*1 and 2 were written fall 2004 so you'll see a jump in mechanical knowledge between these and the upcoming part 3*
_____Last spring, I bought a 1969 Honda CL450 for the reasonable price of $125. Over the past year, the only work I did was change the oil. It was a case of “ ran ‘till parked” syndrome. Regardless of how much I wanted that damn bike to run, I never did a thing to it. It has sat in the living room of my apartment like a 450cc coat rack. I know for a fact there are some misc Halloween decorations hanging on it. How festive! The ’69 needs the tranny fixed, a good once over, new tires, cables and blah blah blah.
I woke up this morning at 6am to pick up a ’73 CL450. Why am I buying another vintage Honda when I couldn’t even get the first one running? Because I can! And maybe, just maybe I can get off my lazy arse and actually finish a project I start. So, I have commited myself to this project and all the nickel and dime details. It’s only been in my possession for about 5 hours and I’ve already broken something on it.
Yeah, I’m new to bike mechanics but I’d prefer to blame that little breakage on the 2 hours of sleep I’m running on. As I sat there trying to get the damn gas cap open, SNAP, I broke the release lever. So out comes the prybar and finally, I get the friggin cap open (yes, I broke another part of the lever). The tank smells like I could stain antique furniture to match my antique 2wheeled coat rack.
For a little background about me, I used to be into off-roading so I’m not a complete moron around tools. I’m even looking into motorcycle mechanics courses. I normally work as an EMT but the risk isn’t worth the pay. So I work for a retail store slinging camping equipment.
Back to the bike…
This article will document all the things I break, do the wrong way and maybe even fix
‘till next time,
red.
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450cc Coat Rack: part 2
The ’69 is now in a pile at my apartment. It’s stripped down to the frame and I’ve gathered up all the parts I need for ’73. Today, I cracked open the garage door, let the sunshine in, cranked up Squirrel Nut Zippers and began gutting the ’73. The carbs are off, engine pulled and ready for the cylinder to be removed and prepped. Parts are in boxes, labeled Ziploc bags and hidden on top of shelves.
Thankfully, I’m not slinging camping gear for a tiny paycheck. I found a good contract job, which gave me free time and a little extra money. So the rebuild continues. This Friday, new first bore pistons and rings will be ordered. The cylinder will be prepped for the machine shop. While it’s gone, the rest of the engine will get new gaskets, fluids and any other minor repairs I find along the way. Thank god for ebay, I found a Honda Factory Manual for $30.
The two 450 engines are sitting on the garage floor and I’m fighting to temptation to throw in the working engine (sans 3rd gear) and see if I can get her running. The ’69 won’t be rebuilt, I’ve scavenged too many parts from it. So, I have my own parts department in various boxes spread out between my girlfriend’s house and my apt. I have quite a few extra parts so if anyone needs Honda CL/CB450 parts, drop me an email.
Sundays are now my official garage days and I even found a poor guy to help me turn wrenches. If anyone is from central Indiana, you’re more than welcome to hangout and talk shop. I make a mean porkchop. Help is gladly paid in food or beer or both. The more I dig into my bike, the more I realize how little I truly know about them. Today, I didn’t know where the crankcase covers were. But that’s why I’m doing this instead of saving up cash for a new bike. I want the knowledge to keep my bike running without paying a mechanic. There’s still a lot of work to be done after the engine is back from the shop. The wiring is rotten and looks like a rats nest. The front drum brake is being swapped out for disc and maybe even new wheels front and back. I tried to salvage the drag bars but the wiring was just twisted together in points instead of soldered or crimped.
The work continues…
-red
tim AT redrevolt Dot org
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