The MAM Journals - Honda 400 FOUR. The Masterpiece that didn't sell?

The Honda 400 FOUR was launched at Cologne in 1974 . Well received by journalists and the European bike market ,it struggled to get traction in the all important North American market . Only in production between 1975 and 1978 before being replaced by the Hawk and in Europe , the Dream, what were the specifications of the bike and how did it compare with its competition? Why was it a bike loved by "connoisseurs" but met with indifference by some buyers?
If you are looking to buy one now , what are the things you should look for and how much , in the UK, would you need to pay? Are they a rideable classic in the modern world?

[@ralfbeier6185]

I just bought a yellow one two months ago. It's a 1977 model with a yellow tank and yellow side panels (yes, I know - they're usually black). It's from a collector and has done only 1,800 miles. A dream! It handles very differently and needs revs - but then! The sound is unparalleled for such a small motorcycle. And the four diagonal exhaust manifolds are true art. In general - the look is perfect! It almost corners by itself - you just have to think about cornering 😁. I also have a Honda 750 Four K6 - you have to work a bit harder to get it around corners…. Honor it and look after it - it's a shame if you don't see it on the road anymore....

[@LondonPianoman]

I was a motorbike courier during the late 70's and 80s riding 2 different 400/4s over 10 years and over 400.000 miles between them, did all my own work, and have a few tips and spotted a few things about your bike. Import? I didn't see it running in the video, but it looks like an American spec bike with the larger tail light and indicators than the European models have - some people like the larger lamps, a true American spec one the front indicators have 5/21watt stop/tail bulbs that glow all the time and flash brighter. Levers The early models with rear foot pegs on the swinging arm (and some later ones) had more petite clutch & brake levers, but the ball end was below the size that was introduced for all bikes in Europe some time mid 70s (some bikes such as Triumphs had no ball ends prior to this and could cause nasty injuries in crashes) so the F2 model had the levers that were plumper and got the black rubberised caps - Honda soon ceased selling the original levers and the new pattern ones fitted the older models, so original ones are now "as rare as rocking horse shit" (but I guess could be simulated with hours of filing etc) Handlebar Clamps They were originally black but the paint struggled to stay on them and many owners removed the paint and polished them instead. hard to see on the video but i suspect they are fitted back to front... they are asymmetrical , Honda specify fit the longer end forwards, and torque their bolts up first then the rear bolts act as pinch bolts.. same with the wheel clamps at the bottom of the forks (these look correctly fitted here) Front brakes Regular stripping and cleaning the pivot of the calliper arm and stripping the piston out of the calliper and polishing the calliper on the outboard side of the seal as this corrodes and impedes the movement ( as a courier I did these two jobs every time I wore out brake pads - EBC or Lockheed LMP 101 pads actually work ok in the wet - Honda or Vesra pads were "widow makers" Brake Adjustment The other great hack with the front brake is half penny coins.. you can slip two between the lever and the master cylinder plunger and this makes the brake biting point further away from the handlebar.. if you want to add a third (as I did for my monster hands) then you need to file a smidge of metal from the contact point of the lever as a tiny amount of play in the lever is vital for correct operation of the master cylinder so the brake self adjusts as the pads wear... Bleeding the brakes This is best done filling a syringe with brake fluid, connecting that via a pipe to the bleed nipple, have some plasticine ready "worked" when you open the nipple to seal around the bleed nipple threads and then gently pump the syringe watching the air bubbles coming out of the holes in the bottom of the master cylinder reservoir - way easier and quicker than the using a jar as the air keep rising up the vertical pipe and its really hard to get it all out pumping the brake lever Cam chain tensioner You mentioned a hack using a screwdriver.. When I first heard of this (within months of acquiring my first 400/4) I figured out a much better way and that is to replace the plug located between the front engine mounts above, and 90 degrees to, the normal adjuster with a modified bolt and nut. (I used to carry a modified bolt and fixed many couriers cam chains at the roadside in minutes for a tenner) So get an 30 mm long 8mm threaded bolt (my preference is an Allen key head for reasons that will become apparent) and two 8 mm nuts. lock the two nuts so that 8mm of thread is protruding and then us a file to file off all the visible threads and also slightly dome the end of the thread, now discard the nut that the file will have damaged, spin the other one further on, add a flat steel washer and a fibre washer. It is possible to fit this without removing the front engine mount, but fiddly- or alternatively temporarily remove the left hand mount and do the bolts up with a couple of extra washers I have a very long 5mm Allen key that would reach the bolt from above the exhaust pipes USE THICK LLEATHER GARDENING GLOVES as you have to work in close proximity to hot exhausts. First get the bike warmed up,, then switch off and remove the plug and slacken the forward pointing adjuster bolt above the oil filter.. fit the modified bolt and washers where the plug was, for now keeping the nut well up the threads. start the engine and carefully ease the bolt down a bit at a time, it will take quite a while before you will feel a kind of tapping sensation through your Allen key or other spanner you are using.. Gently does it as a little further and you will fairly suddenly hear the chain rattle diminish.. at this stage settle for it still rustling a little, as you need to get the engine cooking hot to finalise the setting. this is because as the alloy of the cylinder and head expands more than the chain you need to adjust it hot - I just spin the nut down with my fingers and leave the Allen key in it, tighten the normal adjuster bolt ( preferably take the tools with you and do 10 miles at 60+mph and stop in a layby to make the final adjustment) with the Allen key there already I glove up, slacken the original adjuster and carefully tweak the modified bolt till the rattle stops completely and just a hint of a strained sound. now retighten the adjuster bolt and the lock nuts on both bolts. It may tattle slightly on a cold start till it warms up... ( It may need a second adjustment in a couple of thousand miles if it was previously a bad rattler) The first 400/4 I did this to had 52,000 miles on the clock and rattled terribly - I had bought it cheap wit 48,000 miles as the owner (a courier friend) was terrified it might fail... it never did.. long before anyone knew how incredibly reliable these bikes could be - I didn't replace it when i rebored the bike at 83,000 miles as it looked OK and it finally died when the primary chain snapped punching a hole in the crankcase at 214,000 miles - Once done the cam chain doesn't need as much adjusting as the service intervals suggest - as a courier riding all day 5 days a week i tweaked it maybe once a year when servicing it, annual gift of new plugs, points air filter, and of course oil & filter done every 4.000 miles .. I'm not sure how those service interval would apply to one in more of a leisure usage scenario, but that's what worked for me as a courier - during my time as a courier i would buy ex courier rattley old 400/4s. do the cam mod, good service including carb balancing and a good steam clean and polish and sell them on for a decent profit - never had a comeback on a cam chain

