1977 Honda CB400F2
Follow with Vintage Bike Builder as we restore this rare 1977 Honda CB400F2
Rare - for a reason
In the late to mid 1970s, Honda hit a home run with their CB400F. This mid-sized, four cylinder motorcycle was exceptionally sporty, pleasing to the eye, relatively comfortable and a blast to ride around town. The 400F offered the performance of a larger motorcycle primarily because of it's magnificent, high revving engine. Yes, this engine was more complex than your average mid-range motorcycle of the mid-seventy's, but it was glassy smooth and could surprise riders on 750s with its off-the-line acceleration. The bike's lightweight didn't hurt either. Like most Honda motorcycles, it was rock-solid dependable and with its waterfall exhaust, the bike looked fast sitting at a light. It also sounded like a baby Ferrari or distantly, an F1 racer of the 1960s. For guys and gals who dreamed of tearing up the track at Watkins Glen, this bike seemed like the perfect starting point.
But, in 1977, Honda made a rare mistake. The took a winning design and ruined it. How, you ask? They took the sport out of sporty. They changed the aggressive riding style and made it more comfortable for cursing the highways. They thought this would be the perfect bike for the American market. The marketing dept got it wrong. They made the bike less attractive by putting an ugly cover over the gas cap. They took the clean look and added multi-colored stripes and offered it in, yawn, burgundy. The muffler was more baffled than the 400F and the bike was significantly quieter. It felt slower, more manageable for a beginning riders. American motorcycles who fell in love with the bike in 1976 and 77, yawned a collective, "No Thanks!"
So why restore an F2? Honda CB400Fs are currently one of the most collectable motorcycles on the planet, primarily because they're still a beautifully clean, sporty motorcycles. And in terms of antique, two-wheeled-wonders, they're reasonably affordable. Because of it's flaws, and because Honda couldn't give them away, this is by far the rarest of the 400Fs, Most have been delegated to the junk pile with the Honda Silverwings. And if you want a complete collection (like our customer), then you'll need a 400F2 (ugly and all) and probably, their predecessor, the CB350 four.
But, in 1977, Honda made a rare mistake. The took a winning design and ruined it. How, you ask? They took the sport out of sporty. They changed the aggressive riding style and made it more comfortable for cursing the highways. They thought this would be the perfect bike for the American market. The marketing dept got it wrong. They made the bike less attractive by putting an ugly cover over the gas cap. They took the clean look and added multi-colored stripes and offered it in, yawn, burgundy. The muffler was more baffled than the 400F and the bike was significantly quieter. It felt slower, more manageable for a beginning riders. American motorcycles who fell in love with the bike in 1976 and 77, yawned a collective, "No Thanks!"
So why restore an F2? Honda CB400Fs are currently one of the most collectable motorcycles on the planet, primarily because they're still a beautifully clean, sporty motorcycles. And in terms of antique, two-wheeled-wonders, they're reasonably affordable. Because of it's flaws, and because Honda couldn't give them away, this is by far the rarest of the 400Fs, Most have been delegated to the junk pile with the Honda Silverwings. And if you want a complete collection (like our customer), then you'll need a 400F2 (ugly and all) and probably, their predecessor, the CB350 four.
About this project
This motorcycle was purchased at an auction site. It is mostly original, and in pretty good shape for a nearly 50-year old bike, but as with most 400Fs that sit, it did not run well. Our customer wants his collection perfect. The must look perfect (or as close as reasonably possible) and must run like new. We've restored one bike for him and helped him get one that was restored running right. We're going to source as many NOS parts as possible. We'll also paint the bike to perfection. We'll make sure the chrome bits are perfect. And, we'll make it run like new. This bike will be completely disassembled, every nut and bolt will be plated or replaced. The paint was match exactly on every part of the bike. Nothing will be left undone. So over the next few months, have fun with us as we bring this F2 back to life!
Click this link to see photos of the restoration:
Click this link to see photos of the restoration:
