Honda DOHC 450 Family Tree

1965 CB450K0 It came in one color: Black with Silver

The gas tank, upper forks, and headlight shell were black The side covers and fenders were silver

The gas tank had chrome panels with black rubber knee pads The instruments were in the headlight housing

The engine was a 444cc DOHC parallel twin with dual CV carburetors The transmission was a 4-speed.

The instrument cluster was a sinle unit, spedo/tach combined.The serial number began CB450-1000001

1968 CB450K1

It came in three colors: Black, Candy Red, or Candy Blue Green The gas tank and side covers were the basic color (i.e., red or blue-green)

The gas tank stripe and side cover emblems were gold The seat surface was pleated. The taillight lens had a rectangular shape.

The gas tank badge "HONDA" was metal .The upper forks and headlight shell were black.

There was an independent speedometer, tachometer, and headlight unit. The fenders were chrome.

The engine was a 444cc DOHC parallel twin with dual CV carburetors. The transmission was a 5-speed.

The serial number began CB450-3000001.

1969 CB450K2

It came in one of two colors: Candy Red or Candy Blue Green The headlight shell, upper fork covers, gas tank, and side covers were the

basic color (i.e., red or blue-green) There was an independent speedometer, tachometer, and headlight unit

The gas tank badge "HONDA" was metal The fenders were chrome

The serial number began CB450-3008956.

1970 CB450K3

It came in one of three basic colors: Candy Blue Green, Candy Ruby Red, orCandy Gold

The headlight shell, upper forks, gas tank, and side covers were the basiccolor (i.e., red, blue, or gold)

The gas tank badge "HONDA" was metal There was an independent speedometer, tachometer, and headlight unit

The fenders were chrome The fork boots were black rubber

The mufflers were megaphone-shaped The serial number began CB450-4000001

1971 CB450K4

It was available in one of four colors: Polynesian Blue Metallic, Candy RubyRed, Candy Gold, and Valley Green Metallic

The gas tank, headlight shell, upper forks, and side covers were the basiccolor (i.e., red, gold, or green)

The gas tank badge "HONDA" was metal The side cover emblem reads "DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM 450"

The seat changed shape and pleating design There was an independent speedometer, tachometer, and headlight unit

The serial number began CB450-4100001.

1972 CB450K5

It came in one of three colors: Candy Garnet Brown, Light Ruby Red, orCandy Bacchus Olive

The gas tank and side covers were the basic color (i.e., red, brown, or olive) The gas tank badge "HONDA" was metal, the gas tank stripe was gold

The upper fork were chrome,the headlight shell was black There was a chrome strip on the base of the gas tank

The side cover emblem reads "DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM 450" The front braking system used a hydraulic disc

The fork boots were black rubber The serial number began CB450-5000001.

1973 CB450K6

It came in one of two colors: Brier Brown Metallic or Tyrolean GreenMetallic

The gas tank and side covers were the basic color (i.e., brown or green) The gas tank badge "HONDA" was metal The gas tank stripes were gold and black

The "450 DOHC" side cover emblem was white and yellow The upper forks and headlight shell were black There was a chrome grip pipe behind the seat The instruments were tilted toward the rider

There was an independent light housing added between the speedometer andtachometer

The serial number began CB450-6000001

1974 CB450K7 It came in one of two colors: Candy Orange or Maxim Brown Metallic

The gas tank and side covers were the basic color (i.e., brown or orange) The gas tank badge "HONDA" was metal The gas tank stripes were gold and black

The "450 DOHC" side cover emblem was white and red The upper forks and headlight shell were black There was a chrome grip pipe behind the seat

The serial number began CB450-7000001.

1967 CL450K0 ,aka 1967 CB450D

It was also designated CB450D Was actually a dealer-installed retrofit “kit” of a Bomber (K0).

It came in one of three color schemes: Metallic Silver with Black, Candy Redwith Black, or Candy Blue with Black

The upper forks and headlight shell were black The fenders were chrome

The two chrome exhaust pipes were upswept one on each side The "450" side cover decal was on a checkerboard stripe

The engine was a 444cc DOHC parallel twin with dual CV carburetors The transmission was a 4-speed

The serial number began CB450-1000001

1968 Scrambler 450 CL450K1

Three colors were available: Candy Blue, Candy Red, and Metallic Silver The fuel tank wing emblem reads "HONDA 450" The upper forks and headlight shell were black

The front fender had braces The exhaust system was directed to the left side of the bike and over the

gearbox It had a two-piece heat shield and a 1-piece chrome muffler

The engine was a 444cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel twin with two CVcarburetors

The transmission was a 5-speed The serial number began CL450-1000001.

