1969 CL450 US Barn Find Restoration

[Bryanj]

The indicator repeater earths through the side that isnt lit which is why if you fit led indicator bulbs and leave the idiot light connected all 4 flash!!!

[MrDavo]

The indicator repeater earths through the side that isnt lit which is why if you fit led indicator bulbs and leave the idiot light connected all 4 flash!!!

I can see why that would happen, but why don't mine do that? Is it because it is earthing through the unlit side's bulbs, but the current drawn by the repeater light isn't enough to actually light them? A weird arrangement, but I'm sure you and Honda understand the logic better than I do. 

[Bryanj]

Your logic is correct for 21w filament bulbs, no idea why things go wrong with led bulbs i just know it happens, maybe because lef draw a lot less current.

[MrDavo]

I got the registration form and guide from the DVLA today, also heard from Ray Davis at the VJMC asking for a better picture of the engine number. It is a sod to take a good photo of because of the pipes, I only got the number to show up clear by rubbing a bit of copper grease into the digits.

I had her running again today, having a lot of trouble trying to get a good tickover, it only seems to respond to the offside carb screw, and sometimes ‘hangs’ at scary high revs. I’m tempted to get new throttle cables rather than persist with the old ones.

I also found out what a faff taking me tank off is, you have to drain the fuel first due to the pipe between the two halves of the tank. This is where I’d have been better off if I’d shelled out for an external bottle feed.

[JamesH]

Dave - I feel your pain. Worth getting one of these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6mm-Automotive-Fuel-Line-Quick-Connect-Disconnect-Release-Coupler-Petrol-Race/172273142696?epid=2151475137&hash=item281c478ba8:g:iAoAAOSwHglcMx4o:rk:27:pf:0

[MrDavo]

Hell I’d forgotten all about them, when I was on the Honda Superbike team the RC45 race bike had them as standard in the fuel Ines. We called them ‘dry breaks’

I liberated a couple when I left for the Norton S Type I was building at the time, but that’s just what I want for that pesky balance pipe, i’ll get one ordered.

I’m not sure if I have a throttle cable problem or an air leak with no reliable tickover and revs that suddenly go mental for no reason. I tried tightening the band around the inlet stubs, not much else I can try. The twins forum is full of people trying to make these carbs behave.

[MrDavo]

More progress today, I connected all the wires up, I had a surprise when I tried the indicators, the generic indicator relay I bought from eBay has a loud beep built in, not very 1969 at all!

Three flashed, and the repeater, the other wasn’t earthing through the headlamp ears because of the new paint. I soon fixed that, then I connected everything else up. Because of the clear colour coding and unmolested original connectors, much to my surprise I soon had fully functional lights, plus instrument lights as well as indicators and horn.

All I’ve left to do electrically is investigate the neutral light which doesn’t, and try to fit the headlamp without disconnecting anything in the bundle behind.

Tickover is still high and unreliable, but I now have both cylinders going at once, one of the new plugs was only firing intermittently so I swapped it for one of the originals!

[JamesH]

Good work Dave. Sounds like you’re getting pretty close now...

[MrDavo]

The registration paperwork has gone to the DVLA, so I jump on the post each day, but nothing has come so far.

A long weekend working through my ‘snagging’ list  in the garage as she wasn’t running at all well, I can happily report that I finally have a reliable tickover and she has moved under her own power for the first time in many years.

I set and adjusted the clutch, then took the carbs off to change the cables for a new set from Silvers, pattern but from a Japan, in grey to match the other cables and good quality. I had to drain the fuel, but hopefully for the last time as I have now fitted the dry breaks to the tank balance pipe as suggested by James.

I refitted the original pilot air screws but with new rubbers, and checked the carb airways, all in search of the elusive tickover.

Everything got put back together, so I was then gutted to find her still running dreadfully, starting reluctantly on one pot, then with both firing refusing to idle, with popping and banging that made me suspicious about the timing. I had hoped to do it with a strobe, but neither of mine would fit so I checked where the points opened with a multimeter. Either I’d got it wrong or it had slipped, but the points were definitely opening late.

I readjusted, put things back together and tried again- what a difference! Easy starting and an idle at last. The tacho has steamed up, not sure if there’s an o ring in the cable that’s perished, I had a similar issue with the 750 breathing up the cable.

Before I came in I wanted to see if the clutch worked, I pulled the lever in and pushed the lever down, my newly fixed neutral light went out and I didn’t fire forwards as I’d worried I might. I let the lever out and rode all of a couple of feet, but under her own steam at last. 

[Nurse Julie]

Wayhay......and he's off. Well done Dave 👍

[royhall]

Fantastic build Dave looks really spot on.

Did you manage to find the correct wiring diagram. I have a UK 1967 Black Bomber and the manual shows a diagram for that year. Unfortunately it shows only one coil and one set of points. As it's a 180 degree crank is that even possible? The wiring appears to have changed year on year. Do you by chance have a wiring diagram for that year and model.

Also, I was considering doing a build thread as I have only just got started on the Bomber but didn't really want to duplicate what Dave was doing. Does anyone have any interest in me doing a build thread?

[Johnwebley]

   great news Dave.

  anyone back on the road

[AshimotoK0]

Fantastic build Dave looks really spot on.

Did you manage to find the correct wiring diagram. I have a UK 1967 Black Bomber and the manual shows a diagram for that year. Unfortunately it shows only one coil and one set of points. As it's a 180 degree crank is that even possible? The wiring appears to have changed year on year. Do you by chance have a wiring diagram for that year and model.

Also, I was considering doing a build thread as I have only just got started on the Bomber but didn't really want to duplicate what Dave was doing. Does anyone have any interest in me doing a build thread?

I would be interested in a build thread Roy as I still have my 1967 K0 Bomber engine to build up. A lot of differences, as you know between the 4-speed and the 5-speed ...for instance crank is a totally different design. Plus I really enjoyed your build thread on the CB350F

Dave : looking spot on you should be proud...what's your next one going to be? 

[MrDavo]

Many thanks for your kind comments.

Dave : looking spot on you should be proud...what's your next one going to be? 

If all goes to plan and the 911, currently at a specialist dealer, gets sold  - big if, as due to #@%$ uncertainty I think, nearly all the classic cars for sale in November I've been watching are still up for sale - and if I can make a deal at the right price with the current owner, it will be this, a 1950's Alfa Giulietta Sprint. Worth a lot when done, it depends on what's missing or needs doing, the current owner is no mug and will have a good idea what it's worth, but it's going nowhere until I'm ready, I've been told. However that'll be a thread for another board if it happens. The CB750 K1 may have to go too if I need the garage space and cash.



Here's an immaculate finished restoration for sale, note the eye watering price!

https://www.southwood.co.uk/showroom/67/Alfa-Romeo-Giulietta-Sprint-Series-1.html

I'd follow a thread on a 1967 Bomber rebuild Roy, as Ash says, many differences, sorry I can't help with a wiring diagram.

I had the CL450 running again this morning and once warmed up I got a nice strong tickover, but them as I stood back and watched the revs shot up for no good reason and I had to switch off! Not sure what that's all about, but fuel was dripping from the left hand carb. There seems to be a fine line with the float level between no fuel in the bowl and too much, I need to investigate.

[royhall]

Think you may have cracked it there Dave. Carb flooding will do that if the petrol gets high enough to start being drawn into the engine. Would go very rich but with no load on the engine it will rev.