1972..i bought my first motorcycle...the 350 - 4...it was the sweetest sounding thing in the world to me..it was like a fine swiss watch..i loved her..and still think of her today...i am 68 years old...this video brings back the memories..thank you.

Bought one in 1972...still have it. The bike attracts a lot of attention every time I take it out.

In 1981 I was in high school and had saved up money from a summer job. I grew up around motorcycles and had an Honda XL 125. My dad liked Hondas because they were 4-strokes, so more reliable than 2 strokes which were still common. We went to look at a CB350 I even rode it around the block. It was burning oil so we passed and stopped by the Honda shop, they confirmed it was small, but still had 4 of everything so $$$ to rebuilt. Later my Dad found a 1977 CB550K in much better shape. For $700 I rode through high school and college. So long ago that it's like another lifetime! Glad I found this video.

In 1990, I was 18 years old. I just wanted a street bike. I’ve had an xl70 and a kaw klt110 for camping and such but I found a 1974 cb350 four with a wind shield and a helmet case. I rode that bike all year long. Sold it an bought a 1985 interceptor 500 and ran off to Florida. I’m 50 now and the 350four was the best cruising around town bike I’ve ever rode. IMO

I had a 350 four,400 four, 550 four and a GL1000 Gold Wing. All fantastic bikes.

@donaldcarey114

2 жыл бұрын

Back when I was in the Navy I had a Honda 305 Dream that I bought new for $305.00, including a helmet.

@jensnitsche4994

Ай бұрын

Ähnlich bei mir , eine rote 400 Four ,`75 und eine gelbe GL `76. Noch heute bei mir und hervorragende Maschinen.

@cesarinho06

Ай бұрын

I bought a 1975 CB400Four 6 months ago it makes me smile every single time y start it, and now in my neighborhood there is a guy selling a 1979 goldwing. I am very interesting and wondering if the goldwing will produce the same feeling

@jensnitsche4994

Ай бұрын

@@cesarinho06 Nein, es wird dich nicht befriedigen. Das ist eine neue und andere Generation. Bleibe in deinem Baujahr und besorge dir eine originale Goldwing 75 bis 77. Zum direkten Vergleich zur cb 400 four. Es wird dir ein Gefühl der Freude schaffen. Diese Goldwing war DER Schritt in die Moderne der Motorradwelt und heute ein historisches Dokument. Wie die meisten Motorräder von Honda aus dieser Zeit. Viel Glück

@cesarinho06

Ай бұрын

@@jensnitsche4994 O really? I thought 1979 goldwing was the last year of first generation... It is the naked one.

My 550 - 4 was the most reliable all around mc ever. Through the years it was an every day rider and on the weekends the best recreational vehicle. I sold it to get money for my marriage. In retrospect that was a big mistake. The Honda was ever faithful and never wasted my money.

@arlo4051

2 жыл бұрын

My only complaint I had with my 550 was keeping the valves adjusted, they liked to loosen up a lot. Lots of power but heavy front end, it would spin out from under you before you would get the front tire off the the ground, totally opposite of the Kawasaki 500.

@glenminnick3724

2 жыл бұрын

Right on! I sold 2 bikes from my collection when i married! She left me a bit later, she did me a favor! More bikes now!

@paulveenings6861

2 жыл бұрын

Ouch . 🙂

@shadetreemech290

2 жыл бұрын

I think I am the one who bought that bike. As the guy I bought it of of was selling it to get married.

@robertbowser3599

2 жыл бұрын

@@arlo4051 I had a '77 550-4K. And I could feel the front tire starting to slide a few times. I always thought that it was top heavy. Especially with a full tank. The only problem I had with it. Was blowing the main fuse several times. That's real fun at night going down I-85. Lol

CB400 Four, is to this day, still the most beautiful work of art on two wheels.

I remember reading a road test on the 350 four when it first came out. The reviewers called it the answer to the question nobody asked: how few cc's can Honda divide by four?

@TassieLorenzo

5 ай бұрын

Was the 250cc of the CBR250RR Fireblade the final answer, or did they go smaller than that in a production bike? The CB400SF inline-four is still a current bike, similar in philosophy to the CB350 (indeed, it's the same series as the CB400 replaced the CB350), and it makes some sense I think... Just because it's a straight-forward 400cc universal motorcycle, why should it only have a parallel twin or inline twin? Why not have the smoothness of an inline-four engine, albeit with the trade-offs of weight and complexity?

I had a Honda CB400F back in 1978, the engine was bullet proof , as an 18yr old i thrashed it relentlessly , a absolute gem of Japanese 70's engineering , an underrated bike .

@steveg2479

2 жыл бұрын

Each to their own I suppose. I had an f2 I think, and didn’t like it. Like you said, you needed to thrash it. I prefer something a bit bigger and more laid back.

@jimshoe402

Жыл бұрын

TRASHED mine TOO a Zillion power shifts and 125mph out of a 115mph bike .😁😁😁😁

@malcellison8831

Ай бұрын

The cam chain tensioner was in a silly place though - at the front of the engine where it got covered in road crap. Many seized in position and were a problem to remove. Apart from that, a magnificent machine. I had one 😊

This great video by a real enthusiast caught my eye because I owned a new Honda 350 four, and I wanted to see if it mentioned the main thing I remember abut mine. Quite the opposite, the video emphasized how smooth it is. Mine had terrible putting-right hand-to-sleep vibration that ruined it for me. But I did like it in an uneducated sort of way because of its beautiful complex engine. You mention old Harleys. I am 97, and bought my first motorcycle, an ex-army Harley 45 in 1948 in SoCal for $125. I rode it a lot, including commuting to USC evening school from Lomita, once following the white line home in the fog and winding up in San Pedro. After two years I sold it for $125. An unusual bike I had was a Suzuki GT550 3-cylinder two stroke, which I rode in 1979 from the dealer 10,000 miles around the perimeter of the U.S. in three weeks on vacation from my job in Saudi Arabia. Over all the years so many bikes and touring memories including Alaska and the USA Four Corners. My last ride was my 94th birthday ride by which time I had down-sized to a Ducati Scrambler, a very nice bike.