1969 CL450K2 It was available in one of three colors: Candy Red, Candy Blue, or Metallic

Silver The gas tank stripe was gold

The "HONDA" emblem on the tank was white The upper forks and headlight shell were black

The seat surface was pleated The front fender had braces

The taillight lens was rectangular The "450 DOHC" side cover emblem was gold

The serial number began CL450-1012469.

1970 CL450K3

It came in one of three colors: Candy Ruby Red, Candy Sapphire Blue, orCandy Topaz Orange

The gas tank stripes were white The upper forks and headlight shell were the basic color

The "450 DOHC" side cover emblem was gold The seat surface was pleated

The taillight lens was rectangular The serial number began CL450-4000001.

1971 CL450K4 It came in one of three colors: Candy Topaz Orange, Strato Blue Metallic, or

Poppy Yellow Metallic The gas tank stripes were black

The side cover emblem reads "DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM 450" The upper forks and headlight shell were the basic color (red, blue, or

orange) The seat surface was pleated

The taillight lens was rectangular The exhaust system had a one-piece heat shield and a one-piece chrome

muffler The serial number began CL450-4100001.

1972 CL450K5

It came in just two colors: Magna Red and Planet Blue Metallic The gas tank had a new oval shape

The stripes on the red bike were white and orange The stripes on the blue bike were yellow and white

The side cover emblem reads "DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM 450" The seat surface was pleated

The upper forks were chrome The headlight shell was black

The exhaust system had a three-piece heat shield and a two-piece chromemuffler

The serial number began CL450-5000001.

1974 CL450K6

It came in just one color: Candy Sapphire Blue Flake The gas tank stripes were white and black

The "450 DOHC" side cover emblem was white and red The gas tank shape went back to the shape of the K1 to K4 models

The seat surface was pleated Behind the seat was a chrome grip pipe

The instruments were tilted toward the rider The exhaust system had a 3-piece head shield and a 2-piece black muffler

The engine was a 444cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel twin with two CVcarburetors

The transmission was a 5-speed The serial number began CL450-6000011.

The 1965 Honda 450 Police Special

Brought to The United States in limited quantities, twenty-five units to beexact. It was a tough cultural shock for Police Departments everywhere, as onthose days Police Bikes had 1000cc plus of engine displacement, thus making

the 450 seem like a small motorcycle.

In fact that perspective was skewed, as the 450 Police Special would be able tooutrun many of the 1000’s of the era. However such misperception about the

Honda 450P’s performance detrimented its penetration in the NorthAmerican police force.

Even today however, the CB450P exemplifies Honda’s ingenuity andremarkable engineering. We are proud to have this model in our museum,

and it has become one of the most sought-after models for motorcycle displaysacross the nation. The Honda flier read as it follows:

“Police departments are now offered for the first time an especially excellentmotorcycle which is also modern, powerful, versatile, economical and above

all, reliable. Great reliability for which Honda is justly famed results ineconomy, as mechanical troubles are practically unknown and regular

servicing is both simple and inexpensive.

The 4-speed gear ratios are carefully chosen so that top speed can be reachedquickly from cruising speeds, yet slow cruising is also possible without

straining the engine or tiring the rider. Special police equipment such as anextremely accurate jeweled speedometer with a needle stop button, loud siren,

two patrol lamps, and a sturdy rear carrier suitable for mounting radio oremergency equipment is included.

Some features included:1) A penetrating siren is mounted on the front safety bar, is activated bypulling a lever fitted on the left handlebar. This way it can be operated

without the rider taking either hand from the grips. The siren is driven isfrom the rear tire.

2) Two bright red patrol lamps are mounted on the front safety bar,preserving the hard-to-see narrow silhouette and helping keep the center of

gravity low for easy handling. A handlebar switch controls both lamps.

3) A heavy-duty carrier mounted behind the seat is designed to carry specialpolice equipment such as a radio, first aid kit, and other applications. Police

radios and a speaker system are available from Honda as optional parts.

4) A large, comfortable seat is combined with ergonomically placed footrests,gear change and rear brake controls and a handlebar designed with proper

height and width for the most comfortable riding position at any given speed.

5) A reliable push-button electric starter guarantees much faster starts. Thepatrolmen who are assigned duties that require constant stopping and

starting all day long particularly appreciate such feature.

6) The accurate, jeweled speedometer is large and easy to read, even at night.It is equipped with a button to stop and hold the needle at any speed. This is

the world’s first jeweled police motorcycle speedometer.

7) Superior brakes make this one of the safest vehicles ever produced. Thefront road-racing type break, which gives 75% of the braking capacity on a

motorcycle, has two leading shoes for quicker, non-skid safe stops.

