Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build (Now with video)

[Midcoastcustoms]

Hello everyone at DO THE TON. (what does that mean anyways?) Here are the pics of the bike i picked up last week. Its a 1974 Honda CB450 with 14k miles. The intention is to turn it into a cafe bike and not break the bank. So far i have learned that Keihin carbs kind of suck. Next up is setting the valve clearance. Please post ideas for the bike

Had to start somewhere!

 

[Rocan]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

welcome midcoast!

do the ton is a reference to the action of doing the ton... in other words, hitting 100 miles per hour. this was often a goal of the original rockers, more commonly known as "cafe racers"

should be a fun build... you got one hell of a nice garage... i would love that compressor you have!

whats under the cover... post pics of your car in the cages section of the forum!



keep us updated!

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

'77 Trans Am stuck in the almost done stage ill post some pics when i get a chance

 

[Big R]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

Yeah, welcome MidCoast!

How well does that 450 run? Obviously you're not a big fan of the carbs (I feel your pain). A well running bike with a clean title in your name is the ideal place to start - although swapping out those bars can't hurt.

Before you commit to an idea / paint scheme / etc check out some of the other builds on similar bikes. One of our Mods organized a lot of the builds in one list, so you should be able to find bikes like yours.

 

[boingk]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

I like the idea of using the seat it has, minus the backrest part. Throw some clipons on there and you're off to a fighting start. From there you can get performance exhaust systems, uprated carburettors, hot camshafts, new shocks...the sky is the limit.

Cheers - boingk

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

Bike runs decent after cleaning carbs and new plugs. Need to set valve clearance next so I will start searching the forum for info on that. Is this difficult on theses Honda twins?

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

I like the idea of using the seat it has, minus the backrest part. Throw some clipons on there and you're off to a fighting start. From there you can get performance exhaust systems, uprated carburettors, hot camshafts, new shocks...the sky is the limit.

Cheers - boingk

Yeah id like to remove the air box and put on pods then change the exhaust. I can't seem so find jets for these Keihin carbs (right now 150 main 38 pilot) won't it run lean if i don't change them?

 

[Big R]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

The valves aren't bad at all. Especially if you have a tappet wrench and the proper shims. There should be a link to a downloadable service manual on here.

And yes, putting pods on will lean it out a good bit. If you head down to the local bike shop, they might have Keihin jets in stock.

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

Its been awhile but here are some updates on the bike build. Roccity interceptor seat, high rise tarrozzi, yamaha R6 rear sets (both not pictured or on yet). Please save the comments on the bars hanging on there now...if i left them mounted any longer i might of changed my mind to a bobber build...waiting now on headlamp mounting ears and cables.

 

[bww_mn]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

Eric, the seats looking good. - Brad

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

Re: Midcoastcustom's 1974 cb450 Build

Eric, the seats looking good. - Brad

Yes thanks for hooking me up Brad! Cut the brackets off of the frame that were in the way and it fits well. Its not mounted yet but the bike is getting somewhere closer to being a cafe...