Designed by the legendary Shoichiro Irimajiri. He also designed the Grand Prix 4, 5 & 6 cylinder DOHC bikes, enough said.
Developed from the unpopular CB350F (not imported into the UK).
Cost when new in 1975 £669, in 2003 road worthy examples are from £500 to £1,800.
A guide to how many survived, David Silver has approximately 1,500 CB400F owners on his books in 2003.
Most speedometers in breakers yards read around 30,000 miles. I suspect that the bill for pistons and cam chain rebuild made most owners scrap their machines. Now we all seem to wish we hadn't!
CB400F - Frame:- CB400F-1007709 to CB400F-1073399
- Engine:- CB400FE-1000001 to CB400FE-1069245
Colours - Light ruby red or Varnish blue
CB400F2 - Frame:- CB400F-1073400 onwards
Engine:- CB400FE-1084315 onwards
Colours - Candy antares red or parakeet yellow
In 1976 Honda entered three standard (other than tyres & gearing) CB400F's in the Isle of Man junior TT and they finished 2nd, 3rd & 4th, not bad for a bike some call 'gutless'. I think this tag may apply if you live in a very hilly area, but, on the flat ... great.