1997 Honda CB400 FOUR Specs, Photos, Review | A Naked Road Sports Bike with A Nostalgic Form Equipped with 4 Mufflers
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| Photo of Honda CB400 Four (NC36) model year 1997-2001. Body color: Red. Release date: 1997-04-21. |
1997 Honda CB400 FOUR NC36 is a retro 400cc class road sportsbike equipped with a water-cooled, in-line 4-cylinder engine that has smooth and powerful output characteristics, to enjoy a straightforward and relaxed driving taste from urban driving to winding roads in the suburbs. Naked road sports bike Honda CB400 FOUR, which combines a functional style with a powerful nostalgic form such as spoke wheels, was released on April 21, 1997.
CB400 FOUR History Overview
The CB400FOUR is a 400cc class road sports motorcycle that belongs to the CB series manufactured and sold by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. from 1997 to 2001. Model name NC36. It is a sister car that shares some components with the NC31 type CB400 Super Four that was manufactured and sold at the same time.], and was developed with the concept of a new naked sports aiming for styling that inherits the spirit of the company’s flagship model Dream CB750FOUR released in 1969.
The model named CB400FOUR appeared twice in 1974 and 1997. The former has appeared as a sports model that introduced a collection pipe that combines four exhaust pipes into one as a commercial vehicle. One thing to keep in mind is that the displacement of the model that appeared in 1974 was 408cc. You can’t ride with a so-called “chūmen”. After that, in 1976, a 398cc engine was adopted, and two types were set depending on the shape of the handle. The 70’s CB400FOUR was a super sports model at the time. After about 20 years, the CB400FOUR (model NC36) was a naked car with a nostalgic atmosphere, such as a four-pipe muffler, spoke wheels, and a rounded tank shape, contrary to the first generation. The fuel gauge is also displayed on the liquid crystal display in the meter.
1997 model Honda CB400FOUR
The name of CB400 Four has been revived as a nostalgic form naked equipped with four mufflers (NC36). The CB400 Super Four (NC31) has already appeared, and it is set as a model to enjoy the atmosphere rather than sports performance. The transmission adopts a 5-speed that allows you to ride comfortably. Although it is a water-cooled engine, the fins are designed like air cooling.
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| 1997 Honda CB400 Four (NC36) picture in new & standard condition. Color: Candy Ocean Green |
In the booming 400cc naked road sports market, this CB400 FOUR was developed with the keywords “NEW standard naked original 4! It is a model that has been developed so that it can be ridden with an ordinary motorcycle license, thoroughly pursuing what Honda’s road sports model should be in the era.
The engine is equipped with a water-cooled, 4-cycle, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder, 399cc engine. It realizes a powerful and exhilarating running taste even in the necessary high rotation range. Furthermore, the entire engine is slightly upright, with fine cooling fins on the side of the cylinder and a silver coating on the entire body to create a tasteful appearance.
Four separate megaphone-type chrome-plated mufflers on the left and right sides create a powerful exterior, while the rear is equipped with a simple, lightweight suspension and long wheels. Combined with the base (1,460 mm), it achieves both a comfortable ride and excellent driving performance.
In addition, a utility box with a capacity of 4.6 liters that can store small items for daily use is installed under the seat, which emphasizes the length and fit even when two people are riding, and it is also equipped with a utility box for touring. Equipped with 4 luggage hooks on the left and right that are useful for loading, it is easy to use. The brakes are equipped with a hydraulic double disc brake with excellent braking feel at the front and a hydraulic single disc brake at the rear to ensure sufficient braking power. In addition, lightweight aluminum rims and spokes are used for the front and rear wheels, and wide tires (front: 110/80-18; rear: 140/70-17) are used in combination to create a responsive feel. It has maneuverability.
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| 1997 model Honda CB400 Four (NC36) image. Original body color: Pure Black. |
The design expresses a sleek appearance with a strong and voluminous 15-liter fuel tank shape composed of smooth curves, independent bulging side covers, and high-quality chrome-plated front and rear fenders. However, it has a unique form. There are also three colors to choose from: bright and youthful Italian red, fearless pure black, and chic and calm candy ocean green.
1997 Honda CB400 Four Price
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price : 579,000 yen.
Planned sales volume (domestic/annual): 8,000 units
Example of regional suggested retail price: Hokkaido is 17,000 yen higher, Okinawa is 9,000 yen higher, excluding some other areas.
Reference price. Excludes consumption tax.
Colors: Candy Ocean Green, Italian Red, Pure Black
1998 Model Honda CB400 FOUR
Two new colors, fearless titanium metallic and bright candy phoenix blue, have been added, and together with Italian red, there are three color variations. This was the final model, ending the short model life of NC36.
