No Reserve – 1996 Honda CBR400RR Project

Description

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Affectionately known as the Babyblade, the Honda CBR400RR was a 400cc sportbike sold only in Japan for approximately 15 years. The nickname came about as it was the smaller brother to the Fireblade.

In the 90s, the American motorcycle market was the epitome of “the bigger, the better.” But in Japan, the 400cc class was where most of the innovation was happening due to licensing/displacement restrictions. Every Japanese OEM invested countless dollars into improving their 400cc offerings, and models wouldn’t go more than a couple of years without significant upgrades.

As Visor Down found in its review, “it might lack top end zap, but what it has is a far wider spread of power that makes it considerably less frantic to ride. Overtakes don’t require a tap dance on the gear lever and pulling away isn’t a clutch-frying experience either. It feels like someone has taken the power characteristics of a 600cc bike, and just shrunk them a little. Because of this friendly delivery, the CBR is a pleasure to ride. The clutch is nice and light for town riding, the seat height low and the power on tap instead of needing a search party. On the open road the CBR delivers the kind of handling and performance you’d expect from a 400, in a refined fashion.”

This example is VIN: NC291009066.

The odometer shows 44,646 kilometers (27,741 miles).

Maintenance:
Because of the extent of the work required to get this bike running and riding, we’ve decided to let it go as a no reserve project!

Steve notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Life Front: 5%; Rear:10%
Tire Press Front/ Rear:32PSI
Brake Life – Front: 25% Oil Soaked;
Rear:80%
Hydraulic: Front/Rear: Ok, Aged
Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Black
Coolant – Level: Ok; Aged
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 0.17V

Accordingly, he recommends an oil and oil filter change, a coolant flush, a carb clean and sync, a front and rear brake flush, and a front master cylinder rebuild (the brakes drag). Moreover, Steve suggests replacing the tires, repairing the body panels, servicing the leaking fork seals, cleaning the indicator switch, and swapping out the chain, the airbox intake boots, and the battery.

Modifications:
Scorch Design exhaust.

Aftermarket smoked windscreen, red fasteners.

Aftermarket grips and bar-ends.

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:

Inside of the tank:

It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT-54 tires with date codes of 2606 and 1410.

The sale includes one key.

Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean Oregon title. Have any CBR400RR stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!