[@michaelmam]

Great , real world insight . Thank you for sharing it!

[@uTube486]

That was too cool.

[@taxus750]

I'm a VFR750 nut (or nerd or fanatic or whatever term comes to mind) and have been for many a year. The detail in your comment tells me that you know what you're on about.

[@davidcook8323]

That motorcycle, in my eyes at 16 years old, was the best-looking best sounding bike at the time. I never owned one, but I got to ride one. It fit like a glove, so comfortable. My gf and I rode from Azusa to Huntington Beach and back on a warm summer night. What a great memory I have of this momotorcycle. It's because of this bike that I became a lifelong fan of Honda motorcycles. I have two in the garage today. 2020 Goldwing and 2016 cbr 600 rr . Rode the cbr today. Thank you, Honda!! Oh, one more thing, it had a Kerker exhaust. Those of you who remember kerkers gave any inline four a killer axhaust note.

[@tonyrappa4611]

I grew up in Covina class of 81

[@donaldluallen1152]

Make the bike today and watch them sell out

[@henryhartley9993]

Still my favourite bike to this day, I loved my 400/4, I went everywhere on it, the cam chain tensioner was the only thing you really had to keep your eye on but apart from that it was totally reliable. A beautiful little bike....

[@42much1]

I own one for 12 years now and never have the courage to adjust the cam chain, for fear of damaging it. Here where I live the majority of mechanics do not have a clue how this motorcycle works and they do not do service .

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@42much1 just make sure the tensioner is still pushing against the chain, it doesn’t have to be tight just make sure it’s still touching and the sliders aren’t worn out. I miss my lacquer blue 76’, what a perfect little neighborhood cruiser, got mine in82’ at 16. It was actually my first vehicle lol.

[@42much1]

Thank you for your kind advice!

[@TheMopar59]

Me too. i loved mine, it felt like it was custom made for me

[@DMSJagXK]

I could have said the exact same other than from my brand new 400, I moved onto a brand new 750 F1. Happy days indeed.

[@petezny4343]

Oh some Americans loved it. It was my first real motorcycle and I put 65,000 miles on it. It moved me from NY to Florida and back for college. I loved that bike and only sold it when I had to stop riding for a year after seriously breaking a femur in a non-riding accident. I still miss that bike 40 years after selling it.

[@LS-uv9gg]

Please don't crucify me for this, but- I had an '80 CB400T Hawk, (Canada) and a buddy had a '77 400 Four. In constant back to back rides and sometimes week long swap tests, the twin was faster in top speed, quicker in the 1/4 mile, got better mileage, braked better, and actually revved a bit faster to it's 10,000 rpm redline than the Four did. It was way less buzzy due to it's two counter balancers, and the off the line power felt instant, whereas the Four took awhile to wind up. Neither of us could beat the twin in any kind of a race if we were on the Four. The sound- we both preferred the inline four to the twin, but with a 360* crank, the Hawk did sound very nice compared to all the other 180* twins of the time. The look- I loved the visual of the 4 into 1 headers, but aside from that, it just looked too old fashioned compared to the new and swoopy 750F/900F inspired styling. I owned and loved the Hawk for ten years, travelling to Mexico from Northern Canada, and putting over 80,000 faithful km's on it. Which would I want now? I must honestly say I would prefer the inline Four over the Hawk, even after having sung the praises of my old bike. Not to fault it, but I've "been there, done that" with a CB400T (and an '81 450T which I raced) so a little 400 Four would be awesome to play with now that I'm an old guy lol.

[@derekp2674]

I agree with your views on the relative merits of those bikes, I had a well used CB400T for about a year in 1983 and then a well used CB400F about a year later.

