CB450 Build "Well It's About Time"

[frogman]

Later model forks for 450s and 500t's should be the same as on 550-4s. SHOULD is the operative word, I'm running 71 model forks which is before the change over and they don't have that rod. Mine are compatible with 750s of the same and older years, which gets me slightly larger front brakes.

 

[Finnigan]

Took my frame to a local welder today, he was "appalled at the botch job" that Bejie's Cafe Racers sent me (talking rear hoop). He offered to reword most of it to bring it up to his standards, seems like a cool guy. He put the frame on one of his tables and showed me just how off it was, when I knew what I was looking for I was a little embarrassed I didn't see it at first glance, it was off center AND crooked AND dipped below the frames natural line. I'm confident its in good hands now.

Thats 2 strikes for BCR so far...even though I hate to admit it

 

[john83]

I've seen a lot of people use BCR stuff but I've also heard a lot of bad stuff about their construction quality. Kind of a sad thing, they make some cool stuff but for the price you would expect much better quality.

 

[dannywrx88]

Re: CB450 Build "Well It's About Time"

Unfortunately that seems to be becoming more and more common these days


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[Bigsam302]

Fin, the tank and seat combo looks awesome. Did you ever contact the welder that I suggested?

 

[Finnigan]

I did, thanks for the recommendation! He seems like he knows his stuff, really cool shop too.

 

[Bigsam302]

I did, thanks for the recommendation! He seems like he knows his stuff, really cool shop too.

No problem at all. He is a good guy to work with and you can tell that he is very knowledgable and proud of his work. He is definitely familiar with all the issues that you have with your tail hoop, because he fixed mine as well.

 

[Finnigan]

Visited the always delightful DMV: Got the title and registration sorted out! Now that the paperwork is done I feel like a weight is lifted. Also got the frame back from the welder, he did a great job fixing the BCR rear hoop. Enjoy!

 

[cqyqte]

Having constructed a '71 CB450 a while back I know you are going to run into clearance issues with that hoop in that position. The rear wheel on a 450 rides up in between the rear frame rails where the shock mounting point are located. That's why there was a frame arch back behind that point which you removed. You will find that that hoop needs to turn upwards at the end by about 1 1/2". Sorry to tell you at this stage in your build.

 

[Finnigan]

Thanks for the input

 

[Finnigan]

Bronze bushing in the mail today, took the old ones out with a little hack saw trickery. Still debating between paint or powder

 

[Finnigan]

Dropped everything off at powder coat yesterday, I've worked with the shop before and they've done decent work for good price. I didn't realize its under new management and they guy I talked to didn't write any of my instructions down, shrugged his shoulders when I asked him to mask off areas and basically put my parts in a pile on the floor with no label...kind of suspect. I ended up sticking with them because they are the only ones in town with vapor blast capabilities for the cylinders and cylinder heads (soft aluminum gasket surfaces don't do well with sand blasting!). He quoted me on the high end BUT assured me when I picked up the parts i'd love the work. Fingers crossed I guess.

 

[Finnigan]

Parts back from PC! They did an amazing job except the cylinders and cylinder head...figures. Just a few shots, I'm happy everything is back home.

 

[Finnigan]

Swingarm can go in the 'done' pile

 

[Finnigan]

Engine parts finally back from powder

 

[Bigsam302]

Really looking good Finn!

 

[Finnigan]

Thanks buddy 8)

 

[Finnigan]

Getting to the bottom half of the engine, there was a ton of sludge but after half a day of scraping and cleaning I put in the crank. I took out a little material from the bottom case for a hopeful oiling upgrade but right now thats an expensive item on the wish list.

 

[frogman]

DO make sure to check all the oil passages in the crank, they fill up with gunk too and some cranks even have sludge traps in them.

Hmmm, expensive oiling upgrade, that Capellini stuff looks pretty nice. I've done some reading on just the oil filter part of it for my bike which it may be getting this winter.

 

[Finnigan]

Good call, I'll make sure to check the passages for gunk