CMC Bike Tours: Owen's 1974 CB450K7

I think it is safe to say that a larger majority of us purchased that one project that we probably should not have. Almost any bike can be saved but something we tend to learn along the way is what can be saved that does not cost us an arm, leg, blood, sweat, and an abundance of swear words. Today we are showing off Owen's super clean CB450K7 that he purchased only after buying one of the roughest bikes to ever roll through the CMC doors. Anything worse off would come through the door in baskets. It is safe to say we love a stock bike over here at CMC but more than that we love a reliable rider and Owen's bike is another member around here in Houston that shows off just how reliable and good looking these bikes can be.
Check out our handlebar installation video done on this bike: • Handlebar Replacement ...
Parts used in his rebuild:
Tile Slim GPS Tracker: www.thetileapp.com/en-us/stor...
CB450 CMC Stator Cover: www.common-motor.com/cb450-cl...
Fuel/Air:
CB450 Carb Gasket Kit: www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
Brakes:
Master Cylinder Rebuild Kit: www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
Brake Caliper Rebuild Kit: www.common-motor.com/honda-36...
Replacement Stainless Steel Brake Lines: www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
Electrical:
Shockwave Electronic Ignition System: www.common-motor.com/honda-sh...
CB450/CL450/CB500t Ignition Points: www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
CB450 Spark Plugs: www.common-motor.com/honda-sp...
Replacement AGM Motorcycle Battery: www.common-motor.com/Honda-Re...
H4 Headlight Conversion for CB450 K5-K7: www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
Engine:
CB450 / CL450 / CB500t Stainless Steel Lower Allen Bolt Kit: www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
CB450 / CL450 / CB500t Stainless Steel Upper Allen Bolt Kit: www.common-motor.com/honda-45...
Roller Drive Chain: www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
Anti-seize Lubricant: www.common-motor.com/anti-sei...
Controls:
Clutch Lever: www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...
Super Bike Bars: www.common-motor.com/honda-su...
OEM Style Mirrors: www.common-motor.com/honda-re...
Exhaust/Suspension:
CB450 Fork Boots/Gaitors: www.common-motor.com/Honda-CB...
CB450/CB550 EZ Install Fork Seals: www.common-motor.com/Honda-CB...
Heavy-Duty Rear Shocks: www.common-motor.com/honda-cb...

[@jlrutube1312]

I remember back in 1971 I was 13 years old and I had a little trail bike, a Yamaha 100 enduro. I liked the bike a lot but at that time I always thought that when I became a man I would buy a Honda 450 like the one here. That was my dream bike and I thought it was really a big bike. Of course, I am a man now, age 64, and I have a 1300 cc honda vtx and so a 450 doesn't seem so big now. However, I still really want one ha ha. I just don't want the hassle of trying to keep a 70's era bike running and don't have the time to mess with more than one bike. So I am just living vicairiously through videos like this. Have a happy life.

[@don7406]

I have the vintage Honda sickness also. I’m currently bringing a 1971 SL 100 back to life. You have a sweet machine.

[@user-ii8cj5fi7j]

I had the same bike many years ago, different color. It was on the best bikes I ever owned. Wish I had another.

[@Kiskassklan]

I had a 69 model when I was about 17-18 about 1971 and loved it. I couldn't find another some years back but I found a brown 1973 with just 5500 miles in a guys basement not far from me. Paid him $400. All it needs is new gaiters.

[@jackrichards1863]

The best CB Honda I ever owned was the CB450 K. There have been 750, 900, 650 custom, with observation of the older 200 350,500/4 & 350/4. You have the best of the bunch. Plus CR, XL, XR & others.

[@upfactoryracing4148]

She is a beaut! I like that super 70s paint job!

[@Kiskassklan]

Looks great!!

[@danmcneil7181]

Nice bike and very good resto job. Looks great. I have a 75 Cb550k currently being cleaned up and readied for the road. Fun bikes. 👍🇨🇦

[@peterroda4181]

Great bike

[@aman2742]

Beautiful bike! I have 3 (2 running, 1 project) CB450's, and I love them all! Amazing bikes and a marvel of engineering back then with the DOHC. I just went through my local motorcycle junk yard and checked about 25 different junk 450s for a good stator cover and they were ALL missing. All but 2, both of which were toast. Darn things. Safe riding everyone!

[@josephliptak]

The cb450 is an excellent bike with lots of class.

[@dougarnold215]

I had a '74 back in high school it was a year old then finest bike ever I was 16yrs old then

[@davidrosen5137]

Nice!

[@n8rm]

Nice ride bro! I rock a 71* CL350

[@trevorjameson3213]

Nice bike! ride down to Kerrville and continue south on 16 to Medina and Vanderpool, and on west to Leakey. Beautiful country, huge hills,

[@reaper20015]

A new rider picking a bike that wasn't too small and wasn't too big is a rarity. 450 is a great starting point. I've been riding for over 30 years and ride a 650. Common sense and learning your machine can go a long way keeping a rider a rider and not an organ donor.

[@Tristanwendt]

what some people also dont know about cb450s is that a stator cover in shitty condition will run you upwards of 200 usd

[@Common-motor]

Oh yes! I know I teased the one we're making and it's still coming! Just taking a bit longer to have the first batch made.