[@jensnitsche4994]

Hmmm...der Fehler bei der Four lag wohl in der Vergaserabstimmung. Habe selbst bis heute eine ´75 400 Four und diese dreht blitzartig und mit Kraft bis 10 000 U/min

[@mjb12141963]

My Dad had one of these. The night he drove it home from the dealer, it was raining, one of those rare heavy summer downpours. All he had on was a t-shirt and blue jeans. A couple years

[@martindice5424]

My favourite bike back in the day. A little beauty. ❤️❤️❤️

[@photronic]

I loved mine, back in the mid eighties!

[@michaelmam]

A lot of people have great memories of them 👍

[@sablobsimus]

The one and only bike I owned was one of these and I loved it. "Turbine like" is true. The first time I let it really hit those higher rpms is one of those never-forget moments.

[@papachis9535]

OMG. I never knew about the 350/4. There’s something you don’t hear every day. Now my peepers are open!

[@nigelbowler1601]

Hi great review i am a proud owner of 76 plate all original with full provenance & even the original decal sticker on the rear mud guard 13000 miles on the clock she gets plenty of remarks on the road & when static ain't selling my girl lol cheers.

[@michaelmam]

Great that you are enjoying it . Saw a yellow (2) on my travels today . Still turn heads 👍

[@louisebulgin514]

I loved my 400 four it was a fantastic easy riding bike and it flipping moved. I kept up with 750's on long distance . I am a small woman so it worked height wise for me

[@hawkins19601]

i do have one of these. a 1976 super sport 400 four. i bougt it in 19 79 and i still got it. we used to call them lady four cause it is so easy to drive with its light weight and so small and easy to handle. my bike have been of the road for 20 years and the milage is 250000 km. its on its way back to life now. im restoreing it back to its former glory with rebuildt engine and new paint and every part of the bike overhauled.

[@michaelmam]

Sounds fun . Amazing mileage !

[@craigg4246]

i had a 400/4 in 1976. loved that bike

[@keithsuits430]

Had a 76 yellow one. Great little bike and my first road bike. Bought it around 1980 when I was 20. By then the Kawasaki 900z’s were the big dogs on the block.

[@davidphillips7255]

Engineer brother had one of these. I put 2000 miles on it and loved it for the accurate handling and crisp controls for the time. They weren't fast though. There was a hill I tested my bikes on. My CB 350's did 80mph. The 400F also did 80 mph. My CB450 did 90 mph. My Suzuki GT550 did 115 mph, all speeds indicated. It was curious that the 400F, the 450 and 550 were all 32 HP machines on the Cycle dyno. 50 years later I'm riding a CB500F a bike that is massively popular in Europe, and you can't hardly give away on this side of the pond. The 500X sells out first here.

[@codemonkey181]

As a new rider, and very little idea of how older bikes were received, how they sold, who bought them and why, this level of detail is fantastic. It really helps add colour to the history of the industry that I've missed.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you . I enjoyed making this video . I like to think about context when covering older bikes . It is too easy to just say that , compared to modern bikes , they aren’t very fast , and don’t handle or stop as well . All of which is true but these iconic bikes are the predecessors to all we enjoy now 👍

[@hughphillips1427]

Very informative review of the bike. I remember Yoshimura did a 460 big bore kit for this bike, most definitely sounded amazing with a Yoshimura exhaust 😊

[@Gggggggg618]

460 Harrier as I remember MOCHECK IN LONDON DID EM

[@peacefulwarrior4078]

Owned and rode the hell outta my old Red 1975 cb-400f 46,567 miles on it until I sold it that had a much needed steering damper and much better and sounding Kerker 4 into 1 exhaust system ! Sure do miss that little red 400f Many memories and many miles on it as well

[@deborahchesser7375]

I had a lacquer blue 76’, payed $200 in 82’ because she was in need of a carb synch and re-jet, a Swiss watch of a machine, I got my license on that bike, also perfect for that role. And it looked like a proper 60’s hot rod, clean and simple with the prettiest exhaust ever made.

[@SkinPeeleR]

Had an f1 with a short muffler. Sounded 300cc bigger than it was. Loved the bike.

[@rosco950ss7]

Another fascinating review, love listening to your story telling and knowledge, keep em coming I say! Ross.

[@RT22-pb2pp]

I had a used 75 blue one and to this day many sport bikes later this was my all time favorite bike. Smooth shited like butter and pretty fast for 400 in its day. Have owned 3 ZX6 kawi's but that honda was the best bike they ever made in my opinion. Had a youshimura 4 into one had such a beautiful sound. I would kill to find an original today. Just a smooth quick by 400 standards and comfortable.

[@michaelmam]

Seems to have left a lasting impression . Always a good thing 👍

[@RT22-pb2pp]

2 things I will always remember my first real bike the 400 four, and my first time getting laid. Both great experiences I will take to my grave. 2 best rides I ever had LOL. I know that sounds kind of creepy buy ever teen guy knows where it comes from, the heart my first 2 loves.

[@zuesaka1164]

The original gas cap latch was a recalled here in the States. If a bike came in the shop it got a new locking cap if you wanted it or not.

