honda cb400n

[Andy1994]

Hi all im just wondering about the Honda cb400n and its power output. Im considering this bike as my dad had the 250 being as underwelming as it was for me as a kid it was better then anything and i love the old shape. Ive looked around and one website said 26bhp while others have said 43 roughly. Which is correct and also if there would be any good or must upgades for this bike what would you do i would consider braided brake lines as ive heard the brakes can be iffy thanks for any help.

[Scotsman37]

It appears Honda came out with two versions of it and here's info Bikez website about it;

Honda CB 400 N

https://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cb_400_n_1981.php


Honda CB 400 N (reduced effect)

https://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cb_400_n_reduced_effect_1981.php

[Andy1994]

[Kickstart]

Hi

27hp sounds rather like an old German insurance power level. So probably not an issue in the UK.

UK ones were 43hp I think.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Scotsman37]

It appears 47 & 27 HP was produced for the German market while everyone else seems to have got 47 HP instead, if you look at CMNSL website for parts they only list the smaller one for Germany!

It appears the carbs set have different part numbers including the Camshaft, and I've read else where someone mentioning that too.

I wish Honda gave an extra designation rather than just CB 400 N, as they could have added a letter (r) after it to know what you're buying rather than just look at the Carbs serial no. marked on it for the difference?

[Andy1994]

[Scotsman37]

What you can do with a CB 400 when heavily customised looks really good indeed!

https://www.pipeburn.com/home/2013/08/11/1983-honda-cb400-jasin-motorcycles.html#.U3CciRfQfIU

https://domain.com.s180574.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/11_06_2013_jasin_honda_CB400_02_1.jpg

From what I found out via a number of forums one did mention if you change from stock exhaust system with no collector box then you may lose some power at the lower end, but you may also have to return the carbs a bit to remove that problem too as the carbs were setup for the original exhaust system.

Here is a video of person that has replaced theirs for a straight 2:2 setup, but those darn Aussies & Americans sell ones with removable baffles because they do like to make their bikes sound even louder that is why Harleys are so darn freakin' loud going past you. I've comes across someone that had done that for their Harley and the side of the single decker bus actually shook with sound waves hitting it! lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLbcs_iODV4

[Andy1994]

[Kickstart]

[stinkwheel]

[Scotsman37]

Bikes built that way are good if you live in excellent mostly dry climate where you don't have to worry about ground water being sprayed up on you from the front & rear while riding through the wet, and its known as a Café Racer so they are basically concept bikes customised like mad to look completely different from usual.

Some people want their bikes to stand out and to be on show !

From Wikipedia definition of Café Racer

The café racer is a light and lightly powered motorcycle that has been modified for speed and handling rather than comfort. The bodywork and control layout of a café racer typically mimicked the style of a contemporary Grand Prix roadracer, featuring an elongated fuel tank, often with dents to allow the rider's knees to grip the tank, low slung racing handlebars, and a single-person, elongated, humped seat.

[stinkwheel]