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!