[Bird76Mojo]

I know how most people feel about these forks..

"450 forks are crap", but I REFUSE to change. There, I said it.

I'd like to know if anyone has any opinions on adding air caps to fork tubes. The ones that have a hose going to both tubes with a guage. Equalizers? They sold kits to do this at one time, and probably still. I guess this was a popular option on the 750's. What would one gain from adding an air kit to the 450? Would it just add extra "tuneability" to the front end along with oil viscosity changes??

I'm also looking into progressive springs if they turn out to be the same outer diameter and length. They will be close from my experience in that area. Length being the problem more than likely..

Anyone? Opinions? Thoughts?


GB :mrgreen:

 

[donny662]

I thought you were going to fit a dual disc setup?

 

[NE350]

Sounds cool to me!! I have no idea how to do it myself so I suggest you do it and tell all of us how it came out and the pros and cons of doing it.

How does that sound????

P.S. did I pick the right smile? I was looking for the "smart ass" one.
Matt

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I've got the front end fitted with the dual discs and XS650 mag wheel. I just have to finish filing down the cailper mounts on the right lower leg. The air forks I was talking about are just the caps on top, with valves, hose, and gauge fitted to them. You add air (OR would that be nitrogen???) through a schrader valve on one of the caps.

I'd still like some more opinions and discussion on this before I take the leap. Especially from anyone who has actually done it, or owned a bike with them installed.

GB :mrgreen:

 

[66Sprint]

GB....You would be better off running the internal damping rod from a heavier bike... The 750 dampers have smaller holes in them and thus don't transfer fluid as quickly.... The 750 springs can also be used, but they are a good bit longer and a B*%#H to get caps back on..... I ran the air caps with the balancer tube on a 450 that was running 360 forks....They stiffened it a bit, (better than nothing), but springs, dampers and oil weight/volume are a better method...If you just want to stiffen them while you race, but not on the drive home, they would be a good way to go....... Steve

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Thanks for the info Steve. I'm holding off on this one for now. I still have'nt heard back from the company I emailed about the progessive fork springs. I asked them the outside diameter and length, to compare with my 450 set.

I'm stubborn and I will make this factory front end handle decently. Without using emulators if possible.

GB :mrgreen:

 

[66Sprint]

I don't think 450 forks are crap, (they are basically the same as 550/4 and 750/4 forks, and nobody seems to complain about them)....They are just "clunky looking" to my eyes, (I prefer "bare" forks), and given unlimited funding (which isn't going to happen in the forseeable future), I'd run 35mm Ceriani's......
Stock 450 (or almost any older Honda) SHOCKS are however another story...They ARE junk!........... :lol: Steve

 

[mack]

If I was going to update my forks, I'd just pick up some springs from Progressive Suspension and play around with oil viscosity until you find what makes you happy.

I know this isn't what you were looking for on this thread, but the title might bring some more basic riders in here. This is a simple site for a few 450 projects with pictures on the process. look under How To's. If it gets a few guys to change their fork oil it would make it worth posting:

http://www.cb450stuff.com/index.htm

Sorry for the pseudo thread jack!

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I've been looking into progressive springs but I'm not sure that any of them will actually fit. None of them are made specifically for a 450. They're made for 750's. I know the length would be off (how much I have no idea) but I really need to know the diameter of them before buying. None of the online retailers have got back to me about the OD.

GB :mrgreen:

 

[mack]

I'd just call Progressive directly. They've been helpful in my conversations with them in the past.

 

[RDU-CB]

Bringin this one back from the dead.....


Ive acquired some fork springs from a 71 750, would it be practical to drop (cram) these in the stock 450k5 tubes/damping rods?

 

[chriki]

Has anyone tried these progressive springs for the CB 450: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Progressive-For ... _771wt_905

Any comments/opinions? Would they be worth buying?

 

[nigelrharris03]

There was an interesting discussion regarding the use of progressive springs recently.

There are basically 2 options, standard or heavier non progressive springs or progressive which are by their very nature a compromise.
Outbie made some good points as did Jensen.
Steve made some good points when he, considered the oil weight and the size of the holes used for the return.

What would be clear is that if your current springs are not to spec the replace them, but what would your ultimate requirement be. Racer, Rider, Cruiser? Im thinking that there would be a different requirement for each use.

 

[MaaseyRacer]

I went with 500T fork legs, then Race Tech springs and emulators. World of difference from the stock CL450 fork tubes.