Project resurrection

I bought this 73 CB450 in 2008 with the intention of turning it into a cafe racer. I tinkered with it a bit, and rode it here and there for a little while. It was in storage for over 10 years while I was in the army. Now I’m out and have the time and a place to work on it.

Right now I’m planning having the engine and trans rebuilt, going to an electronic ignition and rewiring the entire bike with an M-unit. All brakes and suspension will need to be rebuilt as well. Still trying to decide on what seat and tank I’m going to use.

What do you guys think- get it running first or tear it down to the frame and reassemble replacing/rebuilding parts as needed?

if you're rebuilding the engine, there's not too much point in getting it running first

Why are you planning to rebuild the engine?

ex119x said:

Why are you planning to rebuild the engine?

Click to expand...

It’s got a few oil leaks that need to be resealed, and I’m thinking about maybe some higher compression pistons or having it bored out, but mainly for reliability and knowing that everything is in good working order.

Update on the project, spent a few hours stripping it down and pulling the engine out of the frame.

Went ahead and ordered an set of Mikuni VM32s and a shockwave ignition from Common Motors. The wiring harness is in way worse shape than I remember so I think I'm going to trash it and start over with an M-Unit, but thats a ways off.

Next step will be finishing up the teardown, cleaning up the frame, figuring out the frame hoop and painting the frame. Then I'll be moving on the the suspension, brakes, bearings and bushings.

I think I'll be calling it project Resurrection until I come up with a better name.

Unless the tank is roached beyond redemption I like the look of the one you got. Did you check compression on the engine before you pulled it? Those 450's are cool man, I really like them. Enjoy the Resurrection

very nice, the cb450 has one of the best looking engines. Also the length of the frame is longer and is overall more of a bigger bike vs a 350.

Jimbonaut said:

Unless the tank is roached beyond redemption I like the look of the one you got. Did you check compression on the engine before you pulled it? Those 450's are cool man, I really like them. Enjoy the Resurrection

Click to expand...

I think I am going to try to stick with the stock tank. There is some bondo on it and a decent amount of rust inside but it might be salvageable.

I got 155psi on the left and 150 on the right. A bit low but hopefully it can be solved with a valve adjustment. I might try that with the engine out of the frame before I get any deeper than I already am. It that doesnt solve it, then I guess a full rebuild will have to happen.

I dont have a motorcycle jack so the next step will be to make a stand of some sort to hold the frame once i pull the wheels/suspension. Then I need to decide on what seat Im going with so I can start on the frame hoop

That compression is pretty good to be honest - as long as there isn't a big difference in the psi between the two cylinders (which there isn't) then you should be ok. Don't take my word for it, but I'm not sure a full engine tear down is necessary, at least with those compression numbers.

By the way, where are the oil leaks?