Vintage Honda Motorcycles

AtomBomb

I'm trying to find out some information on older Honda motorcycles, mostly 1969-1979. Things like the CB450, the 400 Hawk I, etc. My google skills have failed me, every forum I've found that seems like it could be useful is dead. Anyone know of a good Honda forum?

Also, if anyone knows about these bikes, here are some of my questions:

What are the main differences between a 400cc Hawk and a 400cc Super Sport? I know they look slightly different, and that the Hawk is 2 cylinders and the SS is 4 cylinders, but that's about it. Oh, and that the non-Hawk bikes seem to be worth more. Is there a reason beyond style why I should avoid getting a Hawk?

What is the reasonable sustained top speed on a bike like the 1969 CB450? Freeway driving and all that.

Any good shippers? I'm looking all over for motorcycles so I might need to ship one. I live in Tucson, Arizona, but if it had to be shipped to Phoenix that would be okay. Best I've found is around $650. Distance didn't seem to make much difference, and neither did size. I'm having a hard time justifying paying over $600 to ship a bike that might only cost me $1200-$1500.

Helmet recommendations? I tried on a few at a local shop and the Shoei's seemed to fit me best. XL, if that makes a difference. I'm only willing to use full face types. I'd also be interested in good ones to try with the flip up faceguard (goes from a full face to an open face). The instructor in my motorcycle safety class said this type is popular (mandatory?) in parts of Europe, so that paramedics can get to your nose/mouth in the event of a wreck.

Anyway, thanks for reading this, any advice appreciated.

Fats

Goddammit I accidentally closed the tab and erased my reply.

Anyway, the CB450 made about 45 HP (thereabouts) which should get you to 100 without much problem. Honestly, though, I'd stick with the inline-4s; the early twins (CB450, CB400T) don't have much parts support anymore and no one's really restoring them. The CB450 in particular has an odd valve spring setup that would be a bear to fix.

CB400 Super Sports (and the CB500/550/750) on the other hand are great bikes and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one. The 400 in particular came with a 6-speed and wound up to 13,000 RPM, making it a neat little cafe racer. 69-78 models are all the same, in 79 there was an engine revision but they're still good. I've got a '77 CB550 Super Sport that's been ridden daily since I sold my Duc, rode it all through high school as well. They're incredibly well engineered. You will have a mechanical problem or two on something that old, but they're so simple to work on that it doesn't matter.

Don't bother with a shipping company, you can stick it in the back of a pickup or rent a u-haul trailer to tow it home.

Shoei full-face helmets are great, I've got an RF1000 myself. Most paramedics should (should) be trained in the proper way to remove a helmet without moving the neck, if it comes to that. I don't really trust the flip-up helmets. Get a light color for visibility. Get a jacket and gloves, too. Sounds like you already took a class so that's good.

SOHC/4 is a good source of info, the forums especially.

Sorry that came out in a vomit of words, finals week has my brain very tired.

AtomBomb

Thanks for all the info Fats. That's exactly the kind of help I need.

I was initially attracted to the inline 4's, mostly because of the engineering (a 350cc 4 cylinder?) which I think is really amazing. They also really look, to me, exactly like a motorcycle should. No extraneous junk.

I've been looking for 4 or 5 months now, and I've seen a lot of good 4 cylinders. Of course, now that I sold my truck and have the cash to actually make the purchase all I'm seeing is 2 cylinders. This is the 450 I was looking at most recently. I was going to rent a trailer and check it out this weekend, but after reading what you said I think I will hold out for a 4 cylinder. Hopefully my wife will continue to be patient about the 2 people 1 vehicle thing for a little while longer.

I took a look at the RF1000's. I think that's what I tried on at the local shop. I'm going to try and pick one up online so I can hopefully avoid full retail. Any good online shops you use?

I've got gloves and googles, and I picked out a nice armored jacket that I think I'll pick up this weekend.

SOHC/4 is a great site. I spent a good amount of time last night reading the old articles they have archived.

I'll probably put any bikes I'm seriously considering in this thread for second opinions. I plan on picking it up myself if it's within 500 miles or so, but I think I'll have to go shipping company if it's more than that. However, I'm hoping to find one close.

Thanks again for the advice.

Fats

That is in nice shape. It'd be great as a second bike or a collector piece, but I wouldn't want to commute on it. Front drum brakes are scary. That's one more thing the 4 cylinder models have going for them, a front disc.

Keep an eye on craigslist and one'll pop up close to you. Lots of sellers this time of year.