[@michaelmam]

Interesting . Thank you

[@georgec2069]

I have one, it's a red CB400F Supersport, I love it. I used it for drag racing for a while then sold it I have it back and I'm in the process of restoring it to it's original look. Stock it lacked some guts to run strong at High Altitude where I lived. I still loved riding it and did get a few speeding tickets and out run a few police officers as well with it.

[@michaelmam]

😂 Brilliant recollections . Clearly used as intended …

[@markbarber7839]

Thanks for the video. My 1st road bike was one of these. It was a great machine with the sound of something much bigger

[@TheChrysler56]

Thanks for that wonderful description of that lovely 400F Michael. David Watt has looked after it too. It’s a lovely classy classic of the 70’s era. Any of the Honda 350/4 up to the 750/4 series bikes are just lovely and sound fantastic too. Thanks again for showing us this well cared for example.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Gary . Always good to hear from you 👍

[@richardstoffel6585]

Love the video, with the exception of no start / ride :(. But good on the information portion. I subscribed and will watch other videos. Love hearing about the classics

[@DMSJagXK]

Thanks Mike for the vid. Brought back so many memories.

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@stuartaustin7134]

Modern day classic. Great bike.

[@hailetjohanacastillohernan8056]

Es modelo de moto para mi fue lo mejor.. Tuve la oportunidad de comprar una y quede enamorado q maquina.. A pesar q han pasado los años.. Sigo con las ganas de volver a tener un CB 400 F.. HONDA.. Q MARAVILLA DE SONIDO.. DE POTENCIA. UNA MOTO DE ALTA JERARQUÍA... COMO TAMBIÉN EL 750 SUPER SPORT. HONDA LO MÁXIMO..

[@derekp2674]

Great review - thanks. I had a well used one for about a year or two in about 1984.

[@larrybenson902]

Thank you for this video - I had one from 1982 to 1987 when it was stolen from my apartment. Not sure I'll ever get over it. Loved that bike - have not owned another street bike since.

[@michaelmam]

Lots of really good bikes out there Larry . Hope that one day , you have another 👍

[@martinhiggins9814]

Thanks for a really good video, I went from a CB250 to a 550 four on passing my test but the compact 400 four was such a neat looking machine, particuarly the tank shape and paint job.

[@martindavies8326]

I’ve got a 1977 varnish blue 400 four, and absolutely love it, thank you for your video very interesting. Cheers 👍

[@MakeFixEngineer]

Thanks for this excellent video. It's very thorough and informative!

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it ! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 👍

[@squarewheel142]

I owned 2 1975 CB 400F bikes in the late '70's / early 80's, they were a blast to ride, fast with great handling and with an aftermarket 4 into 1 pipe also sounded incredible, especially if you removed the packing from the baffle!

[@michaelmam]

😂 I suspect you could hear that one coming a long way off ..

[@reetspetit]

Remember my mate at college had a blue one. Engine like a sewing machine. I was riding pillion one day and he pulled up sharpish to avoid a car and only realised he'd stalled it when he hit the starter! Lovely understated bit of kit.

[@michaelmam]

I am always surprised at how small they are . More like a 250 , but as you say , engine like a sewing machine ..

[@reetspetit]

@@michaelmam indeed. I always felt they were very compact and part of the allure. Glad they have some recognition after all this time!

[@ianmcdiarmid4563]

I remember mine had a massive amount of twistgrip rotation to get full throttle I developed a sort of grabbing a handfull then another handful to get the full acceleration. it was a superb bike so chuckable -had so many crashes! Put Dunstall (non) silencer on - the sound was immence!

[@michaelmam]

😂

[@deanherbig9178]

had one years ago and many bikes since still my favorite . i bought it used and the person before me did a lot of mods to the carbs head pistons and exhaust and it was light and quick . i got a speeding ticket for 127mph. i called it mr toad because it was a wild ride.

[@michaelmam]

Great name for a bike 😂👍

[@gerrypetty1272]

Bought one in 1974. The Blue one. Had it for about 2 years. Rode it from Jax, Fla. to Atl, Ga. 1 or 2 times a month. Traded it in for a CB750F. Have had a few other bikes over the years but this one was special as it was my first bike.

[@MrMike353]

Thank you, very informative. Such a beautiful bike.

[@doxydoxdelamanca9902]

Those cascade style headers are a work of art. Gorgeous!

[@eflip5869]

Bought one for £400, many years ago. Previous bike was a CB360 & loved it. Even used it as a dispatch bike. Most at home on a twisty A road. Definitely a bike that you can feel is part of you. Did feel it needed a few more cc's on a windy motorway, but, as they always say, probably the most fun for your money bike I've ever had. Great video. Brought back many happy memories.

