Honda CB400T Hawk
Honda had a head start in the 4-stroke sub-500cc, class, replacing its aging CB360 in 1977 with an all-new 400cc OHC 180-degree parallel twin boasting three valves in each -pentroof- cylinder head chamber.
Restyled for 1980, the CB400 gained an extra hear to make six, lost its kickstarter and replaced 32mm Keihins with 30mm versions, though now with an accelerator pump to fix jerky throttle transitions. The pressed steel backbone chassis used the engine as a stressed member and ran on Honda’s composite ComStar wheels sprung by a conventional front fork and dual rear shocks. Front brake was disc, with a drum rear.
Honda tuned the CB400 engine for midrange torque, courtesy of its -power chamber- exhaust collector box, but it still turned in a respectable 14.3 second quarter-mile run at 91 mph. And on the road, Cycle magazine found it to be -one of the bet handling motorcycles available today,- with -light, precise and responsive steering.- Cycle’s gripes were limited to noticeable driveline lash, a fade-prone front brake, vibration at high revs and cheap, stiction-prone fork seals. They also noted a few missing conveniences, including the lack of an integrated steering lock and no self-canceling turn signals.
Summing up its impressions, Cycle Guide called the CB400T -a bike that answers your commands instantly and zigs around corners with speed that will be the envy of 750cc riders.-
Bike Information
1980–81
34hp @9000rpm/100mph
395cc air-cooled SOHC parallel twin
6-speed
391 lbs. (dry)/50-55mpg
Price then/now: $1798 (1980)/ $800-1500
Pick up a matching 1980s Honda CB400T Hawk helmet from my helmet house.