How rare is my bike -- 1986CB450SC

[1986cb450sc]

This is a weird question, but how rare is a 1986cb450. i know that there are quite a few people on here with 1985 and older 450's but i never see anyone with an 86. also when looking for parts for my bike, on the description of the part the year usually stops at 1985. Is there any place i can find out thehe production numbers of a 1986?

im sure that its not rare, but i dont see to much info about them and parts are really hard to find. on the chance that it rare i would like to know.

thanks

[niteman]

Hey there, and  . I have a 1986 cb450sc as well, bought mine on1/09/09. Finding parts has been interresting, especially for some things. I am currently looking for a tachometer and am not having any luck at all. Here are a few sites that I have luck with so far:

www.hondaparts-direct.com for OEM parts, they still stock a lot of the items for the bike
I have found some items at bikebandit.com, but would not count on a whole lot of OEM there.
Another source I have been turning to is eBay. I have found a couple of people parting out cb450sc's and have scooped up some parts that way.

All in all, I find that it has been an exercise in patience working on and finding parts for this bike. I would have to say they are somewhat rare in my opinion, if for no other reason than they were not the most popular model that Honda put out for those years.

[niteman]

PS...also, if you happen to run across any info on our model please share if you would be so kind, and I will be glad to do the same.

[JordanA]

All I know is that it was the last year for production on those bikes.  Other than that... beats me.

[1986cb450sc]

Hey there, and  . I have a 1986 cb450sc as well, bought mine on1/09/09. Finding parts has been interresting, especially for some things. I am currently looking for a tachometer and am not having any luck at all. Here are a few sites that I have luck with so far:

www.hondaparts-direct.com for OEM parts, they still stock a lot of the items for the bike
I have found some items at bikebandit.com, but would not count on a whole lot of OEM there.
Another source I have been turning to is eBay. I have found a couple of people parting out cb450sc's and have scooped up some parts that way.

All in all, I find that it has been an exercise in patience working on and finding parts for this bike. I would have to say they are somewhat rare in my opinion, if for no other reason than they were not the most popular model that Honda put out for those years.

I remember having to replace the tach on my bike. when i bought my bike it was all orig. except for 2 things, its got 2 different side mirrors, and the tach. $80 dollars later i now have pristine all orig. 450. i love this bike, but my only complaint is its gutless.

do you  ride yours much on the highway? i want to start commuting with it, but i feel that it is underpowered for an highway, and i get blown around a ton so it ends up being a scarry ride.

[ROJ]

A friend of mine has an 186 CB450SC, which coincidentally also needs a new tach. Must be something about the tachs made for the bikes that year.

[niteman]

Haven't ridden mine on the highway personally as I have not had the need to yet. It is a bit gutless, you are right on that.

Another member on here has a 450sc that he purchased around the same time I got mine, RussellH is his screen name. He lives in SoCal and just by that fact I would assume that he's had some highway time in, I remember a couple posts where he said that he got blown around and the bike was squirly, but I believe he got past that somehow. I know he added a windscreen and purchased new tires, other than that I think he's pretty stock.

BTW, where were you able to find the tach / what kind did you get?

[1986cb450sc]

Haven't ridden mine on the highway personally as I have not had the need to yet. It is a bit gutless, you are right on that.

Another member on here has a 450sc that he purchased around the same time I got mine, RussellH is his screen name. He lives in SoCal and just by that fact I would assume that he's had some highway time in, I remember a couple posts where he said that he got blown around and the bike was squirly, but I believe he got past that somehow. I know he added a windscreen and purchased new tires, other than that I think he's pretty stock.

BTW, where were you able to find the tach / what kind did you get?

I picked up a tach in great shape from a Motorcycle salvage yard in CT.

[MrHomestar]

I have an 82 450SC that I just got a couple of weeks ago. The only part I needed for it was a new front brake caliper, which I got on ebay for about $50.00 shipped.  Other than that it's in really good condition... Mostly because it only has 3,000 miles on it.

[detdrbuzzard]

the speedo for my 450sc came off a cm 400 and the tach which was from a cm 400 i sent to ryan f, he hasn't been on the forum for a while. the tach for a cb/ cm 400 red lines at 10,000 where as the tach for our 450's is at 9,500. the reading for the speedo or tach will be the same regardless to which you use. my front turn signals came off a cm 400 also, i couldn't find any for a 450sc at the time

[RussellH]

Hey guys, I haven't taken my bike on the freeway and it won't happen anytime soon either. However, I have ridden it on the streets where the speed limit is 55-60mph. The max I've taken it to is 65mph. The bike feels ok but the amount of wind hitting you makes it feel like you're on the edge of getting blown off the bike. Since then I did add the windscreen as well as new tire and it feels a lot better now but the fastest I've gone with those two things is a few quick sprints to 55mph.

Powerwise, I weigh 160lbs and with me on it it's actually not too bad. I wish there was one more gear between 5th and 6th. 5th is too buzzy and 6th is gutless but in 1982 the speed limits were 55mph. Nowadays in Socal the speed limit is 65mph most people drive at 75-80mph and some of course feel that 80mph is not fast enough for them therefore I ain't putting myself in the middle of these idiots even ATGATT and definitely not on a 450cc - although the other day I saw a guy tucked down barely passing me at 75mph on a GS500...dare devils! 

