HONDA CB400F (1976-1977) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1977, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the CB400F, a motorcycle designed as a middle-class, versatile machine that could have handled a wide category of tasks, from mundane commuting as well as weekend strolls across the country.

The CB400F was an upgraded version of the CB350 from the previous year and was limited just to mechanical changes because Honda was more focused on automobile models such as the Honda Civic.

Also, the CB400F was well received by the motoring press and reviewers, with its clean lines and Cafe Racer looks, however, in America, the bike didn't hit the sales that Honda anticipated. To gain the lost sales, the maker revised the model for the US market with higher-mounted handlebars and footpegs placed further forward, but even so, the CB400F struggled against the twin-cylinder Kawasaki model, which was 15-20 % cheaper than the CB400F.

For suspension, the CB400F packed a telescopic fork on the front and dual shock absorbers with preload adjustability on the rear, while the stopping power was handled by a 267 mm disc with a hydraulic caliper on the front wheel and a 160 mm drum unit on the rear wheel.

As for power, the 1977 Honda CB400F had its soul brought to life by a 408cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine with four Mikuni carburetors and delivered an output power of 37 hp with maximum strength at 8,500 rpm and 33 Nm (24 lb-ft) of torque available at 7,500 rpm.