Honda CBR400RR

Infobox Motorcycle
name = Honda CBR400RR
aka = "CBR400", "BabyBlade"
manufacturer = Honda
production = 1988 - 1999(?)
class = Sportbike
frame = Twin-spar box-section aluminium
engine = Liquid-cooled, four-stroke inline-4 cylinder, gear-driven DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
power = ~55 bhp (standard output)
transmission = 6-speed manual; chain drive
wheelbase = 1370mm (-J); 1380 (-K); 1365 (-L, -N & -R)
dry_weight = 179kg (-J); 182kg (-K); 180kg (-L, -N & -R)
fuel_capacity = 15 litres
suspension = 41 mm oil-damped Showa forks (front); gas-damped single shock absorber (rear)
brakes = double-disc with 2-piston Nissin calipers (front); single-disc with 1-piston Nissin caliper (rear)
tires = Bridgestone BT-090 or similar
related =
similar = Honda VFR400, RVF400, NS400R; Kawasaki ZXR400; Yamaha FZR400; Suzuki GSXR400 series. The CBR400RR preceded the 900 cc Fireblade by several years, going through one major rework and a year or so of production in its new form before acquiring the Fireblade name. The original CBR400RR was the NC-23. Early bikes were known as the 'Aero' but more commonly as the 'Tri-arm' after its racing inspired braced swingarm. The CBR400RR-J (1988) and CBR400RR-K (1989) are referred to as NC-23 bikes. [Coombs, M: "Honda CBR400RR Service and Repair Manual, p.p. 08, Haynes Publishing, 2005] The NC-23 has a standard extruded beam frame, the rear of the seat unit slopes forwards, and the seat unit subframe is totally separate from the main chassis of the bike. The later machine, the NC-29 (only post '91 models of this bike carry the Fireblade name) had several modifications to the frame. The main rails were now of a 'cranked' design, the seat support structure had a larger rail that was welded to the frame, the rear of the tail section now had a slight recurve to it and the swingarm was given a gull-wing shape on one side to give ground clearance for the exhaust link pipe. The bodywork was re shaped to comply with changing aesthetic tastes. That reshaped swingarm earned the bike the sub title 'Gullarm'. The CBR400RR-L (1990 & 1991), -N (1992 & 1993) and -R (1994 onwards) are designated NC-29 bikes. [Coombs, M: "Honda CBR400RR Service and Repair Manual, p.p. 08, Haynes Publishing, 2005]

Developed mostly for younger Japanese riders, the 400 cc engine still has enough power to drive the bike up to a speed-limited 180km/h (112mph). It is possible to de-restrict this bike by re-wiring the speedometer head, as the speed-limiter is a simple design based solely on the position of the needle of the speedometer. Aftermarket electronic parts can also be fitted that achieve de-restriction. The same effect can be achieved by fitting a mechanical converter on the speedometer cable that converts the Japanese spec km/h speedometer to mph; the bike is not powerful enough to accelerate to convert|180|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, and thus the needle will never reach the position at which the ignition restrictor begins operation. De-restricted, the CBR400RR will reach a top speed of around 225 km/h (140 mph). The inline four cylinder engine produces pleasing power anywhere in its rev range, and the bike is light and relatively easy to control. Outside Japan the 400 is available only as a 'grey import', that is, Honda never exported the 400 cc CBR to foreign markets. The small capacity of the engine and manageability of the whole package makes this bike a favourite of new riders from all areas where the bike is available. This does mean however that many examples have been crashed or treated without proper care and regular servicing. Servicing is in some ways difficult as the compact nature of the bike means that some parts, particularly the spark plugs are difficult to access. The top end of the engine is also particularly complex as there are 16 valves to be checked for clearance in a head that is barely a foot wide. However the engine itself is very reliable, mainly due to its performance being capped from the factory. A well kept example is a very worthy buy as they are rapidly becoming a collector's bike.

Common rider modifications include: Fitting aftermarket exhausts;

Removal of the speed-limiter;

Restriction of the power output (for UK riders who have not taken a direct access course and are limited to convert|33|bhp|abbr=on for two years on passing their full test);

Alterations to the suspension settings;

Fork changes to the upside down parts from the Honda RVF400.

Racing Modifications"racing gearbox" making the gears upside down (up for first, down for sixth) which takes some getting used to.

Some HRC parts are available for these bikes.

The engine from the NC-23 was later used in the Honda CB-1, the NC-27, a naked bike that is credited with inspiring the popular Honda 'Hornet' range. However the NC-27 bears little mechanical resemblance to those machines and is probably the first true factory streetfighter.

Notes

See also

[http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/CBR400RR/19900200/index.html Japanese-language Official Honda CBR400RR Page]

External links

* [http://www.400greybike.co.uk 400 Grey Bike] Dedicated Grey Import Discussion Board