CB450 for a first bike?

[chinny]

Hi all,

Wondering if an old '70s honda cb450 would be suitable to learn on?
Love the style of old 60's-70's Hondas as well as their (general) reputation for reliability.
I suspect a cb450 would be too tall, heavy and powerful but i remain optimistic about adapting to it.

A bit of background:
I'm about 170cm (just under 5' 7") and 63kg.
I've done a bit of riding already - about 10 or so hours on a late '60s honda S90.

The S90 was nice to ride although lacked braking power (drum brakes). I'm sure i would want something more powerful in the future though as it would max out around 60/70mph.. .
Plus i don't think its owner would let me have it

Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.
Cheers

P.S. Newbie here - good to be here!

[HenryDorsetCase]

If it doesnt work out i will buy it off you.

Welcome

[spanner spinner]

good power spread, easy to ride, and should be LAMS approved sounds like a great first bike.

[ducatilover]

Can't think of many bikes I'd rather learn on/look at than an old CB.
Excellent machines, not too potent for a learner (not potent at all really) and not exactly heavy for an old bike.

[JimO]

doubt it would be to tall, most old bikes are small compared to new ones

[Coolz]

Probably slow by todays standards, they gave the 650 Triumphs a good run for their money back in the day. They rev to 10k, not to bad for an old twin, and had a distinctive howl. You could lift the front wheel in the lower gears if you tried. Front brake was drum, if I rember rightly, and handling was pretty average. Not what I'd recommend for someone whos riding experiance can be counted in hours. A CB250 would be more suitable.

[Paul in NZ]

Um - it depends.... The 350 was by far a better bike than the 450 with its quirky valve gear. You can make a 450 really fly and they will handle if the frame is braced and decent suspension supplied BUT they are a lot taller and stock handle like a wheelbarrow... Those early CB brakes were not up to much either...

The 350 is way more common as well so presumably better supported parts wise.

Frankly - to learn on a later twin from the Jap makers would be easier and a lot cheaper to ride. CB's are all 'collectable' now and going for stupid money.

If you simply MUST have a classic honda the CB400F (the 4) is a brill bike still.

[Paul in NZ]

Probably slow by todays standards, they gave the 650 Triumphs a good run for their money back in the day. They rev to 10k, not to bad for an old twin, and had a distinctive howl. You could lift the front wheel in the lower gears if you tried. Front brake was drum, if I rember rightly, and handling was pretty average. Not what I'd recommend for someone whos riding experiance can be counted in hours. A CB250 would be more suitable.

Only the early ones (black bombers etc) had drums. Most 450's you find here are the later K series with the horrid disk with floating caliper.... A decent 650 twin will still clean one up in every dept except oil leaks and reliability...

[avgas]

Not what I'd recommend for someone whos riding experiance can be counted in hours. A CB250 would be more suitable.

What he said.
Basic rule I use is do a minimum 50 hours on something then you can add 10hp.

If you want classic style get a CB/GB250 or put another 100 hours on the C90 and get a GB400.

[SMOKEU]

If you want classic style get a CB/GB250 or put another 100 hours on the C90 and get a GB400.

A GB400 isn't exactly what I'd call quick. A decent 4 cylinder 250 will kill one in terms of straight line acceleration.

[GrayWolf]

A GB400 isn't exactly what I'd call quick. A decent 4 cylinder 250 will kill one in terms of straight line acceleration.

Ignore advice like this, period. Buy the bike YOU want, for the reason YOU want it. The GB 400/500 is a good wee bike. Doesnt rev to 20k, has good road manners and if well maintained will OUTLAST any 4cyl 250.

Um - it depends.... The 350 was by far a better bike than the 450 with its quirky valve gear. You can make a 450 really fly and they will handle if the frame is braced and decent suspension supplied BUT they are a lot taller and stock handle like a wheelbarrow... Those early CB brakes were not up to much either...

They were also released as a 500 in Europe. The 'torsion bar' valve gear is/was a bit suspect. It was supposed to have been improved during the model's life. The odd one I've seen in tardme, has fetched quite high prices, but it is a 'classic' now.

The 350 is way more common as well so presumably better supported parts wise.

Frankly - to learn on a later twin from the Jap makers would be easier and a lot cheaper to ride. CB's are all 'collectable' now and going for stupid money.

If you simply MUST have a classic honda the CB400F (the 4) is a brill bike still.

I would also add the CB350/4 to that suggestion, not as pretty but basically the same motor. A good nick CB400/450 twin is not to be 'sneezed' at really. They were a little quicker than the RD/GT/KH 250's of the late 70's.

[avgas]

A GB400 isn't exactly what I'd call quick. A decent 4 cylinder 250 will kill one in terms of straight line acceleration.

@150kph is quick enough to kill someone. Also you might want to check the hp of a gb400.

GB400 = 30hp
CBR250 = 23hp

Supposedly it had twice the torque (BS i say). Good thing they had shit forks, only 5 gears, crap tires, and saggy shocks.........

But regardless I have seen people "step up" to a GB400 only to end up on their arse because they are not used to short sharp power delivery range on skinny tires. Same with people who "step up" into a 400 dirt bike after spending ages on a 125 smokers.
Twist, slip and slide.
Its funny to watch.

[HenryDorsetCase]

If you simply MUST have a classic honda the CB400F (the 4) is a brill bike still.

buy one from David Silver: He's doing a "batch resto" of 50 to get a mini production line, savings on stuff like paint and powdercoat etc.

www.davidsilverspares.co.uk

on their farcebook page too.

[Paul in NZ]

Avoid the CB500 (last version of the 450 twin as its horrid - the 500/4 is very good)

All the old hondas run the cam directly in the head. If the oils not been changed then its expensive to repair

[Edbear]

Welcome to KB where everyone has a valid opinion!

Your market is wide open and classics can be very good value. You've got also the Suzuki 400's in twins and fours and the 450 twins, all of which are bullet-proof.

More modern would be the GSX500 twin, a great all-rounder and utterly reliable and can be either fairing or naked. My second bike was a '73 Suzuki T500 two smoker and it was a fabulous bike in its day!

If you want sports you could try to find an RF400 Suzuki but most people tend to hang on to them. The 350 Goose is also a great bike!

So many bikes, so little time!