@EarthSurferUSA

2 жыл бұрын

Well you sure have had some great experience on the road around the nation no doubt. It sounds like you have had a good life, and I will celebrate that sir. We are all going to die, so what matters most is how we live. :) But that small bore 4-cylinder should have been very smooth, and even in those earlier days, Honda was no slouch with engineering and manufacturing. In fact, they were and probably still are the best, (manufacturing expert myself). My guess, even trivial, might have slipped your mind? A lose motor mount, or something wrong with a part or assembly. Hey, buy the way Mr. San Diego. Are you related to "Carmine", and do you have any idea "where in the world" she is? :) I am only 58, but after 20 years off a dirt bike, (and some MX racing), I am getting back into aggressive trail riding this summer, if I can find the parts I need to get my 2019 Yamaha bike back together. I bought a Harley Sportster/Nightster for my first road legal bike in 2009, after obama got elected. I figured I needed to grab a fist full of America while I still can. I was not wrong. I need to run for office I see now. :(

@antoniograncino3506

2 жыл бұрын

So you hung up yer chaps & spurs after 94 ? Why so young ?

@antoniograncino3506

2 жыл бұрын

Throttle cable synchronization is critical on the Fours. Serious vibration will result if the four cylinders are not pulling evenly.

@andysandiego3584

2 жыл бұрын

@@antoniograncino3506 Well, I got married and was too busy, if you know what I mean. (No, that's a disservice to my wife with whom I've been married for 65 years.)

@andysandiego3584

2 жыл бұрын

@@antoniograncino3506 Wish I could try out that solution.

I've got well over a quarter million miles on scoots, ridden everything from seatless trials bikes to loaded highway cruisers, and my 350-4 was by far my favorite motorcycle. From the interstate to playing in the dirt, it was a jewel. It was such a quiet, smooth little scoot that I once fell asleep on it at 80 mph on I-80 when crossing Nebraska. There was nothing like it. BTW, I once beat a Kaw Ninja through the Garden of the Gods with my 350-4. It's all a matter of knowing your bike, and after 50,000 miles on my Four I knew my bike.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

hope you had it on 'autopilot'.....

@glenminnick3724

2 жыл бұрын

Cool , i'm 67 and have owned many bikes over the yrs. Triumphs , norton, matchless, ducati,bultaco, bmw etc. I first the 350 four in 1973 and that it was really cool!

@johnwest7993

2 жыл бұрын

@@tommurphy4307, I wish I had. I just had the throttle tension screw screwed down tight to take some of the load off my wrist. I woke up bouncing through one of those big, wide, shallow freeway ditches at 80 mph and rode it to a stop like a bucking bronco. I think a lot of previous playing in the dirt with it was what saved me from an ugly wreck. Then I just sat there on the bike in the ditch, shaking for about 15 minutes till I felt like I could go again. Like all XC bike trips, it was interesting.

@charliebailey2359

10 ай бұрын

I just bought a 73 CB350F and I agree with all you said. It is a very special bike. Smooth and great handling. Just does most everything right!

for us in NZ, the 1974 XL250 motosport was the game changer. A bike you could ride on the street, and take off road, it was regularly seen on the Motocross track. Just a legend of a bike.

@humandroid53

Жыл бұрын

Sat on one the other day!

@carsonholtorf8233

Жыл бұрын

I have a 1974 XL250 with 1800 original miles

You bring up a great point. Mr. Honda was actively involved in every aspect of his company, and was a passionate motorcyclist. This is exactly why Honda Motors is so successful to this day!

@ValkyrieRiderIPT

2 жыл бұрын

ROTFLOL!! 🤣😂😂🤣

@johnwalker7592

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, that's why Honda is literally behind EVERYONE on their sportbike range... Only way their staying in style is with things like the monkey, cub, hunter, grom.. all small motorcycles. and the unit's move. they aren't Harley don't get me wrong. but these are all OLD bikes, just being produced once more.. We've seen it done.. there's nothing innovative about Honda anymore..

@ValkyrieRiderIPT

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnwalker7592 Who sells more motorcycles than Honda?

@bhaggen

2 жыл бұрын

I named my 350F Soichiro; lets not forget, in the early to mid 60s he entered F1 with a 3L V-12 liquid cooled race car of his own design. Soichiro Honda was the Ferdinand Porsche of Japan, both having no formal engineering education. Before WWII he held a patent for piston rings and was the sole supplier to Toyota.

@JW...-oj5iw

2 жыл бұрын

@@bhaggen ... Back in the misty past, one of the motorcycle magazines ran a story about the Honda CBX. They claimed that the engineers put an exhaust system on a preproduction model, demonstrating it to Mr. Honda. The story was that the sound mimicked that of a jet fighter. Supposedly, Mr. Honda was infuriated and said they had gone too far, ordering them to replace the system with a normal set of pipes. The story continued with the claim that in some corner of Honda R&D is a set of pipes that will make the 6 cylinder sound like an F16. Considering Mr. Honda's penchant for racing, I believe he would have been absolutely delighted with a trick exhaust. I spent a small amount of time figuring out how to put a spinner in a section of pipe, along with a flute-like whistle to generate some high pitched whines, but I didn't have the right equipment or practical design capability. Frankly, I'm surprised that someone else hasn't turned the idea into a real device. In my opinion, the magazine article was either wrong, or purposely deceitful. Not much importance nowadays, 40 plus years after. My 6 cylinder Hondas have very distinctive exhaust notes without high pitched whines added.

I recall parking my 79 Harley Sportster next to a friends Honda 350 4 cyl. Couldn't even tell the Honda was running at idle. Mine was thumping and vibrating while the Honda just sat there. The Tach was the only way you could tell the 350 was running. This was 40 years ago and still remember the experience.

@bigbilltoady412

2 жыл бұрын

Back in 1973 a friend of mine got his mint condition 71' CB750 stolen. He replaced it with a Harley Sportster. I think it was a used 68 model. Ya, looking back he should have kept it since it would be highly collectable now. Well, after a couple of months of getting on all his gear for the ride to his job and slowly stripping everything off down to his T-shirt from endless kicks to get it started and covered with sweat he sold it and bought another used 71 CB 750. I had a sandcast 69 that I sold years ago (another should have held on to story) 1982 to be exact, had over 100K miles on it and that bike would start every time in an instant no matter the weather. Honda built and most likely still does build the best bikes.

@zebradun7407

2 жыл бұрын

My sons group of Harley riders spend all their time with their Harley's in a shop. They work on them more than ride. My group of Japanese Bike riders spend more time riding than maintenance or in the shop. I buy a Bike to ride, not take to the shop.

