A Tribute to the HONDA CB400 FOUR

A nostalgic look at the 1970s Honda CB400 Four, and my 25-year quest to own one.
FOR MORE MOTORCYCLE STORIES, SEE THIS PLAYLIST: • Motorcycle Stuff
Contents
0:00 Intro
0:39 How my love of the Honda CB400 Four began
1:09 My brother John
1:45 My first motorcycle
2:09 My brother's new 1976 Honda CB400F
3:27 My first street bike - a Honda CB400 Four
5:00 The 400 Four did not sell well
5:21 Renewed interest in the 400 Four in the 1990s
6:05 My 1975 Honda CB550K project
7:44 How I finally got a CB400 Four in 2022
10:03 Epilogue
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Music:
Point Green Getdown - Craig MacArthur
Thunder - Telecasted
Double You - The Mini Vandals
Famous I Love You - Jincheng Zhang

[@rolandwheeler4842]

Thank you for that wonderful tribute video! I have tears in my eyes. I had a red 1975 CB400F years ago and sold it. OMG what was I thinking? I am sitting in my house RIGHT NOW waiting for the truck to deliver my new-to-me 1975 red CB400F. This one will need work and will never be as nice as my first one. But doesn't need to be. I am with you Buddy!!! We will work on them together!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thank you for the nice comment! It's great to hear that you're getting another one and that you're fixing it up. We'll definitely do this together. Keep us posted on your progress!

[@rolandwheeler4842]

@@MakeFixEngineer I will! The truck is stuck in Los Angeles, looks like it will be late tomorrow before I get her!

[@rolandwheeler4842]

@@MakeFixEngineer Watching your video again! The bike is home and I have been working on it tirelessly since getting it home. I am able to ride it, but the carb bank has to come off as the #1 cylinder has a clogged idle circuit. Did sync all 4 though. Spent 2 days just cleaning it up and removing parts and painting in semi-gloss black. LOTS of surface rust. Also, polished up all the chrome pieces. She is actually beautiful once again. Brake shoes and chain are coming in today to going for a ride before removing the rear end parts for that. Hope your bike is coming along well!

[@mxh5647]

" I had a red 1975 CB400F years ago and sold it." Ugh! Yeah. Mine was a '76 red one. I hated selling it but thought my wife was more important so... :) I just loved the look, the feel etc. and I still drool looking at it. Much like looking at a Jag E-type.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

@@rolandwheeler4842 Thanks for the update. You are making fast progress! I haven't done much of to mine yet. I need to get moving!

[@andrerobertdrouin3642]

Speed does not matter when you ride with a soul , it is the feelings it gives to a rider that creates undiluted pleasure

[@mlem567]

Awesome story. My dad bought me a dark blue '75 when I was in HS. I rode that bike every day with my friends all over the bay area. I miss that bike and I miss my dad. Thanks for sharing and bringing back to me all those memories of good times.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thank you for the comment. It sounds like your Dad was a cool guy. May he rest in peace.

[@rickcuttress1392]

I'm 62 now and still have the same 400 4 l road t0 high school

[@KB-eo9bu]

Yes Moms and Motorcycles 🏍 My Mother said as long as you live in this house you're not getting a Motorcycle. Well after Enlisting in the NAVY in the early 70'S and getting back from my first Deployment I bought a brand new 1976 Honda CB 550 4 Cyl . It was my first Motorcycle. When my mom came out to California to visit I said Come on were going for a ride. Hold on and and lean with me on the turns nothing to it. We didn't get far she was so Scared barely got down the Street she was Screaming and moving all around. She really missed some great Scenery I was gonna take her too! LOL!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

LOL! Thakns for the comment. Hats off to your Mom for at least giving it a try. 😀

[@neil8238]

Hi from the UK. I loved this video. My dad bought a beautiful parakeet yellow CB400/4 in about 1977 or 78 maybe, when I was about four or five. My little brother and I used to look for him coming down the road every day on his way back from work. We would rush out into the yard and before he put the bike in the garage he would give us a ride to the end of the lane and back - me perched in front of him practically on the tank, and my brother behind him. Plenty of room on that long old seat! He had grown up with the old 1950s and 60s classic British bikes, but when the British bike industry of that era went he switched to riding Hondas. He really rated the 400/4 highly, both the way it rode and the build quality (and the aesthetics, especially that 4-1 exhaust). He did all his own maintenance and servicing on it - eventually after many years of riding it he stripped it down for a complete rebuild, but life got in the way, and it was passed on as a project to a friend. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.

[@Stripping_Bolts]

I have a built and restored 75 cb400f. One of my fav bikes ever

[@richardstoffel6585]

My dad bought one new, still has it today. In blue. The first bike I got a ride on.. the 400F leaves me with a soft spot as well.

[@kensmith3665]

Wonderful tribute to your brother and his impact on your life. We all need heros

[@cerealtiller]

My late Father in Law bought a CB400.. he thought it was sluggish until I explained that it could be revved much higher than he realised. he was very impressed once he got the hang of it..

[@pede8889]

Awesome now i want this as my very first bike here in ireland

[@hansvanderwaal4684]

I did my bike driver licenses on it in 1976. Nice bike, very comfy and balanced. For that time revolutionary. Have now a CB500X and must say this one has much more juice and is more raw as a twin. Fits me today better.

[@philh3178]

I just bought a 1977 400/4 in the same maroon colour as the one I had 30 years ago. Thanks for a great video.

