Any CB450-K Experts on the board?

England-Kev · 10-11-2012, 11:51 AM

What am I looking at here, I know it is a CB450-K, but K what, and what year, or is it a bitsa?

I can't give any numbers at the moment, so what you see is all I see too

F_Sahms · 10-11-2012, 01:10 PM

Looks to be an early 5-speed model, like a 1969 CB450.

markjenn · 10-11-2012, 01:23 PM

Muffler shape, drum front brake, and instruments say a K1 or K2 from either 68 or 69 (Honda did not have a model year convention back then so there is no formal definition of bike by MY), but sidecovers look K4. Details look "off" to me too (like switchgear and front fender), so may be other things transplanted.

Do you have plans for the bike? Looks like it might be a good cafe basis, especially if the engine is sound.

- Mark

England-Kev · 10-11-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjenn

Do you have plans for the bike? Looks like it might be a good cafe basis, especially if the engine is sound.

- Mark

It is UK cheap ($1400), and runs great, plans? well maybe...
http://www.bikeexif.com/cb450

markjenn · 10-11-2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by England-Kev

It is UK cheap ($1400), and runs great, plans? well maybe...
http://www.bikeexif.com/cb450

I approve!

- Mark

killfile · 10-11-2012, 02:10 PM

it's a bitsa, but has one of the best front drum brakes Honda ever made.
snap it up and customize it into something that fits you better.
check the valve adjustments/torsion bars soon after purchase.

edit:
i take that back, the front drum actually looks a tad small, double check that it isn't a 350 drum that someone slapped on there!
does have the nicer 68-69 headlight (not as nice as the earlier but much better than the later)
the switches look to be much later model however...

Flipczak · 10-11-2012, 06:28 PM

Looks like a '69 K2 with a few bits changed. Switch gear has been changed and the wires should run through the bars. Front fender and drum brake may have been changed as well. May be the last year for the steering damper. Spin on gas cap and Hagon shocks are a plus. Check the VIN, K2 series started with CB450-3008956. Here's a good source to compare some of the differences. http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0450/sport.htm

If your going to buy it, pull the front valve cover off to check on the condition of the cam and lifters. It's easy for someone to improperly adjust the the torsion bar valve assembly. Overall great bikes and loads of fun to ride.

anonny · 10-11-2012, 08:57 PM

The steering damper should provide a clue, my 71 (k5 I believe) doesn't have one.

markjenn · 10-11-2012, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killfile

the switches look to be much later model however...

Doesn't look like Honda switchgear to me - maybe Yamaha. I'd be somewhat concerned about how much the wiring harness is hacked up.

- Mark

England-Kev · 10-12-2012, 10:21 AM

Well after digging a little deeper, it looks like it is a very early K1 as it carries the numbers from the K0 Black Bomber series, so it is probably an early 1968 model.

Here is a picture of a 68 K1, showing the same steering damper, headlight etc.

and here are some of my frame and engine numbers..

It seems to be wearing the wrong (later) tank, and side covers, but it still has the correct original grey cable set.

anonny · 10-12-2012, 08:58 PM

If its a black bomber the body work will cost big but will be worth the time and money if you are going to restore it. Try hondatwins.net

markjenn · 10-13-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonny

If its a black bomber the body work will cost big but will be worth the time and money if you are going to restore it. Try hondatwins.net

The frame stamp clear shows it to be a K1 so its not a black bomber. But the tank and side covers are K2+.

- Mark

'Rett Butler · 10-16-2012, 01:12 PM

The K1 tank (as well as the K2 tank you have) were only made for 1 year making them much rarer than a Black Bomber. I've been hoping to catch one for my K2 on eBay but the price keeps getting too steep. It's a much more attractive tank than the BB - looking more like a BMW toaster tank.

I agree the side covers are also K2 - the forks should have metal shrouds instead of boots though. Could be a CL450 front end too, right?

Ahh, I just saw that you're in the UK. There were different variations of K1 and K2 there. Fork boots came earlier than on the US models I read somewhere.

I just got back from the Barber Vintage Festival with my head swirling of possible builds from the brat you see above to a Hanson road racer replica.

This is how my "free" K2 came to me:

England-Kev · 10-16-2012, 01:34 PM

Sweet, I am not the only inmate of the madhouse then

My bike is a Euro model, look at the shape of the front indicator lenses, euro only, how hard would they be to find

I would love to find a chrome side fuel tank, but I fear that aint going to happen any time soon, so I shall rebuild the bike around what I have for now.

'Rett Butler · 10-16-2012, 02:10 PM

Mine is a '69 that has been parked since '73. I got it to fire up off ether and a jumped battery so I stripped it down to the frame....

....that was almost 2 years ago :(

10-11-2012, 11:51 AM	#1
England-Kev ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Berkshire, England. Just off the Beaten Track! Oddometer: 2,572	Any CB450-K Experts on the board? What am I looking at here, I know it is a CB450-K, but K what, and what year, or is it a bitsa? I can't give any numbers at the moment, so what you see is all I see too __________________ http://kevindean.zenfolio.com/ http://motodelcurva.wordpress.com/ http://backstreetthunder.wordpress.com

10-11-2012, 01:10 PM	#2
F_Sahms mostly paved Joined: Mar 2012 Oddometer: 203	Looks to be an early 5-speed model, like a 1969 CB450. __________________ Life's too short.

