[Galaxie406]

New to this site but I will introduce myself. I am semi retired and still have a hobby of collecting rare cars and motorcycles, I live in Southern California and I am about to start on this:
I acquired this California 1968 CB450P about 4 years ago and now getting around to start my restoration. The bike has 1253 total miles and was originally owned by the Long Beach PD as a trainer. Sadly, it appears that the LBPD took off the Police lights and siren so I am still hunting for the needles in the hay stack. I recently acquired the Police lights but I need all of the siren parts.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

WOW! I've been waiting for this day! There's no emoticon for DROOL!! ARGH!!

I'll be watching this one closely. It looks pretty nice already.

GB :mrgreen:

 

[Galaxie406]

Truely needs a paint job at this point and some rubber replaced. Tank covers and knee pads have been removed and boxed untill the tank is cleaned and repainted. Does anyone have a good source and part number for the handlebar rubber bushings (53133-283-010)? and fork tube rubber covers (not sure on correct number).
Gary

 

[tbpmusic]

What an exciting project !!! And you have a lot to work with, too.

One comment - I've never seen a P-model with rubber fork gaitors before, they've always had solid cover tubes, like Bombers or K1/K2.

What's the VIN on this bike, just for information???

You just missed a siren on EBay a couple of weeks back......

 

[66Sprint]

Interesting point Bill, But if that was the "set-up" the PD recieved and used it in, It theoretically "must" be correct... It is a K1 variant, and perhaps the bike was assembled when the "general export" models were on the assembly line rather than the models we here in the US are more familiar with..... I'd restore it as it is..... Steve

 

[tbpmusic]

Here are some inspirational photos (sorry they're so big)....

The first shot shows the "roll bars" attached to the mysterious anchor point on the frame just below the old damper tab. Guess that shows us what it's for ??

 

[tbpmusic]

Interesting point Bill, But if that was the "set-up" the PD recieved and used it in, It theoretically "must" be correct... It is a K1 variant, and perhaps the bike was assembled when the "general export" models were on the assembly line rather than the models we here in the US are more familiar with..... I'd restore it as it is..... Steve

Yeah - Chris the Brit mentioned a few months ago that he had knowledge of K1-P variants.
Looks like that's one of them for sure - 5-speed frame, looks like a 5-speed engine too.
This is the first one I've ever seen. I wonder if it was a non-US variation??
I wonder what the Real Story is on these things??
The info I have suggests all the US shipments were K0, anywhere from 25-38 shipped (depending on the source), in 1966, many of them to the Pennsylvania Hiway patrol......
Honda's info claimed 43 hp (don't we wish), 103 mph, a whopping 439 pounds, with a $726 price tag. Only their "all model" dealers could order them.

It's one of the many things I've tried to ask Honda about over the years, but they refuse to release any sort of production or sales numbers, ever, period.

 

[Galaxie406]

I will tell you what I know on this bike. It has a California Title, California Black Plate the serial number on the frame is CB450P-1, serial number on the engine CB450E-3007000, 5-speed. Previous owner stated he bought it at a Police auction in Long Beach California and it had been used as a training bike before they let the Officers loose on the HD's. The photos that were posted showing the other CB450P is a 1966 model and not the 1968 Model as I have. Interesting thing about Police versions is that sometimes they used parts from previous years to assemble them. I believe the fork boots are 1967 but I am still researching this, taillight appears to also be pre 68 CB450 but the 67-68 CT90 is a perfect replacement lens. Did you notice that the bike has Factory Floorboards and a heel to toe shifter?

 

[tbpmusic]

I Did you notice that the bike has Factory Floorboards and a heel to toe shifter?

Yeah , I saw that.
Like I said, I've never seen a K1 Police before.
As far as I know, only (US version) had gaitors in 1968.
The first US CB's with rubber gaitors was the disk brake K3 and up.

What an odd VIN stamp it has !!!

more mysteries........

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I need a set of those handlebar bushing as well. I was bidding on a lot of them (7) on Ebay but did'nt want to spend that much. TAS offers them on Ebay as reproductions, but he currently only has 2 in stock. He said they'd message me when more come in. They have to import them. If you come across any and have 4 extra, then I'd sure like some of that action...


Check this out: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=53133-283-010 The first 4 results are promising.

GB :mrgreen:

 

[Galaxie406]

Likewize GB. You would think that we could cross them over to something that would work just as well. Anyone else have any luck with these handlebar bushings?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CB350-CB ... enameZWDVW

There's the Ebay seller. He said he only had two left, but he still has the auction up. I would'nt order until confirming that he has them in stock first. They said they'd let me know. I'd REALLY like to find something even cheaper..

