The arrival of the Honda CB450 in 1965 should have dispelled any lingering doubts about Japan's intention to compete in all sectors of the motorcycle marketplace. Known affectionately as the 'Black Bomber' after its black finish, the CB450 was Honda's largest model when launched and capitalized on experience gained with a succession of smaller-capacity twins. Nevertheless, the CB450 departed from Honda's usual practice in a number of ways, in particular its use of twin overhead camshafts, torsion-bar valve springs and constant-velocity carburetors. The tubular frame - replacing Honda's traditional fabricated spine type - was another departure from the norm. With a top speed of over 100mph and a standing quarter-mile time in the 14-second bracket, the refined CB450 sounded the death knell, not just for the traditional British '500' but for the entire UK motorcycle industry which, ever complacent, found itself at an ever increasing disadvantage in the all-important US marketplace.

This example has been fitted with components from the early CL450 'street scrambler' variant, including high-level exhausts and smaller fuel tank, and has a twin-plug cylinder head (the original tank, side panels, cylinder head and one CB450 muffler come with it). Last licensed in 1966, the machine currently displays a total of 16,336 miles on the odometer and is offered with State of Delaware title.

Without reserve