CB400F - thoughts?

[_Neal_]

Had a go on my first "classic" bike at the weekend (friend's 1977 Honda CB550 Four K) and enjoyed it far more than I'd expected, so been looking into a classic of my own.

Keep coming back to the CB400F (preferably in yellow) as it looks so "right" and has electric start, spares availability etc.

Any thoughts/experience of them on here? Think riding position may be sportier than the 550?

[srob]

I've only briefly ridden a 400/4 but it was a really nice thing. My mate had one when we were doing our apprenticeships and would come out with us on our 400 grey import sports bikes. I find that era of bike a bit strange as they're almost like a new bike, but heavier (all controls, not just physically!) but go well.

Spares will be plentiful and there's a real following for them. Apologies I can't be much more help as it's a bit new for me, but I suspect you wouldn't go far wrong if you buy wisely. You wouldn't lose much money on it if you don't get on with it!

[B'stard Child]

Had one back in the 80’s - racked up 20,000 miles in a year - I’d already had a 550/4 previously but found the 400/4 a lot smaller. Buzzy little thing - went nicely round corners in an old school way. Chopped it in for a R65LS which turned out to be a really good commuter and I kept that for a fair old while as it was much better suited for my journey

[_Neal_]

Thanks very much guys, that's really helpful.

srob said:

I find that era of bike a bit strange as they're almost like a new bike, but heavier (all controls, not just physically!) but go well.

Interesting - that was the big difference I found on the 550/4 as well - brakes weren't amazing, but worked fine at the moderate pace I was riding at, but the weight of the throttle in particular took some getting used to. I was cruising down country lanes, so rolling on and off, with some time at constant throttle, and had a sore arm by the end! Lovely connected feeling though.

[ssray]

I had 2 or 3 well over 20yrs ago, nice ride and handling as far as I can remember, not much to add
Have you bought it yet? If not hurry up

[B'stard Child]

_Neal_ said:

Thanks very much guys, that's really helpful.

srob said:

I find that era of bike a bit strange as they're almost like a new bike, but heavier (all controls, not just physically!) but go well.

Interesting - that was the big difference I found on the 550/4 as well - brakes weren't amazing, but worked fine at the moderate pace I was riding at, but the weight of the throttle in particular took some getting used to. I was cruising down country lanes, so rolling on and off, with some time at constant throttle, and had a sore arm by the end! Lovely connected feeling though.

Don’t buy a K1200 RS then - it has the heaviest throttle of any bike I’ve ever ridden - and that includes some old 4 pots with non cv carbs

[timbo999]

The CB400F came out when I had my Fizzy (1975)... I remember looking at one on a pedestal in Miles Motors and thinking 'one day...'. It was red and I think was one of the first bikes with a 4 into 1 exhaust.

By the time I had got the money together to buy a 400, the VF400F was out and I bought one of those instead, lovely revvy V4. I still hanker after the CB 45 years later. Just do it.

[Rushjob]

I had a burgundy CB400/4 F2 when I was 17 - what a bike when you've just stepped up from a 125! It handled really well and was certainly quick enough for me at the time. Compared to todays bikes it'll be underpowered and underbraked but they are a lovely useable bike.

[_Neal_]

ssray said:

Have you bought it yet? If not hurry up

Thanks very much all, that's pretty much my mind made up then!

Planning a purchase later in the year I suspect, need to squirrel some money out of the loft conversion budget (and sort out my garage a bit) first.

[cwis]

I also had a burgundy one as my first bike back in the day - sold it to afford a years insurance on my next bike - a VFR750.

I missed it hugely...

So I bought this and I've had it 20 odd years!



Pretty much all spares are available - I'd recommend David Silver Spares - been getting bits from them forever...

A few faults/things to know:

Cam chain tensioners seize so wiggle them every service.
Head gaskets start to weep after about 20K but you can leave them another 20K before the leak will annoy - I can do one in 3 hours now.
Front brake needs stripping and cleaning/lubing anually if you ride in the rain - it pivots on the fork leg. Weird.
Fit an electronic ignition - two pairs of points gets old quick.
The carbs need tweaking for modern petrol - they tend to run a bit rich off idle. Or use leaded if you can find it.
You can remove a bunch of springs from the carbs to lighten the throttle - keep the push/pull cables just in case though.

[_Neal_]

cwis said:

I also had a burgundy one as my first bike back in the day - sold it to afford a years insurance on my next bike - a VFR750.

I missed it hugely...

So I bought this and I've had it 20 odd years!



Pretty much all spares are available - I'd recommend David Silver Spares - been getting bits from them forever...

A few faults/things to know:

Cam chain tensioners seize so wiggle them every service.
Head gaskets start to weep after about 20K but you can leave them another 20K before the leak will annoy - I can do one in 3 hours now.
Front brake needs stripping and cleaning/lubing anually if you ride in the rain - it pivots on the fork leg. Weird.
Fit an electronic ignition - two pairs of points gets old quick.
The carbs need tweaking for modern petrol - they tend to run a bit rich off idle. Or use leaded if you can find it.
You can remove a bunch of springs from the carbs to lighten the throttle - keep the push/pull cables just in case though.

That is lovely - if I can find one that looks like that I'll be a happy man! Looks cracking in yellow.

Really useful info as well, very much appreciated - thanks cwis!

[Abbott]

I moved up from a Suzuki TS100 to a Blue 400/4 40 years ago. I still have very fond memories of it. As said front brake callipers were a bit odd and need regular attention. It is quite small so if you are a big fella better see if you can try one for size 1st.

[zeb]

i've got a burgandy 78 one. Great bike, enough fizz to get you from a to b comfortably but as has already been alluded to the brakes are very much of their time. Spares are plentiful, www.davidsilverspares.co.uk you can rebiuld one from his stock alone.