1977 Honda CB 400T Hawk

Honda CB 400T II Hawk

Make Model	Honda CB 400T Hawk
Year	1977
Engine	Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 3 valve per cylinder
Capacity	395 cc / 24.1 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	70.5 x 50.6mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	9.3:1
Induction	2x 32mm Keihin carburetors
Ignition	CDI
Starting	Electric & kick
Max Power	34 hp / 25.47 kW @ 9500 rpm
Max Torque	28.5 Nm / @ 8000 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Diamond
Front Suspension	Telescopic forks
Front Wheel Travel	124.5 mm / 4.7 in
Rear Suspension	Dual EVO dampers with 5-way spring preload adjustment.
Rear Wheel Travel	90 mm / 3.6 in
Front Brakes	Single 282mm disc
Rear Brakes	153mm Drum
Front Tyre	3.60 S19
Rear Tyre	4.10 S18
Seat Height	800 mm / 31 in
Wet-Weight	179.6 kg / 396 lbs
Fuel Capacity	13 Litres / 3.1 US gal
Road Test

Havig introduced the first four-cylindered motorbikes for the 350; 400; 500; 550 and 750 -classes, Honda seemed to take a step back with this parallel twin with classic 360° crank-layout. Nevertheless the engine showed to be reliable and sturdy and was to be a long living design used in all Honda's 400 & 450 twins for the next 10-15 years.

The distingtives of the engine, beside of the 360° crank, is: Heavy oversquared cylinder-layout; 3-valve design of the combustion chamber, tandem balance-shafts in the front left side of the engine and CDI ignition.
Beside of this, during time, almost classic engine, the CB400T also introduced the so called "Com-Star" compound aluminium-rims, using tubeless tyres for the first time - This together with the other models of same year mounted with the remarkable Com-Star rims!

The rather stubby design of the CB400T changed when Honda short after introduced the new "Euro-line" -design with the CB900 Bol d'Or. In the meantime it was launched in a version with the same design as the CX500 Costum: The CM400.
Later was the engine changed to 450ccm in the hunt for bigger torque, meanwhile the power remained the same. As for the 400, the 450 also showed up in several bike-designs during time!

Source Kim Nielsen

Which Bike review 1976