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Honda CB 400T Hawk

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Make Model

Honda CB 400T Hawk

Year

1978

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 carbs

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

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Having 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!