1972 CB450 K5 Hot Mess

You’re getting dangerously close to running out of “once I get this done”…

Heck. With this weather, may have that thing in the road this year!
 
It is hard to line a tank without doing harm to the paint, but at least you only had primer and can easily touch it up. Last time I did one I used rubber stoppers in the fill tube, fuel tap, and crossover holes and would remove the stopper from the bottom to drain excess. Always nerve wracking, always good to be done!

Did you make sure the crossover tubes remained clear? The last time I did one I thought they were clear and left the tank rightside up afterwards and I guess there was still enough fluidity to clog them up again. I managed to clear them using baling wire as a makeshift pipe cleaner.

Is that Redkote?
 
Yes as you say it was a bit nerve wracking but I am glad I decided to go ahead and get it done. It is Caswell Tank Liner and I chose the red tint because I thought it would let me see how well it was coating better which it did IMO. I used pipe cleaners in the crossover tubes and I did keep working them until I felt the liner was set well but your mentioning it made me go take another look just now and they are clear. I can run a WD 40 straw in them no problem. :) Taking my wife to a movie tomorrow so not sure if i will have time to play in the garage much but if i do I will probably take a look at the carb that was leaking and see if the stand pipe is cracked. If not then pull the carb and check the float and such again.
 
RobMan said:
It is Caswell Tank Liner and I chose the red tint because I thought it would let me see how well it was coating better which it did IMO.
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Ah, thanks! I didn't even realize that Caswell was available in different tints. I thought you had mentioned Caswell earlier, but was confused by the color. I've used red kote more in the past, but did the last one with Caswell in what I guess is the standard battleship grey.
 
If you need to clear the crossover tubes before total hardening of the liner material, the interior cable of a speedo cable can be used to snake through them very nicely.
 
GMX said:
If you need to clear the crossover tubes before total hardening of the liner material, the interior cable of a speedo cable can be used to snake through them very nicely.
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Thanks but looks like the tubes are open but that is what I used to clear the rust and dried varnish out of them when I first started cleaning the tank and it worked very well.
 
Checked the overflow stand pipe and looks good Even filled bowl with rubbing alcohol and held it but no evidence of it leaking. So now a float height adjustment question. Should the float height be measured from the notches in the carb body or from the flat surface the gasket rests on? The business card style gauge that is shown in the FSM would make me think from the notches but a couple of videos on YouTube says from the flat surface so which is it? Would make about a mm difference. Notch marked with red arrow flat marked with green. Appreciate the help as always.

IMG_5323.jpeg
 
Disregard the above, I believe I have it sorted out. Measured from the notches and just tweaked the float on the right the carb that was overflowing and it has stopped leaking on a test run of the engine. So gonna move forward and see if I can get a short ride in before or on the New Year. :)
 
RobMan said:
Disregard the above, I believe I have it sorted out. Measured from the notches and just tweaked the float on the right the carb that was overflowing and it has stopped leaking on a test run of the engine. So gonna move forward and see if I can get a short ride in before or on the New Year. :)
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I measure from the notches also.
 
stl360+450 said:
I guess you belong to the ride it like you stole it camp, Rob! Nice sound and a solid idle response afterwards! May your tank be ready for action soon!
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Thanks, I am pretty pleased with the idle and throttle response myself. I still need to fine tune the air mixture screws and I want to check the timing with a timing light but I think it is pretty darn close. I am going to leave the tank primed for right now and will use it until there is a warm spell in January or February but before pollen season. The downside of painting outside dust, pollen and bugs!
 
The goal today was to take advantage of another day of nice weather and touch up the primer on the tank and and get it ready to put on the bike. Prime the tank and side covers, CHECK. Install new gas cap which uses E-Clips, CHECK. Cap off the crossover tubes with rubber vacuum caps for easy removal of the tank when I get ready to paint it, CHECK. Install new petcock, lets see where is the petcock, 3 hours later of fruitless searching and ordered a new replacement from Amazon. Somewhere in that garage is a new petcock laughing at me like a rooster crowing! New one coming in on Monday so perhaps I will find the one I know I have tomorrow.
 
Petcock found! In the back of my mind that darn rooster kept crowing and finally a stray synapses sparked and I though of the one place I didn't look, the box of special tools I had collected for this project and yep there was the small box with the new petcock in it. Now how did a part get in with tools!!!! OK I know I put it there and probably better not to pursue this train of thought any further and take the win. Cancelled the new one I has ordered from Amazon and will pursue two wheel bliss tomorrow.
 
RobMan said:
Thank you for the complement and we will see how it goes. If it looks good at 10 feet going down the road then its all good. I am not going to go stock paint color light ruby red but decided to spray it with Honda Milano Red. I was looking at @Richard Pitman 175s that he painted that color and I really like it. @EzPete's thread Post 79 here.

