Less Talk More Action

Now that the progress is out of my hands and into someone else's, things are actually happening. Got a new bracket for the coils and condenser fabbed up. Modified the gauge bracket so the ignition switch could be mounted up top. Now the tank and the seat are getting made. I had originally planned on modifying a CB750F tank, but after we realized the tunnel wouldn't fit down on the 450 frame, we decided to take the plunge and just make a new tank from scratch. (I think my welder just wanted to try his hand at making a tank). So, here are some pics of the progress.

Tanks A Lot

I got another tank. So now I have three. I'm hoping this is the one. It is a 1978 cb750f tank that I paid too much for and was apparantly sitting out in a salvage yard because the front corners are almost rusted through. Luckily that is on the bottom and can be fixed and hidden. So I stuck it on the bike to see how it looks. It is BIG! I think it is twice the size of the original, but I like it. It was obviously not made for this frame, so a couple modifications will need to be done like modifying the rear attachment bracket so it sits down over the frame rails and is level. I'm also going to get some knee dents cut in and one other trick detail that will stay a surprise. My next step is to finish up the back wheel so I can get the bike over to the welder and we can get the tank positioned properly.

Nixon's Noel

So Christmas was good to me, or rather I should say Nixon. I got a bunch of parts including new clipons (handlebars), a small sealed battery that will go under the seat and some other parts that I am keeping as a surprise for her unveiling (whenever that is). I also got some other stuff sanded and ready for paint. I got the rear brake panel done as well as the new headlight. I am still working on the back wheel. I'm also still looking for cb750f tank (come on ebay!). To see how it would look, I printed out a full size picture of one and taped it too the bike. I think it looks more like what I want than the cb350f tank.

Slow and Steady

...wins the race. Yes, I have lots of excuses. I moved again. I'm trying to sell my house. Yadda, yadda, yadda. You don't care. I did manage to buy a tank. It is the kind I was looking for and I got it for only $40 shipped. But, it has a large dent in the top that is going to take a good amount of work (read $$$) to get out and it is too rusty to use how I wanted to with the brushed metal finish showing. I put some of the bike back together with the tank on it to see how it looked. Now that it is on there, I'm thinking I want something longer. Ugh, the search continues. I'm currently working on cleaning and painting the rear wheel. I expect that one will take even longer than the front wheel.

Mockup with 11" shocks and the triple tree lowered 2" on the forks
(No, I will not be using that seat)

444 CCs of Environmentally Unfriendly

Not a whole lot to post about except I've finished the engine! All it needs is some oil and to be put back into a bike and she is ready to push me down the highway at speeds grandmothers are afraid to drive. It got a very thorough cleaning and scuffing with sandpaper and another good cleaning with some lacquer thinner. I used high heat primer and satin black to paint it. It came out really nice. I then replaced all of the bolts with new polished stainless bolts and put everything back together. My dad helped my get the pistons back on. Then I put the head on and fed the cam chain through the guides. I got the camshafts aligned and riveted the cam chain back together. I Set the valve clearances and put all of the other stuff back on. Now, if only I could find a tank.....

Priming the Bottom End of the Engine

Painting the bottom


Painting the top


The pistons and cylinders are on


Feeding the cam chain through


All buttoned up and looking pretty