1990 Honda CB

JH2NC2708LM100723

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1990 Honda CB400F CB-1 in excellent condition. 22,3xx miles. This is not your average CB-1. Legend has it that famed 400cc tuner, Kaz Yoshima, put his hands upon this motorcycle and did some magical things to it:   Gas-flowed cylinder head with multi-angle valve job   Knife-edged crankshaft for increased horsepower, reduced weight and reduced crankcase windage   Undercut transmission for more precise action   Factory Pro Shift Kit – no question about what gear you’re in   Factory Po ignition advancer - +4 Degrees   Barnett clutch springs with stock friction & drive plates   One-off OMT/Sudco full-exhaust system with gas analyzer bung for ultimate tuning potential The end result is a 400cc sportsbike that feels a lot more like 600 from the same period – think CBR600F Hurricane, but a lot lighter than the ‘Cane. But wait, there’s more! Probably the trickest thing about this bike is the three-way adjustable Fox Twin-Clicker rear shock. Fox never officially made a shock for this bike. Someone clearly loved this bike, and put an immense amount of time and effort into executing this singular detail. The left side cover was carefully and specifically machined to accept the remote reservoir: I don’t know what spring is on there, but I weigh 185 lbs, and it feels absolutely spot-on. The fork valving is my own labor of love. I spent considerable time getting the Race Tech Gold Valve Emulators dialed in just so, with the proper oil weight and level, and the right baseline preload spacers. The springs are .85 kg/mm, and I fitted CBR F2 fork caps for ultimate adjustability. Now, the pictures shown here are from when I brought the bike home from Alabama two years ago. The really good news is that most of the crap on the bike in the pictures is gone. The awful footpegs, the cheap clip-on handlebars: The chrome mirrors, and the too-small, uber-cheap turn signals. All of those items have been replaced, in favor of the stock pieces – except for the mirrors. I cheated on those and got the Parts Unlimited copies for $16. The originals are NLA, and if you could get them, they were $60/each or some nonsense. I’ve also removed all the tacky VP Fuels and Joe Rocket stickers. Stickers are applied when there’s something to hide. This is no exception. On the tail section, it looks like someone put saddle bags on the bike, and used steel wool as a buffer. The plastic of the tail section isn’t broken in any way, but it could use a re-spray from being scuffed. When I got the bike I performed some additional maintenance, including:   Carburetor disassembly, cleaning and sync   Steering head bearings replaced with tapered bearings, which were repacked and properly tensioned   New chain and sprockets (~1500 miles on them)   All fluids changed; coolant is currently distilled water   Valve clearances checked - all in spec   Spark plugs replaced   Fuel filter replaced In the last 500 miles, I replaced the tires with Avon’s most-excellent VP2 Sport radials in 110/70 and 150/60 sections. They’re essentially new, and as of this past Friday, they have 35 track miles on them. If you look closely enough, you will find blemishes and dings - certainly consistent with a much newer motorcycle – let alone one that’s nearly old enough to consume alcohol. It's not perfect by any stretch, but it passes for pretty decent by most standards. Known issues:   There are two dents and a scrape on the fuel tank. The tank dent on the right side of the tank is fairly common for nearly every CB-1 I’ve seen (I’ve owned more than 10 CB-1s across the last 12 years). The dent and scrape on the top of the tank are the result of a mishap in my barn. A tree fell in the forest (figuratively), and no one heard it.   There is a scrape on the bottom leading edge of the right and left side engine case covers. You have to get down on the ground to see them, but full disclosure, and all that...   The aging exhaust can needs to be re-riveted, or replaced. It’s not going to fall off, but it wiggles. I hate when my can wiggles. Or something. Anyway, I’ll include a complete, but crappy Kerker full exhaust system with a known-good aluminum can that you can swap on there. When the motor work was done, a considerable amount of safety wire was applied to most bolts that had fluid behind them. This is a normal (and desirable) exercise when you’re going to take something racing. The thing is, I can’t find any proof that this bike was ever raced. Quite simply, there isn’t enough damage or butchery to indicate that anyone ever did anything more than go to some track days. This is a good thing. I mention it only because I know how nervous I get when I see safety wire. I typically think to myself: “Track Whore.” That’s not the case here. This is an absolutely fabulous motorcycle that does so many things so very well. I’m only looking to move it along in favor of something more sharply focused. I have a commuter and a sport-tourer, so I’m looking for a full-on super-sport. If this doesn’t sell, I’m probably better for it. I can shoot some more pictures if need be; the only thing that isn’t better today than in those pictures is the top of the fuel tank, and I shot a picture of that, just after I washed it this evening – hence the water spots. I believe that all things considered, a B-I-N of $2500 is fair. There was a time when this package may have commanded close to $4k. That time has passed. Shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer, but I’ll do what I can to help facilitate the bike’s safe transport. I’ll entertain meeting the buyer a *reasonable* distance in most any direction from Cleveland, OH. I have the bike listed locally, so I reserve the right to end the auction early. I’m not interested in any deals involving Nigerian princes who can’t get a break at their local check-n-go. Cash in person or Paypal only. Please call or text anytime with any questions prior to bidding; I will respond promptly: 440-606-6815 Thanks for looking.