Honda CB400n (Superdream) 400

recently bought a 250 superdream as i had one in my youth, still like the shape and the twin exhausts ,well got it home with a struggle as it had been stood a while ,new spark plugs , carbs cleaned , new air filter and oil and filter changed , it rides well is very forgiving on bends ,good on fuel ,and has the advantage of being able to do most jobs with a 10m spanner and a couple of screwdrivers , the only bad point is no kick start but saying that it starts first press of the button over all a great little bike wont break any speed records

I bought one of the later models (CB400NB?) for despatching. Black, gold wheels & twin discs on the front. I'd had a CB 400-4 before, & apart from the exhaust sound the twin beat it hollow. Faster, more torquey & less fussy, handled as well & braked better.

I remember a mate with a Kawa Z-650 being amazed at how the 400N kept up with him on A roads.

Unfortunately, the courier business is harsh on bikes, & it was written off after two major crashes. The first was just cosmetic damage, repaired cheaply with parts from a breaker. Another courier borrowed the bike, slid off it, the gear lever hit the kerb, knocking the gearbox from 5th into 1st & wrecking the motor.

Bought my superdream in 1980, used for commuting and scratching, awesome machine. light, reliable, predictable handling, solid performance for a 400 cc. never failed to bring a smile to my face.

wish I'd kept it.

In my view the Honda Superdream was the best two motorcycle ever build.

Reliable, solidly built, nicely proportioned, nice sound.

The only modern Honda bikes that comes any way near it in terms of good looks is the CB400 Superfour (early models 1992 ish) which they have stopped making, even the newer CB400 Superfour ( not available in Europe) has regressed to the horible wasps rear end tail cowl which looks horrible at the back.

These days 95 % of new motorcycles look cheap, horrible and spiley, even most of the new Hondas look dreadful, I wouldn't bother riding most of the new bikes on the market even if they were giving them away for free.

I was told the CB twins were boring and when I got a 250N, I agreed it could be considered just a ride to work tug.None the worst for that in terms of reliability handling etc its up there with the best. But I consider the 400 to be underated.It gets its boring reputation I believe from the fact that it delivers its 43 BHP through a remarkably flat torque curve leading to the impression that it has no kick in the pants!. but look at the facts it develops 43 bhp from 400cc(Its faster than the much coveted 400F) and is capable of around/over? 100mph , it revs effortlessly to 10,000 rpm with minimum vibration. It handles and stops (twin disc versions) adequately for its specification. Its DEAD reliable and the finish is pretty good too. The styling is a bit 60's go faster stripes etc but if your buying one now you'll be paying the kind of money that enables you to totally change it in any way you think fit. The equivalent performance 500cc British twin :- (Dommies ,Tiger 100's etc) cost a small fortune and will only match it in good condition and for how long? I would happily undertake a trip to the south of France and back on my CB400N cruising @ 75mph all day long would you fancy that on a tiger 100? Lets give credit where its due this bike was one of Honda's great successes.

absaloutly stunning machine so it got turned into a chop everyone stares at it its a real head turner it haqs a reliable engine too overall a classic

I have owned many Hondas and others 28 in all, For handling, avaible power for troublesome spots, and comfort the CB400N was the sweetest ride, Good on you Honda. Wish I could afford one now. I am an impeccable fan of Honda, Tried the rest, now try the best. Allez OOP. John [email protected]

The 400N was too clumsy in the way it drove, the twin discs would glaze and give the impression of inferior braking.

The C of G was high, making it unforgiving in corners, the front wheel felt as if it would slip and unseat the rider, not much chance of recovering, so it felt.

However!

Took mine to Brands Hatch & found it to be Chalk vs Cheese.

The brakes were fantastic once deglazed, the ponderous low-speed cornering became quite agile, TT100 tyres meant you could drift the bike under hard acceleration through the turns without high-siding.

The bike was still sluggish in mid-rpm, (like most Hondas) and it could have done with a going on a weight reduction diet. The CV carbs killed off the response of the engine to acceleration , but you could carry a lot of speed through the apexes in compensation. It was no match for the RD 250/350Lc, but a good safe practice bike for learning to race

Excellent machine! And becoming areal collector's item.

I bought my honda cb400, a "W" reg in 1982 and I'm still riding it! Just passed the 50,000 mile mark, it's got a slight oil leak and the cam chain rattles a bit but it still gets me from A to B.

Third party insurance is about £55 a year.