1969 CB450 face lift
 

I recently picked up a bike that was listed on craigslist for $600. It ran well and had a title. This is that bike.
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070...cde7ee46_o.jpg
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075...9c9af9d7_o.jpg
so i sold some of the chopper parts off of it and got it looking like this.
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130...51ca7d3a_b.jpg
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033...4126407c_b.jpg
i started to gather some parts for it that i had laying around, and bought a few other parts here and there.
The front end is a mix of parts. 1978 Cb750F forks, with 1974 CB550 triple trees.
I put in tapered steering bearings, got some headlight ears, picked up a Benjie headlight bucket and dug around to find a speedo that fits. I'm not sure if the CB450 and the Cb550 have the same drive ratio?????anyone know for sure? I guess i could use a CB550 drive unit too if needed.

got a set of 35mm clip ons, new wheel bearings, and some cables (not installed yet).

I bought some Avon tires (also not installed) and cut up a XS650 fuel tank that was hanging around. I'll be making the seat from that and sheet metal. I'm going to bend some DOM tube and make a loop around the back portion of the seat and weld it to the frame.

I never like full frame off builds (at least not when i'm doing them) because i really don't see much point if its a cheap bike and plans to stay a cheap bike. Its not like these are rare or anything either) so i'm not going to powder the frame or anything like that. Plus i'm really on a budget and don't have all the time in the world for this stuff. The paint is just a little faded on the tins, and the frame doesn't have much rust on it at all. I will clean the shit out of it when i'm done.

I'm going to put some rearsets on it i guess where the stock rear pegs mount. I'd like them a little more forward and about an inch higher, but the rear peg location is there and simple and i've seen a few CB450's use this location and turn out very nice.
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237...a25ce1e2_b.jpg
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195...32de89ae_b.jpg
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107...a7865049_b.jpg
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138...9451dc74_b.jpg
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063...54b88496_b.jpg
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188...1a317e61_b.jpg
So i'll be working on the seat next. I'm also getting rid of all the factory switchs and going clean and simple on the bars.

things i haven't nailed down:
1. the headlight ears are too damn long and stick the light out too far. should i change them to shorter ones?

2. I'm going with some nice rear shocks. Has anyone tried these?
http://i6.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/cf/41/3cbe_1.JPG (can't attach anymore pics according to the forum)

good or bad for the price?

3. should i paint the headlight black or cherry like the rest of the bike? i can match it pretty close to the faded cherry color.

4. front fender....should i just use a stock CB750F fender to make it bolt on to the forks or try a fiberglass with a fork brace?

Hopefully i'll have the above mentioned stuff done in a couple of months and can take her on a ride. I'll try to post updates, if i have any.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

good luck man

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

how many bikes do u have?

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

wow 600$ is good .. looking man bro i like the headlight/speedo.. well if any of your buddyz wana cafe racer im sell mine. ill cut them a deal .. keep up the work

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

besides the headlight too big for the bike... it is going good and looking good... nice find

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

wow, you do some great work. i am starting to piece together an '83 cb750F along the same lines.

for the rear shocks, i have 2 sets of these (not refinished like the pic) and i am selling a set :



http://www.cb750cafe.com/cache/photo...dcd4f52ccd.jpg

and for inspiration:
http://www.cb750cafe.com/bikes.php?cat=1&id=33

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

for the headlights, you can drill 2 new holes closer to the front to bring it closer to the back. i like the speedo mounted there.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

Laserjock, what do you want for the CB900 shocks? i'm watching a set on ebay but would rather get them from you.

EMC, I like the size of the headlight, its makes the bike look especially old and unique. i just think shorter headlight ears would be better.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

That headlight really gives it a unique look. Since it already sticks out like a sore thumb, I think you should paint it cherry so it'll flow with the bike. Oh... and that chrome gas tank looks sick on there.
I'm excited to see how this thing turns out :thup:

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

good idea the head light is sweet I like them. but yes it is way out that is why it just looks funny to me. is that a 7" head light I have seen them in about a 5"

the cb750 above nice powder work and detail nice would like to see picks of the rest

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

thats a cool lil ride! i have to ask tho... is that your garage? if so, i gotta say, i'm jealous. looks to be alot of stuff goin on there.

whatcha gonna do with those external coils from the forks that were on it? :D

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

I love the tank!!!!!!!!!! Looking great! It makes me realize I'm not going to give in and customize anything but a CB!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

yeah, my little shop space. There is too much going on here for the 2 hours a day i have available to put in. If you ever take a trip out this way you need to holla so we can drink a beer and talk bikes.

the external coils were actually factory on the early CB450. they had painted covers over them so you wouldn't normally see them.

the whole front end is on ebay right now for $2. give 'em a bid my man.

cbr600, you got a pic of that honda you mentioned?