[@michaelmam]

Great to hear about your experience . Very evocative bikes 👍

[@mikehatswell3961]

I had a F1 as my first big bike after passing my test in 1978 and I have to say that it was a fabulous little bike, I had lots of fun with it out on the back roads of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. You could upset riders on bigger bikes with one of them on the tight narrow lanes because they were very nimble, though I don’t think I would like to try to ride one like that nowadays, fond memories

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for commentating Mike . Riding 1970’s bikes occasionally reminds me how much chassis , brake , engine and tyre technology has progressed 👍

[@stephensmith1118]

I had a 400 four in the early 1980's, it handled very well, able to scrape the foot pegs... I did the Ton .... Admitted it was on a slight down hill stretch..... Biggest problem was the channel underneath the gas tanks channelled rain on to the coils, so on a really rainy day it began the ride as a 400 four, I'd loose a cylinder as the coils and spark plug cables got wet... Then it was a 300 three... Then a twin and then I was pushing it lol... Thankfully I discovered WD 40..... A true miracle. I was travelling up to Scotland, and went in to the aa at ollaton roundabout to join before the journey, only to find the bike on its side outside the shop ... I left it on its side stand.... Where the side stand was joined to the frame the frame had snapped.... So no Scotland journey for me oh um..... But it was a great fun bike

[@michaelmam]

Love to hear these memories . 👍 Real bikes , in the real world .

[@boydcook6775]

I also purchased one of these bikes around my 16th birthday. I loved the bike and made a few changes on and rode the bike a lot. I changed the handlebars for more of a road bike, except I put the factory handlebars on it and raced it on drag strip. It was a fun Quarter mile racer with a touch of airplane fuel in it. When I used avgas, it run hot. I sold the bike and the person never paid me so I took it back but after it had a few years of sitting like about 40. I am in the process of restoring it. Hope have it ready to roll in 2024.

[@michaelmam]

Sounds like fun ! Hope the restoration goes well 👍

[@summerforever6736]

Fantastic video!

[@bartmotorcycle]

I'm not sure which I like more, this video or that beautiful bike!

[@michaelmam]

😂 . The bike is the star ..👍

[@GSSurry]

Mine was blue, 1979 Sydney Australia.

[@DMSJagXK]

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

[@ChrisR57]

In 1976, the Yamaha RD400 was my bike if choice.

[@michaelmam]

Great bikes. I had a RD400F . Really enjoyed it 👍

[@garybowen7795]

I wish that would come to America in 2024 I would buy one but I wanted to look exactly like that one with chrome and no black paint on the fenders and the tire rims

[@rochmel1409]

Nice video, thanks Michael. As I was watching it and subsequently reading the comments it dawned on me that I was subconsciously thinking of and picturing two friends I had back in the late seventies who both had one of these. I've had many other biker friends over the subsequent decades but would be hard pushed to remember any of the bikes that they owned even when asked. Which I find curious.

[@michaelmam]

Yes .. very memorable and emotive bikes .

[@CPLJimmy-bh9kc]

I bought myself one New on my 16 birthday. I loved it. My grandma went and got Insurance on me when she overheard my cousin talking about me pulling Wheelies on it. But I never crashed it. Sorry grandma, ha ha ha, she's been dead 35 year's now. Boy, time flies!

[@michaelmam]

Great story 😂👍

[@CPLJimmy-bh9kc]

@@michaelmam I'm 60 now and I cut Alot of grass to save for the bike. Love to have another one. Have a good weekend.

[@jensnitsche4994]

Eine der besten Konstruktionen im klassischem Motorradbau überhaupt. Nur diese Blinker gehen in der Optik für diese zierliche und kompakte Konstruktion absolut nicht. Hier in Europa waren die kleinen becherförmigen verbaut. Viel passender für dieses Modell ! Diese großen Blinker kamen hier erst mit der 1000 Goldwing und waren an diesem Modell dann durchaus passend.

[@jeffestrada6857]

Thanks for the video great information. Here in Australia 🇦🇺 these were very popular when I was growing up in the 70s & 80s and from what I understand sold quite well. I also believe they are ( or were) the most popular bike in Japan? A Japanese girl friend of mine bought one new in 2012 and because she is very short she needed the bike modified to suit her 4 ft 10” frame. So from new I had the bike and organised the lowering for her which took a couple of weeks. In the mean time I rode it quite a bit and was pretty impressed with its performance, particularly the smoothness not buzzy at all ( like you and another commented). Anyway.... I do remember how it to be very short geared and high revving. It seemed you were in top gear very quickly indeed. Considering at that time I had a Suzuki Hayabusa, it wasnt easy to impress me, but as I said it left quite an impression on me. In my opinion very good all round traditional looking and fun machine!

[@michaelmam]

Thanks Jeff . Glad you enjoyed and thank you for sharing your memories . 👍

[@ronr6605]

Sounds like a 400 superfour w vtech... just ran out cos of emissions in Japan, sadly.

[@simondaniels6641]

As ever a great video Michael, enjoyable & informative. Pal of mine had one with the Yoshi 460 kit on it years ago, could hear that from 5 miles away at least and it certainly went quite a bit better than standard though made braking even more ‘interesting’

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Simon . Those yoshi kits were very good ..👍

[@deborahchesser7375]

I’d have loved to have had some motor work like that on mine. She did great though as my first vehicle, my Dad said what are you going to do when it gets cold? I said if the grounds dry I’ll ride, and I did. I’ve never been to the Antarctic but I’m guessing 15-20* at 70 mph is close to the feeling lol, I couldn’t hold a pencil for an hour once I got to school but boy did it work out good in the summer.

