CB400SS real world performance

[mthee]

I have been thinking about getting an XBR, but came across the CB400SS on a Brighton importer's site and wondered whether anyone here has owned this grey import to compare it's performance to the venerable XBR or SRX400/600?
The only single I ever owned was a 250RS, which I loved.
Had a brief ride many years ago on my uncle's Velo Venom (he started it first!) but remember struggling with controls being on the "other" side!
Anyway, I'm very pleased to have discovered your site and am busy using the search function.

[timbo]

Welcome, gorgeous looking bike. Have a look on Goobikes in Japan, for more pics. They have 202 listed for sale currently. Tony Calleyne on here has a CL400 import which I've ridden, and is a lovely wee bike, and very similar I'm sure. Have you considered the Mash 400 as well 

[manxie]

Yeah, welcome to the forum  Really nice looking bikes, it`ll be interesting to see what you find out about them. The Suzuki Tempter has always appealed to me too. Good luck. 

[SteveC#222]

Nice looking bike, rolling chassis looks similar to the XBR/GB.

Honda claim 29bhp...your old RS250 was around 26bhp so I wouldn't expect it to be that much quicker. By comparison the XBR500 is a claimed 44bhp and the SRX is similar. Reviews seem quite good but spares may be a problem - Wemoto don't list it and they normally cover most stuff even grey imports.

[Propellor]

It's a lovely looking machine. And probably a pleasure to ride on the right roads.

[mthee]

Yep, lack of spares and slightly underpowered means I'm veering back to the XBR. I have been flip-flopping all over the place since having been given the green light to replace my VX800 as I approach my carefully prepared mid-life crisis! From MT-03 to SRX, via XBR and Bros.
I think the XBR is the best "fit" especially given the electric boot back-up. I really can't wait to have a bike to kickstart again, something I've missed since my T140V. As we move ever "forward" in terms of automation and ease of use, I find myself craving the more immersive experience offered by the singles of my youth. Damn the distraction of that VF500 and Z1000! Not too late to sort myself out, I hope?!
Thanks for the warm welcome and input.

[SteveC#222]

OK I'm bias, but you can't go far wrong with a decent XBR - still plenty about at reasonable price, reliable, most spares no problem, enough performance to have fun but not so much as you risk your license ever time you go out and no real problems. The only electronics on it is the CDI, easy to kickstart, good on fuel & consumables.  The only things it isn't so good at is 2 up touring or regular high speed motorway runs but if you're going to do that regularly you wouldn't be looking at a big single. Also loads of folks here who can give you advice.

A couple of tidy looking ones on Ebay at the moment at £1350 & £1650.

[manxie]

I`ve only ever had two XBR`s and I loved them. Mine was fast enough, handled great and were reliable, I would have another tomorrow, in fact I`ve had a "wanted" ad locally for months now but not had any offers  I`m not on the market for one now due to other things but they`re brill !! Have a serious think about them 

[mthee]

Thanks for the encouragement. Must sell the VX first, but of the 2 on eBay, I prefer the pricier one as it's 20k miles younger and Bedfordshire is closer to me, here in SE.
From my searches here, I should interrogate re: oil changes and check for ovaling of rear drum, specifically?

[SteveC#222]

Thanks for the encouragement. Must sell the VX first, but of the 2 on eBay, I prefer the pricier one as it's 20k miles younger and Bedfordshire is closer to me, here in SE.
From my searches here, I should interrogate re: oil changes and check for ovaling of rear drum, specifically?

Basically any engine rattles walk away, oil changes should be ideally 1000-1500 miles or so but definately regular. If you can get a test ride ( even just up the road) apply the back brake until it just starts to come on and feel for any pulsing through the pedal. If the drum is oval you can get it skimmed if it isn't bad but there isn't much meat on the drum to skim so a bargaining point. Likewise check the front caliper as they can stick - usually easy to fix. Check it has a reasonable exhaust system or at least downpipes, you can get replacements now but they aren't cheap. Check for play in the swinging arm bearings as they can go. Check the frame at the front where to 2 lower frame rails join the front main tube as they can rot if they've been neglected. Check the fuel tank for any leaks as they are hard to find and expensive.

Sounds like a long list but most owners do look after them and you probably won't find any problems. You can always ask here if you're not sure.

This one looks promising , older owner, low miles and new tryes/shocks and it has the rear seat cover which is hard to get.

182068806817

[mthee]

Engine rattles - even at cold start? I'm pretty sure an older bloke would allow a test ride if I arrange insurance and leave cash, but if not, can the pulsing be detected with bike on centre stand? I assume the back wheel comes off the ground, but his photo looks like both are touching?
No mirrors, either - odd? More a younger person's style, especially with the flat bars. He's in Biggleswade and bike in Bedfordshire - hmmm....

[SteveC#222]

The guy has 100% feedback so it might be worth sending him a PM if your interested - may well be a reason bike and owner are seperated. Certainly no nasty top end rattles, don't worry if it makes a sort of 'clack' noise when you turn the key off - it's the starter clutch and most of them do it. Some folks prefer the raised bars specially older riders who find the clip on's put a lot of weight on their wrists but they are not that low. Those look like the really expensive risers you can get - £100+ a pair - as it comes with the original clip on's you might be able to sell those on. You might be able to test the brake on the centrestand, I haven't tried it.

[mthee]

All good advice, thanks.
Any thoughts on why the PO would MOT it every year for 5 years but not put any other mileage on it? Seems strange to me. That's one short trip each year and a lot of time in storage.

[guest1247]

Hi mthee, A CB400SS is basically the same bike and spec as a CL400... Albeit a little better endowed cosmetically. It has a 4 valve RFVC cylinder head, 29 hp, ( taken from old XR400 trail bike ), It differs from my CL400 in that it has an electric start as well as a kickstarter. There is also a rev counter, and both clocks sit in rather tasty chrome surrounds. The two exhaust down-pipes are siamesed together before entering one exhaust on the right hand side. It's not a "powerhouse".... think of Royal Enfield performance and you will be quite close. Seating position is bolt-upright, so no sore wrists... Spares have never been a problem... 60 mpg, and very .. very comfortable,BUT..... PLEASE BE AWARE.... These bikes are for the Japanese and American markets... Mine was Japanese. When imported the two front indicators were on with the ignition and headlight. The supplying dealer had been "into" the wiring with a certain degree of ignorance and naivety... leaving the indicators flashing at about 300 mph..! Fine at a standstill, or MOT time, but not good at real world riding speeds. Not an insurmountable problem to fix, but one you should check out before you part with any hard earned funds..... Any questions, please give me a shout... If you lived in my neck of the woods, you would be welcome to "try before you buy"  ... Regards, Tony Calleyne

[timbo]

There are a lot of bikes out there that do no mileage. It takes some people a long time to decide to part with a bike, because they still live in the hope they will use it, and have an attachment to the bike. Those I think, are the normal reasons, but of course there are many others such as ill health, loss of confidence, frailty etc.