'77 Honda CB400F

Well,
I started the "Learner/Beginner Bike" thread a while back in hopes to get some information about what kind of bike i should be buying to learn on. I have been searching around and been a few places to look at bikes. The small displacement bikes <350 cc are all too small for my 6'3'' frame and I awkwardly squeeze onto them. I just found a 1977 Honda CB400F for sale in my area, the seller rides it every summer and keeps pretty good care of it but it is not mint by any means and it has 12000 miles on it. He doesnt even have a computer so he doesnt really know what it will bring these days. It's my job to figure that out and offer him a deal that is fair but something I can afford. So, does anyone have any idea what it may cost me? Around $1500 maybe?

This is a picture of one of the bikes. Its not the one I am looking at I just took the pic off google, probably far nicer than the one I am looking at.



Thanks,
Matt

Not recommended, being both boring & expensive, certainly no improvement on your Norton as a bike to ride for a ride-craft experience, get an RZ 350 Yamaha, it was styled by Bob Trigg who did the Commando so nicely.

CB400F or CB400/4 were very popular bikes in many parts of the world, and still have a very loyal following. They'd probably be ideal to learn on, given your size, and have quite good performance in their own right, AND good manners. Prices will vary considerably in different parts of the world, but where they are collectible $1500 would be a reasonable buy - if its in good order.
Concours ones can bring more, lots more even, in some markets...

Having 4 carbs means you'll either need a Honda Dealer or someone familiar with them to service it now and then, or acquire a vacuum gauge set and learn to do your own carbs.
Keeping the fuel tank clean and free of grit, dust, rust or moisture (inside !) is part of this...

Have fun. Tell us how it goes.

As with any other "how much is this bike worth" query with no details or pictures, you'll never get a proper response.

It could be $1,500, and it could be $500. The specific things that make 400 Fours desireable could have been replaced on the bike you are talking about. At least have a look at e-bay for recent completed sales of similar bikes, to give you an idea as to the actual market. KBB & NADA might give you a baseline as to value.

A photo or two would change this entire speculation.

grandpaul said:

A photo or two would change this entire speculation.

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Yes, yes it would. Unfortunately the guy doesn't have Internet so he can't get any. From what I understand, it is all stock and fairly well kept, but it is ridden often. Also in need of new fork seals according to him. I have to go see it myself before any pictures will be available for you guys.

Matt

Ive had a lot of bikes, the 400\4 among them. It is a bit of a stone
and Id say somewhat too small if you are a big guy. The 4 carbs
were fairly trouble free but that was 30 + years ago. Id stick with
a twin. There are likely more larger newer fours for sale and may
make more sense in the long run.

Hi Matt,

The CB400F has always been one of my favorite bikes, I have had four of them in the last 30 years, all 1975 models. I last few years I sold two that were in good condition, all stock, good runners, no rust, good paint, fresh fork seals, new tires, etc. I got about $1500 dollars each, as I recall. As someone said earlier, prices will vary from one local to another, I live in the San Fransisco Bay area, where vintage bikes like this are somewhat popular. With the recent TV series Cafe Racer, the prices of old Hondas have gone up, so $1500 for one that needs a little work might be reasonable, but I certainly wouldn't pay much more for one that needs some work.

regards,
Terry

400/4, smooth, reliable, cheap, plenty fast enough.
12,000 miles, should be nothing, but get it checked buy a dealer.
Hopefully all consumables have been replaced recently.
Ride it for a while, then sell it and get your money back Mat.
Be aware, when someone says, " It needs a bit of a tune up ".....
4 X Carby kits, Air cleaner, 4 X plugs........
Lifes a worry.
Such is life.
AC.

Never had a 400/4 but had 3 CB750/4's. I liked them but....they're no Norton. Why don't you just go ahead and learn on your Norton. It's not like it's got so much power that you'll be unable to control it. You can buy a fair amount of Norton parts for 1500 if you need to, plus the Honda shifts on the opposite side to your Norton. Just my 2 cents. Cj

cjandme said:

Never had a 400/4 but had 3 CB750/4's. I liked them but....they're no Norton. Why don't you just go ahead and learn on your Norton. It's not like it's got so much power that you'll be unable to control it. You can buy a fair amount of Norton parts for 1500 if you need to, plus the Honda shifts on the opposite side to your Norton. Just my 2 cents. Cj

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It's starting to seem like I might end up doing that because I can't seem to find a bike at a reasonable price

What I did for my wife, and what I'll most likely do for my son when he's old enough, is to get an old, piece of crap, dirt bike or enduro. You can get them for little or nothing and usually sell them for the same when you are done. Take it out to an open field and have some fun. Really get into it so that you start building that cooridination between clutch, throttle, brakes, and shifting. Then take it around a parking lot, and get used to slow riding. Get to the point where all the controls seem like second nature to you. Learning to shift on the other side will still be something you'll have to deal with, but it's not too bad.

I think a majority of riders drop their bikes in the first years of riding, and I'd hate to see you do that to the Commando. I don't necessarily mean crash, but usually a drop at a slow speed due to lack of motorcycle coordination.