[@peter455sd]

I loved this bike when i was young. It sounded so cool.

[@davidmatthews3093]

My father bought a blue CB400F in 1976 when I was 18. I got to use it a lot although I myself owned a CB250G5. The 400 was a real gem, I would love one now. As it is I now ride a CB500X and it reminds me of the 400F a lot. A great little bike.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for sharing!

[@robertoortiz7838]

I was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista Arizona, and while I was at that post I had a 1979 honda 400 four cylinders. I sold it before leaving to other post in Germany. It's a great bike.

[@alanreilly9056]

Dear Sir, I live in Australia and really enjoyed your video, because in early 1977 in bought a Honda CB400F myself ( in the blue colour ) I am now 65 years old and have been riding since 1971, however, if I could get one, I would like to get a Honda SL175, which was my first REAL bike as my friend and I both bought one each on the same day sometime in 1973 and rode everywhere on them, this bike , like your Honda CB400F has some real meaning to me but I have never seen one come up for sale here in Australia, but I have seen some great examples of them in the USA Very nice tribute to your brother by the way Safe Riding

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! I didn't know anyone who had an SL but I have heard so great things about them and I can appreciate what they must mean to you. I hope you are able to find one!

[@notonwo]

Bought a nearly new, red F2 in '77. Loved that bike so much I would often add a zero onto my 5 mile ride home from work !

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

Thanks for the memories, in ‘76 it was a toss up between the CB 400-4 or Yamaha’s new RD 400…..I went 2 stroke and never looked back. Drove an ‘83 Honda CB 900 F Super Sport - did a road trip from Montreal to Halifax, not a tick of trouble, last bike I had was an ‘83 Honda Magna V65 (1100 cc), very quick V-4.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! The RD 400 was also a special bike and faster than the 400F. And I hear ya about the V65. I never found the courage to use half the power and torque my '84 V65 Sabre had! It was my daily rider for five years after I restored it and the only problem I had in that time was a broken clutch spring. Amazing bike.

[@michaelhardiman7482]

That was a beautiful story and very well told. I owned a CB400F (1975 in red) for about 15 years while living in Brooklyn, NY, the only motorcycle I ever owned. It was my escape machine and every summer I would ride it to far off locations like Maine or the Berkshires. I loved that bike and wish that I had never let it go.... I see that there are others who feel the exact same way. What a motorcycle!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the nice comment! Like you say, so many people still wish they had their 400F from way back when. On the upside, you will always have those wonderful memories. Cheers!

[@DMSJagXK]

Loved my blue brand new 400 four followed by my metallic crimson 750 F1. Now, nearly 50 years later, drive a Jaguar XK 5 litre V8.

[@rt2255]

Never forget my first ride on my 75 blue 400 four. I knew that moment i wad going to ride forever. That bike was my first street bike. Always got the looks, and would out run all the mustangs and camaros of the day.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for sharing! The 400F was the perfect first bike. Not too big, but fun to ride and usually the best looking machine in the gang!

[@gabrielgonthier5049]

Your story is very gripping and warms my heart. The very first motorcycle I ever held in my hands and in my body was a Honda. I'm 63 and have been riding for 34 years. I have so many fond childhood and teenage memories of Honda bikes! 350 two-cylinder, 400, 500, 650, 750 four, goldwing 1000... One of my cousins had a yellow CB400 four in 1974. I was 14 and he 16. To hear 'that sound' of four cylinders! Wow. Even at that age, I loved mechanics... Anyway... So many memorable (and missing...) people and so many memorable bikes. I understand your feelings! It seems that in 2024, Honda will bring out a 400 four... I'm definitely going to get one, it's written in the sky! Thanks for this excellent vdo!

[@altonlynch5464]

I had a 75' CB500T for my first bike, then I got a 75' CB500., CB750 bored to 800, another CB 500, them last was a 76' CB550 super sport. I love the CB's. I still have parts for them, speed cables, clutch cables, gauges, lights. etc,,.

[@flythenride]

Great video! I had a Red with Black side covers 1976 CB400Four as a kid. I sold it and bought a CB750F2 and always regretted it. I’d have dreams of still owning my CB400Four for decades until I finally found a completely restored 1975 Varsol Blue CB400Four in mint condition in July of 2018. I don’t have those dreams anymore and will NEVER Sell my bike again.. Happy riding and yes I’m sure your brother John is riding with you with an ear to ear smile. 👍🏻

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the nice comment! I'm glad that you found another CB400F. These are very special old bikes and we need to preserve them, so I'm happy that yours has found a home where it will be appreciated. Enjoy!

[@anvil259]

Brilliant, I love these little bikes. I’ve never owned one, but they bring back strong memories of my teenage years… 🙂

[@squarewheel142]

I owned 2 1975 CB 400 F Super Sports, awesome bikes, I ended up trading the first one even for a 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport with the 351 Cleveland H.O. engine, C-6 Auto trans with High Stall 8 lug torque Converter and 9" 3:50 rear, Magnum 500 wheels, all Factory original, back in 1979, I could not pass up the deal.I ended up selling the other one in the early 80's, wish I would have kept one. Great video!