[@glenncaukill1320]

Great review as usual , I do like the 400 four . I sometimes talk to a chap who has just managed to buy one from a collector. It took him ages to persuade him to sell it . He said he had wanted a 400 four for 40 years . . I wouldn't mind one myself. Thanks for the review

[@michaelmam]

Hi Glenn , they are very charismatic bikes . Something special about them . Still ride like 70’s bikes of course but that is , for some , part of the attraction . 👍

[@vmax42dave]

Bought mine 2nd hand in Plymouth 380 Quid (1978), TTT was on the plate, same colour did loads of miles and luvved it - traded it for a CX500 also another fun bike 👍

[@michaelmam]

Ahh .. the CX500 .. another iconic bike . Dispatch riders work horse and surprisingly capable . If I could an original one to test , I would .. 👍

[@RetroSuperbikes]

Awesome video Michael 👍

[@michaelmam]

Thank you ! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@anthonyorafferty5632]

I always love the 400/4. I would like one now.

[@robertbalena4547]

I bought my yellow 400 new off the showroom floor. I drove it from Montreal to Vancouver four times putting 175000 kms on it. It was still running fine when I sold it, for the life of me I cannot remember why I sold it, would give anything to have it back. B

[@bryanpalmer9660]

One of the most beautiful bikes ever produced by Honda💎

[@michaelmam]

The original exhaust is a thing of beauty , for sure .. 👍

[@Smeeheeee]

Nice and informative thanks. I’m looking to buy my first classic bike and a 400 Four is probably a good option. Closest bike I owned to this genre/era would have been my 81 Suzuki GSX 400 twin which I have fond memories of. There are a couple of 400 Fours going near me for about 6000, an F1 and an F2. Tempted.

[@michaelmam]

Have fun finding one 👍

[@hiramabiff885]

My very first bike in 1976. It was wonderful.

[@ianpodmore9666]

I had a Z1B and lost my job so had to downsize to a 400/4. Obviously it was a massive step down in performance, but I grew to love that little thing.

[@Mcfc247]

Great watch 👍👍👍

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it . Thank you for taking the time to comment 👍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Good video!

[@martythompson6509]

One of these was my very first bike. I still remember near crapping my dacks the first time I opened it up 😂

[@michaelmam]

😂

[@stevecam724]

My poor 400 was getting flogged by 2 strokes a couple of years after I got it 😢😢 Loved the bike, it was a ton of fun 💙💙

[@michaelmam]

😂 There were so many of them as well . RD 400 mostly ..

[@markdunbar8219]

Great review of o lovely 70s bike first bike I had was a cd175 went camping all over the Uk on it and even some rounderbouts 😁 then in 1978 I brought a Honda cb4004 in blue my god I loved that bike your blog brought back fond memories 😁👍🏻 I have had loads of bike since recently 2 blackbirds a zzr1400 now a zh2 supercharged Kawasaki that feels about the same as my old 4004 😁 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it Mark . Thank you for taking the time to comment 👍

[@jseden]

One of my favorite old Hondas! Would love to own this or a 350-4 some day. My current daily ride is an 84 vt500ft and I love the thing. Spent a few years looking for a well kept, but good rider specimen. It runs great after getting a handful of little things situated.. valves, carbs, new pre rock made a huge difference and gave me reserve back.. very important with that tiny tank.. I was filling up every 50 or 60 miles out of paranoia for a few weeks lol, and so on. Planning on pulling the engine this winter to fix a little oil leak or two. After that, it’s just some cosmetic stuff.. probably gonna repaint the plastics. Love me some vintage Honda though!

[@michaelmam]

I always liked the VT’s predecessor - the single, but neither flew out of the showrooms for various reasons. Glad you are enjoying yours and thank you for taking the time to comment 👍

[@davefish8107]

That’s a beautiful bike , I had 4 of them over the years , it was a bit small for me(6’3”) but great fun Just had to keep your ears open for the rattle from the engine. I mostly had big bikes, 1000cc plus, but had one of them for a quick ride in the sun

[@robertwoodfine3234]

had mine new out of the box rod it for 10 years great bike .Rob south africa 🇿🇦

[@michaelmam]

Were they popular in South Africa Robert ?

[@robertwoodfine3234]

@@michaelmam I had mine in the UK before I came to SA should have brought it out with me

[@michaelmam]

@@robertwoodfine3234 Thanks Rob . 👍

[@walterward8164]

I purchased mine in 1976. In America they were dated when at landing. The population of enthusiast's were probably mostly long touring do to scale of roads and distances here. I had the darker red (my term FIRE ENGINE RED) and the dealer mounted 1/4 billet fairing. matching color. Handel bar was awkward to say the least, so I asked about clip-ons and was advised no option available because they were all made for your Euro scales. A mech suggested using a DREGGER style bar inverted [ V-V]. That worked better than clips for angel and width. I cannot speak for speedo. accuracy. Yet on one Glorias morning in late summer while out in the foothills of the Cascade mountains on a slight inclined newly paved blacktopped county two lane road. I pegged HER out at 128 mph. At which point the front wheel felt lite at the crest. AS God is my only Witness. I do so swear. The only other thrill was when I launched from a start and both feet came off the Peggs, the next thing I knew, I was laying Pron- out on the seat for a Quarter mile. At 23 it was the biggest kick in the but ride ever. Carving the Country back roads will always be the proper place for this six speed torquer. Last photo I have is my wife and riding mate sitting on it with her little bubbly belly. 1986. Sold it for $600USD 🥲

[@michaelmam]

Great to hear from you Walter and thank you for sharing your experiences . Sounds like you had plenty of fun 👍

[@cameronhowe4066]

i had a 350/4 that did 115 miles per hour , which was exactly same top speed the torana i had did as well .