@PeterDad60

2 жыл бұрын

Harley deliberately makes their engines to shake and vibrate as it adds to the open air riding a machine experience.

@deirdre108

2 жыл бұрын

@@PeterDad60 Right, if you buy into Harley's marketing scam. They make a bike that still leaks oil, vibrates like a jackhammer, and handles like a tricycle. As only a small percentage of HD riders are under 50 years old these days, the company probably doesn't have many years left.

@rt2255

Жыл бұрын

@@PeterDad60 yeah experience numb hands and feet and butt. Annoying experience

I had one of these little beauties in the late 70s. I bought it to run back and forth to work and it was an extremely reliable and comfortable. My buddy had the 750 'big brother' version that was also a great machine. I really wish I still had it.

This was my first bike. Bought it from my brother. He bought a 750. I still love the old Honda's. I have restored many of them of all sizes. Tough bikes.

I restored a 1974 CB350F about 5 years ago. I was in my teens when they were first introduced and I was always curious about them. After the restoration was complete, I spent that summer and fall riding it now and then. You are exactly right about the bike being electric smooth and 100% reliable. My bone of contention was with the lack of power and the narrow shifting profile. Leaving my driveway, I would be in 5th gear before I even got to the end of the block. The bike was well suited to country road riding, but running it up to 60 MPH or higher, it felt like I was flogging it to run at those speeds. My curiosity had been satisfied and I sold the bike to another enthusiast. I do take exception to the comments and impression that you give stating that Honda gave up on this bike after just a few years. That is NOT accurate. What Honda did do was to take the platform and re-image it into the 1975-1978 CB400F. They abandoned the UJM styling and built what could arguably be called the first Japanese production Cafe racer. The core 350F engine had been punched up to just over 400cc, the transmission revamped to add a 6th gear. The overall look was drastically changed, incorporating Euro-style low handle bars, a boxier looking gas tank, and a low profile seat. The most impressive change to the design was a sexy looking 4-into-1 factory header system. The normally straight head pipes now snaked their way down from the head with a number of stylized bends and joined up to a single muffler on the right side of the bike. I managed to snag one of these as my next restoration project and am anxious to compare it to the experience I had with the 350F. The 400F is also worth seeking out if you're a fan of these small Fours! [My 350F restoration video is here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fWiXlMeQorPVYZM.html ]

@1crazypj

2 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure the CB400F was designed for European market? It was a precursor to the 'Eurosport' models of 1978 ( 3 valve CB400 twin and CB750/900 DOHC, plus of course the CBX 6 that got re-styled in 1979~80) I was given a CB350f several years ago (2006 ish), it has a rod through front of case though so has never been worked on by me but is still in storage. I kinda play with CB/CJ250/360's (for at least the last 30+ years)

@michaelvachon1334

2 жыл бұрын

@@1crazypj - If you recall, in 1975, Honda also released the 'F' series of the CB750 as well. Those models (also known as Sport models) featured low bars, flat seats, and 4-into-1 exhaust systems as well.

@user-dw2tm3jm5h

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry you sold it ? I have a 78 cb750k. Don't know if I should sell, haven't ran in 10 yrs.

@G58

2 жыл бұрын

@Michael Vachon Great points. To not even mention the extremely successful 400F is just negligent. The CB350 clearly evolved into 400F Super Sport. There is actually a better bike than both of them, much better. And the best version of that bike was only available to the Japanese market, and a few other countries. The cheaper model did get exported to the USA, but it failed to sell very well, so the last few were shipped to Germany. Officially designated the NC27, it’s better known as the CB-1.

@michaelvachon1334

2 жыл бұрын

@@G58 - I've heard of these, but have never seen one up close. I'm thinking someone could write a book about the bikes Honda built that didn't catch on as expected. One of my bikes is a 2014 CB1100 DLX. After I bought it, I discovered that Honda only released around 300 of this specific model in the US. No wonder I had such a hard time tracking one of these down!

I bought a new 1974 Kawasaki 900 Z-1 in Feb of 1974. Best damn motorcycle I ever owned. It was built like a Timex watch. It took a licking and kept on ticking. Never had any problems with it. In December of 1977 a young girl made a left hand turn in front of me and that was the end of that motorcycle. The frame broke and so did I. Spent 13 months in a Navy hospital, learning how to walk again. You could do a complete top end job on the bike without taking the engine out of the frame, unlike the CB750. Sure do miss that motorcycle.

@johnthonig8832

2 жыл бұрын

I owned a green 74 Z1 as well Scary quick, fast as well ☮️😊

@sharhune2735

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnthonig8832 Mine was a green metal flake, with white and yellow strips. Put an extra disk on the front wheel and moved the brake calipers behind the fork boots. Had to hug the gas tank at full braking as it generated almost 2 g's of force, to keep from going over the handle bars.

@johnthonig8832

2 жыл бұрын

@@sharhune2735 👍

@thefuzzyrv

2 жыл бұрын

And Z-1 stories always ended that way. Too much power and into a bad driving situation going incredibly fast. I had a red kawa 350. 5 speeding tickets in 4 weeks. Lost my license for 2 months but probably saved my life. Ah,the good old days! Fuzzy rv.

@sharhune2735

2 жыл бұрын

@@thefuzzyrv The motorcycle I had before picking up the Z-1, was a red 1972 Kawasaki 350 two stroke triple. Should have realized that it had handling problems. I came with a stock steering dampener.

Had a 1976 400F Super Sport for years. I still remember looking at the beautiful factory 4-into-1 header in an advertisement and thinking to myself, "That's it. That's the bike I'm going to buy." It took 2 years to find one for sale. So much fun to ride and like everyone has said, super smooth to the 10K redline. It sounded terrific! Sold it after getting married, then found out someone had torched it about a year later. :(

@williamschroeder3070

Жыл бұрын

RD350/400 rider here. I loved the RD's, but I have to agree that the 4 into 1 exhaust on the 400F were, and are, the best looking exhaust pipes I've ever seen.

@henryvanweeren7233

Жыл бұрын

@@williamschroeder3070 It's interesting how Honda has tried to recreate the look on later models.

