Never imported into the UK, the CL450 Scrambler sold in the USA and Australia was probably too heavy to use in serious competition, but was a go anywhere bike with ice cool styling. Honda's CB450 engine was a technological marvel in 1969, double overhead cams, torsion bars not valve springs, five speed box, roller bearing bottom end, electric starter and CV carbs. Unfortunately it was an odd looking thing, and didn't sell well in the states, so dealers came up with a kit to create a 'street scrambler' version, and when it sold, Honda produced the CL450. I'd seen pictures and read articles about them, and decided I wanted one. Mine came up on eBay from a dealer who was importing 'barn finds' from the USA. Chrome parts like the distinctive exhaust system are made of weapons grade unobtanium, new ones haven't been made for many years, so the good condition of the chrome made this the one for me. It hadn't run for decades, the fuel had turned to a grey powder in the fuel tap and carbs, and a valve that had been open all the time had a very rusty seat. At some time it had been in a prang, the speedo and front wheel were new (insurance job?) but when stripped the engine it was clear that it had done a stupidly low mileage, although anything made of rubber or plastic had turned to stone, many wearing parts looked as new, much to my delight. When Americans break their toys, many just get parked. This one had clearly also been somewhere dry for all those years. There is a full resto thread here: http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14441.0.html Parts to restore it came from all over the world - seat from Vietnam, bars and tank badges from California, new headlamp shell from Australia, tacho from Canada etc etc... The paint was done by a guy called Menno, in Germany, who specialises in classic Japanese paint jobs, he’d previously done the paint on CB750 restoration I’d done. It’s candy blue, like blue nail varnish over silver glitter. They also did them in candy red, and silver. It's now my runaround of choice, I just went out to the chipshop on it for my Friday chippy fix. Typical of Honda twins, there isn't much torque, so you rev it like you stole it!
Nice. I had a CL250 back in the early mid 80s in the white colour way. 1982 model I think. Used it backwards and forwards from Luton to Sheffield poly and then Luton to Watford for my first job. Loved that bike. It had a super low sort of extra first gear, which I'm sure yours must?, that was operated by a small lever that nestled over the clutch lever iirc. Party piece was to pop a wheelie with a pillion who's boots wedging under my armpits would be the only thing stopping them falling off the back!
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/real-classic/20180505/281552291471743 Like this one...maybe with yours being the first model they changed the gearbox for later ones.
Mine has a straight forward 5 speed box, but lower geared than the road CB450 version. There are bits in the gear change mechanism, that, if they wear out are all but irreplaceable. Luckily mine are like new. I have a photo, which I can’t post without being at my PC, of the 50 year old aluminium clutch basket with barely any wear marks from the unworn plates. Honda made CL versions of most of their twins, after a few seasons of classic racing a 500cc Triumph against 350cc Honda twins I always thought a CL350, on dirt, would be hilarious but I’m probably too old now to make the most of it.
That looks fab @MrDavo I keep looking on EBay as I fancy getting a small street scrambler. There is one seller who always seems to have lots that are from America, is that who yours is from? I wondered how difficult it would be to register them here.
Mine came from Summerbud, who import bikes by the container full, luckily I was the only bidder. The only paperwork I got was a NOVA certificate to prove that VAT had been paid on import. I also had to get a dating letter, from the VJMC, to verify the date of manufacture even though the plate on the headstock says ‘11/69’. Then fill in a form and pay a fee to get an age related number.
That is lovely. Was only yesterday thinking about a 60's Triumph scrambler, but they're stupid money now.
Now I’ve been shown how to post from my phone here are more. Note that the wiring for the handlebar switches run inside the bars, a pain in the butt to do, but super neat
I used to have a CL 160 import, in about 1980, and it was (seemed) old then. Same upswept exhaust, and electric start
Love it. I’m mid build of an ‘off roader’ desert sled homage / thingy. It’s still a work in progress but it runs and drives. Stirlingmoz
Lovely - a great choice Just wondering how close a relation it is to the legendary `Black Bomber` , much loved by the classic racing brigade but outpaced in the early Eighties by more exotic tackle and obviously 350 TZ`s ??
Very similar, the CB450 'Bomber' was the odd looking one that wouldn't sell in the Sates until they prettied it up as the CL450. To the best of my knowledge the only real differences other than the styling, are lower gearing, possibly softer cams and a different frame, higher with less rake and trail. I do know that bomber steering yokes don't fit, because I've tried. The roller crank is pressed up, and after dire warnings that it may have solidified crud in the oil galleries, I had it rebuilt by a Classic race shop, who said it was all fine. I went to the Classic TT a couple of years ago, and 450 Hondas are still being thrashed around the mountain. I have the original exhaust cam in front of me on my office window sill, I couldn't use it because of cracks to the flange around the sprocket damper rings. You will see the total lack of wear, like in a brand new engine.
