68 CB450 Black Bomber

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Moto nut
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68 CB450 Black Bomber

#1

Post by Moto nut »

Just picked this up, 9800 miles, stole it with a little cash and
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#2

Post by motormike »

.." a little cash and "..? I have the white version. Very capable bike. Easily out preforms the drum brakes. Looks to be a good survivor. More refresh then restore ?...
I'd like to score a Black Bomber.... but my pay grade doesn't allow one at this time. There's a red version also.
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#3

Post by Moto nut »

And a loving wife, paid $1750, not restoring, just clean and fix what’s needed
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#4

Post by desertrefugee »

I am not jealous at all.

I'd almost give up a body part to obtain one of those bad boys.
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#5

Post by flyin900 »

Great find and in amazing condition for the age and a testament to someone storing it well, or the dry SW area that you live.

I'm old enough to remember buying a brand new Black Bomber in 1968 still in the crate, it was an unsold 1966 that was still sitting around the dealers shop. I think what you have there was called a Hellcat in Canada, since the 1966 I had the speedo and tack were a single oval gauge in the top of the headlight nacelle.
My friend bought a brand new red Hellcat in 1968 and it looked just like that with the chrome inserts in the tank and the separate gauges. The true test is the transmission it was a 4 speed on the Black Bomber I had and in 1968 Honda added the 5 speed gearbox which was much needed, to help with the numbing high frequency vibration somewhat at highway speeds on the 4 speed model.

Correction: I just did some internet research and the 1968 was also called a Black Bomber as part of that series. The funny thing is they weren't known as Black Bombers back in the day and I do remember Honda Canada did market that model as the Hellcat.

Brings back memories though of a black leather bomber jacket and some great times had with a misspent youth. dancr
Last edited by flyin900 on Wed Feb 07, 2018 12:02 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#6

Post by desertrefugee »

I used to think about it that way too. But not anymore. Anytime you had fun, did no real harm, can tell stories and relate memories the way many of us can, it was not "misspent"!

That 450 is perfect for lakes, orchards, meadows, and groves… But maybe not long straight south western highways. At least not for too long of a stretch.

...still I'd consider parting with a body part. Beautiful acquisition.
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#7

Post by 05c50 »

The Black Bomber usually refers to the K0 model which was produced 66/67 and as was mentioned were 4 speeds and the tanks had a unique shape. The 5 speed K1 that you have is very desireable because it was a one year model. The 69 model was produced with a similarly shaped tank but without the chrome side panels. Your bike looks like a very nice example.

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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#8

Post by salukispeed »

Very nice example. Keep the oil changed and adjust the valves to Spec. .0015 ( Memory ???) in between the follower and lobe. Very tight clearance, they can be prone to burning up the followers and cam lobes if you don't. It is funny to take the head apart on one and find there are no valve springs . They use torsion bars instead.
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#9

Post by Moto nut »

Thanks, most articles I’ve read includes the 68 as a B.B., but all I know is it’s a 1 year production bike, I think I’ll call it the black hellcat or blackcat for short......
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#10

Post by Rat »

Just .... wow ....

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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#11

Post by Track T 2411 »

Sweet!
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#12

Post by Moto nut »

I’m a little confused, everything I’ve read on this bike says it came with 18” wheels front and rear, this one has a 19” front, any ideas?....
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#13

Post by Gowing »

Nice bike. In 1974 I took over the 90 dollar a month payments of a friends 1972 cb450. A brown one with 4500 miles on it. Road all over Washington and up into Canada. Would keep up with my friends cb500’s easy.
Loved that bike. Traded for a new Xs650. Those were the days.
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#14

Post by 05c50 »

Yes, should be 18 inch front and rear. Looking at the pictures, your front fender looks kind of "full". It looks like your front wheel is from a CL450 K0, they were 19 inch and will fit.

.......Paul
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Re: 68 CB450 Black Bomber

#15

Post by 05c50 »

Here's a picture of my 68 CB450 K1 JDM just before it was road worthy.
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..........Paul
I prefer to ride my wing naked,thank you
My wife asked me "How many bikes does one man need?" My answer "Uhhh.just one more"
75 Goldwing
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77 CB750a
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80 CB650c
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