SOHC.co.uk Forums > The Black Bomber Board
1969 CL450 US Barn Find Restoration
MrDavo:
Thanks Andy. More news from the front, I'm trying to make the most of having room to work in the garage for a change, as my 911 has gone off to Cheshire Sport Classics, who are trying to find a new home for it. They sold two 3.2s last month, even though its hardly the right time of year for it. Their website has a large portfolio of photos that they took, and on their Facebook page are pictures of an ex James Hunt F1 car that they are restoring for a client, though sadly not on site so I haven't seen it yet (I think its the McLaren M26 that sold for $1.2 million a couple of years ago, the car he had his last win in). I wonder if it has an ashtray?
Although the bike looks more or less complete in the earlier pictures, that was just a rough build to see if everything fit Ok and what it would look like, the first thing I had to do was strip a lot of bits off again, but this time I'm doing it properly for keeps, so it all feels like positive progress now.
First I finished putting the engine in, there wasn't a toolbox on the bike when I got it, so I've fitted one from eBay, that came complete with the toolkit.
Unfortunately, looking in the manual I've fitted the earth lead to the wrong bolt, it should be the upper one between the toolbox and frame lug, so it will have to come off again. I had wondered about the conductivity of the engine enamel.
There is an issue with the kickstart, it works fine but there is no positive stop to stop the lever going too far forward until it touches the engine or footrest, desite a new spring. I know its not right, but as the answer will be inside the cases I think, I'll leave it for now and see if its an issue when the bike is running. If a common problem it may explain why I've seen a couple of CLs with no kickstart fitted. Its not as though I need one, the Harley hasn't got one at all, although kickstarting a 1200 twin would probably give me a heart attack.
Next I decided that working brakes would help. I took the back wheel off and refurbished the brake, as it was working but sticking on. Cleaning up the spindles and reassembling with copper grease did the trick at the same time I cleaned up and polished the brake plate while it was bare.
I also ordered a chain, as once its fitted I can put the gearbox sprocket cover on properly and fit the clutch cable.
Next the front brake.
It didn't want to adjust at all when I fitted the new cable, then I realised the lever and linkage were on inside out, sadly revealing some hidden rust, so I need to do a little more cleaning and painting. All will be good in the end though, now I have a working front brake.
I haven't got the front wheel spindle in correctly, as the wheel has a little lateral play, looking just now at the parts book to see if I was missing a spacer, I see that the spindle goes in from the other side, and that hexagonal spacer is back to front, so I think that's my problem.
Finally I put the coils and Ebay'd horn on (the original was missing), and stared to connect the wiring up. Good news is that the ignition switch works and the key fits the steering lock as well, I need to get a spare cut.
The bad news is that missing from the little tag to the right of the switch is the flasher relay. It and its mounting rubber, being the same part as used on the sandcast CB750 only seem available for silly money ( an unforseen drawback when restoring a 1969 Honda), I'm wondering if I can fit one of these instead as it will be mostly out of sight: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Turn-Signal-Indicator-Flasher-Relay-For-Honda-CB750-750-C-750-F-750-K-750-Custom/113275757693
For the sharp eyed, the missing head steady nut, by the way, is the one I had to cut off before I could get the engine out, I need to remember to order one when my 'parts still needed' list is ready to go.
JamesH:
Dave - check out this video on Facebook...
https://www.facebook.com/Silodrome/videos/1049326548469289/
Look at 1:32 - wonder if that’s one of our CL450’s?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
JamesH:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
MrDavo:
I've not seen it for many years, but I'm pretty sure that's a clip from On Any Sunday, produced by Steve McQueen's Solar Productions. Mert Lawill features a lot, a friend of mine has one of his Harley XR750s in a custom frame and gives it an airing on dirt tracks against modern bikes from time to time. Its not competitive, but sounds magnificent!
That could be one of your CL's James but not mine, its too young! (1969). One wonders why he fitted a CB exhaust, maybe he'd already crushed the original. Hillclimbing could explain why my rear mudguard has vertical gravel rash, as if the bike has been flipped backwards.
I've been busy in the garage again, I just had a disaster trying to adjust the clutch when the handlebar adjuster didn't want to move, when it did it broke the threaded part of the *&^% switch. Feck! I've just been looking on eBay, you can buy whole switches for daft money, I only need the bottom part, which I can take the horn switch out of. If anyone has a used one please let me know before I do something expensive. I'm off to post in 'Desperately Seeking' now.
MrDavo:
Switch lower half sorted, thanks Ashley, meanwhile here's some photos taken at the close of play yesterday. I know there are more parts on the bike in the earlier photos, but this time its not a rough build to see how it looks, these parts are on properly, for keeps, I hope.
There is now light at the end of the tunnel (hopefully not an oncoming train), I hope to be on the road in time for Crich, and of course the bike's 50th birthday later in the year.
A box of small bits came from D Silver this morning, I have nearly everything needed now, although I've heard nothing from my mate who I gave the carbs to for an ultrasonic bath. I have yet to buy a battery, but I'll wait until I'm ready to try and start her, phone camera at the ready of course.
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