Wow, did that bring back memories! I've owned a 1976 CB750F, a 1979 CB750F, and I still own a 1965 CB77 Super Hawk. I miss the '76 750F the most, actually. I lament not purchasing a 1976 CB400F - I would still love to own one of those bikes! And then, the biggest prize, the "one that got away", a 1979 CBX, I never owned, either - but I would have and would now love to (the back story is that the salesman at the local Honda dealer told me "that's too much bike for you, little lady", otherwise I would have). I could go on and on about "old bikes"! Thank you for your videos! The nostalgia is wonderful!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Sara! You've owned some nice machines. I also reviewed my friends CB77 SuperHawk on this channel: ua-cam.com/video/bKpsfaWSafw/v-deo.htmlsi=QeO9j_oihIqwyRf_ Cheers!
Hi Jon. I like the special sound of these 2 valves/carb engines. I don't remember seeing one of these 900 honda custom with a camshaft in france. we had a chain trans 900 named "bol d'Or" after a famous 24 hours french race. Thanks again for your videos. Arnaud,
Bonjour. You're welcome, Arnaud. The CB900C was a US model and not imported to Europe. We had the Bol d'Or here as well but it was called the CB900F Super Sport, or just CB900F. Cheers!
This version of the CB400 was known here in the UK as the Honda CB400N Superdream. I watched the first one being unboxed in 1979/80 and I was blown away by it's space-like look compared to anything I'd seen before. That was the day that I knew Honda was winning the motorcycling world - such high quality!
That 550 is the bike I learned street and did my riding test on for my license. Same year, same color. I later also had A Hawk but it was the economy model. Drum brakes, spoke wheels and no electric starter. After that I had a couple of Seca 750s both of which were trouble. Should have stuck with Honda. Then VMax, Eliminator, then Goldwing. The Secas can only be credited with causing me to prefer shafts. Currently riding an 06 Goldwing.
Went from a Yamaha RD50 (not the RDM) 1978 build, to a Honda 750 Four K7 (1969 build, chassis number 00002), then a Honda 750 F2, then a Suzuki GT 380, then a Suzuki GT 750, then a Yamaha V-Max (1986 build with a 140PK kit), then a Honda GoldWing 2023 DCT Touring (no Airbag), to back on foot cuz I had to sell the GoldWing because I'm 63 and poor, which means I couldn't afford the insurance and gas. All of the above between 1978 and 2024. Cheerio.
Right on! I actually had three CB900Cs in the garage recently. they were fun bikes. I especially liked the 1982 CB900C with its better brakes and taller gearing. Cheers!
A nother excellent video as always. Fun fact is many years ago I had a 1975 Honda 550K and a 1980 Honda 750K. Also a friend had a CB900 custom. Even though I have owned a few Kawasaki and Yamaha I am a lifelong fan of Honda machines and at 61 years old have owned many of them since my teens. 😁
I've got a 1979 CB750 DOHC in the garage now. Doing a tune up for a friend. The thing sure is BUILT !!! Maybe a million mile bike if you looked after it. As usual, plugged up carbs, and de-zincification of the brass jets by damn ethanol are the reasons she stopped !!!
The 400N has a sophisticated 3 valve engine. The three valve head let's the engine breathe properly. Great design. It makes great torque, which is the first part of acceleration. It was super noticeable after riding the older two valve designs. I've ridden bikes with all these engines.
Good evening Jon,...missed ya this morning. I'm out of my Saturday morning routine, working wide open during holiday peak season. I enjoyed the Honda lineup. The 900 especially looks and sounds really nice. After you mentioned dual-range, it brought me way back to memories of climbing near cliffs with a knobby on the back of our 2 little Trail90s. (Butler county, early 70s) I'm still thinking about getting another bike next year and still not sure what I want. The Versys 1000 and Africa twin both appeal to me for different reasons. Eric in NC
Man, those are some beautiful bikes. I had a '81 Honda 400 Hawk. It was a good bike, but when pushed the rear brake arm would drag on the ground on a hard right which was unsettling. If you rode the bike like a normal person you would be OK. That was my only complaint about the bike. All very nice bikes.
I think this may be a case where bigger isn't necessarily better, I got the feeling the little Hawk was the most fun and happy to run- all very nice, you do a great job. Just curious how you know that you got the jetting right. Do you change them until it feels like it's running right (objective) or do you ever check emissions to see if it's lean or rich.? Or check how the plugs look?
That's a great question! Most bikes of this era (1978 and newer with stricter emissions) had lean factory jetting. I get the bikes running first and see how they run with the stock jets. If they exhibit symptoms of leanness (cold starting, surging, stumbling), I know the culprit. I then go up on my pilots/mids/mains and out on the air-fuel screws depending on the severity of the symptoms and where they occur in the rev range and throttle settings. Initially, the CB400T was very difficult to start and would surge and stumble at light throttle settings. Since the pilots were pressed in, I went two sizes up on the mids, and one size up on the mains and 3ish turns out on the air/fuel screws. The change was miraculous. In summary, I establish a baseline by checking the jetting first, and driving them for a while, then I rejet according to the symptoms. I hope that helps. Cheers!