[@daveco1270]

Those 450's look fun. After dropping the bike once trying to kick start it on a hill I would have rolled down the hill to kick start it the next time (and any time going forward). : ) I guess you finally learned after the 3rd time...or did you move? I'm definitely going to get one of those little GPS things.

[@anyonebutme3507]

Nice bike. Just be sure to warm it up slowly and gently since oil flow doesn't get to the cams and followers for at least 1 full minute, sometimes as long as 2 minutes. Failing to do that will quickly dish your followers and you'll be tearing down the top end. And if you do have to tear down the top end, please do NOT follow the CMC 450 top end teardown video... you should NEVER use a putty knife to force cam bearings off the camshaft of a fully assembled DOHC 450 head while the engine is still assembled. Break the cam chain, preferably at the original master, remove the head, turn the cams to a point where no valves are open and then the cam bearings come off with no force required. But I'm sure the "Honda Wizard" knows that already... at least now I hope he does, but he clearly did not when he made the 450 teardown video.

[@johngrier2407]

I have one in great shape out back.Is it worth anything

[@pfhobia]

You mention a thicker stator cover at 6:50, but don't have a link for it. I can't seem to find it on your site. Is this still available? Do you have a link?

[@Common-motor]

We are working on them at the moment and will post a link when the are ready. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified. Should be ready for sale in about a month.

[@Common-motor]

Taking a bit longer, but hopefully, we'll have the first batch finished up by the end of THIS month.

[@CanonKind]

Cool bike! Question, all the shop employees seem to ride 70s 2 cyls, is there a reason for them all being 2cyl instead of the bigger 4cyls?

[@UxerUospr]

I can't speak for CMC but my reasoning is better fuel mileage and easier maintenance. Could also be that they're cheaper to nab up since the 500s and 750s tend to be prized? It seems that way around me anyway.

[@Common-motor]

The twins are easier to work on, more affordable and have this "grunt" when riding that the 4 cylinders lack. They are also better sized for the city.

[@ZippoVarga]

@@Common-motor Hmm....I've owned Twins and now own 4 Honda 4's. Two boxer GL's and my 1975 CB550F and 1973 CB350F. I can throw the little 350F around much easier than I ever could my 1974 CB350 Twin and it's a toss up with the 550F and 350T on handling. By the way....Tell Jessi to hurry up and get the house done so she can nab up this seat I'm holding for her for her 200T!! lol Cheers! Zip~

[@James_Sovereign]

I have a 360G, a 360T, a 550F and a 550K4. The little twins are fun around town but not great to ride long distance, and they sound like farm bikes to me haha. Can't beat the sound of the inline 4 howling IMO.

[@ZippoVarga]

@@James_Sovereign I'll give the low end torque trophy to the twins, but for the high revving HP the 4's deliver and that wonderful sound that goes along with them....nothing beats it. No, we don't get sport bike like handling, but these ARE Classic Motorcycles. Still here racking up miles over 40 years later. A testament to their durability and timeless beauty. Cheers James! Zip~

[@josephliptak]

Is it for sale?

[@trucktruck8016]

Nice ... pretty stock bike 80% of what you have changed are normal service items btw , and age/ware related ie fork seals caliper rebuild . Bars are nice give a nice lean ideal if you like to cruise at 70 - 80 mph , you can go lower without using clip-ons Vincent straight bars . Oh and sort out the electric start then you wont drop it when you start it .

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Dying to find air filters for mine, sir

[@hbviceroy7274]

Scrambler cycle.com sells aftermarket air filters for these I have them on my 450 fit great .....I think they’re $65 a set

[@geoffreyjones2000]

@@hbviceroy7274 I see them listed for a 68 to 71, is that what you purchased for your 74? thanks, Geoffrey

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Mines a 72

[@hbviceroy7274]

geoffreyjones2000 Oh man that sucks..... no my 450 is a 71 ....sorry about that dude

[@hbviceroy7274]

geoffreyjones2000 You should be able to buy the earlier model plastic covers and just use those because I’m pretty sure they did not change the frames at all except for the seats hinges in the later Models ...One question what is the build month and year on the neck of the frame

[@zimba599]

You can get that here: www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-cl450-cl-450-cb450-cb-450-Alternator-Stator-Cover-Left-Cover-NICE/224101392782?epid=0&hash=item342d7be18e:g:EDcAAOSwdQpfJKzv

[@robertporter5320]

I had one exactly like this. Same color, year, and condition. Only reason I bought it was for the weight. It was a good size to haul. Never hauled it. When your electric starter clutch fails, it's bad news. If you are lucky, the roller kit Common Motors sells will fix it. If not, it's the sprocket that the rollers grab. They are impossible to find. I was really bummed about how hard it is to find a lot of parts for these scoots. Either non existent or high priced. I sold the bike. I won't buy another one.

[@johnjones4825]

Off subject, but what is it with you Yanks? It is Craig, as in Craig's list. NOT Kreg!. Repeat after me, Craig, Craig, Craig. Fuck me, say things properly. Eish, I give up.... Having said that, I loved my '69 CB 450, until it shit the bed in a big way and I sold the remains. Yours looks great, by the way! Nice bikes.