[detdrbuzzard]

6th gear is a true overdrive gear to get a few more mile from agallon of gas and to take some of the vibration out of the bike. take a look at the gear ratios on a newer nh750 and you will find that fifth is an overdrive gear but its not deep enough to drop the rpm's like on the 450's or any of the other nighthawks with a 6spd trans

[1986cb450sc]

Hey guys, I haven't taken my bike on the freeway and it won't happen anytime soon either. However, I have ridden it on the streets where the speed limit is 55-60mph. The max I've taken it to is 65mph. The bike feels ok but the amount of wind hitting you makes it feel like you're on the edge of getting blown off the bike. Since then I did add the windscreen as well as new tire and it feels a lot better now but the fastest I've gone with those two things is a few quick sprints to 55mph.

Powerwise, I weigh 160lbs and with me on it it's actually not too bad. I wish there was one more gear between 5th and 6th. 5th is too buzzy and 6th is gutless but in 1982 the speed limits were 55mph. Nowadays in Socal the speed limit is 65mph most people drive at 75-80mph and some of course feel that 80mph is not fast enough for them therefore I ain't putting myself in the middle of these idiots even ATGATT and definitely not on a 450cc - although the other day I saw a guy tucked down barely passing me at 75mph on a GS500...dare devils! 

I have been on a highway with my bike quite a few times, but never been on an interstate. i can tell you that the 450s do have enough power to 65 and higher in 6th. I think that max i have gone on mine is about 75 and it had plenty to go. I would really love to commute to work everyday on my motorcycle, so i have been tossing around the idea of getting a bigger bike. The problem is it will be SO hard to part with my NH, i have grown attached to it.

[detdrbuzzard]

get a bigger nighthawk and if this is your first bike you will always have fond memorys of it. my neice still talkes about the cb350 i taught her to ride on, she was 16 then and 42 now. she said she would never forget the nh either its the bike that got her back into riding. i have had mine on the interstate, 65mph it was the  only and fastest way to get it home

[martian]

First post here 

I've had an '86 CB450SC Nighthawk for three years now.  I've rode that bike on everything from Gravel to 6 lane Interstate and had it up to about 90 MPH.  As others have stated it is a little squirrely on the Interstate but only due to being so light weight.  It actually handles better at high speeds two up.  Passing semis used to scare me but know I'm used to it.  I did add a small windscreen which makes hanging on a little easier.

I'll post a better introduction and get a sig line filled out later on when I have more time.

Martian

[Custom82Hawk]

PS...also, if you happen to run across any info on our model please share if you would be so kind, and I will be glad to do the same.

Model: Honda CB 450 N
Year: 1986
Category: Sport touring
Rating: 59.5 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other bikes
Safety: See our safety campaign with the high safety rated bikes in this category.  
Engine and transmission
Displacement: 447.00 ccm (27.28 cubic inches)
Engine type: Twin
Stroke: 4
Power: 43.00 HP (31.4 kW)) @ 9000 RPM
Compression: 9.3:1
Bore x stroke: 75.0 x 50.6 mm (3.0 x 2.0 inches)
Valves per cylinder: 3
Fuel control: OHC
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type
final drive: Chain
Physical measures
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc: 189.0 kg (416.7 pounds)
Chassis and dimensions
Front tyre dimensions: 3.60-19  
Rear tyre dimensions: 4.10-18  
Front brakes: Dual disc
Rear brakes: Expanding brake
Speed and acceleration
Top speed: 178.0 km/h (110.6 mph)
Other specifications
Fuel capacity: 17.00 litres (4.49 gallons)

Of course, bikez.com has info on your bike, but no info on my 82 450 hawk :|

[niteman]

  Martian. Wow, up to 90mph huh, yep there was definitely something wrong with mine. It stopped having power around 70mph. It's been in various stages of torn apart for the better part of a month now trying to figure out some carb and drivability issues. Can't wait to have the time to get it running right again.

[elstraitjacket]

haha niteman, i like your quote.  i will ride mine at some point too, i think.  i have an 82 cb450sc that i bought last summer and has needed a good deal of work.  i'll put some pics up when i get them off the camera and onto the computer...

[martian]

Martian. Wow, up to 90mph huh, yep there was definitely something wrong with mine. It stopped having power around 70mph. It's been in various stages of torn apart for the better part of a month now trying to figure out some carb and drivability issues. Can't wait to have the time to get it running right again.

It's not easy to get it above 80 and I may have been slightly down hill.  I weight about 175 lbs.  The guy I bought it from was about 260 and he could only get it up to about 75.

Going that fast on such a small bike is quite a thrill.  I wouldn't dream of trying it on a bike I didn't have confidence in or wasn't familiar with.

Martian

Oh, and that was per the speedo which generally read high so who knows how fast I was really going.

[niteman]

Well, I don't really need to go above 80, but to be able to cruise at at least 70 would be beneficial for commuting purposes.  

[Custom82Hawk]

my suzuki has a rev-limiter that keeps me from going above 80, so i don't know what a bike feels like above that since my hawk isn't on the road yet lol