@ Thanks for that. I know it can be a pain to remove the carbs in order to change the jets, best to get it right the first time, eh? I was surprised as to how happily the CB400 spun out to redline, never would have guessed by looking at it... btw, what's your favorite cold weather ride? Perhaps a vid on that subject would be in order right about now...Let's (cold) ride!
@soraksan321 That's a great idea. love riding the Honda ST1300 in the colder weather. Full wind protection, heated grips, and heated seats are awesome in the colder weather. I had it out earlier this week. Cheers!
@soraksan321 I agree. Taking the carbs out and putting them in again is a pain. However, it can't be avoided if the bike is a non-runner. I have to see how it runs in stock form to establish a baseline and to know where I need to change the jetting. Once the bikes are properly set up, the time spent is well worth it. Cheers!
@ Better to err on the side of being on the rich side, if you see black smoke or plugs you know you went too far, eh? Getting the carbs out the first time is the worst, the second time only takes 5 mins....take it easy and thanks again-
My first was a 1981 Honda CM400, and I rode that thing all over the North Carolina mountains. Thanks for taking me down memory lane.
@@SophisticatedBob Right on! You're welcome. Cheers!
Thanks Jon. Another excellent & fun video. That 400 is surprisingly cool.
Thanks, Roger! Cheers!
I know that when it's about motorcycles , most would say bigger is better but the CB400 just looks special and manageable .
Right on! It was a gem of a bike. Cheers!
Indeed. Of this bunch, it was my favorite.
Hola Jhon.me encantan tus motocicletas. Gracias por mostrarlas.saludos
Wow, did that bring back memories! I've owned a 1976 CB750F, a 1979 CB750F, and I still own a 1965 CB77 Super Hawk. I miss the '76 750F the most, actually. I lament not purchasing a 1976 CB400F - I would still love to own one of those bikes! And then, the biggest prize, the "one that got away", a 1979 CBX, I never owned, either - but I would have and would now love to (the back story is that the salesman at the local Honda dealer told me "that's too much bike for you, little lady", otherwise I would have). I could go on and on about "old bikes"! Thank you for your videos! The nostalgia is wonderful!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Sara! You've owned some nice machines. I also reviewed my friends CB77 SuperHawk on this channel: ua-cam.com/video/bKpsfaWSafw/v-deo.htmlsi=QeO9j_oihIqwyRf_
Cheers!
I've ridden a 400/4, and honestly, I think that the 400N is superior.
The 400/4 is old tech.
My brother collects CB 125, 175 and CL 175 cc bikes. Fun little around town bikes.
@@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez Right on!
Hi Jon. I like the special sound of these 2 valves/carb engines. I don't remember seeing one of these 900 honda custom with a camshaft in france. we had a chain trans 900 named "bol d'Or" after a famous 24 hours french race. Thanks again for your videos. Arnaud,
Bonjour. You're welcome, Arnaud. The CB900C was a US model and not imported to Europe. We had the Bol d'Or here as well but it was called the CB900F Super Sport, or just CB900F. Cheers!
I think you are referring to the CB900F Bol d Or, a race replica sold in Europe.
@@williamanderson4029 Yep.
This version of the CB400 was known here in the UK as the Honda CB400N Superdream. I watched the first one being unboxed in 1979/80 and I was blown away by it's space-like look compared to anything I'd seen before. That was the day that I knew Honda was winning the motorcycling world - such high quality!
@@Yamafizzy Right on! Honda has produced lots of great motorcycles. Cheers!
That 550 is the bike I learned street and did my riding test on for my license. Same year, same color. I later also had A Hawk but it was the economy model. Drum brakes, spoke wheels and no electric starter. After that I had a couple of Seca 750s both of which were trouble. Should have stuck with Honda. Then VMax, Eliminator, then Goldwing. The Secas can only be credited with causing me to prefer shafts.
Currently riding an 06 Goldwing.
@@Coldwarrior7781 Right on! You've owned some nice bikes over the years. Cheers!
Lovely bikes
Thanks Patrick!
Went from a Yamaha RD50 (not the RDM) 1978 build, to a Honda 750 Four K7 (1969 build, chassis number 00002), then a Honda 750 F2, then a Suzuki GT 380, then a Suzuki GT 750, then a Yamaha V-Max (1986 build with a 140PK kit), then a Honda GoldWing 2023 DCT Touring (no Airbag), to back on foot cuz I had to sell the GoldWing because I'm 63 and poor, which means I couldn't afford the insurance and gas. All of the above between 1978 and 2024. Cheerio.