[@jonithanadamweiss]

11:01 Had a a blue 76. Bought it in 92. And I haven’t had one since that’s meant as much to me. You summed up the indescribable. I don’t know a single rider who doesn’t appreciate the 400F. I will get another one someday… to keep my pristine 81 BMW R100RS cafe racer company. Yup, I really miss that bike.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! And I hope you do get another 400F. It would make a nice pairing with that R100RS. Cheers!

[@nigelbowler1601]

A great review your brother would be proud i am a owner of one too she's unmolested original with full provenance 13000 miles with original tool roll & manual with oil prints & original dealer sticker on the rear mud guard she's a keeper get many remarks on the road & static love this bike all the best from the UK.

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

Good story. My story is with the CB550F. I was a young soldier needing cheap transportation during the 1970s Arab oil crisis. I wanted but could not afford a CB750. I bought the 1974 550 new off the showroom floor. I rode it far and loved it. Sorry I let it go when I got out of the Army and went to college. I would love to find and restore another.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! I hope you find a 550 to restore. I'd like to see all those gems find good homes!

[@iangregory1110]

Thank you for a wonderful video, I owned a new 400f2 in yellow, traded in my Yamaha RD250DX (coffin style tank), rember riding off the forecourt full of nerves, but totally captivated buy the sound and feel of it, remember riding up and down the high street just so I could look at my reflection in the shop windows. Vividly remembered how see almost threw me off the back when I opened her up for the first time. I owned her for about two and a half years and went touring on her through France , Germany , Belgium and Holland. And while in my ownership attended many motorcycle club rally’s all over the UK and in Europe Thank you for bring back so many memories, and yes would have one tomorrow if I could

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! And thank you for sharing your memories of this wonderful little bike!

[@jeffferguson899]

I had a cb550 four . loved that bike. never should have sold it. always wanted a 400 four , maybe some day

[@alanwilson27]

That's the bike I had brand new in April of '76. You tell a marvelous story, with real heart and passion. I've subscribed now so I can look at some of your other projects but this came up in my search for a 76 400 Super Sport. I lived in Toronto for 40 years and rode that bike year round from 76 to 84. Never been on a dirt bike but I've done berm shots off the snow banks. Someday I'll find another one of my own just like you did.

[@Flight231]

My first big bike! 1974 400Four! RED! We went 2 up allover the English lake distict! Loads of power.....for 30 BHP odd! I loved the bike!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for your comment. These little bikes have made a lot of good memories!

[@rodintoulouse3054]

Great story telling. This was the first bike I almost bought at age 18. Life got in the way and I ended up buying my first one at 50… but not a cb400 though 😢

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! I'm glad you finally got into biking - better late than never!

[@mixiepalms8338]

great video, was my best bike ever. I had one for 7 years until someone stole it and set fire to it. brings back so many memories of me and my wifes first holiday together as we went on the bike. special bike

[@miniaturemachinist6098]

I have a 1974 cb350f and it's a very fun motorcycle. I was wanting one for years and finally found one nearby and immediately contacted the seller. I think the listing was up for 8 minutes before I saw it. With a smaller rear sprocket mine tops out at around 30 mph in first gear, it's nice being able to rev the engine up without speeding. I do find myself trying to change into 6th gear though, so some day it would be nice to get a cb400f. I have a 1976 cb550k for highway riding but it's not quite as fun as a tiny inline 4 is.

[@noelbrown6771]

Great story man! I remember seeing the 400 four for the first time at Rice Honda, beautiful little Cafe inspired jewel of a bike. And those curvy 4 into 1 pipes were unreal. Nobody was doing those, stunning! I made sure to grab a brochure for that bike to take with me which would become my favorite among the other Honda brochures I'd been collecting ( I was 15). The cover of that brochure was of a red model turning left on Mulholland Drive which flashed those shiny chrome 4 into 1s right in your eyes. Years later We were looking for a photographer to shoot our wedding, and looking through his portfolio I saw that same photo. Sunny Seki was his name. He got an award for that shot. 👏

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thant's a very cool story. Thanks for sharing!

[@hondaxl250k0]

I have a 350 four and a 500 four. Never had an opportunity to pickup a 400. But if I do I will also. It’s way more fun too ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow. 👍🏻🥂🇺🇸

[@markdunbar8219]

My first bike cd175 when I was 16 1976/then went onto a triumph 650.thunderbird chopper around 1979.then a blue cb4004.seemed quite fast to me at the time have had loads of bikes since now ridding a zh2 Kawasaki loving it 😁 ride safe guys greetings from the Uk 🇬🇧😁👍🏻

[@stratman8765]

Worthy tribute. i bought a blue one in 1976. 7 days after my 16th birthday. Absoluely loved that bike. super smooth engine. Great handling and the fact it came stock with set-back foot pegs was always an extra bonus for me.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! This bike seems to have made fond memories for many people (like you and me) who had them in their early street riding days!

[@SupersejeOliver]

Loved this video! Thanks for making/sharing! Especially the last part about your brother made me smile, while at the same time brought a tear to my eye.... My dad bought a Honda CB400 F for me some 25 years ago, and I still have it. He helped me in every way possible with repairs, parts etc when needed, precious memories of shared time with him. He passed away 3 years ago, and now - whenever I am out on it - he rides with me. And I too will not part with it ;-) Greetings from Denmark!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the feedback and for sharing this nice story. My son and I have restored one bike together and we'll soon be doing another. I've enjoyed every minute of it. Cheers!

[@texasj49]

Beautiful bike and cool story. Looking forward to future videos on this one. R.I.P. John.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks!

