The Honda CB450 Black Bomber is easily one of the most significant motorcycles to ever come out of Japan. Produced for just three years, it was the company’s first ‘big bike’ (and the first production bike with DOHC). At the time, it was considered to be one of the best bikes ever built, though it didn’t sell as well as the above praise would suggest.
Affectionately referred to as the “Black Bomber’, this bike put other manufacturers (particularly the British) on notice. British bikes couldn’t compete with features like reliable electrics, torsion bar suspension, and an electric starter. That’s even before you get to the dual overhead cams, technology that was only offered on legitimate race bikes of the time! According to Motorcycle Classics, “the Bomber was disqualified from some production races in England on the grounds that it was too much like a factory racer.” The engine redlined at an incredible 10,000 rpm and produced 42 horsepower, yielding a top speed of 102 miles per hour. The styling featured the classic black tank with large chrome sides common to other bikes in the family like the Honda S90 and the Honda Superhawk. Want to learn more? Motorcycle Classics has a great write-up on the Honda CB450 Super Sport and what made it so important.
This specific Honda CB450 Black Bomber (VIN: CB4501023868) was restored back in 2008 and hasn’t seen a drop of gas since. Because of that, it’s being offered as a ‘museum piece’ as it may take some work to get into running condition. More than 400 hours and $14,000 in parts have gone to restoring this bike which had just 6,000 miles when the restoration was started. The sheer amount of pieces that were replaced on this motorcycle is impressive, and for some NLA pieces, the seller had CNC replicas made from stainless steel. They were apparently good enough that he made extras and sold them to the Black Bomber community.
Find this Honda CB450 Black Bomber for sale in Seneca, South Carolina with bidding up to $6,700 and the reserve not yet met