Tenino Swapmeet and a 68 CB450 and it's Original Owner

[Steverino]

I took my family to the Tenino Washington Swapmeet today. I'd say 90 percent of the bikes and parts were old Indians and Harleys. There must of been at least 50 old barn find condition bikes like this. I didn't take many pictures of them but here is one.
KIMG0435 by Steve Steverinomeister, on Flickr
I did find a nice CB160 Seat. I paid 35 dollars for it. I cleaned it up as soon as I got home and over the next couple weeks will I spray it down with armor all every day to try to soften up the cover.
KIMG0437 by Steve Steverinomeister, on Flickr
Here is the original owner CB450
He bought it while he was stationed in Japan during the Vietnam War. He has not restored it and everything is original to the bike, even the pipes.
I can't imagine how much this bike means to him. To buy it as a young man living far from home and then to care enough about it to bring it back to the States. Then, to manage to hold on to it and preserve it in such beautiful condition for all these years.
KIMG0442 (2) by Steve Steverinomeister, on Flickr
KIMG0445 by Steve Steverinomeister, on Flickr
KIMG0444 (1) by Steve Steverinomeister, on Flickr
KIMG0449 (1) by Steve Steverinomeister, on Flickr

[SMBH]

The CB450 was the bike that realy put the wind up brit bikes it just left them standing, I remember back in 1965 or was it 66 I was on the Isle of Man for TT week on my CB77 and in our place we were staying for the week was all bikers my mates on CB72/77 and CB450 also there were BSA rocket's and Triumph Bonnie's.

One evening the guys on the brit bike asked the two CB450 mates if they would like to go a run round the mountain course 37 Miles.

Well I waited with others at the start and finish line and the CB450 were back first and a long time later the brit bikes came in all hot and bothered the owner just had to tip there hat's to the 450's saying they were left standing going up the mountain.

And so that was it for me Honda had arrived now don't get me wrong I love all bikes and most of all old Triumph's you see I have a 1964 500 Triumph and a 1964 CB77 so I have the best of both worlds.

[G-Man]

Great pics, Steve. I love the look of the early CB450s but have never been tempted to own one. That guy looks like a rightfully proud owner.

They struggled to sell in the UK and one or two of the dealers painted them red to try and shift them. There are probably more in the UK as US imports than there were first time around.

I think they got a little bit overtaken by the CB750 here.

G

I took my family to the Tenino Washington Swapmeet today. I'd say 90 percent of the bikes and parts were old Indians and Harleys. There must of been at least 50 old barn find condition bikes like this. I didn't take many pictures of them but here is one.

[Steverino]

Hi SMBH and G Man
Thank you for the UK perspective on the old Hondas verses British bikes. I grew up about 100 miles from a real city and I don't think I ever even saw a Brit Bike up close until college. Some people ruminate over the so called Japanese Invasion, but where I grew up there wasn't even a Harley Dealer. I appreciate that Honda and Suzuki felt that my little hometown was worth putting dealerships in. I will always remember How Bob Harless and his crew were so patient with me when I was 10 and 11 years old, putting finger prints all over their shiny new motorcycles. When I was a little older I bought my first new Honda from them.

[sixtiescycle]

Paul and drove up Saturday morning, I saw 2 CB160 seats, 1 CL160 seat and a CL175 seat.
I bought a decent CB77 seat that needs a cover. Paul picked up a few bits. Saw the CB450K1, very nice. I question the side covers though for originality. I had the US version and reluctantly sold it as I also have the "D" model. The K1 was a great bike!

[Steverino]

Hi Dick
I probably bought one of the two that you saw, it was with another cb160 and 175 seat. The seller was a nice fellow from Australia or England I can't tell the difference. I'd like to get a whaletank bomber some day.

[sixtiescycle]

Hi Dick
I probably bought one of the two that you saw, it was with another cb160 and 175 seat. The seller was a nice fellow from Australia or England I can't tell the difference. I'd like to get a whaletank bomber some day.

Steve, same guy I bought my seat from, he was a Brit and yes very nice guy. We were chatting about 450's, he had years ago a D bomber, thought it was modified by someone and sold the engine out of it before he realized what it was!

This year was lacking in jap parts but sure had it's share of Indians. Two nice Chiefs with side cars.