New rider - Looking at a 74 CB450

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PeterKoster

Member
New rider thinking of getting a 1974 CB450. Was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Honda's as a first bike?

I grew up in a garage, my dad owned a shop (only cars), so I'm good with doing minor repairs and maintenance. Actually looking forward to getting my hands dirty. Was wondering if the 450 is too big, would a (almost) new 250 be better. I've been riding a small scooter for a couple years - actually this is what finally convinced my wife to be OK with a real bike - and looking for a weekend cruise and occasional commute bike. Always loved the look of the old Honda's - straight seat and unmodified. I drove the small sport bikes in the training course (RTI) and prefer to sit up more so ended using the dual sport/dirt bike models they had.

Looking forward to finally getting on the road.
 
450 is not too big at all, Anything up to 750 in a cruiser is fine for a first bike imo. I learned to ride on a 250 suzuki marauder at the training school, then bought the 750 honda magna in my sig, it has a lot more power than the 250 and that 450, and more weight, and was worried i was going too big for a first bike but found out i didn't at all, i was fine. In retrospect i'm glad i didn't listen to posts i read on here warning to go with something smaller first.

250 cruisers have their fans and those who will say they are fine, and i suppose it also depends on your weight/height, but i think they are too small and will be outgrown too soon. Anything less than the Magna i rode first would seem like a tiny toy now. I've already outgrown my Magna in just over a year and have a 1700cc Vmax now which is a 197hp powerhouse and i'm fine with that too. It's all about knowing your skill limits and riding within them, and using common sense.

As for the cb450, my uncle had an orange cb750 in the mid 70's, classic bikes. You can't go wrong with a Honda they are very reliable. Probably the most reliable of all brands. I'm a big supporter of the idea of going with an older bike as ones first, do your learning on that then if you so desire move to something newer later on.
 
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Welcome!!
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First bike I ever rode was a CB-450, it's an excellent bike.

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Yeah, the old CB series were great, reliable bikes, I had a 350, 360 and a 750, all were great bikes.

I started on a smaller bike (Suzuki 185 twinstar) and soon outgrew that, the 350 was good replacement and would have been fine to start on imho, the 450 isn't much larger. If you're comfortable holding her up on a lean, go for it.

'74 is pretty old, I assume she's in great shape, definitely have a close look and expect some maintenance issues. Good winter teardown project to both familiarize yourself with the bike and address any hidden issues....

Good luck and welcome!
 
i started on a on a cb125 and cb200 (1974 model), i currently have a cb1000 that i just picked up. i need to do a few repairs to get it on the road.

i love the cb's great bikes...(thats why i chose cbcanada as my handle)

if you are good at wrenching then go for it. i wasnt good at wrenching at first so ended up paying and waiting, and as a new rider you just want to ride. the older bikes always require maintenace.
 
I had a '75 CB360T. Most of my problems were with fuel tank rust clogging up the filter and the points ignition. I had the pin on the end of the camshaft that drives the rubbing block break off. Other than that it was an good bike if you just went in a slow, straight line.
 
Use to be reliable....the difference its today...38 years later.
Enjoying a motorcycle as a first time experience shouldn't being fixing it or searching out old parts when you should be ridin.
Buy new or reasonably newish bike....then as a 2nd bike or project bike get the 74 CB450
 
Kool said:
Use to be reliable....the difference its today...38 years later.
Enjoying a motorcycle as a first time experience shouldn't being fixing it or searching out old parts when you should be ridin.
Buy new or reasonably newish bike....then as a 2nd bike or project bike get the 74 CB450
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This.
 
I had a 68 and a 71.

torsion bar valve springs will crack if you over rev. And it will go freely to 13k+.

Forks are good on the 74 but change out the rear shocks.

If you push it hard in the corners you will think the frame is rubber. I even cracked min on the 68.

Not sure if the 74 has electronic ignition, but if not the points need constand adjustment.

Starter is a bit weak, hope it has kick start just in case.
 
LOL, yeah I recall using the kick start on mine....

We can't all afford/justify buying new, and some of us like the nostalgia, or simply messing around with the mechanics. More power to ya, hope she makes you happy.
 
Thanks all for the great feedback. This place looks like a good community.

My next step is the insurance. I'll search the site for some recommendations. TD/Monex won't insure a 74. Makes me feel old when a bike younger than me is called an antique ;)

Cheers
 
Hi PeterKoster

I just got here myself but welcome anyway, aaah the old Hondas, started my riding days back on a CB175 passed the test first time and then bought a CB750 K2. I ride a 75 Z1 and also have a ZX9R at the moment, i struggle somtimes to decide which one to ride as they both behave differently, slow and nostalgic or fast and furious. KOOL poss said the right thing if you can afford it, buy newish and get an older one as well, parts are hard to source at times. I have a buddy in Toronto thats restoring a 400/4 at the moment and i've helped him find some hard to find parts over here in the UK if you need the same help let me know.

Paul
 
I've got a '75 CB200t that I learned on two years ago, and then got an '83 CM250C. Contrary to what the grouch says (sorry Retro) I liked starting on an old bike. Only $900 so if I wrecked it, I wasn't out much. Insurance may be a chore, as many of the on-line quote systems won't accept a bike that old. It has to do with the length of the VIN. You will need to call around. Jevco insures mine; check the insurance sub-forum for threads on inssuring older bikes.
 
Thanks for the offer. I'm also looking at a 400/4 - this is the one I would ideally like to have, but they are either fully restore and cost too much or farm fresh. While I would like to restore one, for my first bike actually want to ride it!.

Cheers.
 
Lyndsay said:
I've got a '75 CB200t that I learned on two years ago, and then got an '83 CM250C. Contrary to what the grouch says (sorry Retro) I liked starting on an old bike. Only $900 so if I wrecked it, I wasn't out much. Insurance may be a chore, as many of the on-line quote systems won't accept a bike that old. It has to do with the length of the VIN. You will need to call around. Jevco insures mine; check the insurance sub-forum for threads on inssuring older bikes.
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I'm finding insurance on 30+ year old bike is hard. I've left a couple messages with Jevco brokers in the city but no one has got back - things must be good in the insurance business??? If you know a decent Jevco Broker in the city (Yonge & St. Clair or Leaside) I would like to know. TD won't insure anything this old and State Farm quoted ~$70/month if I also insure my car with them.

Thanks,
Peter
 
Lyndsay said:
I've got a '75 CB200t that I learned on two years ago, and then got an '83 CM250C.
Click to expand...

An 83 CM250 is much more reliable than a 74 CB450 and over a decade apart in technology. I have no issues recommending a good condition 80s bike to a first time rider. 70s bikes with points ignition I will not recommend.
 
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