Type-X Kit to Replicate The Dream-Motorcycle: CB400SF Custom

Doremi Collection's CB400SF

Since the introduction of the Honda CB400Four equipped with a straight-four engine, the 400cc class motorcycles became the mainstay in Japan. Due to cost factors, the CB400Four was discontinued in 1977, and Honda released models with two-cylinder engines such as the HAWK with SOHC 3 valves for the 400cc class sports. In 1979, the Kawasaki Z400FX (DOHC 2 valves) was released, equipped with the only straight-four engine in the class, and became very popular. Yamaha followed with the XJ400, Suzuki with the GSX400F, and Honda revived the four-cylinder engine. In 1981, they released the CBX400F with a DOHC 4 valves engine. It was equipped with new mechanisms such as an inboard disc front brake and a hollow cast swingarm with Pro-Link rear suspension, and became a huge hit. The latest addition to the company's Neo-Classical series is the Doremi Collection, which was developed to bring back the form of that epoch-making model to modern times. It is a "cosplay" of the style of former famous motorcycles on modern bikes, allowing people to easily enjoy the atomosphere of the past. The base is the Honda CB400SUPER FOUR (CB400SF), a mid-standard model that was released in 1992 and has been in production for about 30 years. The exterior set that makes this model with a straight-four engine in the 400cc class look like a CBX is called "CB400SUPER FOUR TYPE-X." The prototype was unveiled to the public at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show in March 2022, generating much anticipation. The details were then finalized, and sales began in the summer of the same year for the NC39 early model, followed by the NC39 late/NC42 model.

The photos show the kit installed. NC39 late model is the Hyper VTEC III which was released in December 2003 and added an aluminum grab bar. NC42 was released in December 2007, changed from a carburetor to PGM-FI, became the Hyper VTEC Revo, and later referred to as the CB400SF with a split grab bar in 2014. The exterior and seat are included in the set, with a CBX-shaped tail that clears the base of the grab bar that was not present in the NC39 early model frame, and a brake lamp integrated rear blinkers is also reproduced.

Bodyworks

This is an example of DOREMI CB400SUPER FOUR TYPE-X (NC39 early model) installation. It is suitable for CB400SF Hyper VTEC (1st generation) released in February 1999 to Hyper VTEC II released in 2002. It includes an unpainted paint-based TYPE-X exterior set and a seat set without stitching, and features a narrow cowl.

In addition to the stock-style tail cowl mentioned above ("Narrow cowl specification"), an bodyworks kit featuring a custom finned tail cowl shape from that time is also available at the same price. This is applicable for NC39 late to NC42 models. The side covers and the finned tail cowl are made of FRP and the price and fit are the same as the narrow cowl specification. The paint is also in accordance with the narrow cowl specification.

The exterior set included in this kit consists of a zinc-plated steel fuel tank (compatible with carburetor/PGM-FI models), ABS resin side covers/tail cowl (narrow type), or FRP resin side covers/finned tail cowl (finned type), all of which are unpainted.

This is a blue/white reproduction of the CBX400F Gen-1 released in November 1981, the CBX400F Type 1 was also available in a solid color, Monza Red, and it would be interesting to build one from an unpainted base.

It is a red/white with a slightly different pattern, the second generation of the CBX400F, which was revived in September '84 after the end of production of the first generation.

CBX400F The 2nd generation look CBX400F has black spokes (boomerang section) on the type 1 aluminum + clear anodized Boomerang Comstar wheels, so that would also be a good reference for more variation.

Gallery

Specifications

About Doremi Collection

Doremi Collection, which has also been remarkably active with Fujino in Taste of Tsukuba, has a very rich lineup of parts for classic bikes, mainly Kawasaki Z series, and its uniquely planned custom parts, which are fed back from the customization scene of the time and the modern racing scene.

Doremi Collection brand page

Original Source of this Article

Heritage & Legends