Chasing the motorcycle holy grail

[Rot 911]

Now there are any number of motorcycles I dream of owning, but most, like the Vincent, are way out of my price range. One that has always been on my radar has been the 1975-1977 Honda CB400F Supersport. This was Japan's first attempt at a "Cafe" type motorcycle and it met with underwhelming response from the public. They didn't like the low handle bars, rear set foot pegs and shorter seat. Which is why it only lasted 3 years. On the other hand, the cycle magazines loved the bike and so did I. I remember the first time I saw one. Just a beautifully executed bike. That four into one exhaust was beyond perfection. And the sound? Unbelievable. Until now Japanese bikes always ran the exhaust into multiple mufflers on street bikes. This was the first true 4 into 1 exhaust. With a redline of 10,000 rpm's it sounded just like a racing bike!

For the last 30 years I have always kept that bike on my short list. Have even gone to look at a few. Most of them were "modified" back in the '70's and '80's which generally meant the exhaust was changed and a Windjammer fairing, bigger seat and sissy bar were added to make it like other touring bikes of the day. Not easy finding a stock one. At any one time you will see 3-4 of them for sale in the entire U.S. I chased a couple of them down, but never pulled the trigger, until . . .

I see this one for sale on the Adventure Rider's board. Here is the ad and the picture:

"Up for sale or non motorcycle trades. 1976 CB400f. 12k miles.All original,no restoration. I am am 2nd owner and have put on less than 1 mile on it before turning it into house art. NEEDS BATTERY to function. Spark plugs currently out with storage oil in cylinders and cranked over weekly. Gas tank and carbs drained. Tank fogged with storage oil. New tires. Orig owners manual and tools. Comes with orig mirrors and spare filters.Exceptionally clean."





Well I contact the guy and we chat. We negotiate, we dicker. He wants a premium price, but then again this looks to be a premium bike. Then he mentions that he collects guns. Well imagine that, I collect guns too. We dicker some more and a deal is made.

Saturday I head 350 miles down to Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

The bike was every bit as beautiful in person as it was in the pictures. Dennis had the bike ready in the garage. I brought a battery, he had the gas. We install the battery, pour in the gas and . . . nothing! No dash lights, headlight, nothing. The two of us electrical geniuses spend 10 minutes tracking down fuses, wires you name it. All to no avail. Then it dawns on us. Bike on center stand and kick stand is up. What happens if we put kick stand down?

Fire it up and it runs! After it warmed up I gave it a nice run up and down the street, loaded it in the trailer, and off to home. Dennis did a fine job of taking care of this bike. Couple of pics:

Loaded up and ready for home:



And 350 miles later, in my driveway:



I can assure you it will not be house art!

[ErVikingo]

If you need parts (or another must have bikes) a dear friend has a stash of NOS Honda stuff AND BIKES. Some of his bikes were part of the Art of the Motorcycle exhibit.

[Tim Hancock]

Wow.... that thing looks new!

[herr_oberst]

That will be a fun little bike. It'll probably get better care than a lot of the Vincents that you lust after, too!

[Eric 951]

Very nice.

[LakeCleElum]

Kurt - Welcome back here. I saw you eyeing that thing on the ADVrider Forum when I PM'd you....Will have to dig up a picture of the one I sold for $800 about 4 yrs ago. Mine was rough, but all there....Enjoy, they are a fun bike.

[nynor]

my friend has one of those. what a cool ride. congrats!

[flipper35]

4 into 1 and 10k redline! This thread is worthless without AUDIO!

[nynor]

i've worked on a 350CC version of that bike. the original exhaust system is beautiful. and the bike doesn't run quite right with a different one, IME. i am sure there is something out there that works well, but the original exhaust is pretty damn good.

it does sound really nice, as well.

[turbo6bar]

Wow, what a beautiful bike.

After a few thousand miles on my DRZ suzuki dual sport, I'm getting the itch to try something new. I'll probably sell the DRZ this summer and buy another bike in fall or winter. One bike on my list is the SV650, a bike you recommended to me last year.

How does this Honda ride compared to new bikes? Is it more about aesthetics, sound, and nostalgia, or is it a decent performer?
jurgen

[Joe Bob]

The early inline 4 Hondas were great rides....congrats.

[Tobra]

Had a buddy who had one of those. Great little bike, screamer, groovy 4 into one pipes.

[asphaltgambler]

Extremely nice example - prolly one of the best I've seen. Def would love to have that one in my garage as well.

[Hard-Deck]

Excellent! That is an iconic motorcycle. I have seven motorcycles, love them all, and that Super Sport is one that I do not have, but would love to have. Keep it stock or modify only in a way that it can be taken back to stock please.

[MotoSook]

Wow! Very nice Kurt. I want one too!

[herr_oberst]

Now you need to find an RD350 in the same immaculate shape!

[Jim Richards]

Great find, Kurt!

[Seahawk]

I have never been a street motorcycle guy. I love to ride off road.

That said, your bike could make anyone think twice. That thing is really the business. House art (a term I like) into road art.

Enjoy.

[Moses]

I hate you. Just sayin".

BEAUTIFUL bike.

[BReif61]

Clean enough to keep inside? With no drip pans beneath it?

I've seen enough... wrap it up!

Nice find.