[tiltos]

Hi all,

I caught the classic bug a couple of months ago, and am fortunate enough to have some time with a custom shop early next year who specialise in Honda CBs.

I'm trying to gauge what what be best as a donor bike for this project. As I have a professional rebuilding it (and a comfortable budget), cost of parts isn't really a concern. What I'm interested in is ride & performance.

I'm 6ft tall and 100kg, so not a small guy. This would be my new daily ride, which is a short (10km) traffic-heavy commute into the city. I'm looking at pep off the lights, but also the ability to go on a highway once in a while (but rarely).

I live in Sydney, Australia, and even twins are becoming harder to come by (and more expensive). That said, it seems that the 350s are more common, and are selling at a cheaper price point.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Rob

 

[bilbikek411]

A CB350 because parts are more plentiful

 

[JustinLee]

I love my 450. I am 6 foot, 115 kilo and the 450 is perfect size for me. My 350's are awesome, but feel a bit small to me (although I still love my 175 to death as well). It's a tough choice. its like which word is better, incredible or amazing. Though if you told me to sell all my bikes and keep one, I would keep my CB450.

 

[outobie]

350s are easier to own...more plentiful parts at better prices and a simpler motor to work on. 450s have better torque and will fit you better.

buy one of each and decide for yourself. since these bikes are appreciating in value it won't be difficult to sell the one you don't use later.

 

[kzam]

Another consideration would be to go with a four cylinder model rather than a twin as the vibrations tend to be a little less pronounced. The tuning can be a bit more complex with four carbs to sync instead of two but if you're having someone else do the work, it wouldn't be a concern. The CB750F is a pretty sweet vintage bike.

 

[crazypj]

If your commuting, you will need 2 bikes, something more modern with less chance of breaking down. 350 is easy to work on and needs very few special tools (flywheel puller and oil filter 'pin socket')
450 obviously has more power and torque but will need more tools. Servicing is more difficult on 450 unless you actually know what your doing

 

[tiltos]

Awesome, thanks for the feedback guys. I'm leaning towards a 450, but will keep my options option depending on what pops up locally.

 

[frogman79]

..... but will keep my options option depending on what pops up locally.

I think this is more the direction you should go, I practically got handed my 360 but I waited 2 years before I found a suitable 450 project, which was worse then most people start with on here.

 

[NewGuy]

Displacement aside, I'm at 6' 2" and. 90kg and I'm afraid that I'm just on the verge of looking a bit funny on my 450. I'm not sure of the physical size difference in the bikes, but my knees stick up above the tank slightly. As long as I don't catch my reflection in a shop window, I'm happy.


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[crazypj]

Your going to 'look funny' riding a 40 yr old bike no matter what
What OP needs to do is get both plus something more modern (my 'newest' bike is from 1995)

 

[ctrider]

Your going to 'look funny' riding a 40 yr old bike no matter what

HaHa - Great line crazypj
I look pretty cool on mine though lol

 

[crazypj]

LOL, When your cool enough you just don't care about the opinion of anyone you don't know and respect

 

[Mech Deficient]

Your going to 'look funny' riding a 40 yr old bike no matter what

I thought it was cool/trendy now to have an old Honda....or has that passed already?

 

[MDM]

I thought it was cool/trendy now to have an old Honda....or has that passed already?

Trendy... is never cool.

Regards,

 

[NewGuy]

I don't know, have you seen those skinny jeans the kids are wearing?


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[Mech Deficient]

I've seen them..don't get it. I'm stuck in the 90s where getting your jeans on didn't require lubrication.

 

[Mydlyfkryzis]

Wait, it's trendy and cool to own an old Honda? Does it matter when you bought it? I bought my old 1976 Honda CB360 in 1979...now that it is an OLD Honda, have I transformed to cool and trendy too? I mean, anybody can buy and OLD bike, not many came buy a new bike and still have it when it is an OLD bike....I must be more than cool and trendy...

 

[MDM]

I think that just means you're an old fart, lol.

But... That's cool.

I think the rule is: If you buy something cool in order to be trendy, you're not cool. Other than that, just buy something you'll enjoy using instead of something you'll use as sculpture and you'll be cool enough.

Regards,

 

[LashLarue]

350 or 450? I would just keep an eye open for the best bike project of either. Maybe a 450 if you have plans for an epic long adventure. Otherwise, stay open to opportunities. Around my neck of the woods, a good cb450 project bike is hard to find.

 

[bilbikek411]

tiltos, what've you been seeing out there lately around your area? 350's or 450's ?