[uday19475]

My CB450 is finally here (picked it up from North Andover, MA last Saturday). Since then, I rode the motorcycle a few miles in our neighborhood to get a feel for it. The experience thus far is great. The only thing that needs to be replaced right away are the fork gaiters. The gaiters are in bad shape. They still cover the forks but are torn and ready to fall to pieces. The seller gave me a pair of NOS gaiters. Can someone kindly provide me with the steps to replace the gaiters. A friend who owns a garage and maintains hydraulic systems on heavy equipment as well as rebuilds Jeeps for a living offered to help out with the task. So, I guess I will be able to follow directions with his help if I know what exactly needs to come off and how to go about replacing the gaiters.

The front end seems to be in great shape. Would I still have to replace the fork oil and seals if I were to dismantle the front tire and fork stems?

Something else that I noticed when I take the motorcycle off the center stand, straddle the motorcycle and move the handle from side to side - the steering seems a bit rigid (as if the front tire is gripping floor/drive way real tight) which I didn't really feel when I ride the bike.

The front tire still maintains contact with the floor when the motorcycle is on the center stand and when I press down on the rear. Is this normal?

Thanks and regards
Uday

 

[dgallagher]

If I were you I would just plan on going through the forks while you are already there. New fork seals and fresh fork oil of proper type and amount, clean and grease our replace stem bearings and races, and then last but not least the gators. JMHO While you had the wheel off you could do the bearings and rebuild front brakes and replace the hose with braided. I know it's some work but then your front end would be up to speed and safe.

read through this post for the stem bearings
http://www.hondatwins.net/forums/58...er-technique-adjusting-steering-bearings.html

this is for gators
http://www.hondatwins.net/forums/58-frame-suspension-steering/21493-stock-450-k3-gator-question.html

do a search for the brakes and for tires and bearings I just take it to the honda dealer, but I am lazy.

 

[nigelrharris03]

I totally agree with a braided brake hose, it's for your safety. Your head bearings should feel completely smooth when you sit back on the bike with the front wheel OFF the ground. Better still have someone else sit on the bike and you check the rotational movement. The grab the front wheel and pull it back and forth to see if there is any slack in the head bearings. There should be no discernable movement. As DGallagher says check the brakes for wear and replace with new, unless you have been assured that they have been replaced recently and seen the purchase receipt. (Never assume Nothin )

Nice looking bike too

 

[JamesPal]

Or you can just ride it for the rest of the summer. Then do the restoration work after the weather turns. I have seem posts where people have claimed they have slid gators over the fork lowers and didn't take the fork tubes out of the triple trees.

My experience has been, at a minimum all the lubrication points on the maintenance list (wheel bearings, steering bearings, tach drive, swing arm) need to be dissembled, cleaned, inspected, and new grease applied. Most likely these items have not been lubricated since the bike left the factory. Every one I have looked at the grease is dried the consistency of dried toothpaste.

BTW- that is a nice bike. Go enjoy it.