Quite the innovative motor for 1965, the CB450 sported double overhead cams with torsion bar valve springs. It was reported as probably developed as a 350 cc engine resulting in the oversquare (unusual for the time) engine with a bore and stroke of 72 x 57.8 mm for an unusual 444cc capacity, the bore representing the maximum bore that could they could manage, it was grown to a full 500 by stroking later on.
I have doubts about that story, in my experience that's not how Honda designs things.
The transmission was a four speed updated to five in 1968 when it was also restyled. Sales never did match Honda's projections.
6 comments:
Precursor to greatness...
That engine had its moment of glory at the '95 AHMRA Daytona 500 Premier race,
beating the cream of pre-'68 works racing bikes, thereby upsetting many...
Ridden and created by Todd Henning, the bike was a replica of the Drixton 450,
a collaboration between Swiss fabricator Othmar "Marly" Drixl and Aermacchi
UK importer Syd Lawton.
https://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2013/01/drixton-500cc-racer.html
https://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2014/04/drixl-aermacchi.html
Like the CB350, it has become a popular base for a vintage racer.
Back in the day, both models were seldom seen on the racetrack, the Yamaha 350s ruled everything!.
Well Mr G, you have a mystery (to me) racing frame with your 2013 Drixton 450 post.
The Cycle World picture is quite unlike the Drixton frame as it's known, and I'm stumped
as to what it is...
You're right! Very different. http://curtisracingframes.com/road-racing.html I'll see if I can find that issue for more info..
Hi, JP. I've updated the Drixl frame post, though the text doesn't really add any new info. https://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2013/01/drixton-500cc-racer.html
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