Wow that brings back memories. As a teenager I had a chance to ride my friend's Honda 50. I wanted a bike but was not able to get one. In my early 20s I test rode a Honda 350 and again wanted a bike but it was not to be. The 350 felt so big and powerful to me and compared to the only other bike I had ridden, the 50, it was big and powerful. Years went by and finally when I was about 35 I bought my first bike - it was a Yamaha 650 Seca. It felt so big and powerful and compared to the 350 I had ridden it was big and powerful. Later on a bought a Honda 1100 Sabre. Guess what? It felt big and powerful... and it was !

@1966johnnywayne

2 жыл бұрын

Feeling a little nostalgic for my first bike, an '81 650 Maxim, I picked up it's XJ650 twin, a silver '82 650 Seca a few years back. It's still sitting in the garage waiting to see if I have the time and money/desire to restore it...still nice to look at though. I also had a Sabre, as my second bike, the V45 750cc. It wasn't quick, but man it was fast. I think I may unload the Seca and find another Maxim...loved the chrome accents.

@lw216316

2 жыл бұрын

@@1966johnnywayne I liked the Seca 650 so well I wore out 3 of them. First one was new and I put 52,000 miles on it and then traded it in on a used low mileage Seca 650 and then did the same thing again later.

I have a 1973 350 four, had 3200 miles when I got it, has 6500 now. It is definitely the most fun motorcycle I own. fantastic back road bike and supper smooth rida al day comfort. I nerve plan on selling it

And then Honda made the 400 four (a very decent handling bike).

@mrmoodster5405

2 жыл бұрын

We didn’t get the 350-4 in the UK. We got it’s sister the 400-4. Some styling differences but it looked essentially the same bike. It would be interesting to have a side-by-side comparison. I believe the 400-4 sold well here and was highly thought of. More so than it’s replacements the CB400T Dream (Hawk in the States) and then CB400N SuperDream. Examples of the 400-4 still command high prices.

@stephensmith1118

2 жыл бұрын

i had a 400 four in the uk, handled really well, and with the revs at 6000 it would be very quick too... only downside was the the frame, and the coils cutting out in heavy rain, but one of my favorite machines... oh and a real point to watch cam chains... a real weak point

@hotchihuahua1546

2 жыл бұрын

The liquid cooled CB-1 400 was a fantastic engine . Honda can make engines !

@LunringNassar

2 жыл бұрын

Also the CB400 Super Four.

@stormytempest6521

2 жыл бұрын

Superb Bike.

I remember riding a 350-4 once. That little bike was so smooth you could hardly tell it was running. A complete opposite or the 450 DOHC twin of those days..which shook and vibrated until your fillings fell out.

@radioace318la

Жыл бұрын

but that DOHC 450 was a beast!

Thanks for this. I started motorcycle riding in the 70's, getting that little gem of a CB160 then a K1 CB750 and later got the 400F. In those days it was a good thing to put Yoshimura cams in. My mate did it on his CB500 and a stage 1 cam on my CB400F. It gave a bit of oomph and another 1000rpm making the bikes perfect. The 400 became quite nippy. I also put a Yoshimura 4:1 exhaust on the 750 -what a sound! It was an amazing era. The Honda's were so simple to work on; my CB160 only really needed a 10mm, 12mm and 14mm, the horizontally split engine was simplicity defined, and every element so well thought out and executed.

My first motorcycle when I was 16. Loved every minute of it. Wish I still had it.

@randysprecher1421

2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree. I too had one at that age as a starter bike. My dad had a CD750 Four. He wouldn't ride his much, so I did. Then going back to the 350, I found myself getting into tight spots because It didn't have the power I used to from 750. So I sold the 350 and bought 750, Still wish I had that 350 back.

@dknowles60

2 жыл бұрын

i miss the 400 4 i had very good bike great Mpg could run 70 mph all day and carry 2 people in a pintch. simple to work on could run in cold michigan winters. honada needs to start making the 400-4 again and then other cb 550 4 600-4

@bobhalstead4660

2 жыл бұрын

Betcha you wish you were still 16 too! :) I had several: 305 Super Hawk, 350 twin & a 450 twin. All great rides.

I bought one in 72, then a few months later, sold it and got an H2 Kawasaki. That was the wildest machine ever made, as far as holding it on the ground.

@tad5920

2 жыл бұрын

I had a CB400f at the same time a friend of mine had an older Kawasaki H1 500 triple. Mine was like riding into the future, and his was like riding an insane, barely in control rocket ship. I liked mine better, but that 500 was crazy when it hit its power band. Oh yeah - 2 stroke too. What a machine.

@johnirby493

2 жыл бұрын

@@tad5920 Add 250cc more and you'll have an H2. I weighed more than 200lbs, and I couldn't hold the front wheel on the ground in the first 3 gears, sitting on the gas tank. I shutter when I think of the things I did on that machine.

Excellent perspective on this particular Honda. I had the good fortune in my youth working in a Honda Shop in the 70s, and I had my pick of used bikes in the shop to ride home. The 750 four was a monster that you held on to for dear life, the 450 twin was like driving a dragster in traffic. The 350 twins were strong and fast but always felt rather clunky and hard to handle. The 350 four was a dream to ride. It sounded great, the power was smooth, and the bike handled really great. To me it was the most enjoyable one of the lot at the time. Also for a short person like me, it fit like a glove.

@Oldjohn52

Жыл бұрын

Bought a brand new 450 in 1973 (a 72 leftover) 900 bucks. Good bike.

My dad bought a Honda CB350 Four off the showroom floor when the salesman put a quarter on the gas cap, started the motor, reved it to redline, let it idle, and then turned it off. What I remember from riding on the back was the melody of those 4 pipes. At a certain rpm they made a uniquely pleasing sound.

@anxiousappliance

2 жыл бұрын

ahh - the old magnetic quarter trick!

I had a new Honda cb350 in high school ,a scenic 20 miles from home. My friend had a Yamaha 650 and on our trip to the grand canyon it was obvious that while my Honda tried it's little heart out I needed a bike that would be ok on interstate highways . The Honda 450 was a good choice at around $1100.00 in 1973. And it could handle 70-75 mph all day.

@richardfabacher3705

2 жыл бұрын

I took my '73 CB350-F from Alabama to Idaho. It cruised effortlessly at 75-80. It (barely) hung with my Utah friend's 750 BMW boxer touring the Wasatch mountains, but it wasn't jetted for 7000+ feet. It was the smoothest machine in the world. I once won a $100 bet. Me (175) with a 200lb friend on the back. Idle down to idle speed in top gear, and gently ease the throttle until 80 mph. Never a buck or hesitation. Felt like a turbine or electric motor. Oh, and it cost $849 new.