[@synthyawylder3297]

Decades ago, I had a 1974 red CB400F - a real “pocket-rocket” for its class. Now in my “seasoned citizen” years, I'm looking forward to getting a new Gold Wing Tour (manual shift, thank you!)… & continuing to ride. A GR8 video!

[@allanweseman5433]

Great story and how life goes on for us old motorcycle riders living our past. I have been fortunate to be able financially to have the three motorcycles I have aquired in the past year; a '94 Yamaha V-Max, a 2014 Honda CB1100F. and now a 2010 Honda VFR 1200F All are classics in their own right

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment. That's a nice collection. Enjoy!

[@bryanpalmer9660]

Fabulous story-remember the CB400F well,have an actual mag poster of the 400 an a copy of the Supersport range poster featured in your story which I've owned since the mid 70s,- nearly bought a 1976 Red CB400F in the mid 80s but the price was too expensive(twice what it was New ) but no doubt about it a beautiful machine thanks for your story Auckland New Zealand 2024

[@lanceferraro3781]

Thanks for the memories! On leave after Navy training I woke one day and decided to buy a mororcycle. Walked into the Honda dealer and there was a red, 1976 CB-400F. Whipped out my VISA and made it mine. Had to wait to ride it becasue it had just been unboxed, wasn't even prepped. Rode it to NYC and all over Manhatan, Philly, Washington DC, Norfolk VA, Charleston, SC and points in between. Finally, sold it with near 40,000 miles on it. Now, at 71 and retired on a fixed income, I can't afford a 400. I did get a 1983 Honda FT500, the big thumper, for free. It was in a fire, who knows how it will turn out.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! And thanks for sharing your 400F memories. Good luck with the FT500. You've probably seen the Bikes and Beards episode where they bought an FT500, still in the crate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqjahXuonticqbs

[@owenjones506]

In the late seventies i owned 3 4/4 super sport, they were amazing little bikes, they handled very well , they did have there faults cam chain tensioner , head gasket , now in my 60s i cannot find one to buy .

[@Jodyrides]

