69 CL450

Other makes and motorcycles of interest.

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan

Post Reply
Odin
On the main road
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Victoria

69 CL450

Post by Odin »

Well some of you may or may not remember a couple of years ago after I finished the rebuild of my T200 that I got a Honda CL450, now I know its been awhile but as promised here are the photos of how things are coming along.

How it looked when I brought it home!
Image
Some of you may see a 72 CL450 but upon disassembly I found that the VIN# and frame# were actually a 69 (plus it still had drum brakes and a few other things didn't seem right for a 72) fine by me because I like the look of the earlier models anyways (but it has caused problems locating the right parts)

Finished frame
Image

Rebuilt motor
Image

sorry about the picture quality I had to use my phone, real camera died and I haven't replaced it more important things to spend the money on... like the bikes! :lol:
more photos to come as things progress.
T200 (full restoration)
CL450 (on the go now)
T350 (sort of started)

"Even if the voices in my head aren't real, They have some pretty good ideas"
rngdng
AMA Superbike
Posts: 1769
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:47 pm
Location: Blythewood, SC, USA

Post by rngdng »

I was going to call you on the year. Did they even make the CL version in 69?



Lane
If you stroke it more than twice; you're playing with it.

Too many bikes, too much time, ENOUGH SPACE, FINALLY! Never enough money.........
User avatar
Suzsmokeyallan
Moto GP
Posts: 4326
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:11 am
Location: Mostly Barbados, sometimes Florida and western Canada
Contact:

Post by Suzsmokeyallan »

Apparently it first came out in 1967 as an off road conversion kit for the CB450. The 68 models designation K1 had a round wing badge on the tank with no decals/striping. The 69 models had the word Honda as a badge on the tank but it was still devoid of decals/striping.
It also never got disc brakes up front in any of the years and by its last year of production.
In 1975 the bike was dropped from the lineup. and the CB500T replaced it.

Keith i'm not sure how much info youve got but heres some particulars for the 69 models.
The seat for the 69 should have chrome strips along its base, the 70 model had the buttons. Maybe someone put the buttons on yours and took off the strips??????
It appears your front fender is also from a later model, the 69s should have braces on it.
The 69 serial numbers begin at CL450-1012469 for this year.
Also the headlamp and upper fork ears are supposed to be painted in black and the tank emblems are supposed to be infilled with white paint.
Two strokes, its just that simple.

69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
Odin
On the main road
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Victoria

Post by Odin »

Thanks Allen.
I have the proper fender for the front, but I couldn't find the seat trim in any usable shape... so I recovered the seat using buttons (70's style) and actually the 69 did have tank decals (gold)
Image
came in that blue or metallic silver.

it seams at some point the PO of my bike upgraded :roll: to the 70's body (fenders and all) besides not finding the seat trim I have acquired the necessary parts to return it to "mostly" a 69...
I have the NOS taillight but I have mounted a different one that I find more visually appealing (you know, personal touches)
T200 (full restoration)
CL450 (on the go now)
T350 (sort of started)

"Even if the voices in my head aren't real, They have some pretty good ideas"
User avatar
Suzsmokeyallan
Moto GP
Posts: 4326
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:11 am
Location: Mostly Barbados, sometimes Florida and western Canada
Contact:

Post by Suzsmokeyallan »

Ok so youve got it all covered then Keith, i knew youd have done your research.
BTW i do have a pair of those indicators in very decent shape if youre intersted in them.
OR better yet i also have some NOS ones.
Two strokes, its just that simple.

69 Suz U70
69 Suz T500
72 Suz GT750 cafe
74 Suz TS250
74 Suz GTXVR project
75 Suz RE5
75 Suz GT750
76 Suz TS400
76 Suz GT750
81 Suz GSX1100
86 Suz RG500x2
88 Hon CR500
93 Hon CBR900RR
98 Suz GSF1200x3
15 Kaw Ninja H2
Odin
On the main road
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Victoria

Post by Odin »

