like where it sits for now.

Today, I wired in some of the remaining electrical components such as the rectifier, regulator, and starter solenoid. Battery box installed too. I had a buddy come over to help me wrap my pipes, now I just have to buy the silicone to spray it with. One thing missing in my wiring harness is a 4-way bullet terminal for the brown/white wire. I have no idea where it went so I ordered a triple bullet terminal and I will be connecting the remaining wires together. I also installed the battery to test out my new LED taillight, which has integrated turn signals. It works and blinks (I installed an LED flasher relay) but when I signal left or right, they both flash. Quite weird, so I will be posting it up here and the help section with a video. Sorry people, no picture for now but I will post some up tomorrow.

God Bless!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *76% Complete*

Hello again,
I got a few things done yesterday:

PlastiDip'd my levers.
IMG_4600.jpg


Here's one of the wrapped headers. I will be spraying black silicone over it.
IMG_4603.jpg


C-clip pliers that I got in the mail to rebuild my master cylinder. I ground the stems down so they're thinner, which isn't shown in this picture.
IMG_4604.jpg


Here are the old internals from the MC.
IMG_4607.jpg


Side by side comparison of the old piston with the new.
IMG_4608.jpg


Here's the MC installed, didn't bother polishing it up because a shiny bike isn't my concern. I was going to use the CM400 MC but I couldn't find a replacement diaphragm. I opted to use the CB450 MC because I ended up finding a rebuild kit for cheap online. Figures that the 750 rebuild kit works with this one.
IMG_4610.jpg


If I have time today, I will be lubing the clutch and throttle cables, then I will wrap them with electrical tape. I'm waiting on the oil spanner tool to come in so i can clean out the oil filter. I also ordered allen head bolts which would be coming in today. Then I'll need to buy some Hondabond HT so I can make gaskets for the side covers. So much to do!

God Bless!
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *79% Complete*

Whered you get that wrap? Ive only found a dark tan colour. Thats an light tan/off white? Same as troybilts?

Thanks
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *79% Complete*

Curbcast said:
Whered you get that wrap? Ive only found a dark tan colour. Thats an light tan/off white? Same as troybilts?

Thanks
Click to expand...

It's actually "cheapo" white wrap that I got from ebay for $18 shipped. I haven't tested it yet but it looks like it'll last. Here's a link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/50ft-WHITE-Fiberglass-Racing-Exhaust-Pipe-Header-Wrap_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem27ab7fcf51QQitemZ170381004625QQptZRaceQ5fCarQ5fParts#ht_1064wt_963
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *79% Complete*

it appears that the wrap was put on dry?? did you soak the wrap before putting it on the pipe.. makes for a better, tigher fit.
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *79% Complete*

malloy said:
it appears that the wrap was put on dry?? did you soak the wrap before putting it on the pipe.. makes for a better, tigher fit.
Click to expand...

Thanks malloy, but I took the picture the day after a friend and I wrapped them. I let them soak for a few minutes before we wrapped the pipes.
 
Re: My First 1974 cb450: La Cucaracha! *79% Complete*

ohh ok... sounds good.... looking good.
 
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