Hondas 400s.

Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

I'm on the hunt for one of the Honda 400s, preferrably the CB-1, at the moment but to be honest i'm slightly confused...

What's the main differences between the Bros 400 and the CB-1? Do i understand correctly that the CB-1 is meant to be the slightly more sporty choice due to it's CBR4 derived engine?

I think the main cosmetic difference i noticed was the exhaust, not a fan of the Bros exhaust! Sick

Any other major differences i should be aware of? What do you guys think would be the better choice?

I'm looking to pick one up for around the £400-500 mark so i no it's a "beggars can't be choosers" type situation but i'd still like to know what i was buying! Thumbs Up

I don't think i'm being unrealistic either as i've seen em' go for this type of money on egay etc.

Thanks in advance.

Stevie B Karma

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

The Bros is a v-twin and 33bhp, the CB-1 is an inline four and 50-odd bhp.

TheDonUK · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Karma :

And i believe the CB-1 are few and far between... At least for one not ridden to death by dispatch riders...

Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

Ah right i see, was wondering why all the Bros400s seemed to be 33bhp, thouhgt they must just be restricted Doh!

Well in that case wil definately be swaying towards the CB-1, like the idea of a 400 screamer without the savagely sporty position.

Parts are obviously going to be hard to come across with it being an import, but i will definately be looking to put a can and some streetfighter lights on it. Any suggestions on where to find parts etc for the CB-1?

Thanks again Karma

phantomtek · Lil Joe Tek Joined: 20 May 2005 Karma :

They use the same engine as the TriArm CBR400, with gear driven cams, lots of unmolested ones about, usually on eBay. Parts should be easy to find and they look good as they are in my opinion.

Slash will be able to give you all the information you will ever need.

ram_doom · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Karma :

A friend wants to sell his to move up to larger bikes. Its nice and standard Thumbs Up

https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b282/primmy/cb-1.jpg
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TL1000s, KDX200

slash · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Karma :

behold the vast cb-1 database of knowledge that is Slash!

Ask away with any questions you may have!!!

Very Happy

Zimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Karma :

Also look out for a CB400 Superfour, another excellent bike!

slash · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Karma :

nice cb-1 that! indicators arent standard tho, lacking mirrors, shortened rear mudguard and looks to be non standard rearsets or a least the heel plates! Laughing

slash · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Karma :

oh yeah and missing the centrestand, so probably an 89 model! Very Happy

f reg

Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

@ram-doom - how much does he want for that mate? I'm guessing alittle more than what i've previously said?!

Slash - is insurance going to be cheap because it's down as a commuter?
Wheres the best place to look for an aftermarket can and which is a good can for it?
Would it be a good idea to drop the yokes (5-10mm) if i'm going to be doing a lot of twisties?

I'll think of some more because i want to take advantage of the superior knowledge! Razz

ram_doom · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Karma :

Jesus christ slash Shocked

got the reg spot on! Laughing

I'm informed the indicators have been changed to mini arrows since that photo was taken as they were huge and bendy lol!

I'll pm you his telephone and email stevie, not sure precisely what he's after, so work your charms! Thumbs Up

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TL1000s, KDX200

slash · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Karma :

beans · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Karma :

Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

Great, thanks for the help fellas, tis' much much appreciated!

Beans - when you said it cost £50 to fit, did you get a garage/shop to do it? Because i'm slightly dubious about fiddling about with the size of the link pipe etc in case i get it wrong.

Really want to find one now as i'm dying to get ack into biking!

SB Thumbs Up

Biker-Kev · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Not a cb400 but how about trying a VFR400. Ive got a nc24, 1988 and picked it up for £500 on ebay and it was in great condition. Also it is a v4.
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Zhongyu ZY50, Aprilia SR50, Motorhispania RX50, Aprilia RS125, Honda VFR400 nc24 and my corsa
https://www.bikepics.com/members/bikerkev/
Theory: Passed 8/11/2005 Practical: Passed 13/12/2005 Proud holder of A2 license

Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

To be honest the thinking behind the CB is that insurance will be pretty cheap(due to it's class) and the fact that it doesn't have fairings to worry about.
It's just going to be a summer fun bike, one that i don't want to be scared shitless of using incase i chip the paintwork or something!

Also i've had a few sportsbikes so thought it would be good to try out a more upright riding position.

Thanks for the suggestion though. Thumbs Up

SB

beans · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Karma :

Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

Ah right, i see. Thats good news actually because like i said i didn't fancy fiddling around with the link pipe etc.

Did you have to change the jetting with the new can on or did away without changing it?

SB

beans · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Karma :

i had the bike on the dyno to check the jetting which turned out to be absolutly perfect lovely smooth line of power and the air/fuel mixture didnt shift from standard, the can really suited the bike's engine which was a bit of a fluke tbh. I have a friend who has a jap system on his old cbr400 aero which is the same engine appart from slightly higer profile cams cams, his dyno print out looked more like a heart moniter up and down everywhere and running extreamly lean.

Check this place out, full of people who know their stuff with lots of nice examples of cb1s.
https://www.hondacb1.com/

minesweeper · Whoah there! Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Heard nothing but good things about them unless your overly tall, im gonna look for one just after the summer as a winter bike to protect the rvf!

Matty
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Rvf400, 955i daytona, 954 fireblade, cbr1000rr fireblade 06 Hm plant

TheShaggyDA · Repost Police Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Give Bat Motorcycles a call - they have a few listed in the "premier bikes" section that are out of your price range, but there might be something in the "bargain basement" that'll fit your budget.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

Ok thanks Shaggy, i've taken their number so i'll do it first thing tommorrow morning.

SB Thumbs Up

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Past: Katana 50, NSR125RR, FZR600r, CB-1 Present: TRX850

slash · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Karma :

nice bike beans!

vfrs whilst great bikes are a bitch to work on esp for simple jobs like spark plugs!!

Bat motorcycles are specialist grey bike importers and know their stuff buuuuttttttttt........ they are very expensive!

In terms of a dyno, mine has never been on one in the 6 yrs iv had it......yet!
With reference to exhausts, Iv got a cut down scorpion on mine with standard engine, carbs and air filter and shes good for 130 even with a fat heffer like me on it!!! A few people in the SE clique have bore witness to the cb-1s abilities on a few rideouts!

beans · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Karma :

On the dyno mine was hitting the 112mph restrictor with only about 1000k rpm to go on the dyno rpm sensor the bike tacho was over reading way into the red. After this i fitted a blue kmh to mph converter to the speedo to rid the restriction, head down on the tank i managed to get the bike to the rev limeter in 6th on a very very long flat road, this was showing just a smidge over 120mph on the speedo. So i reckon 110mph ish top speed. I found with the converter out the speedo would point past the oil light (Way past 180kmh) but still wasnt on the 112mph restrictor this only became evident on the dyno. I always thought the bike would cut out one pot exactly on 180kmh. i was told at sea star (norwich) who are supposed 400 experts the restriction may lay deeper than in the clocks.