Honda CB450 Clymer On The Lift Classic Bomber Test
www.clymer.com 800-262-1954 Welcome to On the Lift…episode one, sponsored by Clymer Repair Manuals. I’m James Grooms, Managing Editor. For each episode we’ll feature a machine that’s in the Tech Center [Vintage and Classic Japanese machines from the past]. We may also talk about staff rides or projects, basically anything interesting in the shop. Maybe even a road trip or two to see what some of our authors are working on [Repair Manual] and riding. Today we have one of my rides [For Sale]on the lift, a 1965 Honda CB450. AKA the Black Bomber… sounds ominous doesn’t it. I think this Honda model has an interesting history. While everyone knows about the CB750, and rightly so. The Black Bomber is often over looked in Honda’s family tree. When released in 65 it created quite a bit of buzz. The motorcycle press covered its release extensively. Even the car magazines, like Hot Rod tested it. It was Honda’s largest displacement motorcycle and at the time they were known for small bikes. [For comparison, Kawasaki was a non player w the 150 B8S, Suzuki had the 250cc T10 and the only real player was Yamaha w/ the YDS3, all 2-strokes.] Their largest was the 305 Superhawk of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance notoriety. Author Pirsig rode a Superhawk, while his partner was on a BMW. [There was also a scrambler version, a CD450 kit. There would eventually be a high pipped CL450, CL.] The parallel twin has dual overhead cams DOHC. At the time, it was the only production …
Forever the sickest bike
Great vid. It just shows how far the British Industry had dropped behind. So it’s not allowed to racing ‘cos its go twin cams ? Nothing like ensuring you head is pushed firmly into the sand !
@paniciao While i wouldn’t recommend it or do it again, but I rode the Bomber from KC to Valentine Nebr, 550 miles, in a day. Buzzed along, and I mean buzzed, for many miles at a ton on those long stretches south of Bassett.
@ClymerManuals Oh okay real nice bike my brothers and one of their son ride Harleys. they tell me these bike aren’t made for cross country and should get a big twin. I don’t wanna. I would rather have something like this. really cool bike. Thanks for the reply
@paniciao
Nope, near Desoto Kansas. North of the Kansas (Kaw) River.
are you riding near Council Bluff?
@ClymerManuals still a great bike
@BMAN294
The sound rocks!
@triton550 My leg works! And it starts one kick.
@sambo2566
Starter is shot.
@TechMaven
Needed a 5 speed. I read an interesting article on a CP450 with a four speed. And the speedo was setup already for a 5 speed. The speedo guys didn’t communicate with the tranny guys. Wow! Honda wasn’t always perfect?
@ClymerManuals
I’ve still got a starter overhaul on my to do list. The KO starter is kind of unique in its cover/shape. Otherwise I’d just bolt on a salvage unit from a later 450. I’ve got a few of those that will hopefully supply the parts I need.
Anyone overhauled an early KO starter?
@THEAUDIOCONSTRUCT
Thanks. But more of a rehab. For example, the tank paint is original. Of course the fenders and side covers were redone in a modern paint/clear coat. The seat cover is original. Yep! But get this trick. I took high density foam. Cut it up in small inch by inch pieces and stuffed the seat through the pan by pushing it in and moving it around with a pencil. The original foam, as to be expected, was loosing it shape and falling out/apart. It worked. Held up real well over time.
@spoddog1
Yes, but much smaller. This was/is a shortcoming.
@MrStubat
Really we are comparing a CB450 to a Black Shadow?
@scobaru
That is the original tach and speedo used for the KO 450s.
what speedo is that?
James, Thanks again for this piece! I am still dreaming about a Bomber and because of you, this is definitely my best reference. When the urge hits me , I look this up. Thanks again. Rallen (want to sell cheap)
Hold on to you socks because they’d be vibrated off..and compare the sound of the motor at around minutes to a Black Shadow…..
yeh just listen to the motor sound at around 6 minutes and compare that to a black shadow….NOT…..these were buzzy little wannabees in their day and to compare it to a Black Shadow…well what can I say
GOODDDDDDDDDD HONDA CB 450 K !!!! MAGA_PA
very british looking. nice.
It turns 5k rpm at 50 in top gear? No wonder they were buzzy. Then again Honda always geared their bikes short.
Beautiful restoration for a now 45 year old antique! Excellent job on the CB450!
@ClymerManuals ok and thanks agian