What a concept - A Girl Bringing Back Her 1966 Super Hawk

[sarals]

Graham, pretty cooool!!! I see that there was a CBX featured in that issue, as well. Two of my favorites!

I've heard, too, that the 400F was considered a "Ladies Bike"...maybe that's why I like it? By the way, there is a Yamaha XJ-550 Seca sitting in my garage, it belongs to a girlfriend. It's also considered a "Ladies Bike". However, to throw a wrench at that notion (and referring to the first picture on page 102), another girlfriend of mine - who is older than I am, and even more petite, rides a Harley.

So much for stereotypes!

Graham, again, your 400F is just magnificent.

[G-Man]

Sara

Many years ago a lady I worked with had an identical 400 to mine but decided that it was a bit pathetic in the performance department and bought an XJ550 instead.....

I bought my V50 but never did the miles that the 400 managed. I almost bought a CX500 but couldn't touch the ground.

G

[e3steve]

Sara

Many years ago a lady I worked with had an identical 400 to mine but decided that it was a bit pathetic in the performance department and bought an XJ550 instead.....

I bought my V50 but never did the miles that the 400 managed. I almost bought a CX500 but couldn't touch the ground.

G

CX500? Puke! Lucky escape there (LMAO). I tried one and had the same issue -- thirty inch inside leg -- plus it was as lumpy as bad gravy..... And I didn't like that taillight.

Oddly, in '89, I bought a CB750KZ as a consolation prize to myself when business went tits-up and I had to sell my treasured Sierra Cosworth. Couldn't touch the ground on that, either (the Honda, not the Ford!); and it had the same taillight as the CX500! No pics of that one as I didn't really like it...... No offence to those who are attracted to both bikes, btw!

I'd love a 400F. Jensen has one in his collection in Holland and he has always revered them. I don't currently have the time or the space for another bike, though, but I should really find one before prices soar (they're pretty reasonable just now); one with spoked wheels -- not those bloody awful Comstars, as also with the 750KZ.

In early '74 I fell for a six-month-old 'Zook GT380J, which would just eat my mate's shiny new CB500 Four for breakfast. I loved it so much; so three months later I plumped for a new, Candy Yellow GT380L. That got sold in 1980, just turning 10k miles upon delivery.

I still regret selling it, to this day......

[G-Man]

Steve

Two stroke triples - now you've got me going. Never ridden one but my favourite has to be the drum braked Kawasaki 350cc S2. I can still remember the Dave Minton test on MCI. If only you could bottle the sound.

I was always being blown away on the 400F by youths on RD250/350 LCs back in the day. I restored one for Classic & MM. What a revelation! Moped under 6k and racer above. Super light super twitchy. Water cooling and electronic ignition banished all of the two-stroke ills. Big mistake selling that one.....

Sara - apologies for hi-jacking your thread with boyhood reminiscences......

Nostalgia - it's not what it used to be...

G

[sarals]

Graham, and Steve - no worries! I LOVE reading this stuff (I suspect others do, too)!

Speaking of CB750K's, did you all see this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331120055291?ss ... 1423.l2649

It's up to a mere $120,850.00 Of course, it is a sand cast version.

Some notes: I sold my Suzuki SV650S because I couldn't reach the ground! That bike fell over from under me three times ($90 each time for broken turn signal). That was enough.

"For Sale - Kawasaki Triple - injury forces sale" - wheelie monsters!

I actually had a basket case 400F in my possession in the mid '80's. It belonged to a girlfriend. She crashed it, damaged the center cases, and her boyfriend took it apart to repair it, and then never put it back together. I somehow ended up with it, but got rid of it not too long afterwards. I WISH I still had it!!

I never rode a 400F, and I don't care if it's slow. It spoke to me like my Old Girl does.

I intended to buy a new 400F when I was in flight school in 1977. The closest Honda dealer was in a town 15 or so miles away, and it was difficult to get the time to go over there. The Kawasaki dealer was within walking distance from the post. So, I bought a Kawasaki 400 and HATED IT. Darn near gave it away within just a few months.

I walked into the local Honda establishment in 1979 to buy a CBX. "Little lady, that's too big a bike for you", the salesman told me. I was impressionable and believed him, and left with a 750F twin cam, instead. I hate myself TO THIS DAY!![/i]

[G-Man]

Graham, and Steve - no worries! I LOVE reading this stuff (I suspect others do, too)!

Speaking of CB750K's, did you all see this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331120055291?ss ... 1423.l2649

It's up to a mere $120,850.00 Of course, it is a sand cast version.

Some notes: I sold my Suzuki SV650S because I couldn't reach the ground! That bike fell over from under me three times ($90 each time for broken turn signal). That was enough.

"For Sale - Kawasaki Triple - injury forces sale" - wheelie monsters!

I actually had a basket case 400F in my possession in the mid '80's. It belonged to a girlfriend. She crashed it, damaged the center cases, and her boyfriend took it apart to repair it, and then never put it back together. I somehow ended up with it, but got rid of it not too long afterwards. I WISH I still had it!!

I never rode a 400F, and I don't care if it's slow. It spoke to me like my Old Girl does.

I intended to buy a new 400F when I was in flight school in 1977. The closest Honda dealer was in a town 15 or so miles away, and it was difficult to get the time to go over there. The Kawasaki dealer was within walking distance from the post. So, I bought a Kawasaki 400 and HATED IT. Darn near gave it away within just a few months.

I walked into the local Honda establishment in 1979 to buy a CBX. "Little lady, that's too big a bike for you", the salesman told me. I was impressionable and believed him, and left with a 750F twin cam, instead. I hate myself TO THIS DAY!![/i]

Yes I saw the CB750 - a sort of pre-sandcast sandcast and the only one in captivity. Not sure I would fork out that sort of cash fro a pre-production museum piece. I don't mind looking at it but I'd like someone else to take care of it. You could have a lot of fun for 120 grand...

My friend had a Kawasaki H2 and I made the mistake of going for a ride on the back with him. I pretty much thought that I was going to die that day.

When my buddie saw my 400/4 post restoration he had to have one. I bought a frame with registration and we set about building him one entirely out of parts from swap meets and a few NOS parts from David Silver. The most annoying thing was that it turned out nicer than mine.....


Two Honds 400F2s front by graham.curtis, on Flickr

I would really like to try the SV650 it just looks right. ALL bikes are too tall or too heavy for me now.

G

[peter4821]

The SV650 is a great little bike. The thing here is to put a GSXR front end on them, Some sliders and off to the track we go..