@@JimmyRJump Very cool, Jimmy! You've had quite a few nice bikes over the years. Cheers!
The 900 was the one I always wanted!
@@Shagnasty-bo5bj Right on!
4 excellent Bikes
Thank you
I would love to to own a CB900C.
Right on! I actually had three CB900Cs in the garage recently. they were fun bikes. I especially liked the 1982 CB900C with its better brakes and taller gearing. Cheers!
Among all this bikes I think the CB400 T was the best, sound, run, very nice John. Happy holidays
Thanks! Happy Holidays!
CB 400T CB 400 N excellent bikes
Right on!
A nother excellent video as always. Fun fact is many years ago I had a 1975 Honda 550K and a 1980 Honda 750K. Also a friend had a CB900 custom. Even though I have owned a few Kawasaki and Yamaha I am a lifelong fan of Honda machines and at 61 years old have owned many of them since my teens. 😁
@@propdoctor21564 So cool! Thanks for sharing your Honda memories. Cheers!
I've got a 1979 CB750 DOHC in the garage now.
Doing a tune up for a friend.
The thing sure is BUILT !!! Maybe a million mile bike if you looked after it.
As usual, plugged up carbs, and de-zincification of the brass jets by damn ethanol are the reasons she stopped !!!
@@wdhewson Very cool 😎! They are great bikes. Clogged pilot jets and ports are the usual culprits. Good luck!
The 400N has a sophisticated 3 valve engine.
The three valve head let's the engine breathe properly.
Great design.
It makes great torque, which is the first part of acceleration.
It was super noticeable after riding the older two valve designs.
I've ridden bikes with all these engines.
Hard to pick a favorite. All cool
Good evening Jon,...missed ya this morning. I'm out of my Saturday morning routine, working wide open during holiday peak season.
I enjoyed the Honda lineup. The 900 especially looks and sounds really nice. After you mentioned dual-range, it brought me way back to memories of climbing near cliffs with a knobby on the back of our 2 little Trail90s. (Butler county, early 70s)
I'm still thinking about getting another bike next year and still not sure what I want. The Versys 1000 and Africa twin both appeal to me for different reasons.
Eric in NC
Man, those are some beautiful bikes. I had a '81 Honda 400 Hawk. It was a good bike, but when pushed the rear brake arm would drag on the ground on a hard right which was unsettling. If you rode the bike like a normal person you would be OK. That was my only complaint about the bike. All very nice bikes.
@EricKoch-p8f Thanks, Eric! The 400 Hawk is a fun bike. You must have been hauling to drag hard parts. Cheers!
The 400 is my favorite. I had one (in black) and wish I still had it.
I think this may be a case where bigger isn't necessarily better, I got the feeling the little Hawk was the most fun and happy to run- all very nice, you do a great job. Just curious how you know that you got the jetting right. Do you change them until it feels like it's running right (objective) or do you ever check emissions to see if it's lean or rich.? Or check how the plugs look?
That's a great question! Most bikes of this era (1978 and newer with stricter emissions) had lean factory jetting. I get the bikes running first and see how they run with the stock jets. If they exhibit symptoms of leanness (cold starting, surging, stumbling), I know the culprit. I then go up on my pilots/mids/mains and out on the air-fuel screws depending on the severity of the symptoms and where they occur in the rev range and throttle settings. Initially, the CB400T was very difficult to start and would surge and stumble at light throttle settings. Since the pilots were pressed in, I went two sizes up on the mids, and one size up on the mains and 3ish turns out on the air/fuel screws. The change was miraculous. In summary, I establish a baseline by checking the jetting first, and driving them for a while, then I rejet according to the symptoms. I hope that helps. Cheers!
@ Thanks for that. I know it can be a pain to remove the carbs in order to change the jets, best to get it right the first time, eh? I was surprised as to how happily the CB400 spun out to redline, never would have guessed by looking at it... btw, what's your favorite cold weather ride? Perhaps a vid on that subject would be in order right about now...Let's (cold) ride!
@soraksan321 That's a great idea. love riding the Honda ST1300 in the colder weather. Full wind protection, heated grips, and heated seats are awesome in the colder weather. I had it out earlier this week. Cheers!
@soraksan321 I agree. Taking the carbs out and putting them in again is a pain. However, it can't be avoided if the bike is a non-runner. I have to see how it runs in stock form to establish a baseline and to know where I need to change the jetting. Once the bikes are properly set up, the time spent is well worth it. Cheers!
@ Better to err on the side of being on the rich side, if you see black smoke or plugs you know you went too far, eh? Getting the carbs out the first time is the worst, the second time only takes 5 mins....take it easy and thanks again-
I have a Honda CB1000C 1983