[Rockabilly-medic]

Hello, wanted to introduce myself. I'm a Paramedic from the central valley in California amd I just picked up my first strret bike. Searchin the web to find out more info on the bike and I came across this forum, so far from what I have been reading the past 2-3 hours I will probably be on this site quite abit. Work crazy hours so will probably be on the site at all hours get bored in the ambulance so now I have a forum to go to, like now. Looks like plenty of info and knowledge will be found in my quest of restoring this new ride. I say restore, my initial plan was to make a bobber out of it, you know the usual; hardtail, change the tank, remove the fenders, solo seat, etc. etc., but we will see, after seeing some of the bikes on this forum i might be going the stock route. The bike I purchased is a 1968 CB450 K1, found it on Craigslist and stole it from this young guy for a song. It runs like a champ, but loud as hell with no baffles. Really scoots along but the first things to go are the cracked tires, then we will see from there. New to all of this so I will be askin alot of questions, of course after I search the forum, so thanks for havin me.

 

[66Sprint]

Welcome!... From your pic it appears you actually have a (1969) K2 model.....While it would have a 68 manufacturers date, If the serial number is CB450-3008956 or higher, it's a K2 ...(K1 would have a serial from CB450-3000001 to -3008955)..... Your bike has a K2 (or later) shaped tank as well.... There are some minor differences in parts (other than engine internals) so it's good to know the EXACT "K" of your bike.... Most parts do interchange though...
There are lots of 450 guys here, so ask away if you have questions!..... Steve

 

[Henryinva]

Hiya! Welcome to the forum! Nice looking scooter! (I'd bob it!) Either way ya go, this is, in my opinion, "THE" place to run to with questions. Combined, there's a couple hundred years of 450 nuts, guru's and grand poobah's who reside here! Enjoy!

See that Steve, another YELLOW bike!

Henry

 

[Rockabilly-medic]

Thanks for the welcome, Henryinva ,yellow is cool and I love your bike, leanin to the bobber side when I see yours. The guy I bought it from said he changed the tank on the bike, the side panels are the same were originally red. The last four digits on the serial are 0873 so i was reading it as a K1. Thanks again for the info.

 

[66Sprint]

A K1 it is then!.....The serial confirms it.... The K1's (IMHO) were the best (and prettiest) 450's...... Steve

 

[tbpmusic]

Yeah, it's a K1, just has a K2 tank (too bad).
Those are K1 (US, that is) air cleaner covers.
Not sure, but those may be old Hooker pipes....

How come I never come across bikes like this??

 

[66Sprint]

My thoughts too Bill...... I'd "kill" for a pristine K1 tank in any color.... Black would save some re-painting time......LOL..... But I have a severe case of "lack of funds"......

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I'd like to see a rear shot of that pipe sometime.. I don't think it's a Hooker unless someone's switched out the can on it.. I've been wrong MANY times before though.. :lol: It does look identical to a 2 into 1 that I saw on a CB500T once..

Welcome aboard!

GB :mrgreen:

 

[Rockabilly-medic]

GB here is the best rear shot I have. Also I'm pretty sure the guy said he had the original tank, I will check. If you look closely at the pipes at the bend under the engine they are almost flat, guess he ran into a couple of things. Do you know if this can be fixed?

Thanks Robert

 

[MNellis]

GB here is the best rear shot I have. Also I'm pretty sure the guy said he had the original tank, I will check. If you look closely at the pipes at the bend under the engine they are almost flat, guess he ran into a couple of things. Do you know if this can be fixed?

Thanks Robert

If he's got the original tank you need to jump on it. As Bill mentioned, and I agree, those original tanks were the best looking. I like the looks of that large front tire as well. It fills in the fender nicely.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Well it's not like any other Hooker header I've ever seen. Possibly a Mac brand. I know I've seen one just like it on a 500T before.

I've heard of people having luck filling the dented spots with water and putting them into a deepfreeze. I remember reading that it took a lot of "cycles" to remove most of the dent. If you're not worried about the chrome on the bottom, then a competent welding shop could cut out the dents and weld in patches to straighten out that section.

GB :mrgreen:

 

[Rockabilly-medic]

Cool, thanks for all the info., I sent the guy a message about the tank, hopefully he calls back. Also he has a 1970 cb450 parts bike, should I jump on that also? And I just found a 1978 cb350 for $300 that runs is this a good pick up?

Thanks Robert

 

[66Sprint]

If it is TITLED and kicks through, $1 a cc is a decent buy......IMHO...Steve

 

[Rockabilly-medic]

O.K. so talked to guy I bought it from, sais the original tank was beat up so he tossed it in the garbage :-( and other bike is probably gone because he left it at the house he got evicted out of. So S.O.L. on both of those. Was wondering if I do go for the bobber style I haven't been able to find a weld on kit for the 450, only the 750 and 350 any suggestions....

Thanks Robert

 

[66Sprint]

I've used a 750 hardtail with some mods where the bottom welds on and by narrowing the whole works.....It's almost as easy to build one from scratch....

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Amen used to make hardtail frames and the mini rear spring variety frames for the 450 back in Steve's day.. :lol: They even made weld on kits. I found an ad for them somewhere on the net. You'd be hardpressed to actually find one though.


GB :mrgreen:

 

[ol55]

Welcome to hondatwins.net!

How do you tell the difference between a Hooker, Mac and Jardine header?

Larry

 

[Bird76Mojo]

How do you tell the difference between a Hooker, Mac and Jardine header? Larry

Being old helps I think. I've seen a few in person, and pictures of most everything. That's how I tell.


GB :mrgreen: