New to the forum and loving the NH 450

[bittenbythehawk]

Love the forum and filled with a wealth of knowledge. This is my 85 NH 450 that just traded a broke down minivan for. The PO had sprayed it with flat black, everything, even the seat had over spray. I was wanting to bob it but then changed my mind to a scrambler-ish build. Painted it flat OD green first but had a bit to much military theme, running the stripe and clear coat really changed it. Painted the wheels a semi gloss black and really liking the look thus far. Still have quite a bit to do but with the help of my neighbor who has the exact same bike just a year younger WE are having a blast. Things to still tackle, paint forks, scrambler risers, supercross or enduro bars, new perchs, clean and paint engine, rear shocks, maybe change exhaust out, new mini gauges, large headlight...... who knows what else. Some pics thus far.

This is the condition I got it in. Looked bad but ran very well.

This is the new paint scheme. OD with black and antique white stripe and aluminum pinstripes.

Rear View

Wheels after paint

[jerjohn]

I like your paint job! Welcome on board. Where did you get that drilled rotor? I want one!

[JB1290]

Looks way better now that you've painted it. Nice job!!! 

[thalloran]

i love the paint job, nice color combo. sweet NH.  welcome

[thalloran]

Ohh and did u paint those wheels yourself. i want to do that to my wheels but im thinking about powdercoating instead. Im scared that the paint would just get chipped off.

[andyfsr]

NICE BIKE AND LOOKS LIKE A GOOD START.
REALLY LIKE THE COLOR
 

[Burgi]

  Nice job! 

[bittenbythehawk]

Thank you for your encouraging comments, rotor that came with it. I did paint the wheels with (dont laugh) BBQ paint. I did bake between coats and seems to be quite durable thus far. Well got a bit more done this morning, still waiting for fork boots before putting everything back for good.

Front wheel mounted.

Rear wheel painted

Scrambler risers stripped and buffed with superbars

Front View

Got a question what are the cons of cleaning with kerosene? I was cleaning the chain with kerosene and thought I would wipe down a bit of the swing arm and it took all the grime off like a champ, paint looks great. Then got a bit carried away and rubbed a bit on the valve covers to see what it would do to the flat black and it is removing so easy, now just wanting to know the cons. I am thinking that after I finish with the kerosene that a good bubble bath should make it not ignite when running. LOL what is your thoughts.

[Option13]

Wow, that paint job actually looks really good! Love the stripe on the tail section, that looks awesome. I wouldn't have cut the front fender so short, but it looks like you did a great job of cutting it so that it doesn't look trashy. Very impressive bike.

 

[Laminar]

Ohh and did u paint those wheels yourself. i want to do that to my wheels but im thinking about powdercoating instead. Im scared that the paint would just get chipped off.

I painted some wheels with spray paint. The innertube went flat and the Honda place had to install a new one, and the paint on the rims got scratched up.



Next time I'll go powdercoat.

[thalloran]

yea with them more than likely going to get hit with small rocks and other road debris, i think powdercoat is the way to go. bittenbythehawk, man everytime i look at your bike i like the color more and more.

[ariwhiteboy]

  to the forum! Bike is looking great!    As far as the cleaning with kerosene goes I would keep it away from painted parts, seeing as paint thinner is essentially kerosene.    Take care and ride safe!

[drdubb]

Welcome aboard. There's a cheap 450 near me on CL. Makes me want to tackle a new project.

[hppants]

Welcome BBTH to the group, ride safe.  Where do you call home?

I really like the orange paint on the HONDA logos.  Makes 'em really pop.

[tomb raider]

  Love the color LOVE IT....  Looking around in your Cave I see more bikes and a one of a kind table,NICE.....    The more I see you guys doing these kind of home grown jobs my intrest in the Cafe is sounding Great.  

 I'm going see what C/L has..

[andyfsr]

Thank you for your encouraging comments, rotor that came with it. I did paint the wheels with (dont laugh) BBQ paint. I did bake between coats and seems to be quite durable thus far. Well got a bit more done this morning, still waiting for fork boots before putting everything back for good.

Front wheel mounted.

Rear wheel painted

Scrambler risers stripped and buffed with superbars

Front View

Got a question what are the cons of cleaning with kerosene? I was cleaning the chain with kerosene and thought I would wipe down a bit of the swing arm and it took all the grime off like a champ, paint looks great. Then got a bit carried away and rubbed a bit on the valve covers to see what it would do to the flat black and it is removing so easy, now just wanting to know the cons. I am thinking that after I finish with the kerosene that a good bubble bath should make it not ignite when running. LOL what is your thoughts.

Yea clean with the Kerosene but wash it well. You will be fine as far as fire is concerned.  I don't recommend soaking your hands in the stuff, it is not Palmolive after all.

[wralyn]

Amazing color scheme! I'm not a fan of OD, but you made it look great. I really like the red and white tank emblems.

[bittenbythehawk]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Not to much accomplished in the shop today... high of 28 degrees and didn't fire up the wood stove early enough. Did get a little scrubbing in on the motor. Thanks for the info ANDYSFR I did go ahead and start working with it and it really it taking the majority of it off without any real elbow grease. I am going behind my self and washing it with suds. You can see in the pics how the valve cover is coming along. I did end up removing it to have better access. The engine block cleaned up well and I am going to paint the cylinders anyway so not to much scrubbing there.



Tomb Raider SHARP eye you have there. That came off of a 78 CX500 parts bike I have, I also have a seized block that I am going to get around to making the base of the table with. I am going to get back to my Cafe racer build after this one is buttoned up.



DrDubb, I am checking the CL in Raleigh often and there is a 450 NH there for next to nothing right now. If you get it I would buy the Right Side Cover off ot it to help finance it. LOL  Well maybe tomorrow am I will get out there and start the stove early and get the fork boots installed so that can be buttoned up, along with mounting the rear rack and remounting rear wheel. Night All

[tomb raider]

Well don't keep that Cafe bike in the dark, we all want to see that. WE need a Cafe & Bobbed Bike thread.  Hey, what kinda box is that. I'm a fan of old box's and old stuff. I have some Great Dynamite box's from the day when they were made of wood. Sounds like a cool table for the shop 

[Vermontster]

Impressive work! Lookin' great! Would love to take it for a spin 

[bittenbythehawk]

Well, got a little bit done today, got the lower rear fender painted last night, so was able to buff the rear brake lens and install and mount the rear luggage rack (don't know if I will keep it) and remount the rear wheel. Did get some gran turismo grips today and they were bright white. They stuck out like a sore thumb, so pot of coffee and the rest poured into a bowl to submerge the grips and they are starting to turn the off white of the bike. Hoping the fork boots and headlight ears show up tomorrow.






tomb raider, I have got some old military explosive boxes that I will have to snap a pic for you that I just hold onto due to they are plain cool.
Here is a cafe in the very early stage. It is going to be a BISTRO build rather than a CAFE I want a beefy looking one.

[bittenbythehawk]

Today was mostly spent with the little lady making me remove paper products from my back pocket. Was ever so happy to get back home and start with the dos equis. Well the fork boots came today, they are huge. I will probably order some others, these make me think of a plunger, mounted them anyway after a few more beverages they started looking better.....LOL . The grips are just about a perfect match now that they have soaked overnight in coffee. Was going to buff the valve cover but after removing all the flat black paint I knew that buffing between the fins was not going to turn out well so went ahead and sprayed them aluminum. Still waiting on enduro bars , fork ears and clutch perch. If anyone comes across a 450 right side cover please let me know. For a giggle let me know your thoughts on the fork boots, anybody know the proper size to order? Thanks


Grips now have the vintage look of the stripe.

Plunger fork boots.

Engine still needs a bit more scrubbin... Looking forward to taking some pics outside during the day. Maybe tomorrow if the snow is still around.

[Option13]

I like fork gaiters, but those seem to be a bit... oversized.

Engine looks great! How'd you get it painted so quickly? Did you even remove it for painting?

[Laminar]

I normally hate fork gaitors, but those actually look good.

[tomb raider]

I like em, ya old box's are cool. I'll put some pictures of my TNT box's some place. We found on full of TNT in a old Gold Mine, 3 days later the bomb squad came and blew it up. Didn't make us happy, they messed all the old tools that were in that area. I'll try and post them to..