10-11-2012, 02:10 PM	#6
killfile 49/50 Joined: May 2010 Location: SF, CA Oddometer: 353	it's a bitsa, but has one of the best front drum brakes Honda ever made. snap it up and customize it into something that fits you better. check the valve adjustments/torsion bars soon after purchase. edit: i take that back, the front drum actually looks a tad small, double check that it isn't a 350 drum that someone slapped on there! does have the nicer 68-69 headlight (not as nice as the earlier but much better than the later) the switches look to be much later model however... __________________ Gallery MotoSF & Neoedo

10-11-2012, 08:57 PM	#8
anonny What could go wrong? Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Beautiful Revelstoke BC Oddometer: 4,957	The steering damper should provide a clue, my 71 (k5 I believe) doesn't have one. __________________ Kawasaki H1 build thread 71- 450 Honda CL re & re Just another pathetic sheep following the herd

10-12-2012, 10:21 AM	#10
England-Kev ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Berkshire, England. Just off the Beaten Track! Oddometer: 2,572	Well after digging a little deeper, it looks like it is a very early K1 as it carries the numbers from the K0 Black Bomber series, so it is probably an early 1968 model. Here is a picture of a 68 K1, showing the same steering damper, headlight etc. and here are some of my frame and engine numbers.. It seems to be wearing the wrong (later) tank, and side covers, but it still has the correct original grey cable set. __________________ http://kevindean.zenfolio.com/ http://motodelcurva.wordpress.com/ http://backstreetthunder.wordpress.com

10-11-2012, 01:23 PM	#3
markjenn Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Swellvue, WA Oddometer: 9,700	Muffler shape, drum front brake, and instruments say a K1 or K2 from either 68 or 69 (Honda did not have a model year convention back then so there is no formal definition of bike by MY), but sidecovers look K4. Details look "off" to me too (like switchgear and front fender), so may be other things transplanted. Do you have plans for the bike? Looks like it might be a good cafe basis, especially if the engine is sound. - Mark

10-11-2012, 06:28 PM	#7
Flipczak Adventurer Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Harrison Twp., Michigan Oddometer: 20	Looks like a '69 K2 with a few bits changed. Switch gear has been changed and the wires should run through the bars. Front fender and drum brake may have been changed as well. May be the last year for the steering damper. Spin on gas cap and Hagon shocks are a plus. Check the VIN, K2 series started with CB450-3008956. Here's a good source to compare some of the differences. http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0450/sport.htm If your going to buy it, pull the front valve cover off to check on the condition of the cam and lifters. It's easy for someone to improperly adjust the the torsion bar valve assembly. Overall great bikes and loads of fun to ride.

10-12-2012, 08:58 PM	#11
anonny What could go wrong? Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Beautiful Revelstoke BC Oddometer: 4,957	If its a black bomber the body work will cost big but will be worth the time and money if you are going to restore it. Try hondatwins.net __________________ Kawasaki H1 build thread 71- 450 Honda CL re & re Just another pathetic sheep following the herd

10-16-2012, 01:12 PM	#13
'Rett Butler Happily Married Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix-Sedona-Flagstaff-Crested Butte Oddometer: 1,032	The K1 tank (as well as the K2 tank you have) were only made for 1 year making them much rarer than a Black Bomber. I've been hoping to catch one for my K2 on eBay but the price keeps getting too steep. It's a much more attractive tank than the BB - looking more like a BMW toaster tank. I agree the side covers are also K2 - the forks should have metal shrouds instead of boots though. Could be a CL450 front end too, right? Ahh, I just saw that you're in the UK. There were different variations of K1 and K2 there. Fork boots came earlier than on the US models I read somewhere. I just got back from the Barber Vintage Festival with my head swirling of possible builds from the brat you see above to a Hanson road racer replica. This is how my "free" K2 came to me: __________________ My Bikes: '06 F650GS Dakard, '99 R1100S, '97 RMX250, '82 R100S/RS Cafe and '79 TT500 Family Bikes: '11 Sprint GT, '10 Thruxton, '09 G650GS, '07 CRF150RB, '07 F800S, '98 DR350SE, '75 CB400F, '74 TL250, '71 CT90 and '69 CB450 RENT A BIKE @ Spur Cross Cycles 'Rett Butler screwed with this post 10-16-2012 at 01:24 PM

10-16-2012, 01:34 PM	#14
England-Kev ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Berkshire, England. Just off the Beaten Track! Oddometer: 2,572	Sweet, I am not the only inmate of the madhouse then My bike is a Euro model, look at the shape of the front indicator lenses, euro only, how hard would they be to find I would love to find a chrome side fuel tank, but I fear that aint going to happen any time soon, so I shall rebuild the bike around what I have for now. __________________ http://kevindean.zenfolio.com/ http://motodelcurva.wordpress.com/ http://backstreetthunder.wordpress.com

10-16-2012, 02:10 PM	#15
'Rett Butler Happily Married Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix-Sedona-Flagstaff-Crested Butte Oddometer: 1,032	Mine is a '69 that has been parked since '73. I got it to fire up off ether and a jumped battery so I stripped it down to the frame.... ....that was almost 2 years ago :( __________________ My Bikes: '06 F650GS Dakard, '99 R1100S, '97 RMX250, '82 R100S/RS Cafe and '79 TT500 Family Bikes: '11 Sprint GT, '10 Thruxton, '09 G650GS, '07 CRF150RB, '07 F800S, '98 DR350SE, '75 CB400F, '74 TL250, '71 CT90 and '69 CB450 RENT A BIKE @ Spur Cross Cycles 'Rett Butler screwed with this post 10-16-2012 at 02:18 PM

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