@alanroberts7916

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardfabacher3705 the nice thing about a four cylyder motorcycle is that one cylinder is always on its power stroke.

My GF had one in 78-80 or so. Was her daily commuter in CA. 50 miles round trip each day. She rode it to the Midwest one year too. I think it actually had more real power than the twin, having ridden one of those across the US myself. The numbers on the twin were wildly optimistic. 27hp was more like reality. She put about 40k miles on it. It was a decent bike. Far better than the twin, though the handling was pretty marginal compared to a BMW or Triumph, as was the case with most Japanese bikes then. That all changed with the Suzuki GS750, which is another great story.

@fockewulf2352

2 жыл бұрын

i had a 78 GS750E it was a great bike and one i wish i still had, i also had a 73 Honda 350F it was another great bike i used to run around town

I agree with you about the CB500. I bought the second one sold on the east cost. What a fun bike! Lots of power, easy to ride and looked good.

Thank you! This brings back such great memories. A friend in the late 60's had a cl 305 scrambler. What a great solid bike. I bought a almost new Suzuki 74 TS 185. That was a fun bike. 4 of us would go out and have adventures. I later had a Honda CL-360 and that was a great bike. Then later I picked up a Honda 550 Four and what a fun bike that was. I liked it better than my 750 Four. I got hooked riding a neighbors Trail 90? I had a Kawasaki 100 that we couldn't destroy and not for a lack of trying..Man such good memories. A friend wanted to race for pink slips for my CL-360 on his Yamaha RD-350..Uh no..That was a widow maker and he soon crashed bad not long after that. The scariest bike I ever rode back then was my big sisters boyfriends Kawasaki 750cc 3 cylinder 2 stroke. That bike was just disturbing. Even after you got off it, it still traumatized you..lol Hondas were such great fun and dependable bikes..Never the fastest but always there for you..

I had a 73 350 f with a Vetter Windjammer fairing and took three cross country tours on it. People said I was crazy but I never had any problems on any of the long rides. I loved that bike. Thanks.

@billygraham2132

2 жыл бұрын

Crazy was the Silver Wing (500cc twin full dress) I saw near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 2-up, pulling a trailer, at 7000 feet. That was 35 years ago and I still feel sorry for that bike.

Interesting video, thanks. I rode one in 1977 as an 18 year old. when I had a Suzuki GT 380 triple two-stroke. The 350 Four felt like the brakes were dragging and I didn't like it. Today, I love it, it's a beautiful bike.

@chrishart8548

2 жыл бұрын

I know 2 people that had suzuki gt380's in 1996 it's was cool bike. Even GT500's were still around. Now it's highly sort after. Friend was given a gt250 for free. 1997

@redtobertshateshandles

2 жыл бұрын

350/4 was leisurely.

I was 15 when my Uncle bought one of these. I was a good rider and he let me ride it. No license, no helmet, I rode it about 5 miles away from his house to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and back. It was fun and cool because it was so unique. Fast forward about 8 years and I had a Honda 750 four. I sold it for $1,800 and used that money for paramedic school tuition. I’m 63 now and own a Husky FE501S.

Nice video, thanks for making this! It caught my attention as I own one and still ride it. I restored it after 30 years of inactivity. It unfortunately has aftermarket 2-into-1 mufflers I installed 35 years ago when I was a student and couldn't afford the original 4-into-4 which rusted away regularly. That was probably the weak point of that motorcycle: the mufflers looked and and sounded great, but they didn't last long. They disintegrated at the junction of the exhaust pipe and the start of the muffler. I wish I could get my hands on an original set of mufflers to get it back to stock configuration. Anybody know where I could get them? I love that bike. You could make an interesting parallel between the CF350F of the 70's and the CBX of the 80's (I also owned one of those once). Those bikes didn't make sense, but man, were they ever cool!

I had a 74 350F and loved it. I can attest to its buttery smoothness. I bought mine in 77 for $400 with approximately 20,000 miles on the clock. Drove it for four years and sold it for $600 with over 50,000 miles on the clock. It never left me stranded and always put a smile on my face!

@alanespinney

2 жыл бұрын

It was buttah.

@waynepantry7023

2 жыл бұрын

Rode it for four years . . . You drive a car and ride a motorbike.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

ANY mouse-nipple four-cylinder would run buttery-smooth....

Great video, a bike from my youth, seen then as breathless, it paved the way for the CB400 Four, which took your breath away ! I totally agree with your definition, it was built because Honda could, in the same way they made the CBX1000 6 cyclinder.

@douglascarkuff1969

2 жыл бұрын

The CBX1000 was the coolest sounding motorcycle ever made.

@lengray44

2 жыл бұрын

The CB400 was a very cool little bike. It did the best donuts ever

@henryhartley9993

2 жыл бұрын

Yep I loved my 400/4. That 4into1 exhaust was a work of art...

@Pinky-lg3lz

2 жыл бұрын

Loved my 400/4: the fun started at about 6K on the tach. It was quite nimble on the tite curves.

I had a 400 four... Great engines were quite engaging to ride if you got the revs right and they handled really well. They were at the time considered a sports bike although today they probably more considered a cafe racer

@RT22-pb2pp

7 ай бұрын

I had 75 blue 400 four best little bike I ever road and like you 40 plus riding years and probably close to 30 bikes owned ver those yrs from single 4 stroke honda xl to zx10r that 400 four just made me smile screamer in 75 10 grand red line and bullet proof reliable and pretty quick in its day. Out ran many a hot rod cars in HS and made money doing so LOL Today s bikes rockets but that little 400 at 17 yrs old was a rocket to me.

I had a 75 CB350 4 that I intentionally bought to race in the AMA sportsman modified class, which I did for 8 years. The 350 4 was very easy to hop-up, extracting nearly twice the HP and dropping 38lbs of weight even with a full fairing. I had 4 into 1 tuned custom exhaust that were available and popular, and eventually we even made a full chrome moly alloy lighter weight tube frame in my father's car custom shop. That helped drop another 18lbs. It literally became e a full on near factory road racer and the one to beat at tracks like Sears Point, Monterey's Laguna Seca, and other west coast tracks in that class.

I had a '74 550/4 and drove it all over the Western United States when I was about 18 years of age. That thing was a tank and drove like a dream. Great times indeed.