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

what part of va you in? i make trips out that way on the regular.

i'll have to look at the ebay ad, though all i'm really interested in is the external coils. tell you what, if i make a bid and win, i'll ride the chop out and come pick em up. make for a good weekend ride.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

i'm in Roanoke. its a long ride from your neck of the woods. around 4 or 5 hours or something like that. let me know if you do ride the chop out here, i'll have a back brace waiting for you!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

I paid $60 for them on ebay too but they are much cleaner than the one up for bid. NO RUST - just some oxidization. I can take a pic if you are interested

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

its coming together really nice:D

paint the headlight cherry or chrome dip it, and i would rock no front fender

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

sweet cafe racer FTW!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

i ended up getting the shocks from ebay...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/...8eec0fc11e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/...1caefbcc60.jpg

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

:squirt:

dems some nice shocks. bike's comin along pretty damn well!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

That bike is awesome. The headlight is HUGE but for some reason I really like it!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

That's a pretty awesome result so far for a bike that cost so little.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

new tires, added a tail light. things left to do: levers, rearset controls, paint, seat upholstery and exhaust.
THe tires are Avon road riders. tail light is repop of an old british tail light.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/...ea83da611d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/...ea92991a_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/...c6f6c8f280.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/...f75232b9cf.jpg

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

that is looking great nice job would love to see it in person ever riding in hampton stop by. nice job

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

lookin awesome.

man, there's some nice bikes being built round here recently.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

painted the bike friday and saturday. raspberry pearl.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/...ee3827e6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/...78d107c471.jpg

pictures don't really show how pretty the paint is. such a rich color in person.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

very nice

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

We've gotta get together soon.. That shit looks sick!

I would have liked to have seen something different happen with the tail light, like a flush mounted LED strip or something a little more modern, but I absolutely love this bike! You've really come a long way man. You're doing awesome work.

On top of that, the paint is gorgeous! Love that color.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

SWEEEEEEET! I love it! I think I've said it b4 But I love that tank!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

looks stunning. i've been working on a 75 cb500t cr. hope it comes out almost as nice.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

The color is gorgeous! Lovin' the tank, too!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

ZOMG

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

Dude!

have you done this for paying customers. I have a 750F that could use your skills. I'll attach a pic and you can let me know if thats something you're interested in.

Sorry for the thread jack - Ill take the pic down if you want

PM me!

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

pm me I could build something out of that turd LOL

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

Laserjock, its much more fun for me to make the bike how i want it and then sell it as opposed to letting a customer come to me with an idea that i think is stupid or tacky or would look like shit. This is the second bike i've build solely to sell. the rest i planed on keeping or riding for a season myself and then maybe unload. I'm not implying that your ideas would be tacky, just that a lot of people think differently. For all i know, you want a 6" wide tire and flat black paint with "59" stickers all over it, or a sticker on the side of the tank that says "CAFE". But if you want to give me creative freedom with it i'd be glad to make it uncomfortable and less reliable for you!

I made a fork brace for it this weekend.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/...80c8c074_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/...cfe63a14_b.jpg

i think i'm going to cut some cressent moons in to it in the front and back to make it visually smaller.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

I had Kings in Roanoke upholster the seat this week. Good work by them as always. Next week i'm welding up some stainless megaphones and finishing the exhaust.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/...41bb8e8d_b.jpg

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

Is it just me, or does it look like the rearsets are really far back? Maybe I'm crazy. Is she running yet, and been on the street? How's it ride/feel?

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

rearsets are about an inch or two too far back, and about 2 inches too low. lots of folks put them in the passenger peg location like this, but i'm thinking about moving them. I didn't want to weld on the frame to where it couldn't be put back to stock oneday. These were a big milestone for Honda and are a little on the rare side. But i'm getting closer to not caring about that and just making the bike as i want it regardless.
I rode it around a little. No mufflers yet, so i don't want to ride it too much. Maybe just around the block this weekend since its going to be so nice.

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

i got my megaphones in from Burns and welded up the exhausts. bike is pretty damn loud! Runs / handles great, i'm almost ready to stick a fork in it, cause its almost done. i'm going to polish up the aluminum bits and list it for an unreasonable price on CL so i can ride it for a while. :D
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/...e5675397_b.jpg
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/...078f8490_b.jpg

Re: 1969 CB450 face lift
 

I don't blame you bro. Looks great!