Twin 160's - since you can never have too many projects

From what I can see, they don’t use a grommet in the center exit? I take it the hole is just chamfered to avoid abrasion then. May add one just because. Yeah, none of them had grommets in the exit for the wiring, but the stock bars were chamfered. Still sharp enough to cut stubborn, stiff old...
www.vintagehondatwins.com www.vintagehondatwins.com
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Nice job so far RobMan (y) . I may need to send you my tank so it can get done quicker :ROFLMAO:

In regards to Honda Milano Red, that was the color of my first car. It was a 1994 Honda Prelude 5-Speed. It made a whopping 135hp, but it was fun!

The only problem with that color was that it was Honda's worst color in regards to fading fast. I don't think it was Honda's fault though, as red does tend to fade the fastest.

This was right before I sold it in 2019. The trunk and roof had no clearcoat left and they turned pink.

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Danager4792 said:
I may need to send you my tank so it can get done quicker :ROFLMAO:
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I don't think I am quite ready to start taking body work jobs quite yet but wish we lived closer cause I am really good at taking up space in the garage, drinking beer and giving advice. :D

Got a little more work done today and need to properly install the exhaust and tune it a bit more. I am optimistic enough that I am planning on getting insurance and stop by the DMV tomorrow.
 
Managed to put myself on the injured list by trying to put the bike an the center stand so I could work on installing the muffles. As I was jerking it up felt either a muscle or a tendon in my arm go ouch!!! Moving slow but pressing on by putting the lift under the bike and removed the left front foot rest so I could get at the header pipe and muffler joint and put the clamp on. I have a question, is the orientation of the clamp flanges in the parts manual correct when putting on the clamp?

Muffler clamp Orientation.jpg

Also I assume the small tabs on the clamp rest up against the flange on the header as in the photo?

IMG_5329.jpeg

Thanks!
 
Getting old sucks. I was hoisting just the little 160 around and my shoulders are feeling it.

The clamp is supposed to be rotated inward like that - it’s a bit of an odd angle when snugging it down.

I notice that parts fiche doesn’t show the exhaust gasket - I made the mistake of leaving them out at first operating from the same one.
 
Thanks for the info and yes I do have the gasket installed in the joint. With the foot rest and side stand there it looks like that is the only way it will fit but wanted some confirmation. Hope your shoulders feel better. I am thinking ice and heat after i get done here. No fun.
 
Got the exhaust system installed and started up and sounded nice so had to put it in gear and took a couple of laps around our circle drive. Totally different feel than the S90 and way more power and I barely touched the throttle. Really wanted to run it down the road but there was more traffic than I felt comfortable with and I still need to do a good once over to make sure I haven't missed anything. I also find that I miss the inch or two that I have lost over the years. On my old 450 back in the 70's I could stand flat footed and now I think I need some Elton John platform shoes. Anyway need to be patient for a bit longer and too darn cold anyway.

Got insurance yesterday and stopped by the tag office to get the title updated from inoperable and get a tag but was told I have to get an inspection done by the License and Theft office to show it is road worthy. Waiting for a set of mirrors which should be the only thing it needs and will make the appointment. Perhaps next week.



IMG_5330.jpeg
 
That self-etching primer green/gray with the polished patina is actually a sneaky good look!
 
EzPete said:
That self-etching primer green/gray with the polished patina is actually a sneaky good look!
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It does look kinda good doesn't it, but darn you can look at it hard and it leaves a scuff or a mark but it will do until the weather turns and I can try my hand at painting it. :sneaky:
 
Maybe the seat on your first 450 was beat and sagging? Blame the seat, not yourself!

Good luck with the inspection.
 
RobMan said:
Got the exhaust system installed and started up and sounded nice so had to put it in gear and took a couple of laps around our circle drive. Totally different feel than the S90 and way more power and I barely touched the throttle. Really wanted to run it down the road but there was more traffic than I felt comfortable with and I still need to do a good once over to make sure I haven't missed anything. I also find that I miss the inch or two that I have lost over the years. On my old 450 back in the 70's I could stand flat footed and now I think I need some Elton John platform shoes. Anyway need to be patient for a bit longer and too darn cold anyway.

Got insurance yesterday and stopped by the tag office to get the title updated from inoperable and get a tag but was told I have to get an inspection done by the License and Theft office to show it is road worthy. Waiting for a set of mirrors which should be the only thing it needs and will make the appointment. Perhaps next week.



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Looking at the pictures of this bike on the first page versus now is night and day. Great work! I am also liking the green primer on the tank, almost army green but not so much. Just be extra careful. Every new ding or scratch will mean more bondo and sanding. For your next ride, let's get those blinkers angled down to align more with the headlight :) . I didn't want to be the guy to say it, or notice it LOL
 
Kinda surreal in a way, it really doesn't seem like it has almost been 2 years but on the other hand I am hearing Grateful Dead singing Truckin' in the background.

 
Thanks for the tip on the front turn signals, I will have to adjust them a bit. What really surprises me is that no one has mentioned my two tone front fender, chrome and gloss black. It was intended as stopgap until I get a new or at least better fender but it has kinda grown on me. :p
 
RobMan said:
Thanks for the tip on the front turn signals, I will have to adjust them a bit. What really surprises me is that no one has mentioned my two tone front fender, chrome and gloss black. It was intended as stopgap until I get a new or at least better fender but it has kinda grown on me. :p
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That’s one creative way to deal with that… I honestly thought it was just reflection/lighting.
 