Well its been awhile since I updated you guy's on the Honda, in fact since the last time I was in Holland for a month and had since let the project slide... but some late nights over the last couple weeks have shown progress
wheels rebuilt and ready to go
Image
Image
fresh set of coils as per specs from the Honda twins forum
Image
new tapered bearings and reassembled triple tree
Image
It rolls!
Image
and finally its back in the garage and the fresh wire harness is now temporarily in place :D
Image
T200 (full restoration)
CL450 (on the go now)
T350 (sort of started)

"Even if the voices in my head aren't real, They have some pretty good ideas"
Odin
On the main road
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Victoria

Post by Odin »

Well here it is all done!
Image
Image
Image
Image
for those familiar with the bike I did make some changes, had her out for her first run today and she sounds great and pulls hard but I still need to fine tune the carbs.
T200 (full restoration)
CL450 (on the go now)
T350 (sort of started)

"Even if the voices in my head aren't real, They have some pretty good ideas"
User avatar
evol02
On the main road
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:57 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:

Post by evol02 »

Beautifully done, but I do have to say that I much prefer the original taillight?
That light is actually fairly rare, being only on the 1968 Model 350 (and I guess) on the 1968/69 450s? The HD light you've thrown on their looks good, but I (as a long time vintage Honda Twin fan) must say the original light will be far superior!

Beautiful!
-------------------------------
1969 T-500-II Candy Gold
1969 T-500-II Project Roller
Odin
On the main road
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Victoria

Post by Odin »

evol02 wrote:Beautifully done, but I do have to say that I much prefer the original taillight?
That light is actually fairly rare, being only on the 1968 Model 350 (and I guess) on the 1968/69 450s? The HD light you've thrown on their looks good, but I (as a long time vintage Honda Twin fan) must say the original light will be far superior!

Beautiful!
Well then it will make you happy to know that I do have the original tail light in NOS condition because even tho I made the change I felt that I should have all the parts needed to make the bike stock. I also have the correct heat shield for the 69 (two piece, not one) along with the stock handle bars the only thing that I don't have to make the bike "correct" is the seat trim.
T200 (full restoration)
CL450 (on the go now)
T350 (sort of started)

"Even if the voices in my head aren't real, They have some pretty good ideas"
two-stroke-brit
Novice racer
Posts: 947
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:59 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: gt750
Location: HOUSTON USA

good job

Post by two-stroke-brit »

what fantastic job you have made of that bike.
well done.
She will never be pretty but hoping she will be a fun ride.

1973 SUZUKI GT750K.=SOLD
yamaha speedtwinn 100 barn find =SOLD
1x 1973 kawasaki H1 (restored)
1x 1973 kawasaki H1 (basket case) =SOLD
1982 HONDA CB900F =SOLD
1982 YAMAHA RD350LC.
1985 RZ350N
TLRam1
Road race school
Posts: 873
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:15 pm
Location: Allen, Texas (Dallas)

Post by TLRam1 »

Super nice Job!!!!! Didn't know the bike could be made to look so good.
Terry

Maybe poker's not your game, Ike. I know! Let's have a spelling contest~

74 Suzuki GT750 / 74 Suzuki T500 / 75 Suzuki GT380 / 97 & 01 Honda Magna / 03 Kawasaki KX250 / 01 Yamaha WR250F / 03 Yamaha TTR 125L
User avatar
evol02
On the main road
Posts: 108
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:57 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:

Post by evol02 »

Odin wrote: Well then it will make you happy to know that I do have the original tail light in NOS condition because even tho I made the change I felt that I should have all the parts needed to make the bike stock. I also have the correct heat shield for the 69 (two piece, not one) along with the stock handle bars the only thing that I don't have to make the bike "correct" is the seat trim.
Odin,
Sorry! Not trying to razz you, I'm the last person to be a purist! I'll toss up some pics of my 350 in the near future. I had a few 450s and none of them ever looking anywhere near as good as that puppy!
I'm very keen on the one piece heat shield, very cool!
-------------------------------
1969 T-500-II Candy Gold
1969 T-500-II Project Roller
Odin
On the main road
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Victoria

Post by Odin »

No worries, I know you weren't razzing me. There is a part of me that is a purist and thats why I have the the correct parts (even if I don't use them) :)
T200 (full restoration)
CL450 (on the go now)
T350 (sort of started)

"Even if the voices in my head aren't real, They have some pretty good ideas"
Post Reply