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In truth, however, it isn’t the most popular alias of the 450-class bike but rather the Black Bomber (due to only being made available in black during its inception). On a darker note, the bike’s arrival also foretold the demise of most British motorcycle firms back in the day (hence, the moniker). Well, it’s pretty simple – the Honda CB450 foreshadowed the coming of the Honda CB750 Four and the modern motorcycle engine.
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You may be wondering where this nickname originates. Continue reading to discover more about the famed Black Bomber. It opened the flood gates for other Japanese OEMs to enter the Harley-dominated big-bike market. It featured torsion bars, twin 32-mm CV carbs, a 110-mph top speed, and technical innovation that bested its European counterparts.Īlthough the Honda CB450 didn’t hit chart-topping sales during its launch, it accomplished something even greater. Introduced in 1965, the Honda CB450 was highly regarded as Honda’s “first big twin” and the world’s first mass-produced DOHC motorcycle. It is called by many names – Black Bomber, Dream, Hellcat, Dragon, and (my favorite) – The Prophet. At the time of its launch, this mid-class bike was practically Honda’s biggest-displacement offering and signaled the company’s brave entry into the Harley-Davidson territory. Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.īefore “the Godfather of modern superbikes” made headlines and placed Honda on the map, the Japanese firm first had the Honda CB450.
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