My 85 450SC

[2burnt]

I had given up riding when I moved to the northeast in the 90's for various reasons, and felt it was time to get back on a bike.  I went for the MSF course to shake the rust off, and finally bought this late last fall for 500 bucks, from a guy who upgraded to a larger bike.  She runs well enough, but needs a little persuasion to get going when it is cold, but when she is finally warmed up, she rides really well.

I have always been partial to the CBs, my first bike ever was a 72 CB250, which was a real blast.  The 450 is a lot of fun, but it is a bit too small for me, but I usually ride it to the station and take the train in to work, and it is perfect for that.  I m looking to get something a little bigger for my weekend rides, but till then the 450 is great.

[detdrbuzzard]

unless you lived in europe then you had a '72 cb 350. honda didn't send cb250's to the states. the NH 450 are cold blooded and you got a nice looking one at a great price

[ROJ]

That bike looks to be in great shape, and trouble starting cold is normal for 450s. They make excellent little commuter bikes too. If you like the nighthawk, then a bigger 650 or 750 might fit you quite well.

[2burnt]

unless you lived in europe then you had a '72 cb 350. honda didn't send cb250's to the states. the NH 450 are cold blooded and you got a nice looking one at a great price

I was living in India at the time, had bought it used from a person who worked for the British Consulate in Bombay.   Detdrbuzzard, you really know your bikes!

Thankfully that bike was extremely reliable -- I had a really hard time finding someone who knew how to fix it.  One time, I had a flat tire, and left it with a local shop while I went to take care of some work, when I returned an hour later, there was a crowd of mechanics around the bike scratching their heads because they could not get the wheel off!

[FAITHBIKER]

 

[happycommuter]

I had given up riding...

Well, I'm glad you fixed that problem
I remember being told that a 125 is the largest common displacement in India, and that a Royal Enfield 500 is looked upon as a Boss Hoss or Triumph Rocket III would be here.
 

[750Sparks]

2burnt, looks like you did well. Good price for a good machine!

[IROCFST]

Looks clean, probably knocks down some good MPG also!

[bbrovold]

I wish my wife would get her MC license so I could find her something like that instead of her scooter.

[2burnt]

I remember being told that a 125 is the largest common displacement in India, and that a Royal Enfield 500 is looked upon as a Boss Hoss or Triumph Rocket III would be here.

125 is the most common displacement in India, but there were some 100cc Honda's that were really good on gas. 

Royal Enfield did not start making 500s till quite recently, but even a 350 was considered to be the Boss Hoss.  They are really good bikes, as long as one found a good mechanic.  I had a 350, which was nowhere near the quality or performance of the cb250, but every time I took it out, I got a lot of respect.

Looks clean, probably knocks down some good MPG also!

I got around 50, before I got my hands on Clymers.  Now after a tuneup, I get around 60.  Need to get around to those carbs sometime, but since she is running ...

I would also like to thank everyone for their comments.  I have found so much good information on this forum, that it is my new homepage.