1967 Honda CB

CB450-1020476

1967 Honda CB450D Super Sport - "Desert Scrambler" Model This motorcycle is in need of a complete cosmetic and mechanical restoration. This is a quite unusual and rare early CB450 with the "D" model components. The bike does not run and many parts need to be restored and some parts found. This is a project that will take plenty of time and money and hopefully will result in this motorcycle being brought back to its glory. Honda brought out a new BIG bike in 1965 with the CB450-K0 also referred to unofficially as the Black Bomber. Up to this point in time, their largest bikes were the 305 twins, the CB77 305 Super Hawk and the CL77 305 Scrambler. Honda's share of the motorcycle market was growing rapidly. They had come to America in 1959 with the 50cc Cub and by 1961 the U.S. public was anxious for the 250 and 305 twins. Four years later, after significant engineering effort, Honda had the leading edge 450 in-line twin ready to go after a larger share of the market. They finally had a bike capable of exceeding 100 mph and able to travel great distances on the American highways. From 1965 through 1968, this CB450 was the best Honda had to offer. In 1969, Honda was ready to set a whole new standard for motorcycling with the introduction of its new CB750K0. The new CB750 redefined the concept of motorcycling and dealt the British motorcycle manufacturers a huge blow. When the CB450 was introduced, it had an incredible 43 horsepower and a high tech DOHC (Double Overhead Cam) design. While the bike was an engineering wonder, after a couple of years sales began to sag partially due to the looks of the bike. The big humpback tank, large side covers, swoopy silver fenders and plain CB mufflers sent Honda to the drawing boards to come up with a new look. The "D" model gave the bike a much different and sleeker look. The information about the D "Desert Scrambler" model is sketchy. Some experts say that the D kits were shipped to dealers in America to install on existing Black Bombers still on the showroom floors. However, Honda's official Model Identification Guide shows the CB450D as a distinct model, first released on 06/24/67 with its own #283 product code. It was available in three colors: Metallic Silver, Candy Red and Candy Blue. All three colors had black upper forks and headlight shell (from the CB450K0 models). The distinct differences were the chrome fenders, attractive chrome upswept exhaust pipes and mufflers on each side, redesigned side covers with a "450" decal on a checkerboard stripe, nicely reshaped fuel tank, different taillight bracket and lens and cross-braced scrambler style handlebars. Honda's ID Guide also refers to this machine as a CL450 Scrambler. In 1968, Honda brought out the redesigned CB450 and the new CL450 Scrambler. Some Honda enthusiasts believe the D model kits, a sales incentive shipped to dealers bolster lagging sales of the standard Black Bombers in their inventory. Other authorities believe the CB450D motorcycles were shipped from the factory. Regardless, this is a hard to find motorcycle. Reports say that there were less than 1,200 D models produced. One expert calls the CB450D the second rarest Honda sold in America. Even the highly respected 1969 Honda CB750K0 Sandcast motorcycle had over 7,400 units produced. There is a recently completed eBay auction (#360360782139 ended 04/25/11) for a one page brochure for the "NEW!" Honda 450 Super Sport. The ad states in part, "Classic Honda styling in the ruggedest package yet - the 450 Super Sport! Sleek new tank, high competition handlebars, chrome fenders, wild new colors and tuck-in pipes on both sides." This particular 1967 Honda CB450D was sold new at Hilltop Honda in Hillsboro, IL, 250 miles southwest of Chicago and about 65 miles northeast of St. Louis. A recent population estimate puts Hillsboro at just over 6,000 residents, too small by today's standards to support a Honda motorcycle dealership. The VIN is CB450-1020476 and the engine serial number is CB450E-1018185. First generation CB450 motorcycles (1965-1968) started with frame numbers beginning with CB450-1000001. So this bike followed over 20,000 CB450's on the production line. The bike eventually ended up in Arkansas and shows an annual state inspection sticker with an expiration date of October, 1981. This bike recently found its way to a once a year motorcycle show and swap meet sponsored by the AACME (Arizona Antique and Collectible Motorcycle Enthusiasts) group in Phoenix. The seller from a small southern Arizona town brought half a dozen old motorcycles badly needing to be parted out or restored. This was the "diamond in the rough". A friend of his from Arkansas had owned the bike for 30+ years recently brought it to Arizona. I spotted it and quickly called a vintage Honda twin motorcycle expert to grab his Honda model I.D. guide to confirm its rarity. The motorcycle is missing a number of items including the seat, the key (code T3346), the mirrors, the levers, the chain, the left passenger foot peg, etc. The tires are possibly the originals and badly worn and cracked. The fuel tank has rust, dents and areas on the bottom side that need repairs. The engine does NOT turnover and almost every part on this bike needs to be cleaned, painted, polished, repaired or re-chromed. The buyer should plan on disassembling and overhauling the engine. The good points are that the bike does have its original exhaust pipes, mufflers and heat shields. Both pipes are rough around the front of the engine and the mufflers both need repair (especially the left muffler). The odometer does work. The D model fuel tank, side covers, handlebars, taillight bracket and fenders are still there. What this bike needs is an enthusiast who can devote a lot of love, time, attention and money to bring it back to the condition it was in on the day it rolled out of that long lost Hillsboro, IL Honda motorcycle dealership. This machine has the potential to be the rarest vintage Japanese motorcycle in your collection. It would be great to see the crowds gathering to see a 44 year old restored jewel. I hope there is a devoted eBay buyer ready to tackle this huge project. Please take it and spend the time to make it a stunning looking and great running machine once again. There is no title for this motorcycle. A notarized bill of sale can be provided. Shipping expenses are the buyer's responsibility. I will work with your carrier to be available to meet their pickup schedule. Please inspect the photos closely and ask any questions before bidding. Feel free to send me an email or give me a call at (480) 201-9049. Good luck with your bidding!