I had three of these bikes back in the day. Two red ones, and a yellow one. I would pick them up pretty cheap, trading, I found the yellow one sitting behind an apartment building just starting to rust. It had an expired license plate on it.. I inquired and located the owner, and I got that for $100. That was equivalent to about $500 today. I was road racing RDs at the time, and I had seen some of these 400 F’s keeping pace with the kings of the track at the time, the RD 400, and the Kawasaki 400 triple 2 strokes.. compared to an RD or a Kawasaki 400 then, the Honda felt asthmatic. It would rev to 10,000, but it didn’t have a lot of torque. The RD and the Kawasaki felt more powerful. I commuted on the yellow onefor about a year before somebody offered to buy it from me. The transmission on these bikes did not like to shift that easily. I had all my angles correct, 90°, but commuting through neighborhoods going stop sign stop sign,Was literally a pain in the foot. I would shift up to fourth gear and back down the first, up to fourth, back down the first block after block on my normal commute. I couldn’t start out in second, It didn’t have the torque.. in each day it was pretty smooth but the transmission ratios were too short. It was always being shifted always shifting always shifting. I would have preferred a five speed or even a four-speed transmission with wider ratios .. it was a fun cute little bike, but, I preferred the grunt and the hit of the RD when it hit that powerband 2 strokes have.. The two red CB400 F’s that I had, I flipped them before I had a chance to ride them much. One of them belong to a girl I worked with. It was perfect. I traded that for a Yamaha TT 500.. The only dirtbike I ever owned that I never crashed or even stalled..The second red CB 400 that I had.. I swapped it for eight 1968 dodge charger, 318 that needed a transmission.. the CB 400 F was a big improvement over that green Honda CB 350 F that preceded it. Those 350 4 Cylinder bikes couldn’t hold a candle to the CB 400 F in Performance. I was a Honda mechanic at that time and I got to ride pretty much every model Honda head out then. I was also in the right place right time when people were looking to sell their bikes. That’s how I ended up with three CB400 F’s, and a whole bunch of other bikes in my opinion, the best 352 stroke in those days was the Bridgestone 350 GTR. That Bridgestone was a rotary valve twin. It had a 6 gallon gas tank, the bores of the cylinders were chromed.. you only saw that on Moto Guzzi’s, and Yamaha factory road racing machines in those days. The Bridgestone also had a dry clutch, and a six speed transmission… I had one. It was not faster than the Kawasaki triples or the RD 400/350. But it was better made. I believe if it had not been for the longshoreman dock strike in the late 60s, it would have been Honda, then Bridgestone, Yamaha, Kawasaki, then suzuki in that order. But there was a dock strike. Thousands of ships were not being unloaded. Bridgestone had all their eggs in one basket.. those ships were not unloaded with the next year’s brand new models of bridge stones. And that bankrupt the company.. One of life’s little tragedies today, 2023, I have a Kawasaki Z 400 .. The improvements made over the past few decades makes comparing YZ 400 to my Honda CB 400 F impossible. My Z 400 has four valves per, water cooled which happens to be 4000 times more efficient than air cooling, which means you can run a higher compression ratio and advance the timing which creates more heat, but water cooling keeps the temperature just write 360 degrees around each water jacket. The CB 400 F red line was 10,000 RPM. The red line on my Z 400 is 12,000 .. i’m guessing here, I think the top speed on this CV 400 F would be around 95 miles an hour, I have seen videos on KZbin of people going 117 miles an hour on the Z 400, and that’s with both mirrors attached.. The Z 400 shifts like butter compared to the CB 400 F. I don’t feel any fork flex on the Z 400, the suspension is better, just the feel of tubeless tires is better, I’m guessing the front brake On the Z 400 probably makes around 200- 250 hp.. The CB 400 F didn’t have remarkable brakes but I actually prefer a drum brake in the rear .. Who needs a 300 hp rear brake on a motorcycle.. i’m guessing the CB 400 F probably made around 30 hp, my Z 400 depending on where you read it or see it on the Internet has between 45 hp and 48 hp, but more important than that, it has lots of grunt no and wider spaced ratios.. I like the old bikes, but I can tell you that I have done some resurrections of older bikes, and I was disappointed with how they felt because, at the time when they were current, they felt modern and fast.. I remember motorcyclist magazine had a writer that did a review on the brand new Honda CB 450 twin when it came out. The writer was making a big fuss over how much horsepower it had, he actually said that we are reaching the limits of engineering with how many horsepower per cubic centimeter we can possibly extract from these modern marvels.. he actually said that motorcycles can’t possibly squeeze any more power per CC out of these engines back when the CB 450 Honda was the newest biggest from Honda.. looking back, that is actually laughable.. I had a chance about 10 years ago to ride a Honda CB 450 twin from the late 60s or the early 70s. It was very clean, very original. It belong to a motorcycle junkie buddy of mine who, like me, has had over 100 motorcycles.. I took it for a ride, I was flabbergasted at how slow it felt.. I did a Resurrection of a Yamaha XS750 tripple that I spotted sitting in the back of a guy’s garage while I was sitting at a red light one day. I asked him if he would consider selling it.. we talked, it needed everything. He bought it new in 1977 I think. Original burgundy paint, it was all original and always garage kept. I did everything, cleaned the carbs, new tires and tubes, change the fork oil, engine oil, final drive oil, pressure lubed all the cables, synchronized carbs , I was thrilled that second gear had not blown on it. All of those Yamaha triples in the late 70s and early 80s had fragile second gears. I was a part-time mechanic at a Yamaha dealership in the late 70s and early 80s, one of the full-time mechanics there, got so good at replacing the broken parts in the transmission that cost second gear to blow, and he could actually replace the parts without splitting the cases. He somehow went in through the clutch cover.. anyway I spent about a month resurrecting that bike and it was finally time to take it out for a ride.. I was disappointed. After riding modern motorcycles, that thing felt very dated. I remember riding them when they were brand new when I worked at the Yamaha shop in the late 70s and early 80s. But, things have changed I also had the same experience resurrecting a Kawasaki 500 triple two-stroke, and a Yamaha RD 250.. I rode raced a Yamaha RD 250 for seven years, and I won six championships, it was two times national champion on that machine. I have enough parts to keep one of those things running for the next hundred years, engines, piston rings gaskets cylinders heads crankshafts. That’s why I bought it, it was clean it had been sitting for at least 10 years.. I got it running, I swapped my trick forks from my ex race bike which I still have, and my KONI shock absorbers and trick swingarm bushings and steering head bearings. I put a new set of cylinders pistons rings etc.. I gave the pistons and rings and cylinders the usual Break in.. I said the oil pump to where I found that it worked best, only reaching full stroke at full throttle.. I could not believe how slow it felt.. it felt Stone Age.. so if you used to have an old bike it was new when you owned it.. and you find one today that just needs TLC in about $5000 worth of new parts to get it back on the road, I’d pass. Invest that money in something modern. The good old days when it comes to old motorcycles are not the good old days, they are just the old days. These are the good old days

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the excellent comment! I somehow missed it before - apologies. You clearly have a lot of experience with bikes of all ages - I've subscribed to your channel and will check out your videos! I 100% agree about the performance of modern bikes compared to these oldies. The new ones are in another league. My son's 2016 CB500F made my 1975 CB550K look quite the slouch. It's kinda like how my 2.4L inline four 2016 Honda Accord engine has more HP (but less torque) than a late-70s 5.0L V8 Mustang. I've resigned myself to just appreciating the historical significance and beauty (in my eyes) of the older bikes, while accepting they aren't as quick as I remember. I also hear you about the 400F gearbox. 6 gears and very little torque means plenty of shifting - the exact opposite of my 2008 Goldwing, which feels like it could pull a freight train in top gear at almost any speed. "These are the good old days" is a wise way to look at all facets of life. Carpe diem, as they say. Cheers!

[@petezny4343]

My CB400F was red, my best friend at the time Chip had the yellow. I put 65,000 miles on that bike. I moved to Florida and back to NYC on her. My girl friend at the time logged several hundred miles on the back including a memorable trip to Great Adventure, to this day I fondly remember riding back to NYC at midnight on the NJ Turnpike with one hand on the throttle and one hand tightly clasped around hers to keep her from falling off since she was sound asleep leaning on my back. I loved that bike and 24 bikes later in a lifetime of riding I still miss her.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Those are wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@martindavies8326]

Love the 400 four, mine is a 1977 varnish blue one in mint condition. These bikes are very underrated. Love your story and now you’ve got your dream bike. 🏍✊🇬🇧

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! They really are special bikes. I'm glad yours has found a home where it is truly appreciated. And the varnish blue is stunning. Cheers!