When I was a teenager I wanted a CB400 four so badly.

@SchoolforHackers

2 жыл бұрын

Me too. Now I have one!

@DamnedSilly

2 жыл бұрын

My first street bike was a CB400F I got for $800 when I was 18. It was a great starter bike but I quickly jumped up to a CB750F because the frame was just a bit too small for me to really be comfortable on. It just wasn't built for someone over 6 feet.

@thedolphinDog

2 жыл бұрын

I got one when I was a teenager and loved having girls in back arms around me

I smiled through the whole great video. My first bike was the 350-4. It was a small bike to start off and learn how to ride but it felt like a big bike. I then upgraded to a 450 Scrambler for awhile. Then I worked my way up to the 550 four yeah same color root beer as the one in the video, man what a cruiser of a bike. Of course I had to have a 1969 750 that I rode 12,000 miles around the U.S. in 1977. To top it off my last bike was a brand new 1978 Goldwing 1000. Liquid cooled, drive shaft powered, Vetter fairing. Took many trips from Washington to California. Thanks for the memories *bart.*

A kid I went to school with had one of these. He was running that thing to death, smoking up the rear tires, and for the 2 years I saw it, it ran like a top. I was really impressed.

New subscriber here. I REALLY like your content and your presentation and editing. You have excellent taste in the motorcycles you like, and a top notch ability to express why you like them. From the age of 15 (1970) until well into the 90s motorcycles were my primary transportation. For many years I owned a 1967 Honda 160, a 1971 Suzuki T500 Titan, and a 1969 Triumph 650 Bonneville. I owned all three simultaneously. I loved all three so I just kept them. In the mid-90s in a fit of bad judgement I sold all three; fully intending to buy something bigger and grander than any of them. But as it turned out I never did buy another motorcycle. I regret it. I really enjoyed this video about the Honda 350 Four. In high school (early-70s) I had a friend who had one. I always thought it was just a jewel of a bike. My friend traded it for a Kawasaki 750 2-stroke triple. That bike was like the Warner Bros. cartoon Tasmanian Devil. Another friend had the first year of the BSA Rocket 3. I coveted that bike. As old as that guy is now, he still has the BSA, and it is in great shape. It's always been kept IN the house. Not even in the garage. IN the house.

@michaelpercival7981

2 жыл бұрын

I Thought everyone keeps their Bike In the House. I Do. In the Front Room. Sometimes fire it Up. When I have been Good, sometimes, extra Special Treats. On It. My Lady thinks I'm a bit nuts. VMax anniversary model 2005.

@shepherdogden6560

2 жыл бұрын

i too rode a CB 160 (and a 1969 BSA 441 Victor) but the most fun were my 1966 Bultaco Metralla (250) and a Honda CB 400 four. Honda also made a 550 four (I've never heard of a 450 cc version -- and I rode 18 motorcycles over the course of 60 years in the saddle). My most recent bike was the "Flying Brick" a 1988 BMW K75-S (475 lbs and 75 HP. One of the finest bikes ever made. Google The...

@rizzamcbride4191

2 жыл бұрын

Had 1973 Triumph 650 Bonny but was first year for 5 speed tranny and it broke the tranny more than once --------- It was a piece of garbage

@septembersurprise5178

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelpercival7981 "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained." Mark Twain.

@JW...-oj5iw

2 жыл бұрын

@@shepherdogden6560 ... The 450 mentioned in the video is the double overhead cam twin that began life in the mid '60s.

I bought one brand new in 1974. 4's to me were about being Cruisers, mine happily cruised along at 70 mph as I toured around New Zealand. I eventually put a Walker 4-into-1 exhaust on and had TT100 tyres. You say that it disappeared after a few years, but I disagree. I think the CB350F was reborn as the 400F Super Sport (Cafe Racer) that had a 4-into-1 exhaust.

@5tr41ghtGuy

2 жыл бұрын

I took a ride on a CB400F back in the day, and man was that thing smoooooth! Also, the exhaust note was priceless.

@promerops

2 жыл бұрын

I adored my CB400F, beautiful machine.

@alexnutcasio936

2 жыл бұрын

As the owner of a yellow CB400 I’d agree. It’s about perfect as a middle weight/class bike one can get,yesterday and today. Only the RD350/400 rivaled it in appeal, but for different, 2 stroke, reasons.

@pervertt

2 жыл бұрын

Brings back a few memories of the rows of bikes parked in Alfred Street, Auckland University back in the 70s. Yes, I do remember seeing a green 350F that belonged to a lucky student.

@desertroad4378

2 жыл бұрын

@@pervertt A lot of fellow Kiwis here, yes Auckland in the 70's was a great city to live in, and the CB350F was a great bike for getting around on back then..

Great video! Bought my 1st street bike in ‘83 and it was a red ‘72 CB350F. Have had dozens of bikes since, and sold them all off over the years. Only one left in the garage and it’s a red ‘72 CB350F. I think the bike represents the true spirit of Mr. Honda and his attitude of always testing the limits of what could be engineered mechanically. Doesn’t make sense on paper but if you’re lucky enough to ride one one with original 4-4 pipes, you’ll hear what sounds like Soichiro laughing when you pass 9500 RPMs.

Great video. You put a lot of effort into the production and it shows. Bravo!

I have a CB350F and it has always been my favorite bike. It sounds killer and is super smooth. Power wise it’s fine, goes over 100 with no problem. It’s just a fun bike and it does feel like your going 200 just around town.

@patricklondon962

2 жыл бұрын

My step father had one with a windshield. I could barely get 60mph out if it. Maybe it was the windshield.

@_..-.._..-.._

Жыл бұрын

@@patricklondon962 fattie

We had the 400 four in the UK and it was a best seller and carries a high premium even now, for an example in top condition.

@philtucker1224

2 жыл бұрын

My best work friend had the 400 four back in the day, I gas flowed the cylinder hard for him, I didn’t need much to be honest!

We opened a bike shop in 1978, it filled with every kind of bike awaiting repair and tune ups. I was 16. As we fixed each bike we test rode them of course, 2 years later we were on a drag strip ripping KZ 1000's down a quarter mile! We had a blast. I am now almost 60 and still riding everything that has two wheels. I do remember that Honda 750 was one of my favorites! Cheers!