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| 1998 Honda CB400 Four (NC36). Old big motorcycle image. Color: Fearless Titanium Metallic. |
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| 1998 Honda CB400 Four (NC36). classic motorcycle wallpaper. Color: Candy Phoenix Blue |
1997 Honda CB400 Four Specifications
Main specs of Honda CB400 Four (NC36) model year 1997-1998:
| Common name | CB400 FOUR | |
| Model | NC36 | |
| Predessor | 1974 Honda Dream CB400 FOUR | |
| Length×Width×Height (m) | 2.130×0.780×1.090 | |
| Length (m) | 1.460 | |
| Minimum ground clearance (m) | 0.135 | |
| Seat height (m) | 0.790 | |
| Vehicle weight/dry weight (kg) | 210/192 | |
| Capacity (person) | 2 | |
| Fuel consumption rate (km/L) 60km/h level running test value | 34.7 | |
| Minimum turning radius (m) | 2.6 | |
| Engine model | NC23E, water-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-valve in-line 4-cylinder | |
| Total Displacement (cm3 ) | 399 | |
| Inner Diameter x Stroke (mm) | 55.0×42.0 | |
| Compression Ratio | 11.3 | |
| Max Power (PS/rpm) | 53/10,000 | |
| Max torque (kgm/rpm) | 4.1/7,500 | |
| Carburetor model | VE55 | |
| Starting method | Self-operated | |
| Ignition method | Full transistor battery ignition | |
| Lubrication method | Combined pumping and splashing method | |
| Lubricant capacity (L) | 3.6 | |
| Fuel tank capacity (L) | 15 | |
| Clutch type | Wet multi-plate coil spring | |
| Transmission type | Constant mesh 5-speed return | |
| Transmission ratio | 1st gear | 3.307 |
| 2 speed | 2.055 | |
| 3 speed | 1.500 | |
| 4 speed | 1.250 | |
| 5 speed | 1.130 | |
| Reduction ratio (primary/secondary) | 2.171/2.800 | |
| Caster (deg)/Trail (mm) | 26°00′/110 | |
| Tire size | Front | 110/80-18 58H |
| Rear | 140/70-17 66H | |
| Brake type | Front | Hydraulic double disc |
| Rear | Hydraulic disc | |
| Suspension system | Front | Telescopic |
| Rear | Swing arm type | |
| Frame Format | Double Cradle | |
The frame is a double cradle type frame with a total length x width x height of 2,130 x 780 x 1,090 (mm) and is a naked type with a vehicle weight of 192 kg dry / 210 kg equipped , aiming for the style of the dream CB750FOUR as described above. For this reason, chrome-plated front and rear fenders, four mufflers, spoke wheels, etc. are installed [2], and the two-lens speed and tachometers are electric, and liquid crystal odometer/trip segments are used. It has the standard equipment of the late 1990s, such as a display fuel gauge, H4 halogen headlamp, and brake lever with adjustment mechanism.
The installed NC23E type water-cooled 4-stroke 4-valve DOHC parallel 4-cylinder engine with an inner diameter x stroke: 55.5×42.0 (mm) and a displacement of 399cc is a carryover from the NC23 type CBR400RR and is also installed in the NC31 type CB400 Super Four. However, it has been tuned for this model and has the following differences.
- Carburettor changed from 4 VP22 type to 4 VE55 type.
- Intake pipe length was extended from 244 to 271 (mm) to improve low and medium speed torque.
- The exhaust manifold has a smaller inner pipe diameter and a horizontal hole to use the space between the outer pipe and the outer pipe as a resonator to improve torque.
For this reason, the maximum output was 53ps, which was the highest voluntary regulation at the time, but the generated rotation speed was lowered from 11,000rpm for the NC31 type to 10,000rpm, and the maximum torque was reduced from 3.7kg-m/10,000rpm for the NC31 type. In addition to a 10% increase to 4.1kg-m / 7,500rpm, the constant mesh manual transmission has also been changed from the NC31 type’s 6-speed [Note 1] to 5-speed [Note 2]. In addition to the primary / secondary reduction ratio: 2.171 / 2.800, the compression ratio 11.3, self-starting, full transistor battery type ignition device, lubricating oil capacity 3.6L, wet multi-plate coil spring type clutch are common, equipped with cooling fins that are conscious of air-cooled engines.
The suspension is a 41mm diameter telescopic front and a swingarm that combines a square pipe and a forged end piece for the rear, with tire sizes of 110/80-18 (front) and 140/70-17 (rear) bias. Therefore, the caster angle was changed from 27°15′ to 26°00′ on the NC31 type with 17-inch front wheels, and the trail amount was changed from 109mm to 100mm. In order to aim for a more upright riding position, the handlebar position was changed from the NC31 type to 26mm in front and 25mm above [7]. In addition, the wheels with 48 spokes both front and rear have rim widths of 3 inches (front) and 4 inches (rear) and are made of aluminum. In addition, the wheelbase is 1.460mm, the minimum ground clearance is 135mm, and the seat height is 790mm.
The front and rear brakes are discs, but the front wheels have a floating double rotor with a diameter of 296mm, and the rear wheels have a single rotor with a diameter of 240mm.
This model continued to be manufactured and sold after 1999, when its sister model, the CB400 Super Four type NC31, was redesigned to the NC39-type, and production was discontinued in 2001 due to the 1999 automobile exhaust gas regulations.