[@m0ogy]

Your best video yet Michael.....but as you know, I do like classic Hondas

[@michaelmam]

Thanks David . I still have to get something done on the SP2 . I know you prefer 90’s but close ..👍

[@GSSurry]

I had the blue one 1978 in Australia

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I used to want one of these in the 70s, although I never rode one. Fast-forward to 1992, and I am living in Tokyo. My Africa Twin is being serviced and Honda give me a service bike, a CB-1, a 400cc inline four. I hated it. Buzzy. I'm a big twin man.

[@michaelmam]

It was a bike that I aspired to as well . The poster bike of the middleweights. Like many others the bike I actually bought when I came to it was .. The RD 400. Enjoy my big twins as well . I have an 865 Big Bore Interceptor as well as a 1200 GS and Ducati...👍 Thanks for commenting!

[@davidshattock9522]

Fantastic little bike.the fact that so many exist still is proof it was well screwed together as to USA look up Norton high rider as to US tastes or rather lack of !.

[@michaelmam]

Ahh . Norton’s answer to the Raleigh chopper .. 😂 Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment .

[@uTube486]

My '74 400's exhaust pipes were rusted out, and I found company here in USA that makes stainless pipes which I bought and they went on no problem. And they are QUIET !

[@michaelmam]

If you put the details on here , someone might find it helpful ?

[@billwhite8479]

I loved mine...had a 78 F2 in 1982...

[@ggtelevision]

Owned a red '75 400f after trading in my CB 350 in NYC. I really wanted the RD400 but those were hard to get. Eventually modified the hell out of it and went racing. Engine had a 492 Yoshima kit and oval throated carbs bored out to round. Sadly, over the years in attempts to build it back a couple of shops completely destroyed or pilfered parts. Eventually sold all the parts and a freshly built 500cc kitted motor with the last Carillo rods made for it. As stock I could do 104, waving my buddy goodbye at 100 on his RD350. As stock the RD's would drag the footpeg hard mounts that wrapped under their pipes. The 400F had better cornering clearance in that regard. While the RD350 had better acceleration, the 400f had the better top end. The RD400 was indeed faster. The KH400 Kaw was no draw. It was like the old CB350 twin and a yawner styling wise. The step up from the 400F was the '82 GPz550. The box stock champ at the time.

[@lancerbiker5263]

Great review. We called the yellow Super Sport the "the ironing board', due to its' flat-ish profile. I have a 1983 CBX 400 four Custom. Is shaft drive and red lines at 11,000 ! I believe it was imported from Japan and may be the only one in Canada. I have been unable to find much info on it...

[@michaelmam]

Just looked it up . Not a model that we had in the UK for sure . We had the VF 400 and from the CBX range , the CBX550 . I had both . VF had a 16inch front wheel and shrouded disks . I could cook the brakes in 4 roundabouts on my way back from work 😂 Another innovation that gently slipped away .. Hope you find something on your 400 . Sounds interesting and unusual to have a shaft on such a small capacity bike ? Certainly over here ..

[@peterturnbull9133]

My brother bought one from new, and I eventually got a ride on it, having a 250 superdream at the time.. I liked the compact size and the smooth engine but not the looks. I later learnt from my brother that he actually never liked the bike and was pleased to replace it with a CB750F2. He is over 6’ so this may have been a reason he didn’t like it.

[@michaelmam]

Thanks Peter . A small bike for a 6’ rider .. 👍

[@mariog4707]

Good review - it was a real shame Honda killed it off so prematurely as it was a sensation over here in the UK. I remember it getting a 10/10 score in bike reviews of the day. In the US however it was always outsold by the 550F version which conversely was a relative flop over here. The 400 twin that replaced it was an embarrassment and remains unloved to this day.

[@michaelmam]

Watched a few bikes go through the Bonhams auction at the Stafford show on Sunday . A 1978 CB400A Hondamatic - american market obviously - they were saleproof in the UK- went for £1782. A late CB400F went for £5175.. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment👍👍

[@derekp2674]

I had a well used 400F in about 1984 but had previously owned a well used CB400T. Technically, I think my CB400T was far superior to my CB400F but I can see why the four cylinder bike was special at the time and is still much loved today. At one stage I also owned a Yamaha XJ55O which was about the same size and weight as the CB400F but had far better performance.

[@a.r.t.4611]

I owned an F2 model in dark mtalic red. Not outstanding in any particular area, but very capable at everything I wanted it to do. Regrettably, I changed it fora CX500; another very capable bike. Wish could have afforded to keep the 400/4.