@jimshoe402

Жыл бұрын

Gentle Mans Bike my buddy had 750F no thanks not Me..😁

The CB 350 (twin) still has a sweet spot in my memory for this is the very motorcycle I obtained my Motorcycle license on. Back in these days, you could get your A license at 16 years old. Compared to what you have to do to get your license today, my drive test was a joke. The examiner was the same for cars and motorcycles. I was the sole candidate in a very cold January winter month. The only thing the examiner wanted to do, is to get inside one of the cars. My test drive lasted less than 2'. I went up the street, made a U turn, came back and stopped in front of him while he stayed on the side walk. That was that. In those days, the Japanese had started to bring the 2 stroke powered bikes, excepted for Honda. So I moved on to Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki. Today, I am riding on a Moto Guzzi V11 Le Mans from 2004. But I would not mind owning a CB 350 (twin) again.

I had one! Smooth as silk, but had little torque off the start line or acceleration. Loved the the little thing for short to moderately-long trips because it lacked the kidney-shaking vibration of the twins. The CB750 isn't "arguably the first superbike" --- it was, even though the single-cammed engine was mild by today's standards. Before the 750, the CB450 twin was the big boy. The CB750 ruled for 4-years until Kawasaki introduced the 900cc Z1 which would outrun anything on the planet. Long time ago, but I remember those days... motorcycles were all I though about then!

@davidfoster3427

8 ай бұрын

this bike tires were too small. speed wobble were common and not fun.

@mnpd3

8 ай бұрын

@@davidfoster3427 All bikes in those days had inadequately sized tires. I never had a weave or wobble until I rode Harleys. The FHLPs I rode were death traps.

@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm

8 ай бұрын

z900 1976 = cb750 1969 = google it first = BIG MOUTH !

The CB 350 4 was about the best bike that Honda built. It had some magic about it and it sure did have a nice sound. And they looked just great. Soichiro knew.

@uhtred7860

Жыл бұрын

I always thought they looked odd, the bars looked too high and the pegs too far forward, the 400 four that replaced it was much nicer to ride, and looked far nicer in my humble opinion:-)

I LOVE ALL those VINTAGE Bikes....The sound the looks EVERYTHING about them...I have 1975 CB 360 T with over 40,000 miles on it had the carbs cleaned a couple years ago...STILL LOVE that VINTAGE SOUND!!!🏍

I bought a 1974 CB350 Four for a killer price back in 1976. One previous owner, low km in as good as new condition. It was my second road motorcycle replacing my erstwhile trusty 1972 CB350K4 twin. I loved both bikes, but the CB350 Four (mine was the red with white trim) truly was a beautiful piece of engineering which would rev freely and happily cruise stably at 130KPH/80MPH all day and night. Loved both bikes in their time with many fond memories of both.

The 350-4 morphed into the 400-4. I had the '72 500-4. Then in '75, I had a 750-4 in an Amen ridged frame with a 12" over springer. The 4's were a lot smoother than the twins.

@davidelliott5843

2 жыл бұрын

Parallel twin cylinder engines always shake. They can be bodged with balance shafts but are always trouble. Fours are more costly but they look so good it’s easy to up the purchase price.

@gregjetnikoff7124

2 жыл бұрын

@@davidelliott5843 Try a modern CB500x...Or a MT07 ... Had both and even if you can feel the vibes, they don't annoy your riding in any way.

@edpodellis

2 жыл бұрын

I had a 1976 360 CB 5 speed , that was in between the 350 and 400 .

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

speaking in very general terms- the engine with more cylinders is going to run smoother- basic physics.

I had a Honda 360twin when they took the place of the older 350, I also had a Honda 450 twin, and I had two BSAs I bought as basket cases and put one together. A friend of mine had a honda 500 four and I tried out a 350four, they were very smooth almost no vibration at any speed.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

you meant 'almost no speed at any vibration'......right? my '66 yamaha big bear could smoke those things- and it was just a 250 2-stroke with a mild cam.....just kidding- there was no cam.

What a great informative video! My Dad bought a near new Honda CB 200T with about 1000 miles on it. I learned to ride it and got my motorcycle endorsement on it. It was a great little street bike and was fun to ride! To this day 40bsome years later I still have my cycle endorsement and can hop on any cycle and ride. I should buy one! Thanks for sharing this! Mark in Iowa.

Great review. I remember those Hondas and also, around the same time, Benelli were producing a 350-6. The Honda dealer used to have a poster of it at the parts desk. Small multicylinder cycles were really neat back then. Tuning the carbs on those older bikes was tricky, with the 350-4 I don't think it may have been too easy to get it idling on one cylinder. I think they switched them to CV carbs soon after. Thanks for the content. Keep up the good work. בס'ד

In 1979 I purchased my first bike, a used 1976 CB400F, the sporty successor of the CB350F. Not it's 2022 and I still own that little gem. 5:29 a CB350F with a CB400F exhaust just doesn't look right. The CBR250RR makes sense in the Japanese home-market as well as some export markets, like Australia, that have legislation that makes 250s desirable.

@tad5920

2 жыл бұрын

Ha! I noticed that too and actually backed up the video - I thought I missed a shot of my '75 CB400F with the awesome 4 into one exhaust. You were smart to keep yours - I wish I still had mine!

@johnchildress6717

2 жыл бұрын

I bought a 76 400 F that was 10 months old.It was the light yellow,like new condition.I kept it inside my house.It was my first bike.My friend that was with me when I got it told me I would want a larger one later.Traded it in on a new 750 two years later.Both were trouble free.I kind of miss the 400.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

how does that work? all 250's had to be 2-stroke? (the ONLY way to fly)

Love these videos, Bart, but not one mention of the 400 four Super Sport in this one was weird. It was a successful evolution from the odd but cool 350 four.

@thelwthelw

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed! I was trying to figure out which one I like more and I ended up buying both the 350 and 400! :)

@jlinkels

2 жыл бұрын

I owned a 400 SS in the late 70-ies. Compared to the 350 (which I never owned) I thought the 400 was even smoother. And somehow it looked more like a new development instead of a downsized 500 which was a downsized 750. I did mechanical work on all 3 engines.

@brianvogt8125

2 жыл бұрын

@@jlinkels - In a bike-swap experience, riding around the city in 1977: Sitting on the 400 at traffic lights, I had to look at the tachometer to find out whether the engine was still idling (which it was).

