Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 1991 Honda CB-1 Type II. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Honda’s CB-1 has become a cult classic, perfect for riders who enjoyed a balanced bike and didn’t need a replica racer to tear up streets with. Cycle World called this “a great motorcycle that never found an audience”, which is why Honda pulled it from the US in 1990.
The seller adds, “at over 600K Yen new this was not a cheap bike and it was built to very high standards. The 399cc high revving inline 4 cylinder was a modified version that the CBR400RR received and is the highlight of the bike. At around 54 HP in stock form it has just enough power to make a perfect city/run around bike as you can use it all on the street as you listen to the cam gear train whine all the way up to the 14,000 RPM red line.”
After the bike was pulled from the US, Honda created a “Type 2” for the markets that still appreciated what this bike could offer. The Type II had taller bars, a slightly larger fuel tank (2 liters), full stainless exhaust, different rear shock, taller final drive ratio, and a few cosmetic changes like a darker engine and side panels.
The seller of this example (VIN: NC27-1080225) acquired it three years ago from the individual who legally imported it from Japan in 2016.
During that time he’s covered approximately 500 miles. The odometer shows 11,619 kilometers (7,219 miles).
Modifications:
Ohlins rear shock.
Race Tech springs and Gold Valve Emulators in the forks. The sale includes “spare Gold Valve Emulator parts to fine tune damping if the new owner wishes.”
Moto Fizz by Napoleon tank guard.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
“This example is a very low km version that survived mostly unscathed from the elements in Japan with only light corrosion in a few areas.” The seller notes slight corrosion on a few metal surfaces such as the top triple nut and the headlight bezel.
There’s also some small scratches on the gauge housing.
Recent Maintenance:
The seller just cleaned the carbs and installed new float bowl gaskets. As noted above, the forks were rebuilt with all new seals, fluids, and upgrades. The tires have less than 600 miles and the following have less than 1,000 miles: brake fluid, coolant, plugs, oil, and oil filter.
The seller states that there are no mechanical issues and that it “runs and rides great.” He is selling it to fund the purchase of a “a dedicated track bike.”
He sums up his bike by saying, “this is I believe the only Type 2 NC27 in the United States. With the Ohlins rear shock and Race Tech front forks this mid size 400 makes the perfect around town bike with a lot of soul and character compared to the small displacement offerings the manufacturers have today…and on a small track it would probably be a lot of fun!”
Currently located in Chandler, Arizona, this Honda is offered on a clean Arizona title.
Have any CB-1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
