CB450 Summer 16 update

Adamantium

Been Around the Block
First off, love this site, love the bikes, love the builds, and love the great people on it.
After regretting selling my cb360 over a year ago, trolling and researching this forum for months, and getting organized over the past few weeks, my build has finally commenced. I have never set off to do something this big before, and only have some limited motorcycle mechanical experience, but I am very confident I can pull it off.
The patient is a 72 CB450. It's in good running shape and is in need of some serious attention. So that's where I come in.
I have a few ideas and a bunch of things in a list to do/buy/make but I forgot it at the shack. I will be putting in at least 6 hours every Saturday until it gets "done".
Here is before, a prospective "after" and where it sits currently after a few hours spent stripping it down.
Big props to my buddy J, will eventually make an account for his xs750 build, and to Noel for graciously helping me out over the last long while.
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Strip down, slow, and sexy
 

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Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Very nice !!..
Was glad to help!!..
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Busy week.
So I got the bike stripped down to the frame and am hopefully going today to grind off the sidecover tabs and take it up to get sandblasted and powdercoated. I'm not really sure what colour I want because I don't know what clashes with Dr.Pepper Maroon that I going to paint the tank and seat cowl if I get around to making one. It will probably just be black. Chime in if you care.
I was talking to a mechanic at work and he has worked with Lexan a ton and told me to mould the plastic over the seat and bolt one on for a cowl. Seems simple enough, I had success with Lexan before when I made some wolverine claws for halloween one year. But the cowl is in the future.
Things that need/want to be replaced:
-Rh controls, throttle is catching in that little sleeve groove, water also leaks into the cover, gotta fix the electric start button
-fork boots
-probably new rear shocks from somwhere, who knows.
-tires probably spitfires. I need tires for the civic and Triumph too this spring, looks like a lot of rubber coming my way.
-rearsets naturally. seen some ebay ones that might work, prob around 100 bucks
-led bulbs in the cluster.
-a better headlight
-a better taillight, to replace the little led one that wont go well with where I am going.
-i got my bolts from Z1. nice guys.
-headlight visor
-thinking of a bottle catch can. that would be sweet.
-headerwrap
-shortie exhaust
-15/36 sprocket and chain, ebay 100bucks at least.
-might need new bearings for the steering column, the balls fell out somewhere, maybe i can resuse the bearings
-might paint the engine, or some accents. i am hoping to not do too much to the engine this winter. its fine, just dirty.
-chop the rear fender
-there is some bubbling in the rims, not horrendous, im hoping it will polish up nice and last for a while , one day ill get new rims
-drill the rotor.

I think thats all i can think of for now. heres some pictures
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

FYI
Frame and swingarm are at the powdercoater (Metalworks in Caledonia) should get back before christmas.
Bought tires - Bridgestone Spitfires, 110 90/18 R 100 90/19 F
Bought pipes - shortie slashcuts 14"
brake cable, clutch cable, speedo cable, allballs tapered steering bearing upgrade.
Also, I ran into Sirius Consolidated Inc, in Cambridge. You guys would be interested in him as he has lots of vintage parts in stock, and actually found out Dime City buys stuff off of him! ha. Google him and buy from him, nice guy, prices are VERY good. flat rate shipping in Ontario is 9.50. good deal.
On the side, I am mulling over getting other trinkets powdered, like the triple trees, and centerstand, and rear brake hub.
Further on the side, anyone have a good expierience with changing the sprockets to get some better gittyup in the city? I think the stock sizes are around 15/36t for this bike. I imagine if i wanted more kick I would go down a tooth up front, or up one in the back. Just wondering if anyone had a 450 who has changed the sprockets to get the desired results.

AD
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

I don't know man, it's really your call. There's no right way or anything, but I would go up in the rear before I went down in the front. Smaller front sprockets can wear a chain faster. 15/38 or 39 should be fun.
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

I never considered the fact that a tighter radius would impact chain wear, its a good point. I just wanted a noticeable increase in acceleration without pretending to be a racebike. I think a modest increase in the rear sprocket size is probably my best option. Thanks!

AD
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Got my frame and swingarm back from powdercoater. Very shiny, that and now it makes me want to powdercoat just about everything I put on the bike.
My front rim is hurtin, and am now exploring options to replace/get new rims. Probably going to powder the rim and get new stainless spokes for both front and back.
Not going to be much else going on until I get in some more parts and finish cleaning others.
Merry Christmas guys and gals.

AD
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Pics! What color did you do the frame? Black?
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Glad to see im not the only one on the computer on christmas eve. seriously.
Hey Tim, I tried putting a picture up but I think I am only allowed so much picture size or something. Ill resize see if it works. It is gloss black, done at Metalworks in Caledonia
 

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Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

I have some updates I am working on, just trying to get organized here.
 
Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Forget it , Ill post it now.
Here is my new chain guard cover. A little bit of drilling, milling, and devcon, with a side of stainless mesh.
 

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Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

and my starter
 

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Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

This is what my front rim looks like. It is off for strip and powder. It is actually pretty rough looking, if he cant get it smooth, I will have to track another down.
 

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Re: CB450 "The Doctor" First time build

Other things going on are.
- waiting for my second batch of powdered parts
- waiting for my spokes and nips
- in process of ordering my DCC parts
- have to go drop by NAPA and get a custom maroon made up for the tank, then I can hand that over to my co workers son, who is on an autobody apprenticeship.

I have not quite decided on things like signals and a tail light. Its one of those things where once its put together you have to have a good long stare at it and make up your mind. Oh, and I have a new 39T rear sprocket coming, to perk things up a bit.

March and April will be crazy rebuild months, I cant wait, stay tuned!
 
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