Post Sale Update: this CB sold for $8,500 after 35 bids on eBay in Buda, Texas.
You’re probably familiar with the Black Bomber – but did you know that Honda actually made a few versions in red for the UK? They became known as the “Red Dragon”, and this bike has been done up to reflect the red rarities.
The Red Dragon name signifies nothing more than the paint, so it might seem a bit grandiose as a model name. It may go back to a 1966 British magazine ad that said “See the Fabulous CB450 Dragon” – for more on the origin story, check out this profile on Motorcycle Classics. The US only got the first-year CB450 in black, but Honda also offered it in blue, red, and white worldwide. Some red ones officially made their way to Canada.
This example (VIN: CB4501011307) started out as a Black Bomber that had already been painted green, so originality was already out the window. The seller has restored several of these bikes, but this time he wanted to do something that he hadn’t seen before. “Everything on this bike has been replaced with NOS parts, painted, plated, polished, rebuilt or refurbished. The motor is the 1966 cb450 and has been gone through, carbs rebuilt and sinked [sic]. The NOS Speedo is perfect and reflects the only miles since the complete restoration.” With that said, the seat is a reproduction unit, the right side passenger foot peg is missing, and it seems the speedo cable is also missing – so it’s not clear how the mileage is accurately reflected.
Find this Red Dragon tribute for sale in Buda, Texas with bidding up to $6,099 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $12,000 here on eBay.