GB :mrgreen:

 

[GAMD5]

If you get the pattern bushings as on ebay be prepared to cut them down a bit otherwise you'll not be able to turn the steering damper knob without fouling it on the centre of the handlebars.Already fell into that trap.Rays the one in the UK with the police bikes lets see what he has to say. Sure he will turn up on this one soon. Regards Chris.

 

[Rayfromtheuk]

Sorry to get in late on this one, Internet has been down for a day or two. Chris got through to me to let me know about these police. I have a 1966 K0 police bike model now complete and in fair condition. Also I have a K1 just being restored. I may know something about these bikes as I have been a follower for a few years now. I have collected parts and the brochures and I am having new crash bars made. Problem is, I am coming from the UK to San Francisco next week so not sure how involved I can get before then. In the meantime just ask and I will do my best.
Ray.

 

[Rayfromtheuk]

Gary, you may recall we have spoken about your bike before, way back in Feb 2007. I think we were involved in the bidding for the wiring details for the K1. Yours seem to an earlier model than mine. I wonder what the actual signifigance is with your engine number at 3007000? It seems to be telling me something in addition to it being a police bike? Cant make out your frame no? My engine no is 3011463, frame 3011447. The rubber fork gaitors are those as shown on the sales leaflet issued for this model but the side air
filter covers are not. That is not to say yours are wrong. My gut feeling is yours is an early example, possibly one of the first? Could that be why the engine no is 3007000? Karen in LA has an award winning machine restored by "Charlies" of San Francisco and John Holland of northern California has a restored K1 without the police parts. Karens bike was restored by a professional restorer without the aid of the sales leaflet and without knowing in absolute detail what the bike should look like, but what a brilliant job he did. I recently sent Karen a copy of the sales leaflet so she could see for herself. Regarding the police parts, the siren itself although hard to find is not impossible, they do turn up from time to time. However the really hard parts to get are the actual siren fittings going right back to the rear wheel. Most of these fittings were never kept, lost or thrown away, and even today most people do not know what they look like so the trend continues. Did you buy the remaining two siren cables
that became available a year or so ago?
Regards, Ray.

 

[Galaxie406]

Ray, yes we have communicated before in the past and I believe by email. I also think you may of outbid me on a complete siren set for the CB450P on ebay but I could be mistaken. I lost all of my email contacts when my hard drive crashed about a year and half ago. The frame number is just as it appears in the photo (CB450P-1) with no other numbers proceeding (not even faint) there has been no tampering, filling or repainting on the frame. Pretty strange.

I may have located the Siren, brackets, bushings, everything but the Siren cable. I did locate cables for the CB350P and CB750P and have opted to order the 750 version to see if I could modify it if necessary. You spoke of a set of siren cables that became available a tear or two ago, would that be through Honda? so far without checking Honda I come up with zilch.

Side aircleaner covers are as issued. Pulled one today and original white paint on the inside. This could be an early version, which taillight lens do you have? mine looks like the CT90 for 68-69. As I have found out, it appears Honda used some parts that appeared to be run overs from previous years.

Ray would you post or email me a photo of your K1, also is there any photos of Karens 450P

Gary

 

[Rayfromtheuk]

Gary, I am going to stick my neck out here. Think about it , frame with just a no 1 and the engine no3007000. I think you have a very early model, maybe a pre-production one. I think the actual production models came with the later numbers like mine and every one I have so far come across the numbers have all been similar to mine.Although more of this model were made and sold than the K0, I think the numbers would be in low hundreds, not thousands. Also,That is why some of your parts are different, but correct.
Yes, I do recall the siren now. With that siren I got the full history with photos from the seller of the bike it came off, and his family as his grandad owned the dealership that supplied the full bike on loan to the local police. I would be interested to hear what other cables may fit the siren. I think I have all I need for both my k0 and k1 but I do need one for a spare siren I have to make it complete.
Regards, Ray.

 

[Galaxie406]

Ray, problem on the cables that I can see would be most likely the length and I can just about bet that Mr. Honda used the same fittings and just had longer or shorter cables. If you have one sitting off a bike maybe I could get some information from you on this and I will do some comparisons once the 750 cable gets here.

PS no hard feelings about being outbid on the Siren, glad you got it.

Gary

 

[gs1327]

Wow, I'm jealous- what a great bike project.