[@stevecam724]

My first road bike was the 400F/SS, a ton of fun 😆😆

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

These were still very popular in the early 90s in San Francisco. I had a little rented garage where I was fixing bikes and had a number of customers with these and got to know them well. These are such fun little bikes and have kept an eye open for one, but these have all but disappeared over the years. I even had one come in destroyed, bent frame and front end. The customer had me restore it with a used rolling chassis from a salvage yard. I wonder what happened with all those customers, I think of them pretty often.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment. I'm sure many of those customers also think of you and of their CB400F!

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

@@MakeFixEngineer It's funny, years later when I was working for a BMW bike dealership in mountain view, someone started calling for me, and it was a woman who was an old customer, we chatted a little and she still had the bike, but couldn't find anyone to get it running right. I got the service manager to let me give it a good service and fix a few problems, and she was so happy I got her first bike back to her and running like new again.

[@henryhartley9993]

My favourite bike ever, I bought mine in 1979 with 6,000 miles on the clock, nearly cried when I sold her on a few years later. Here in the UK there are still quite a few for sale, a decent one about £3,500, one in mint condition around £6 to £7k, beautiful little bike and hopefully one day I will own another one...

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for sharing! I too hope you find another one. They all deserve a good home!

[@rvega314]

awesome story. I have a cb360 that brings me close to someone that is gone and missed. I have that same bike in parakeet yellow and a red one on my restoration list.

[@sexytasmin]

Very good video. I love the Honda 400 Four. It’s probably my favourite bike. It looks like a proper motorbike unlike most of today’s bikes which look horrible!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! IMO, the 400 Four is the best looking motorcycle ever built. But I might be biased. :) Cheers!

[@BMWAVENTURA]

just bought a gorgeous red one in PA 2 days ago!👏👏

[@MrMalcyd]

Great video, both my wife i had a blue 76 cb400f each as teenagers way before we got together, we are now in our 60s been married 25 years and she still has hers in our garage and we still ride it, such a great little bike.

[@CaptHollister]

A yellow and black '76 CB400F was my first bike when I bought it used in '79. Since then other bikes have come and gone, all of them left an indelible mark on my life, but the CB400F is the one that never left. 43 years after I first purchased it, the little beauty still lurks in my garage. How could I ever sell it ? it was my first bike. It took me on countless adventures, including twice around the Maritimes from my home in Montréal. Now that I'm retired, it's grand time that I set to recommissioning it. 4:58 a 1982 XJ650RJC Seca (the C identifies the ultra-rare unicorn Canada-only model) is one I had from new and didn't trade until '93, that's the one I would buy back in a heartbeat. But that's a different story. Very much looking forward to your videos on the 400/4.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for your comment! You've been very wise to hang on to that 400F. It must seem like a member of your family after 43 years! My 650 Seca was a project that I didn't ride much. I did some engine work on it and sold it after about a year. A friend had a 750 Seca back in the 1980s and it was a wonderful bike.

[@patrickhill8748]

Thanks for sharing, my dad is 88 and of course can no longer ride. He wants me to take his ‘77 canary yellow CB400 Super Sport and restore it to ride. Needs a lot of work but I remember riding it when much younger. At 58 I look foreword to this challenge and to ride the little bike that my dad loved and bought brand new off the showroom floor.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

That's so cool! I hope you're able to restore it and that your Dad can see it. I've restored a few of my Dad's things and I wish he were around so I could show him. He was a restorer if old machines himself.

[@patrickhill8748]

@@MakeFixEngineer I’d love that but not sure if I can get it done, she needs a lot of work. They’re great little bikes to enjoy.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Understood. I had a 1967 Yamaha that belonged to my late brother and I wanted to restore it, but it was too far gone.

[@patrickhill8748]

I look forward to your videos sharing the updates on your CB. My dads was well ridden with over 78k miles but overall in really good restorable shape. Safe travels!

[@patrickhill8748]

Got the ‘77 CB400 home today, starting clean up and getting the carbs back on. Little chrome polish soon, still in fairly good condition and I think it will buff out nicely. First stop got asked about her:). Safe riding!!!

[@jseden]

Great story and I love the older Hondas.. I rode a rebel 250 for years. Sure it was an 09 but the thing was still built like it came from the 70s. Was a surprisingly capable and fun little bike that I’d never planned on selling. However, when a nice, low mileage vt500 ascot popped up, it was my only option. Despite never having ridden one, that ascot was my ideal vintage Honda.. a six speed shaft drive, mounted to imo, a perfectly sized water cooled engine in an aesthetically pleasing package that isn’t unreasonable for the occasional trail. It needs a little work, biggest being an minor oil leak or two and I plan on pulling the engine to fix them this winter. I’ve also owned, fixed and sold an 81 goldwing.. great bike, just too big and unsuited for my needs.. I’ve also owned a ton of mopeds and scooters and that vt500 is just the best overall bike I’ve found for my needs. I’d love to own a cb350/400 someday though!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! A guy I knew in the 1980s had a red VT500 Ascot. It was a really nice bike and surprisingly quick. I don't see many of them around here now, so you've got a real gem there!

[@carlgold9116]

I traded in a 1973 cb 250 g5 for the new 1977 400 four. Put on twin headlights in Dresda Barcelona fairing and sprayed it a ford colour roman bronze. Yoshimara exhaust and 460 cc pistons. Had the best times with that bike camping in Wales, the Lakes, France and more.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! Those sound like wonderful memories. Cheers!

