1983 Honda CM450E

Summary:

Pure enjoyment in a small package!

Faults:

The rear tail light doesn't turn on when you switch the key to the "on" position. Bad wiring?

The seat has been recovered.

Exhaust pipes rotted out where they join the collector.

General Comments:

Bought the bike, as an abandoned, neglected little machine... which had sat parked in the back parking lot of a local uptown store. Someone had backed into it, and it had fallen over. Nothing really has ever gone wrong with it with the exception of a few minor issues.

Other than that, it is by far my favorite motorcycle out of all the bikes I currently own, and past ones.

I actually love it so much, that I'm going to purchase another one of the same (different colour) tomorrow. Now I will have both the black and gray, and brown colour schemes for the same year. Awesome.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th September, 2010

29th Apr 2013, 15:21

Same owner that posted the above review... and just as an update, my '83 black CM450 now has approx. 74,000 kms on the odometer and still going strong!

I just bought another CM450e (1984 model), burgundy in color with 39,000 km. Bought it in complete untouched original condition... just very dirty and neglected for the whopping sum of $500 delivered to my door. She's gonna be a beauty! Purrs like a kitten, and still has the factory exhaust in very good shape... not rotted out, no dings, dents or scratches. Just needs a front tire and some serious TLC.

Absolutely love these small Honda twins!!!

25th May 2015, 18:43

Same owner as the comments above...

It is now late May 2015, and last weekend I purchased an almost complete '83 450 Nighthawk (as a parts bike) for just the motor... to possibly be a donor to my black '83 CM450E (now at just over 82,000 km and still going strong).

Rode the ol' 450 down through the White Mountains, through New York state into Ontario and back without a hiccup. Ran like a beauty.

Going to go pickup another '83 CM450E this weekend coming... very much a complete running bike as new with only 17,000 km on the odometer (originally from BC, Canada)... for the whopping amount of $400! Can you imagine! No registration, and has not been run since the early 2000s... but will still be excellent for the low mileage motor and all the other running gear parts.

Should keep me going very well for another 20 or 30 years anyways! :)

I absolutely love this bike! Get one if you can find one!

1982 Honda CM450E

Summary:

Quick, fun bike for a starter

Faults:

The seat has started to wear badly and rip.

The bike has started to bog down through gaining speed and accelerating. Problem with the carbs?

General Comments:

The bike is very quick off the line.

I bought the bike a short time ago, and am very pleased with it. I am a beginner rider, feel really comfy on it, and I am 6'2" 220.

Will be shortening the turn signals and type.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st August, 2010

1982 Honda CM450E

Summary:

Great bike. Would never sell it!

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong so far.

The seat is somewhat uncomfortable after a few hours, but this bike is virtually new, so it is still getting broke in.

General Comments:

You cannot find a better bike for a beginner, commuter, or if you are through your "need for speed" phase of life.

My first bike was the exact same back in the 80's, and I traded it at 70,000 km for a CB900C, which had more power. I always said I wished I had kept this little 450, and when I saw it for sale in such good shape, I had to have it.

For the money that you spend on these bikes, the performance is great, the handling is fine and it looks really sharp. I get 68 mpg with the 6 speed overdrive, and with two up, you can travel for hours with rear bags, and it still powers up most hills and curves. No regrets here. This is a tribute to the engineers at Honda way back when.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th September, 2006

17th Aug 2016, 04:24

Someone who can explain to me how the overdrive works?

I just bought a CM450 and I doubt that is the overdrive.

23rd Aug 2017, 19:51

It's just 6th gear, for highway cruising. Downshift when you want to speedup or pass someone.