1975 Honda CB400F SuperSport

We are pretty sure most have heard of the Honda CB400F SuperSport some may have owned one once or twice, some have never had the opportunity to see or hear one in person.   Many Honda fans reflect back on the various Honda “jewels” that have come from them over the years, this is considered Honda Japan’s first real sportbike, it heralded the rise of a powerful category.  We feel very fortunate we were contacted to help find a home for this family treasure.

Something like this extremely low mile, unrestored 1975 Honda CB400F SuperSport is a rare find nowadays. From what we can gather it has been titled to the same owner since 1979, last registered in 1984 and was eventually prepped for storage in 2004.  It looks like only 1900 or so miles were logged up the first 27 years.  When it made it’s way to SUB, first thing we gave the tank a quick peek inside and gave the outside a quick polish.  It was hard to not be a little excited, perfectly clean inside and no big dents or issues on the outside.

It arrived with a 70’s plastic windscreen, loosely mounted, some big ol’ crash bars seen on bikes back then, a large rear rack and adjustable backrest.  These are all available if desired.  It seems the 400-4 had taken a spill we weren’t aware of?  Thank goodness the damage was isolated to the “big ol’ crash bars” and the front brake lever and lid.

We had to ask. This is the story shared with us, this 400-4 was owned by our customer’s Dad.

“The reality is that my dad rarely rode it and, when he did, it drove my mom crazy with worry! HAHA He would ride it, on occasion, to a job bid or perhaps to a Boy Scout meeting.  The only story I have is about ME!  I had gone off to college in 1978 and lived out of state.  I decided to come home after the first year to work so I would have more money.  It was at that time that I found out about the red 400 in the garage.  I was the only one that my dad let ride it. I was so excited and, honestly, the only one of the three of us that would be so “brave” or adventurous.  I never got to ride it to work or anything, but I would take it out on joy rides and swing by friends’ houses to “show off”.  My favorite place to ride it was down by Richmond Beach and the Edmonds Ferry Dock.  I believe I am the one that caused the scraping on the right side of the chrome,, and possible any other damage on that side.  I was riding in Richmond Beach and a dog came out of nowhere and started chasing me.  I was pretty new at riding and panicked a bit. It was in a residential area and I was going pretty slow and I just lost control. It fell over, despite doing my best to avoid it. Luckily the dog left, but there it was.  I was like any other “kid” and worried about what my dad would say.  I never told him. He never said anything.  That is until about 10  years later.  My husband and I were visiting with two of our boys and my dad showed the boys the bike.  He then proceeded to tell them his version of the story of the damage.  He looked at me, smiled, and winked.  He had known all along.  My dad was truly an amazing, kind-hearted man that had the patience of Job.  The best man I have ever met.”   This was the only bike my dad owned.  He always told me that he was hanging onto it because “it is a classic and will be worth something someday”.  He passed away in October of 2020 at the age of 83.

It was taken down to the local Honda shop in 2004 to be prepared for long term storage.  All the fuels from the tank and carburetors were drained out, battery removed, and a fresh set of period correct Cheng Chin tires were installed.  It was then placed in the family garage for safe keeping.  Sadly they lived close enough to the Puget Sound, moist air attacked some of the black painted parts that support the handlebars, fork legs also show signs of slight discoloration.  It had a large plexiglass windshield which was rubbing on the tachometer housing.  Those sort of restorations are not expensive but they do take time. The decision was made to do the basics, go through the carbs, clean the 400-4 up, make sure it is running properly and safe to ride and stop there.  We did source some parts like stock grips and levers, we also identified the sublet vendors we would have used if the decision was made to bring it back to its full original glory.  We would love to do that final work with a new buyer, the current owner would just like to see it go to a good home at this point..