[@edwardfinn4141]

I still have the same 400/4 like this that my brother and I purchased brand new. Still has the original red paint, never dropped New exhaust. You are right it was never a very popular bike. Our Uncle had a HondA dealership, and gave us a special deal on this bike because he could not sell it to any ordinary customers.

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for commenting Edward. A few people struggle to believe it didn't sell well . They were a bit of a cult bike in Europe .

[@edwardfinn4141]

@@michaelmam Agreed, my wife’s cousin is from France, he saw our 400/4 when he visited us here in Newfoundland, and was amazed that we had such a bike ‘ out in the barn’ . I didn’t realize until then , that the bike was so highly regarded in Europe. At 5’8” and 160 lb it was the right bike for him!

[@jonyoung6253]

This American loved it and rode one for 16 years. It was made for 3 years.

[@michaelmam]

Glad to hear you loved it . It was popular in the UK. I believe the first bike was made in 75 and the last in 78 .

[@jonyoung6253]

In the US, available from 75 to 77.

[@chloejda]

Had a yellow F2 which I bought in 1979 and loved it. Did over 40000 miles in it before selling when starting a family. Had a 1977 RD 250 before the 400f, both great bikes but the Honda was definitely faster and handled much better. The main issue I had with handling was the exhaust grounding and caused wear and a hole where the four pipes joined the silencer, a friend had to weld a plate on it. Yes I was a nutter in them days. Saw an indicated 115 two up on it once, all be it with a tail wind and would often see indicated 105 upright. Only problems I ever had were in the wet when it would start running as a tripple on occasions. Wish I’d kept hold of it, loved the bike.

[@donmathias1705]

I bought one new in 1977..Put on a bikini wind breaker, changed tear shocks and because lived in very rainy area made my own cast iron disc, machined it, changed pads and was a cracker. It would run out to 115mph. Be run I did was 84 miles in 62minutes at 27mpg! Was capable of eating winding roads and the wet never bothered me. Fondly recalled.

[@artfantasies]

The first one I ever saw was in brown with golden lines on it like the 350 Four had. So I wonder because I never saw that coloring again on a CB 400 Four but only that cheap to produce one coloring. Anyway, a problem from Honda were the brake disc with the brake pistons as O-rings (gaskets) often left oil to the disc so they didn't function immediately. However, the exhaust manifolds are just beautiful and a masterpiece in design :)

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for commenting . I wasn’t aware that they made them in brown . Not in the UK but the world is a big place . Agree with you . The exhaust is a masterpiece .

[@michaelmam]

Interestingly the bike , owned by a friend, sold in two days. Still popular today . I hope the new owner has fun👍👍

[@RichGilbert86]

My father is collecting this bike on Sunday, as soon as he saw it he had to buy it!!. He's looking forward to owning it.

[@michaelmam]

@@RichGilbert86 I hope he has fun 👍

[@RichGilbert86]

@@michaelmam Thanks. I'm sure he will. Looks a great bike. Nice video too buddy!

[@duanejasper4080]

I owned the 400/4 back in 1976. A wonderful bike to own. I only paid $600 new for this bike, then foolishly sold it 4 years later for $450. I wish I could reverse my foolish decision to sell it. In the USA it is still popular. I think some of the lack of the 400/4 popularity is based upon Honda's 500/4 and the 750/4 being offered at the same time. Overall I can't say enough nice things about the 400/4.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I was riding back in 1969 so when this bike came out while it was quite lovely but it was expensive and was absolutely slow compared to it's Japanese competitors. The Honda 550 was a better competitor to Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuk and not that much more expensive. As a youngster then nobody wanted an expensive and slow bike no matter how stylish.

[@michaelmam]

Had a cult following in the uk and Europe and a lot of riders went for Yoshi add ons . States definitely didn’t get it , which is why it stopped production .. A bit before my bike riding/buying time and my first bigger bike, was an RD 400F . The last before the LC ..

[@WillyEckaslike]

the worst thing about these bikes was the camchain adjuster bolt is above the air filter at the front of the bike and seizes up after a few years and then the owner puts to much pressure to loosen it and it snaps off flush with the casing..u then have a nightmare to remove it

[@stormytempest6521]

Willy yes can happen , mind blowing style back in 75! loved it....Still DO.

[@duckysan]

I believe there were two reasons the 400F sold badly here in North America: 1. Too physically small for larger riders 2. Engine performance uninspiring given its pretensions. 37hp really didn't do it in the era of RD400's and the like. IMHO, a work of visual art that failed to live up to expectations. I think Honda realized after this that sub-500cc 4-cylinder machines could not compete. Bear in mind the CB400N that followed produced 43hp from a twin. Thanks for the excellent reviews.

[@michaelmam]

I think you are right Chris ..

[@bobbyboggs827]

At 16 I owned one just like it. Fast

[@nikolaslarson6891]

The only truly original Café-Racer, as absolutely no whatsoever changes or funky upgrades are actually needed. Above all the "spaghettata" as the Italians call it (the " forkful of spaghetti" exhaust pipe), the quirky gas tank and the studded seat are sublime. Gorgeous as long as you leave it as it is. Personally, I cannot take my eyes of her...