-
Read MoreProject Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Neck and Balls
Haven’t updated in quite some time as the build ground to a halt while trying to replace the old loose ball bearing setup in the steering stem with a tapered bearing kit from All Balls. You can find the 22-2011 kit (cheaper than what I paid on eBay) at Amazon here. This kit will fit the following bikes: Honda CB350 68-73, CB350 F-F1 72-74, CB360 74-77, CB400A 78, CB400F 75-77, CB400T 78-81,...
-
Read MoreProject Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Stripping/Paint Frame & Air Needle Scaler Review
This post is both a continuation of my build journal and a review for the Harbor Freight Mini Air Needle Scaler. I started stripping my my frame by using some aerosol aircraft stripper. Because I had to do this part in the garage or risk killing myself, my girlfriend, and my dog with the fumes, it was pretty damn cold in there. It is March in New Hampshire, after all. Cold temperatures work against the...
-
Read MoreProject Honda CB450: Frame Stripping Methods
I began the mundane and tedious task of stripping down the steel frame to repaint it black. As Lady Luck left me for another man a long time ago, aircraft stripper alone doesn’t work very well breaking down the paint that was laid on this frame. I still don’t know when this was painted, but they did something right by putting it on all nice and thick like. If I give a generous coating of...
-
Read MoreProject Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Lower Triple and Tarozzi Mounts Painted
Since I painted my new top triple tree in black acrylic enamel, I pulled the lower triple clamp and stripped it down using my Dremel and a 120-grit flap disk attachment. I messed with the aluminum oxide bit and a sanding barrel for about 5 minutes until I saw it was eating through the metal very quickly. I forgot these were made of aluminum. Also, don’t take these to a wire wheel and bench grinder,...
-
Read MoreProject Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Dremel For Cleaning Frame Welds
Anyone who has worked on one of these old Japanese bikes knows that the welds on them looks more like snot rockets than a flat roll of dimes. Most people take the route of using an angle grinder with a 120 grit flap disk for taking down these welds and smoothing out the frame. I juggled with the idea of buying this Makita or this Bosch slim-line grinder (I have small hands) for about $50-$60 along...
-
Read MoreProject Honda CB450: Wiring Tips and A Better Wiring Diagram.
Some thoughts/tips on the wiring work: The old plastic protector for the main harness loom is a bitch to get off, and mine was dried out it was cracking as I cut it. I replaced it with heat-rated braided sleeving and bundled the loom together intermittently with bands of shrink tubing. Buy the crimper made for these terminals that VC sells. Yeah, pliers can make a crimp, but they are ugly and take more...
-
Read MoreProject Honda CB450: New Top Triple and Engine Removed
Some updates: Got the new billet machined triple from DCC….It’s a beaut: I painted it semi-gloss black with some Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel, it looks great. Just make sure you read the direction when using this. You’ve got a 20 minute re-coat window, if you miss that, you’ve got to wait a full 7 days for it to cure. Otherwise, the last coat will cure on top of the previous ones and...
-
Read MoreProject Honda CB 450: More Mice
This update was supposed to be made awhile ago. I’ve stripped the bike down to get the motor out. Carbs, exhaust, seat, and wiring harness are off. As I got the shift lever/front chain cover off, I found another surprise left for me by the 450′s previous occupants. See here for previously found treasures. I’m hoping they didn’t make it through the mufflers and into the top of the...
Most Recent Articles
Project Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Neck and Balls
Haven’t updated in quite some time as the build ground to a halt while trying to replace the old loose ball bearing setup in the steering stem with a tapered bearing kit from All Balls. You can find...
Read More
Project Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Stripping/Paint Frame & Air Needle Scaler Review
This post is both a continuation of my build journal and a review for the Harbor Freight Mini Air Needle Scaler. I started stripping my my frame by using some aerosol aircraft stripper. Because I had to do this...
Read More
Project Honda CB450: Frame Stripping Methods
I began the mundane and tedious task of stripping down the steel...
Read More
Project Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Lower Triple and Tarozzi Mounts Painted
Since I painted my new top triple tree in black acrylic enamel, I pulled the...
Read More
Project Honda CB450 Cafe Racer: Dremel For Cleaning Frame Welds
Anyone who has worked on one of these old Japanese bikes knows that the...
Read More
Project Honda CB450: Wiring Tips and A Better Wiring Diagram.
Some thoughts/tips on the wiring work: The old plastic protector for the main...
Read More
Project Honda CB450: New Top Triple and Engine Removed
Some updates: Got the new billet machined triple from DCC….It’s a...
Read MorePopular Posts
Recent Comments
- Sean on Review: Red Wing Chelsea Rancher Boots
- Sahil on Make Your Own Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats
- Sahil on Make Your Own Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats
- flafreethink on Make Your Own Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats
- Cristabolina on Make Your Own Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats
- Cristabolina on Make Your Own Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats
- Sahil on Make Your Own Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats
- kg on Make Your Own Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats
