What you guys like/hate about the 450?

[John Park]

I'm still lovin' my 450... owned it since '98, rebuilt it, over 80,000kms since the rebuild and she's still going strong.

Things to hate? Well, the clutch pushrod setup I don't particularly like going through the sprocket cover, the stock carbs are painful to sort out if the diaphragms perish, and if the ignitor is dead then it can be tricky getting a replacement as that particular one was only used on a handful of models. I'm talking about the 80 - 82 models of 450 here, 83 onwards got different ignition with electronic advance and different carbs too.

Good news though is a lot of GS500 stuff will bolt straight on, like carbs, ignition, so those problems are easy fixed.

Mine gets me to work and back every day and also provides plenty of fun out in the twisties on the weekends too.

One thing I keep harping on about the 450 is how well the 'cooling system' works. Lots of fins and air passageways and even a tendency to overcool in colder climates. That's a major reason why they last so long, along with a short and stiff crank, bucket and shim valves, 3L of oil and lack of vibration shaking the whole thing to bits like a Brit twin. Okay, the Norton Commando only shook its motor apart and left the rest isolated for future generations.

If you can get the equivalent of 50K miles on a rebuilt in a hot place like Queensland, the design can't be wrong. From a cooling standpoint its 'heaps' better than the single cam offerings from H, Y and K. Also better than the 500 that replaced it, especially the F.

And despite being labeled as a beginners/girls bike, I have guys catch up to me at the gas stop after a section of twisties wanting to know what is that thing?

[pete]

Yep, for an approaching 40 year old small capacity twin, they certainly go pretty well! A mate regularly swaps his 1260cc Kat for my 450 for a run and always comments afterwards how well it goes.

[Fish]

I went and looked today. It's going to take some work to get it out into the light again but from what I can see it's in nice shape. One owner, he thinks it is an 82' or 83' but title is in safety deposit box and he is going to grab it tomorrow. 1800 miles, license plate says probably parked early 1990's, sticker says 92 on the plate. He says he tried to trade in with Harley in the 90s and they were not that receptive and only offered him $250 on trade. He will let me have for same $250. Bike looks like it will clean up. Has 2 speed tranny and wire wheels, tires look new. Fair deal?

[earlfor]

I went and looked today. It's going to take some work to get it out into the light again but from what I can see it's in nice shape. One owner, he thinks it is an 82' or 83' but title is in safety deposit box and he is going to grab it tomorrow. 1800 miles, license plate says probably parked early 1990's, sticker says 92 on the plate. He says he tried to trade in with Harley in the 90s and they were not that receptive and only offered him $250 on trade. He will let me have for same $250. Bike looks like it will clean up. Has 2 speed tranny and wire wheels, tires look new. Fair deal?

The 450 has a six speed transmission.

[Steve]

Yeah, but the 450GA has a two-speed semi-automatic.

Personally, unless you NEED the automatic transmission to compensate for some phyical handicap or disability, pass on the deal.

That is, unless you want to buy cheap, spend a bit sprucing it up a bit and sell it cheap.

.

[earlfor]

Yeah, but the 450GA has a two-speed semi-automatic.

Personally, unless you NEED the automatic transmission to compensate for some phyical handicap or disability, pass on the deal.

That is, unless you want to buy cheap, spend a bit sprucing it up a bit and sell it cheap.

.

I missed the part about it being automatic. LOL

[Steve]

My first hint was the mention in post #19 of "2 speed tranny".

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[earlfor]

My first hint was the mention in post #19 of "2 speed tranny".

.

Oh well, lol, not a big demand for automatics. I would probably pass unless I had a doner bike and could swap out the engine/tranny/rear end.

[Jedz123]

I love my GS300 that has a 450 in it!!!

Is it fast? No... Is it fast enough? Yes!!!! 6-speed FTW too...

[Cipher]

you see quite a few of the automatics in really good shape for some odd reason
Id buy it and try it out
find a serviceable 450 from a POS with manual tranny and swap it into the bike

[storm 64]

Jedz, that's a crazy looking motorcycle!! Where do you find time to work on stuff like that? You're a certified nut. haha
I was hoping to buy that sweet 79 425e from a guy in Detroit. We talked about it saying we'll wait till the snow melts. Then when I was ready to pick it up, he backs out of the deal. I was giving him top dollar for it too. Dang

[nejeff]

Yeah, but the 450GA has a two-speed semi-automatic.

Personally, unless you NEED the automatic transmission to compensate for some phyical handicap or disability, pass on the deal.

That is, unless you want to buy cheap, spend a bit sprucing it up a bit and sell it cheap.

.

I hope your not indicating you need to be handicapped to enjoy riding this bike.

you see quite a few of the automatics in really good shape for some odd reason
Id buy it and try it out
find a serviceable 450 from a POS with manual tranny and swap it into the bike

This won't work. This is a shaft drive bike, the 6 speeds are all chain drive

[Fish]

I helped tear the shed down yesterday and hauling it off so I got $100 off the bike. I figured $150 can't go too far wrong. I'll bring it home tonight after I empty the trailer. Bike looks like nice, I am hoping fresh gas, new plugs and it fires right up!

[Cipher]

pics please and coongrats that will be a fun thing to work on
I had no idea they were shaft drive but no greasy chain is a bonus.

[Cipher]

its seems to share driveline parts with the larger and one assume more powerful 650
pretty much overengineered forr the 450