1976 Honda CB400F Supersport CB 400 F 400/4 400F

Description

Here's my baby. A beautiful 1976 honda CB400F Super Sport. It runs and drives excellent. Things I have done to it:
New honda NOS front fender
New Oil Pan (original had a small crack. It wasn't leaking, just didn't want to take any chances)
New reproduction rear blinkers (original ones included in sale)
New Honda NOS mirrors (original ones included in sale)
New seat cover
Fresh Oil & Filter
Fresh Plugs & Air Filter
Freshly painted tank and side covers. Tank is sealed. (Precision Motorcycle in South Bend Indiana did the work)
New Tires
New piston in front brake
New horn relay
I am the third owner. As far as I can tell the bike has always been stored inside. It's just about as nice an example as your likely to find other than a collectors piece or a restoration.
It was manufactured in May, 975 so it is now 40 years old.
I'm going to be moving in about 6 months and need to downsize. I just won't have room for her so I have to let her go.
I have over $5500 invested.
TheHonda CB400F Super Sport Intro

In 1969 Honda released the CB750, lthough it wasneither the first four cylindermotorcycle orhavethe largest capacity,it certainly left it's mark as the number one super bike.I read somewherethat, he iffirst Japanese bikessent the message to Britain, watch out we're coming",the CB750 delivered the message"it's too late we're here". By the mid 70s there was little left of the once great British motorcycleindustry.

Fitted with a hydraulicfront disc brake, lectric start &indicators as standardthe CB750 pavedthe wayfor years to come. In 1971 Honda hadintroduced a scaled downversion,theCB500 followed by theCB350F in 1972.The CB350F was introduced in the US but itnever really caught on, ndwas dropped from productionin 1974. TheCB350Fwasnot marketed in the UK.

Enter the CB400F

TheCB400F (aka the 400/4 or400 four super sport),wasunveiledfor1975.It was an instant hit,a compact bike developed from,andimproved on the previousCB350F, ith upratedperformance viaan increased bore from 47mmto 51mm, ringingcapacity upto408cc,largervalves,andasix speed gearbox, t hadupdated styling with a neat offsetchrome 4 into 1 exhaust system,a flatter angular fuel tank & flat side panels with transfers instead of badges, owhandle bars, lightlyrearset footrests and a studded seat,

The bike hadasporty cafe racer look and feel, ide andhandling were deemedexcellent at the time. All this broughttogether a universalbike which waseasy,exiting and smoothto ride in various situations, giving you a feeling of control,ridingin harmony with athoroughbred.The press loved it.

Models

For the European/UKmarket first there wasthe Favailable from1975in Light rubyred orVarnishblue,early Fmodels up to frame number 1056883 had the pillion foot rests mounted ontherear swinging arm, pillion assisted suspension!)later F models which ran toframenumber 1073399 had themmounted to the frame.

In1977 theF2 was availablein Parakeet yellow or Candy antares red (metallic). These alsohadstriping to the tank. and solid lettering with an outline to the side panels. F2 modelsranframe number 1073400.

"Just in case you were wondering Antaresis ared super giant star, amp; a parakeet is a large type of budgie, aybe Honda intended the red one for the touring & the yellow one for flyingto the cafe"

There was also a F1 in1976model which was not marketed in the UK or Europe, these were finishedin Light rubyred orParakeet yellow&had black side panels.

Racing

Not long afterthe 400/4 hit the road,itwas regularlyappearing on the race track.Kazuo Yoshima heavily modified the CB400F. Onthe track heregularly finished ahead ofCB750s &Kawasaki Z1s.There were many aftermarketparts available such as the Yoshimura big bore kit & modified camshafts.Other companiesoffered performance exhausts,electronic ignition, pratedshocks & brakes, s well ascafe style seats & drop bars.

Living with it

The 400 four isequipped with a side stand and acenter stand which is handy for maintenance.It also hasan electric start& akick start, you have to flip up the right foot rest to use the kick start. This ishandy if the battery is low,as the starter robs the voltage tothe ignition coils. It's a easy to start this way,as easykicking up any125,itbursts into life without any effort, o messing about tickling carbs, rankingover 3.5times, inding compression, raying etc.

After starting the bike from cold, t needs to warm up on part chokefor a few minutes before setting off, r you could find yourself fumblingwith the choke whilst riding.

Although it does pull well from the start, he engine is high revving, iving peak power of 37bhpat 8,500rpm, ith aredlineat10,000rpm, amp; with 6 gears to choose from you'll find your left foot is kept busy if you want to makethe most of it. It accelerates well from 0-70mph, teadily from70-90mph and eventuallyfrom 90 onwards. The Seating position is slightly bent forward, ivinga dominant street fighterfeel,which iswellbalanced at normal speeds,but at highspeeds above 80mph,you get the urgeto crouchover the tank and reduce thewind drag.

The bike handles verywell at allspeeds giving good cornering anda comfortable ride, he rearcan feel a little skittish sometimes depending on the road condition.

End of the road

The 400 four was dropped from production at the end of 1977due to the high cost of manufacture &competition from it's less costlyJapaneserivals, he Yamaha RD400, heSuzuki GT380,the Kawasaki KH400 & theKawasakiZ400. The reason that itcost more to build was probably dueto the complexity of theengine,whichhad 4 cylinders,4 carbs& itwas afour stroke soneeded8 valvesa camshaft and cam chain, s opposed tothe competition's2&3 cylindertwo strokes, amp;the Z400's2 cylinder 4 stroke.

In 1978 Honda introduced the CB250N & CB400N Superdream twins, eavingCB400N (U.S.400Hawk)to fill the void left by the CB400F.

The Resurrection
Many years have passed since, nd although it was only available for just over 3 years, here were around 105,000 produced.Plenty of thesehave survived, helightmiddleweight has become quite desirable & fashionable once again, aining respect in the classic market, ith it's smart looks, eliability, racticality, easonable fuel consumption, good spares back up, lus it's just right for a rideto the cafe bike meeting. But above all, t's a Honda.
Specifications

Engine

Type SOHC 4 cylinder 4 stroke

Bore x stroke 51 x 50mm

Capacity 408cc

Compression 9.4:1

Lubication Wet sump

Carburation 4x 20mm Keihin

Bhp at rpm 37@ 8,500 rpm

Max torque 24ft/lbs @ 7,500 rmp

Gearbox 6 Speed

Clutch Wet multi-plate

Starting Electric &kick

Charging Output: 156w
Battery 12v 12AH

PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 95 mph - 103mph (croucheddown, rms & legstucked in)
0-60: 6.70seconds
Standing 1/4: 14.71 sec @ 86.04 mph
RPM @ 60mph 5465

Fuel consumption 49.7mpg overall42 mpg ridden hard

Chassis

Wheelbase 53.30 in 1355mm

Seat Height 31.10 in 790mm

Ground clearance 6 in 150mm

Kerb weight 392 lbs 178kg

Fuel capacity 3.1 impgals 14ltr

Front Tyre 3.00S-18

Rear Tyre 3.50S-18

Front Brake Single 10.25in disc

Rear Brakes 6.3 x 1.2"drum

Front Suspension Telescopic fork

Rear Suspension Swing arm, djustable hydraulic shocks

Instrumentation Speedometer with trip, achometer,Oil lamp,Neutrallamp

Also published at eBay.com