[MikeD]

Hi Fellas,

I'm working on restoring a 1968 Black Bomber(not to museum specs, more like paint, polish and a few new parts). The plan is to get the bike in really nice shape and sell it (so I can buy another project and keep the cycle going)

I have chrome front and rear fenders on the bike, are these the "D" option fenders? The chrome on them is in pretty good shape and should polish up even better. My question is, should I scuff them up and paint them silver, or polish as best as I can and put them back on?

Resale value-wise, what do you think a buyer would be more likely to find appealing?


Thanks!

-Mike

 

[tbpmusic]

The "D" wasn't an option, it was actually a "kit", sold as retrofit pieces by dealers - you could buy individual items if you wanted, or the entire kit.
I do not beleive that fenders were items included in the kit.
Bombers typically had painted fenders, but Honda is well known for variation within model series.

What's the serial number of your bike??
Is it possible that it's actually a K1? Is it 4-speed?
You mention it's a '68, and I actually owned a '68 K1, purchased new.

Hopefully Chris, our resident Bomber Dood, will see this and illuminate us all.....

 

[MikeD]

I've never actually ridden it yet (but have had it running) but I'm assuming its a 4-spd.

I'm certain its a Bomber though (the tank, headlight housing, rear shocks and side-covers are unmistakable!) VIN was something like CB450E 10024xxx (off the top of my head)

I say 68 due to the title having that on there but I could be wrong.

Pics are attached of what she looked like when I brought it home (its all down to bare metal now, and ready for paint this weekend) just not sure if I should paint the fenders silver, or leave them chrome even though the chrome is not perfect on them?

I paid 350 for the bike with a title!

 

[tbpmusic]

I've never actually ridden it yet (but have had it running) but I'm assuming its a 4-spd.

I'm certain its a Bomber though (the tank, headlight housing, rear shocks and side-covers are unmistakable!) VIN was something like CB450E 10024xxx (off the top of my head)

I say 68 due to the title having that on there but I could be wrong.

Pics are attached of what she looked like when I brought it home (its all down to bare metal now, and ready for paint this weekend) just not sure if I should paint the fenders silver, or leave them chrome even though the chrome is not perfect on them?

I paid 350 for the bike with a title!

Well, in those days bikes were typically titled as the year they were sold, not the year they were produced, so the VIN is the only real way to know - and yours is definitely a Bomber.
From what I can see of the engine, it appears to be a 4-speed.

As for the fenders, I'd wait for Chris to pick up on this. I might be inclined to paint them, myself, but that's just me.
That rear fender does appear to be typically Bomber in form, not K1.

 

[SSCR]

I paid 350 for the bike with a title!

I hate you.

 

[MikeD]

LOL!

SSCR, I got very lucky on this one. It was a case of over-hearing a woman I work with mentioning they had an old bike in the garage, blah blah blah...You can see where it went from there.



It's been a fun bike to work on so far, but the detective work to find parts has been tough!

 

[GAMD5]

Hi Mike,
Was going to send you a pic of how I'd do it but still says file size too large 1MiB so if you e mail me at [email protected] I'll try and send you in an attached email.I'd straighten that footbrake lever before you do any painting.Seems a nice project to do but suppose it depends on how much you want to spend and how original you want to get it.Chrome guards on my 67 are different but think your front one may be off a K1.However your frame is definitly KO so if it were me I'd look round for an original KO front guard and paint them both silver.Regards Chris.