BLACKBOMBER, Honda's First DOHC Engine That Shattered the Dominance of Big Bikes in Its Era

Discover the legendary 'Black Bomber,' Honda’s groundbreaking CB450. Powered by Honda's first DOHC engine, this beast shattered the dominance of big bikes in its era. Witness how Allan Robinson's impressive performance at the 1965 Brighton Speed Trials forever changed motorcycling history. Dive into the story of innovation, speed, and a machine that redefined what was possible on two wheels.

#dohc #honda

[suzukibandit]

1969…bin ich mit einer CB 450 zur Isle of man gefahren. Auf dem Mountain Course habe ich ca.10 Runden zurückgelegt. Das Fahrwerk und die Bremsen waren sehr abenteuerlich.Ich habe es überlebt.

[jimpalmer]

I have a '72 CB450 K5 with about 2K on it and love it. Runs great and is a blast to ride.

[NebukedNezzer]

bought my CB450 from long beach honda. 1966 for 850 dollars. the dealer reworked the carbs for proper mixture tracking. it put out 46hp on the dyno. I drove it 50k miles. LOVED it. fast and reliable.

[Barnabasanon]

The CB450 was really a good bike. I wish I had one today! QA friend of mine tried everything he could to "destroy" that engine, but it never failed!

[drdoolittle]

Nothing to say other than, PERFECTION!

[garycb]

Bought a new CB450 K3 from Anderson Sales in Pontiac MI. Loved it. Had no problem keeping up with friends BSA's and Triumph's. Good solid bike.

[allamar]

Was riding a Bonnie for street at the time and a Bultaco in the desert . 2 friends came by the house, one on a 305 one on a new Black Bomber. . Southern Cal before idiots were elected. They talked me into riding the 450. After a few miles around Chatsworth Lake Reservoir I wanted one. I almost feel this thing would pull my 650 Triumph. Smooth as glass and shifting like a dream. Brakes (drums) actually worked. Nice, still remember it. Out of reach today, I got old.

[windfall]

Ironic as its the '69 Honda CB750-f that really holds the crown as the world's first 'Superbike' - when it was the 450 that was truly the revolutionary machine. I have a frame up restored '74 450 and am just finishing up on a '75 CB400-f to ride this summer

[gwwayner]

This engine had a really mean sound to it especially at high revs. I think most problems people had with this bike were due to bad maintenance like not using proper oil or not changing it often enough. It was as fast as most British 650s of the time. Of course most 400cc motorcycles today are 'starter' bikes!

[tezzrterry]

I have 2, a road K1, and a race 450/500cc. The engine vibrates a bit, but so does all the other twins of the era. Well developed race engines can produce 70+HP, and beat 600, and 750 twins. The torsion bar valve "springs" are only OK on a road bike.

[scottw]

That 2-cylinder motor looks huge from the side, when compared to the 70s Kawasaki 900 4 banger.

[davidyoung]

I have a 1969 Honda CB450 (exactly like the one at 5:51). At the time it must have felt lightyears ahead of the Triumph Bonnevilles.

My one is a Californian import and is a restoration project.

[stongst]

This is an interesting tale of the CB450 and the willingness to apply new ideas and technology to motorcycle design. An insight into how a manufacturer was prepared to use new technologies to built a better mousetrap and subsequently, dominate the market.

[Kysushanz]

A friend of mine was with me in a production race at Terratonga, early 1970's. I had a CB750/4 and he was on a CB450. My lasting impression of that race was watching his CB450 start tank slap, then threw him topside while the bike cartwheeled down the track shedding parts [tank, seat etc] as it slowly came to a stop. I'm pretty sure that was on the warm-up as he was ahead of me at that point, just going into the esses. I had a CB350K2 and consider it a better bike than the CB450 - for all of it's technological advances.

[kevinkoepke]

I just bought my dream bike. After having two CB 750's, one a 73. I finally got a 73 CB 450K6. Looking forward to enjoying it. Thanks

[Remo-du]

Besitze eine CB 450K1 Fährt seit Jahr problemlos Liebe dieses Motorrad

[pdm]

Honda came out with DOHC engine and electric start in 1965. Long before its British competitors. Wish I would have bought a “Black Bomber” back in the late 60’s.

[MrSkeptik-zr]

I had that same colour CB500T 30 years ago, great bike, never let me down, just had to keep a check on the long camchain and torsion bar valve spring clearance of 1 thou/inch, not an easy adjustment but otherwise bullet proof.

[ronmoropito]

Ordered a new '68 CB-450 after reading a test in Cycle World magazine. Traded off a Norton 750 Scrambler. HUGE improvement in handling and smoothness. No regrets.

[marvinacklin]

Gorgeous machine…magnificent engineering