Some of the earlier 400 models had both....I'd compare the parts diagrams to see the differences (if any other than "missing" parts).....It should logicly be possible, but I've never tried......Some disassembly required......

 

I just picked up an '82 CB 450 SC and I miss the old kick starter from earlier bikes.
Is it possible to install one on this engine? If so, what parts are involved and does it require a complete tear-down of the bottom end?
Thanks in advance.

As I understand it, yes it can be done. However you will loose 6th gear. Seems that in order to fit in 6th Honda had to loose the kick start. Just have to get all the internals for the trans from a kicker model as well as the right cover.
Realistically the kickstart serves no purpose other than an insurance policy. I've used it once in the last 3 years, because of stupidity. Didn't replace a known bad battery when I should have.

 

Yeah, but it's an insurance policy I like having.
If the electric starter ever fails...

It's just that I got used to having one all those years ago and the peace of mind is well worth it, IMHO.
Besides, it's so Old School.

 

Yeah, it's nice knowing it's there just in case. Besides needing all the moving pieces you may need the lower case half, depending on what Honda did there. They may have drilled all the needed holes, might need to be resized, maybe there's nothing. If you change the lower case you might end up loosing the oil cooler. Don't know but sounds interesting and a good winter project. I'd start looking around for a '79 CM/CB 400T motor. Preferably a dead one that can be gotten for next to nothing. Who cares if the motor part is wasted, you only want the trans section.

 

As far as insurance policy goes, I've push-started my 82 CB450 a few times. It's not that hard. You can do it yourself with a slight hill very easily. Heck, I think if you were mildly nimble, you could get it going, then saddle up and pop the clutch by yourself on flat ground. It's a pretty light bike.

 

Where I come from, kick starters were synonymous with motorcycles.
That's all there was.
Electric starters were candy ass. Anyone can push a button.

Old School.
Set it up on the top of the stroke and then jump.
My mother could start today's bikes.
She's 89.

Not saying it's something I'm insisting on, it's just familiar and something I'd like to do, if it's not too involved.
I haven't put any time in on the bike in sixth, so I don't know if I would miss it.
Probably.

Thirty-seven years ago I had a bike with six gears and a kick starter.

Thanks for the response.

 

I do like having the option of the kicker. The only times I've wanted 6th is when I have to run slab for an extended period. Spinning her up at 5K+ all day long is just hard on the motor and I'd prefer a lower rpm then. I would use 6th as purely a high speed cruise gear. Most of the time I find any alternative to the slab just because it's boring, good for covering a lot of miles but really f*g boring.