[@nervolo3]

Grazie per aver raccontato la tua storia legata a questa meravigliosa moto, ascoltarla mi ha emozionato e mi ha fatto rendere conto di quanto sia importante per me la mia 400f ❤

[@troydavenport9244]

Thank you Bart, for recommending this video.

[@davidevans4089]

One of my favourite bikes of all time.

[@rienlamberts6661]

Same feeling with the Zundapp ks80 5 speed,rebuild it myself,in 2018. Saw in 1995 a sevenfifty rc42 in Zwitserland, and in 2021 I bought a Red one. Tanks for the video Awesome!! Gr from the Netherlands

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! Enjoy that RC42!

[@douglaswright5689]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MarianoVFR800]

I loved your video in tribute to that old CB 400 Four I shared with my Bike friends Thank you so much for giving me that nostalgia. Regards from Chile

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the nice comment and for sharing this video! Greetings from Canada!

[@izakvanniekerk6947]

I had two...as far as I am concerned...truly a classic. Of All my m/bikes (18 in al)...those two 400's were my favorites...👣👣👣😇💝⚡

[@dkjens0705]

I had a CB400 Four in 1987. I lived in Los Angeles at the time and I traded a '78 Camaro for it. I rode it back down to Los Angeles from San Louis Obispo. I was dating my first wife at the moment and one morning I came down to take it to work it was gone. I guess the mid Wilshire district of Los Angeles (New Hampshire Blvd between 4th and 5th Street) was not a very safe area to park a motorcycle.

[@RT22-pb2pp]

Honda has built some awesome bikes over the years but to me this is the best they ever made a real live comfortable little screamer had 1975 blue one. best bike I ever owned I got 50 smiles to the mile. Not ever y 3 zx6rs made me as happy as that little scooter back in 1978

[@roninbutterfield6623]

Thank you for sharing.

[@rustytanks]

The world was such a big place for us at 6-7 years old back in the 70's, I remember my cousin taking me for a ride on his brand new Kawasaki z1000, 43 years later I still feel the wind in my face from that day.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for your comment! I imagine a ride on the Z1000 would be memorable. I was enthralled by those big Kawis back in the day!

[@buxvan]

I live "Across The Pond", & 400/4's were a popular motorcycle with despatch riders (couriers) in the late 70's early 80's along with Honda CX500's. Bulletproof bikes & also the best shape headers (exhaust downpipes) of any motorcycle.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! Greetings from New Scotland!

[@kaa5666]

Beautiful bike, Beautiful story. I recently got my self a basket case of 74 400f red. Needs full resto. Should be on the road by summer of 2024.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! Glad to hear another one has found a good home!

[@bassiebouw]

Awesome video, I just got my driving license here in Holland and bought a CB400f! It's really a great bike.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! The 400F is the perfect first street bike, in my opinion. Ride safe!

[@johnford5568]

The fours I've had were nighthawks 650 and 700, and FJR1300, all fantastic. Current ride 2021 goldwing bagger 6. We were blessed with Mr Honda's passion.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

A friend had a couple of FJR1300s over the years and drove them all over North America. Great bike for sure. But you can never go wrong with a Goldwing! My '08 GL is a dream to ride.

[@GTMarmot]

Excellent bike. Still ticks every box.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! And I agree 100%. Cheers!

[@Paul-kp1tu]

Fabulous story, lovely bike, this moved me too.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks!

[@DeathMammoth91]

Hello fellow maritimer!! Love your story, and I am so happy to hear that you were able to find a CB400F! I am sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, but through that bike I know his memory will live on! In 2020, I was able to purchase my first motorcycle and it's a unique 1976 CB750A (Hondamatic) that I picked up in Summerside PEI and brought it back to New Brunswick! It also needs some work, but it doesn't need 100% rebuild either. Love the old Honda's and I completely fell in love with the bike! Keep up the great work!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the kind words, fellow Maritimer! I wish you many miles of smiles on the 750A. I've never ridden one but I knew someone who had one in the 1970s and they loved it.

[@marcusscott9800]

Outstanding video! Can't wait to see your videos on it:)

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks!

[@kylesphoto]

I love these bikes too. Thanks for creating the video

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thank you!

[@evdallas123]

I had a blue 75 I got in 79 senior in high school I rode it to school and work everywhere I went year round I wish I would have kept it I miss it to this day

[@visti1]

What a great video. I have a 1978 honda cb400 four my self and i love it 😎

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks!

[@Beavis-et8ox]

Great Story, I had a red one around 2000 as a daily driver. Still miss it if I see one, spwcially the sound of the beautiful 4 in one...... its a special little bike.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! It really is a special little bike!

[@gregleenyit]

Wow incredible story 400four is a Great machine Enjoy

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks!

[@AlejandroRamirez-jq6xm]

Tuve en mi juventud dos CB400 Four super sport ,ambas amarillas con una pequeña diferencia una tenia un tapa cromada en el estanque de gasolina y la otra una tapa negra rectangular que se abria con la llave ,ademas tenia una delgada linea en el estanque de gasolina de color negro ,maravillosas motocicletas el cuatro a uno de su multiple le daba un sonido inigualable

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Gracias por el comentario. Disculpas por mi traducción de Google. Los amarillos eran mis favoritos y tuviste suerte de haber tenido dos! ¡Cuidarse!

