Author Topic: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas  (Read 1928 times)

Offline MrDavo

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1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« on: December 02, 2019, 07:12:07 PM »
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1968-Honda-CL450K1-Unregistered-US-Import-Barn-Find-Classic-Restoration-Project/333416859755

This looks like a nice project for someone.

Later style tank / panels with early style seat (My '69 was the other way round), chrome looks very nice, particularly the exhaust, Impossible to find new (unless you are James). No clocks, but has lots of the hard to get bits that I had to hunt for.

The seat is a bit flat and has a tear, but looks saveable. Not got the usual rusty bits / screws, so has been stashed somewhere nice and dry. Unfortunately DK just can't resist having at it with the Easy Start, I wish they wouldn't, I'd prefer to know if it turns over and has compression, most sensible people will be pulling the engine anyway, as all rubber / plastic parts have probably turned to stone - it's been stood a while, the gaiters have rotted as per usual.
1969 Honda CL450 'Scrambler'
1974 Kawasaki Z1A
2005 Harley XL1200R Sportster
1985 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Sport
1978 VW Bay Window camper van

Offline JamesH

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Re: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2019, 08:27:19 PM »
I’ve got a NOs front Guard and the correct tank if anyone does take this one on....oh and a pair of gauges I think (somewhere)..

Offline mike the bike

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Re: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2019, 08:49:39 PM »
It'll be interesting to see what it sells for.
Where's that 10mm socket got to?

Offline MrDavo

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Re: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2019, 03:26:04 PM »
Someone make their day and point out that the left hand fork cap is on back to front...
1969 Honda CL450 'Scrambler'
1974 Kawasaki Z1A
2005 Harley XL1200R Sportster
1985 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Sport
1978 VW Bay Window camper van

Offline royhall

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Re: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2019, 07:13:09 AM »
Davo, you must have eyes like a shit house rat. ;D
« Last Edit: December 04, 2019, 07:46:06 AM by royhall »
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Offline K2-K6

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Re: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2019, 07:42:57 AM »
Davo, you must have eyes like a shit hole rat. ;D

 ;D ;D ;D

Offline masonmart

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Re: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2019, 08:18:33 PM »
It's unfortunate but Black Bombers are forever flawed because of the 4 speed box. For me the later 450's are exceptional bikes because the 5 speed box transformed them. They are fetching much better prices now too. Genuine problem though is 200kg for what is a fairly underpowered motor?
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline MrDavo

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Re: 1968 CL450 K1 on the Bay of Fleas
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2019, 10:55:30 AM »
The weight becomes an issue off-road, they called the CL450 the “Scrambler” but I don’t think anyone seriously scrambled with them. However in the States there are lots of unpaved roads where the off-road setup makes more sense. From experience the setup hides the weight, the bike feels relatively small and chuckable. It doesn’t feel super powerful (though I’m used to much bigger capacity bikes) but fine for the runabout I use mine as.

The eBay bike went for £2,650, more than my project bike cost at £2,200, but vgc exhaust and more complete than mine was. It does seem to need a new front mudguard, some of the silver looks to be paint, not chrome and they’re not cheap or easy to find (although James has one).



1969 Honda CL450 'Scrambler'
1974 Kawasaki Z1A
2005 Harley XL1200R Sportster
1985 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Sport
1978 VW Bay Window camper van

 

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