The back half of the fender had a lot of rust and a couple of small holes. Filled the holes with some JB Weld and masked off right at the forks, sanded the crap out of rear part, primed and painted with some extra gloss black I had. I am checking ebay for fenders periodically but no hurry.
 
Great progress Robman, soon you will be wheeling the 450 around and ignoring the poor S90 :cry:. Your 450 looks like mine did when it was time to get it inspected,I primed my tank maybe 3 hours before I brought it in, lol.
CB450.jpg
 
boddy said:
Great progress Robman, soon you will be wheeling the 450 around and ignoring the poor S90 :cry:. Your 450 looks like mine did when it was time to get it inspected,I primed my tank maybe 3 hours before I brought it in, lol.
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Thanks and I am looking forward to feeling some wind and listening to this rascal sing to me a bit. No worries on the S90, I am planning on showing it some love soon and take care of some maintenance that needs to get done that I have been putting off. It will probably still be my go to bike if I just want a short ride. :cool:
 
RobMan said:
What really surprises me is that no one has mentioned my two tone front fender, chrome and gloss black. It was intended as stopgap until I get a new or at least better fender but it has kinda grown on me. :p
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Slipped right past me while I was looking at everything else, but IMO it doesn't stand out as bad as silver paint would have. Not a bad idea for temporary.
 
ancientdad said:
Slipped right past me while I was looking at everything else, but IMO it doesn't stand out as bad as silver paint would have. Not a bad idea for temporary.
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I have been intending to ask is that a 500T front fender on your bike or a shortened 450 fender? I am considering a 500T fender for a sportier look.
 
RobMan said:
I have been intending to ask is that a 500T front fender on your bike or a shortened 450 fender? I am considering a 500T fender for a sportier look.
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Neither, it's the stock CL fender. I'm guessing the 500T fender would fit yours no problem since they both have disc brake. The CB fenders don't have the tendency to crack at the rivets where it's attached to the mount because of the braces. All 4 rivet holes on my CL fender have cracked over the years and I drilled right next to them and used big head JIS screws and nuts underneath to stop the cracks from spreading, it's been fine for years now but still looks a little weird with the screws in it.

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Thanks, I am kicking myself for letting a really nice 500T fender I saw on ebay at a reasonable price get away. BTW ran across this pic of Red while browsing where you were discussing seat height with another user on Reddit.

Tom's 450.jpeg
 
RobMan said:
Thanks, I am kicking myself for letting a really nice 500T fender I saw on ebay at a reasonable price get away. BTW ran across this pic of Red while browsing where you were discussing seat height with another user on Reddit.
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Well, I'm not used to seeing pictures of my bike posted by someone else :ROFLMAO: and that's an early pic, note the cheesy aftermarket passenger pegs that drooped in the first week of use and the Honda/Team Hansen CR450 stickers on the tank. And no reinforcement screws in the front fender then either, the first two spots happened in late 2019 when Chris and I rode the Copperhead Loop between Waynesville and Brevard. I discovered it after the ride, and the other two happened not long afterward.
 
Spent some time in the garage today trying to devote myself to cleanup and organizing and actually forced myself to throw a few things that were obviously never going to used in the trash. After being raised where most of our vehicles were held together with prayer and bailing wire it is hard to dispose of anything that might be usable, the rectifier mentioned in another thread for example. I fished it out of the trash just to take a picture and it is now safely stowed in a box of old wiring. They say admitting you have a problem is half the battle.:rolleyes:
 
RobMan said:
Spent some time in the garage today trying to devote myself to cleanup and organizing and actually forced myself to throw a few things that were obviously never going to used in the trash. After being raised where most of our vehicles were held together with prayer and bailing wire it is hard to dispose of anything that might be usable, the rectifier mentioned in another thread for example. I fished it out of the trash just to take a picture and it is now safely stowed in a box of old wiring. They say admitting you have a problem is half the battle.:rolleyes:
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I understand your dilemma Rob. It's amazing how fast I've become a hoarder since purchasing this bike. Keeping brake parts that are only good for throwing at stray cats, the EI ignition that died on me...etc. I feel a 12 step program in my future ;)
 
spideypop said:
I understand your dilemma Rob. It's amazing how fast I've become a hoarder since purchasing this bike. Keeping brake parts that are only good for throwing at stray cats, the EI ignition that died on me...etc. I feel a 12 step program in my future ;)
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It's somewhat of a problem... I grew up with parents living on a budget their entire lives, so I learned to do the same thing and as a result I have a hard time disposing of anything that still works. No matter how much space you have to store stuff, it's never enough. At this point in my life I'm not concerned, someone else will get to deal with it all once I'm gone. :rolleyes:
 
Got no mirrors so I can't schedule an inspection so I can't get an operable title so can't get a tag and I can't sleep! Mirrors appear to be lost in the shipping upside down so I ordered some 8mm to 10mm adapters from Amazon so I can put the mirrors from the S90 on the 450 and get the inspection done hopefully next week. Suppose to be 70 F on Saturday so I guess I will exercise the S90 a bit. :)
 
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