We have performed the following tasks.  We started with attaching a fuel bottle, a jumper battery and tried to bring the bike back to life for a few moments, then measured the health of the motor. 185-190lbs of compression across the cylinders, yay.  We then moved on to remove the touring and continue preparing this classic for its new journey.  We started with a full refresh of all fluids, OEM air and oil filters, along with front fork and brake system refresh. Then carbs were removed, bodies were in great shape, and jets needed a quick cleaning.  This 400-4 runs so smoothly and takes throttle like a new machine.  Only cosmetic items replaced included new reproduction mirrors and turn signals. OEM levers, grips, master cylinder cap and rebuild parts were used. Then with some elbow grease we managed to get a layer of dust off the 400-4, it really cleaned up nice but there is more to do if you want concurs level.  We are missing the rear grab handle, there is an ultra small dent on the top of the tank, some chips on side but minor. The tank is as clean inside as you will ever find, this is not a restored 400-4, original paint on all bodywork and frame, no gas stains on engine, other than the rack and windshield we pulled off the only non stock item we choose not to replace are the taller 1977 handlebars

We have the original tool kit and the under seat tool tray are all still in place. The original clean WA title has been obtained along with the owners manual and 2 Honda keys.

This might be the one that got away, it’s going to be hard to find a nicer original, one owner 400-4

PRESS

The Honda CB400F is a motorcycle produced by Honda from 1975 to 1977. It first appeared at the 1974 Cologne motorcycle show, Intermot, and was dropped from the Honda range in 1978.[3][4] It had an air-cooled, transverse-mounted 408 cc (24.9 cu in) inline four-cylinder engine with two valves per cylinder operated by a single chain-driven overhead camshaft. Fueling was provided by four 20 mm Keihin carburetors. The CB400F is commonly known as the Honda 400 Four.   The CB400F was well received by the motoring press and reviewers. They praised its renewed focus over the previous 350F model, preferring its clean lines and sporty café racer looks.   That’s not to take away from the CB550F and CB750F Super Sports, which debuted that same year and made Honda a somewhat surprising player in the then-new proddy café racer/sportbike category. They, too, had some of the 400F’s sport-biased engineering and aesthetics. But it was the sleek, purposeful, lithe, and downright sexy 400 Four that best exemplified Japan’s move toward Euro-inspired sporting machines, bikes like Ducati’s 750SS and BMW’s R90S.    Around 105,000 CB400F units were sold.  A 4-into-one exhaust. And a beautiful thing it was, too, the four chrome pipes exiting the jewel-like cylinder bank and swooping dramatically to the right, finally gathering at a lovely, angled collector just below the right peg. Aft came a beautifully tapered megaphone, which looked just right. If any one component defined the 400 Four, it was that exhaust.

“Put bluntly,” Cycle wrote, “[the CB400F is] really fun. In this case, Honda’s lustrous detailing does not brighten up a pale, lifeless motorcycle. The CB400F is a marvel: it handles remarkably well, has sufficient cornering clearance, stops with authority, snaps through corners precisely—and motors along smartly. The bike feels all of a piece, as if a hundred separate design systems fell into perfect synchronization. The CB400F has character.”

Deposits

To secure the purchase of a motorcycle, we request a refundable $500 deposit, which will be applied towards the overall purchase price. When you make a deposit, we will hold the motorcycle for you for up to 5 days, to give you time to visit SUB and complete the transaction. In the event multiple people are interested in the same motorcycle, the order of priority goes to the date/time stamp your deposit is made. And if you do not purchase the motorcycle, your deposit is fully refundable.

Financing

For our European and American made motorcycles, Seattle Used Bikes works with FreedomRoad Financial – a national powersports lending company who are motorcycle enthusiasts and understand the rider lifestyle.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted.

Fine Print

Prices for motorcycles do not include sales tax, any applicable finance or licensing fees, and up to a $200 documentation charge may be added – to cover our costs for processing the paperwork involved in the purchase of your motorcycle. All prices, specifications, and availability subject to change without notice. Please contact us for the most current information.