8) This police motorcycle is fitted with a strong front safety bar to keep themachine off of the rider’s leg in case of a spill. It also has a sturdy rear

bumper that prevents damage if the motorcycle is hit from behind.9) The Honda 450 Police Special is powered by a double overhead camshaft 4-

stroke engine, which produces 43 horsepower. This is the only DOHCmotorcycle in production. The powerful, high torque 444cc twin cylinder

engine is fitted with two 36 mm (1.42 inch) CVB type carburetors, which giveboth economical smooth cruising and excellent acceleration. It is a very easyengine to service and a minimum of care assures a very long life. Double oil

filters, wire mesh and centrifugal, assure perfect pump-driven lubrication ofthe engine to prevent overheating and wear, as do two large air cleaners.Roller bearings at all engine stress points guarantee long life. The semi-

double-cradle tubular frame gives great stability at high speeds and alongwith the telescopic fork and swinging arm suspension assures excellent road

holding even when cornering on rippled pavement at high speeds.

It is important to add to this information section the Honda Bulletin #8-302sent to dealerships in regards to the CB450 Police Special prior to its release.

It read:

Dear Dealer:

American Honda Motor Co., is pleased to introduce the new Honda policemotorcycle to The United States market. The new CB-450P that will provide

you with further offers the power and dependability of a 444cc, DOHCengine, almost identical to the CB-450.

We are enclosing a brochure on the CB-450P that will provide you withfurther information. Additional brochures are available from the Sales

Department if you should need them.

In addition to the specifications contained in the enclosed brochure, otherdetails on the CB-450P are as follows:

Dealer Net Price|

$720 Los Angeles and Portland

$726.00 Baton Rouge, Norfolk and Newark

Crating| Single

Color| White

Restrictions| All model dealers only are eligible to purchase the CB-450P

Orders for the CB-450P are now being accepted by the Motorcycle OrderDepartment. However due to the limited production of this model, delivery

will take approximately two to three months.

Parts lists, shop manuals, and warranty cards for the CB-450P will beavailable in the near future.

While the volume of this unit is restricted to some degree, most dealers knowof police or other law enforcement agencies that would be interested in

obtaining a police type motorcycle at a price considerably less than what theymight currently be paying for a similar unit.

In addition to the volume that can be derived from the sale of these units, thepublicity and exposure connected with the local police officers riding Honda

motorcycles will be of untold value to your dealership.

Sincerely,

AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Sell date:1966 Release date:1966

Colors:White Engine:4-Stroke, DOHC, Parallel, Vertical Twin Cylinder 444cc

Transmission:4 Speed, Manual Trans Ratios:2.411; 1.400; 1.034; 0.903

BHP/rpm:43/8,500 Top Speed:103 mph

Bore & Stroke:70x57.8 Compression:8.5:1

Tire Size:Front 3.25-18, Rear 3.50-18 Tank Capacity:4.2 U.S. Gallons

Battery:12 V, 12 AH Spark Plug:NGK B-7E

Brakes:Internal Expansion Curb weight:439 lbs.

Carburetors:Two 36mm CVB type

The 1966 CB450 Police Special was an experiment by American HondaCompany to attempt a market share in the police business. These models were

brought in very small numbers and for a very limited time to The USA.

At that time an engine displacing 450cc could not compete with the 1000ccplus American bikes. Unfortunately, the perception of a displacement

disadvantage was unfounded because of the performance capability of wasconsidered to be a small bike. The CB450 Police Special was unique in many

aspects starting with its solo seat and specialty police equipment.

The CB450 Police Special had a very accurate speedometer that allowed theofficer behind the controls to lock the needle at any shown speed using a

switch. This feature was used as a tool of speed measurement for over thelimit drivers.

A lever on the handlebar, which pushed a roller against the rear wheel,triggered the very loud mechanically actuated siren. This roller is connectedto the siren via a cable, which allows the siren to function. The red pursuit

lights, front and rear roll bars were standard equipment.

No Family Tree of the 450 would be complete without addition of theCB500T.

Released as a last-gasp effort to keep the line viable, this ugly duckling wasnever a big seller, and had many faults.

1975 CB500(T0), 1976 CB500T(76)One color was available in the ‘75: Glory Brown Metallic

Two colors in the ‘76: Candy Antares Red and Glory Brown MetallicThe "CB500T DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM" decals were gold

The pinstripes were also gold, the seat was brown The instrument faces were black on the ‘75, green on the ‘76

The engine was a 498cc DOHC parallel twin with dual CV carburetors, and was essentially a stroked 450.

The exhaust system had a connector between the pipes.The tranny was 5-speed, with slightly different gear “spacing” than the 450.

The serial number began CB500T-1000001 for the ’75The serial number began CB500T-2000001 for the ‘76