[@Deniz1923]

RIP John 😢I'm really saddened to hear of your elder brother's passing early, at the end there... I'm here because this was the bike my father rode for about a year and a half when he had his masters over seas. He'd retell of a story how he and his then girlfriend (mom 😆) got stranded once in the snow, cause the spark plug heads got wet, and how he meticulously dried them with a piece of cloth to have the thing restarted. Oh and also that one time he'd boast so many times how he saw 120 miles on the clock, however doubtful it seems looking back 😅 Maybe it did tho, with a little help from gravity and strong winds on the day 😃 He tells me it was a Honda CB400, pistachio green in color. I haven't been able to find photos of this bike in this said color. Maybe you know whether Honda actually did make this bike in this color described.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the nice comment and for sharing your dad's memories of his 400! I'm not aware that the CB400F was ever made in pistachio green but maybe they were available in other countries. Regardless, that 400 left a lifelong impression on your Dad, which seems to be a common thread for these little bikes. Cheers!

[@charlespayne1061]

Great memories! I had a CB450 from 85 and got a bad oil burn changing the oil, it's been 30 years ago and I remember like yesterday lol. I also was introduced to Honda motorcycles by my brother in the 70's.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment! I have a 45 year-old scar on my leg where I burned it on the exhaust pipe on that 50cc Chappy. I dropped on my leg it while riding it in a woods trail. It wasn't made for trail riding, but that didn't stop me! 😀

[@charlespayne1061]

@@MakeFixEngineer ouch!!! I had the Honda version of the chappy. That bike died a horrible dead! Fell off cliff...

[@wolfgangwust5883]

As a 17 y.o. I watched a blue 400f rolling off the local Honda dealer here in Germany, and it has been love at first sight. That was 1980. 42 years later, I don't know how or why, I found a red 1975 model for sale. Only two owners in 47 years, pretty decent condition. I did not hesitate a single minute. Long story short: Happy man here;-)

[@mikemayfield487]

OH MY! This takes me back! Thank you!

[@oldbloke9270]

Hi Fella. Loved watching this. Brought back some cherished memories. Stay safe, Old Bloke.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thank you for the comment!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

@@oldbloke9270 thank you!

[@andrerodriguez7603]

Great story, I’m glad you found one just like your brother’s, same color too. I remember a guy that use to zoom up and down in front of my college on one of those in the mid 70’s. A beautiful red one, I would always drool when I saw it.😅 I use to own a Yamaha TX500 from the 70’s when I was in my twenties. Now at 68 I found my dream motorcycle. A 1989 Triumph 650 TR6 tiger. It runs great and has allot of patina, which is fine with me. I didn’t want a totally restored one. I’m having new tires and brakes put on it. I’ll hopefully have it soon. “Happy trails to you”. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for your comment! Glad to hear you found your dream bike. I'm with you on keeping the patina - it's a sign of a long life lived that deserves respect, like grey hair or wrinkles. :)

[@marcosagosti6175]

Great story and some coincidences. My father had a 1972 CB350 2 cyl, similar to John's, and he would take me in the back to enjoy the countryside. And, I actually learned to ride in a Yamaha TY80 white/yellow like one you "gang" members had. Nice memories...

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks! And thanks for sharing your story which has much in common with mine. The TY80 was such a cool bike. It's amazing what people can do with those trials machines. We all tried climbing over rocks and logs with my friend's, but I recall having bruises from my failed attempts, so I'm not sure we were as good as we thought we were.😀

[@heretohear8662]

Ok damnit, you sure can tell a story! You just earned another sub!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks!

[@italovergara4926]

I love motorcycles, i love to work on it, it is not my profession but it is my passion. Many thanks for sharing your story.

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment. I too love to work on them. It is a satisfying hobby!

[@CB400F]

Thanks for sharing your story, R.I.P. John!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thank you!

[@ryanellis120]

No need to sell it. Make it your family airloom. Great video mate from south Australia. I currently have the baby brother the cb350f I’m fixing up. It was made between 72 and 74, before Honda upgraded it to a 6 speed 400cc in 75 or so. Subscribing now. Cheers mate

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for the comment, and for subscribing! At this point, I do plan to leave it for the next generation. I don't have space in the garage for more bikes, but this one will always have a spot. Good luck with the 350F project!

[@GaryT1952]

Great story, well told

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks!

[@dogphlap6749]

I had a CB400F in the seventies. Somehow I never really felt safe on that bike. Perhaps different tyres would have helped. I've now got an RE 650 twin that I'm very happy with. But the Honda was built like a watch, the RE, not so much. Both have very nice 6 speed gearboxes but the RE has fuel injection rather than the 4 carbs of the Honda plus ABS on both wheels that works well and even less vibration. However the seat height of the Honda was fine for a short guy like me whereas the RE needed shorter rear shocks and moving the front forks up in the triple clamp before I could be sure I would not drop the bike where the road dropped away sharply when I had to stop like at say traffic lights. I did drop it once at zero speed prior to sorting out the seat height problem.

[@tinolino58]

I have the same feelings for the 550K. My friend let me ride it to get to the airfield for flight training. It was faster than the Piper Cub!

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Lol! The CB550 really is a great bike. I'll probably someday regret selling mine. I could see getting another one, now that we have a history together. I'm not sure my wife will fall for that excuse. 😃