Let’s get a CB450 running
 

Quick story/new project:
When I bought my 1970 Challenger in 2021 it came with a catch, part of the deal included me buying an old motorcycle from Tommy, who owned the car. I pushed the bike down the street and into one of my sheds and haven’t thought much about it since. I love motorcycles, but never owned one and all of my friends who rode all got hit riding them which killed any interest I had.
However the other day I had to move some stuff in that shed and pulled it out. I knew it had compression but hadn’t gone any further with it when I bought it. Looking it over I figured I might as well try to get it running and see what kind of shape it’s in.
After doing some research I had purchased a 1974 Honda CB450. About 20k miles on it. According to Tommy it might’ve last ran in the 80’s at some point. He didn’t know.
The fuel tank is clean, but one of the carbs was frozen because the throttle didn’t move. So last week I ordered a carb rebuild kit and a few other small parts I saw it needed right off the bat.
The handlebars were missing all of the rubber bushings that hold them together. So my helper and I replaced them today and installed the freshly rebuilt carbs.
Unfortunately for me someone replaced one of the carbs at some point with a slightly newer CB500 carb. The rebuild kits are 99% the same but the 500 carb has an extra little diaphragm and spring that the 450 kits didn’t have. So hopefully once that comes in I’ll be able to start the bike.
I drained the oil, which was double full with very old gas from the bad carbs that leaked down. I also put fresh plugs in it after hosing the cylinders down with pb blaster. I’m sure that won’t foul the plugs out quickly right? Right?

So that’s where we stand today. Also picked up a battery that I’ll put on a mini charger tomorrow at work since I don’t think it’ll start without a battery.

You'll never know unless you try. It might be awesome or it might be a nightmare.

Those bikes are very reliable and 20k shouldn't be an issue. I had several Honda's when I first got started riding, at 15 yrs old, and they were all good bikes.
Did 105 miles R/T today on the Harley. Been riding for 58 years and only had 1 summer without a bike.
Be careful, it is easy to get hooked on the feeling...:laugh:

I see the boss is watching you.

LOL, I was going to say the same thing!:biggthumpup:

I had a 1973 Honda CB350 in college and those CB's are like 9 lb hammers, they always work. I'm sure once you get it running, it'll be like a Singer sewing machine.

I have a ‘73 CB450 I’m redoing. It has 17k on it but has weathered the years very nicely. Great bikes with the innovative torsion bar valve spring design.