revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Horse wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:33 pm

Noggin wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:28 pm

Horse wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:01 pm CB400 Honda? The famous '400 Four'.

Someone eloquently described as 'a sewing machine engine with bunch of bananas exhaust, topped by an ironing board for a seat'.

Thta does describe what it looked like!! But when I google it, no. It was much smaller, very 'square'/boxy. I'll see him tomorrow and ask again!!

Diddy little things.

It was indeed this - Honda CB400n. No idea what I was googling!! But then google has never been my friend, sometimes I think google hates me!! LOL

This morning I had the plan to get up really early and go pretend to be the easter bunny! But the really failed. I did get up fairly early (for a Sunday that I'm not working!) and took Hot Cross Buns and choc eggs and a handful of english mini chocs to 3 households. Sneakily!! Just left the bag of goodies by the door for each place. So far, two have messaged and said the HCB are awesome Strange to some, but doing silly things like that for friends makes me happy!

Then I went to buy some bread and chatted with the owner of the bakery as he'd seen me driving a little car but I said it was rented and weird as it's got a smaller engine than most of my previous motorbikes!! (All in French )

And I did what was planned to be a quick stop at a friend's cafe for a takeaway hot choc to have with my pain au choc for breakfast. But got chatting to him and another customer, then that customer left and another arrived! I have done lots of French chatting this morning. So came home and put on Amazon Prime through the AppleTV because it's in French (can't seem to change the language!) - but it's all so quick I just don't understand!! LOL

At least thelocals are starting to get that I am trying to learn and now speak slow enough for me to (mostly) understand!! LOL

Noggin wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:00 am

Horse wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:33 pm

Noggin wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:28 pm

Thta does describe what it looked like!! But when I google it, no. It was much smaller, very 'square'/boxy. I'll see him tomorrow and ask again!!

Diddy little things.

It was indeed this - Honda CB400n. No idea what I was googling!! But then google has never been my friend, sometimes I think google hates me!! LOL

It indeed wasn't that pic above if it is a 400N

This is a 400N-a Superdream

Ah, of course, the 'eurostyle' evolution of the blobby styled original 'Super (wet one)'.

Tricky wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:21 am
It indeed wasn't that pic above if it is a 400N

This is a 400N-a Superdream

I really should learn to make friends with Google!! Thibault's is red, but yes, less pipes and different engine setup!! LOL

Looks pretty cool TBH - even though back when it was new I suppose it was less cool?? I know I looked at a superdream but it was in the late 90's and everyone dismissed them quite vocally!! LOL

Hopefully in the summer I'll get to see both of the bikes. I'm hoping to take the old Ducati down for a visit (if I can make it work!) so that'll be nice

The 250Ns were horrid really, heavy and underpowered for what they were, but the 400N was a decent bike, of which I have many fond memories

Compared to similar bikes, the Yamaha XS250 for example, they weren't that bad. At last Honda didn't make a factory custom version of the CB250N.

Comparing them to the faster 250s of the time, all 2T engined, is a pretty pointless comparison.

Were there any 250cc 4T bikes at the time that weren't reduced capacity versions of the 400cc bike? I've understood it to be a quirk of licensing laws, Japan had 400cc limits, UK had 250cc and Italy had 350cc. I'm sure there's others.

Tricky wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:52 am The 250Ns were horrid really, heavy and underpowered for what they were, but the 400N was a decent bike, of which I have many fond memories

Yep,I had a CB400N Superdream, it was a really good bike. Took it to the TT in 1981.
I also had a 400/4. It wasn't as quick and the brakes weren't as good but the little IL4 was really characterful and a joy to ride. Another of those "should never have sold it" bikes..

Ended up buying this....

Suits you sir, mmm.

You gave in then?
Best get the welder warmed up.

Potter wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:55 pm

gremlin wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:14 pm IMG-20210403-WA0005.jpg

Ended up buying this....

Awesome.
You only get one chance to buy your daughter her first car and I reckon she'll be vey happy

(at least until it breaks down)

Buy ? Knowing him, it will be a loaner

Had a cup of tea and watched these two chaps wandering around the garden -

cheb wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:04 am Compared to similar bikes, the Yamaha XS250 for example, they weren't that bad. At last Honda didn't make a factory custom version of the CB250N.

Comparing them to the faster 250s of the time, all 2T engined, is a pretty pointless comparison.

Were there any 250cc 4T bikes at the time that weren't reduced capacity versions of the 400cc bike? I've understood it to be a quirk of licensing laws, Japan had 400cc limits, UK had 250cc and Italy had 350cc. I'm sure there's others.

Agreed- I was thinking of the CB250RS in comparison though, which was a much more enjoyable bike IMO- I was working at a Honda dealer at the time they were current models so got to ride anf service/ fix loads of them

Did 3 hours painting in the basement. Then half hour in shower scrubbing paint off my legs and arms

gremlin wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:14 pm IMG-20210403-WA0005.jpg

Ended up buying this....

Iconic I reckon. Lovely looking car, not for me but looks great.
Mick

Lovely MOT history too...

You spoil that child, you should have bought her a 30 year Nissan Micra.

Mussels wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:49 pm You gave in then?
Best get the welder warmed up.

Seems solid. Current owner a bit of a obsessive Figaro fan.

Feeling very manly, did man stuff with man tools in the man cave. Then I hoovered up.