@robertparisi8016

2 жыл бұрын

I remember the 400 four. It had the strangest exhaust configuration from factory making a kerker header impossible to fit. Back in the day everyone's mindset was more hp. More , more more, when kawi came out with the 900 cc everyone wanted one, then 1000 came out , then Suzuki gs 1100, then , then cbx, then kz 1300 six, cbr, ninja, interceptor, katana, ect fun stuff

@mvnorsel6354

Жыл бұрын

I remember the super sport came in a Royal blue.

Very nice Video, thanks for making it. The 400F (with factory 4 into 1 pipes) was one of my dream bikes in college but I kinda skipped it, going from my CB175 to a KZ750 (Z2 Japan version of the Z1) through several other bikes, with an '84 Yam FJ1100 as my pinnacle bike. As I grew older, I realized bigger and faster, was not always better. My last bike was a Suzuki 650 Savage thumper. A friend bought it last month, so I still see it.

The first long distance touring trip I ever took was the year I graduated high school. I was on a 1971 Honda CB 350 twin. I was 18 years old and weighed probably between 150 and 160 lbs. I was riding with my Dad and we covered about 6000 miles in 19 days. It was a great adventure for me. The Honda ran beautifully, requiring a spark plug swap a little over halfway through the trip and that was it. My Dad was on a 600 cc BMW and my Honda would pull him at will. It was certainly fun for me. A number of years later, my Dad took another road trip with some friends of his and one of them was riding the 350F. My Dad was not impressed with the bike. He said it really struggled to keep up with the group under circumstances that my 350 twin had no problems running. I was always intrigued by the early four cylinder bikes Honda was building. I would have loved to have gotten hold of the 550F when it came out but that never happened.

At 12 yrs old, in 1979, while my friends all had the various brands and sizes of dirt bikes. I was feeling left out, since we had just moved to the country, it was an almost essential form of transportation. So I asked my grandfather about ‘the old Honda in the garage at the cabin’. Thankfully he agreed. Over the weekend we went to the cabin and with some minor tinkering (my grandfather taught small engine mechanics at the city’s collegiate. So I grew up having to learn repair & maintenance or I wasn’t allowed to use the unit. Can’t ride the snowmobile unless you know how to get it home.), we got the bike running like new. So my first ever motorcycle was a 1968 Honda CB350. I even found the original manufacturers manual with it. In the manual was a step by step to convert the street bike to enduro. Was kinda interesting to see a kid born in 67, riding a perfectly restored 68 motorcycle. A 350 is a perfect size bike to learn on. Added bonus was that since I lived in the country, I learned to ride bike ON GRAVEL, and then same when it came to cars (except first driving car experience was the old man putting me in the stock car and saying ‘figure it out, but don’t break anything’. ) Full roll cage, 454 with a manual trans, car set up for a mud oval- what could go wrong? 😳😳😳😂🤣🤦‍♂️ Years later, I truly started to appreciate my background regarding my driving/riding abilities. Got myself into a lot of scary situations, but I’d learned how to get out of them. I’d joke that ‘I drive better than Steve McQueen’.

@larrynorsworthy8582

2 жыл бұрын

Where was that?

@stavrosk.2868

2 жыл бұрын

Great post. Keep enjoying!

Back in the early 90s my neighbours had a cb 500 4 and a 400 4 both were getting on one a 75 model the 400 I think an 76 or 77 year but they rode them Daily and they seemed reliable and powerful for old machines.

I remember one of the magazines back in the early seventies, had a cover pic of the brand new CB500-4 with the headline "The Honda Magic Lantern Lights Again". I'm 74 years now, but Honda taught me how to ride on a new 1965 S90. Loved every Honda I've owned. 🙂 Great nostalgic video! Thanks.

Perfectly balanced video that held my interest and brought back youthful memories as l drank a strong mug of tea. No regrets on following the algorithm on this one. Thanks buddy 👍

Hondas CBR250RR did make sense. Not nessecarily in the European and American markets but in Japan they did, which is why all of the big four produced small four cylinder race bikes. Street racing was hip in the 90s and bikes below 250cc were exempt from I think biannual emission and noise regulation checks. Watch FortNines Video about the CBR250RR for further reference. It does sound glorious tho.

Great video, man! I had a '73 CB 350 four but I sold it about 15 years ago. I loved that thing and often regret letting her go. In the market for another one now, as well as a CB 125!

@ronvalley1973

2 жыл бұрын

i know a guy in sterling illinois that has one for free that needs only little tlc and you can have it. ask for rich in back, at douglas an frye motorsports, in sterling. it is yours. cheers. red in color. i could take it but, i want a bigger bike and i don't like working on bikes or cars.

It was this little bike I bought used was my inspiration to go ahead and purchase my brand new off the showroom floor 1977 CB750. in late 1976. Didn't regret buying both bikes. Each served me well. Cheers from Louisiana.

Honda 4s were it ! That 4cyl sound of the 750-4 and the Z1 Kwaka's back in the day, mate . They still sound awesome.

I owned one for years. Riding was as smooth as it gets. Switched to a four into one exhaust system and got seven more up. Custom low rider seat made handling better with lower center of gravity. Loved that bike.

@raouljacques17

2 жыл бұрын

Type error 7 more horse power. 👍

@jamesromeyn8165

Жыл бұрын

You mean you got 7hp less than stock, right? +7 hp? When monkeys fly out my butt. .

@ilham7345

Жыл бұрын

@@jamesromeyn8165 please don't get confused with log headers or similar stuff that econobox car uses, which in essence also a 4-1 headers but not equal in length. equal length 4-1 headers has a scavenging effect that--thanks to Bernoulli effects--creates a little vacuum in the collector. remember that hot combustion gases are highly pressurized and more difference in pressure between combustion chamber and headers accelerates the extraction of exhaust gas, giving more room for the fresh intake mixture to get into the cylinder. this video explains a lot better than any nonsense that I type kzread.info/dash/bejne/gJmftrSJqJmeqtY.html&ab_channel=groutaone

Loved my 750. I remember Mr Honda coming to a local dealership to personally yank their franchise because of bad customer service. He was truly one of a kind.

@Mike-jv4rz

2 жыл бұрын

This bike was a gem... I ride a BMW R1150RT - got the bike from a friend for a steal.... However I think Honda is #1- reliability second to none, my son has a CBR 600F4, was a bit abused, but he did a lot of work on it and it's a beauty now.

@caddyoshack3761

2 жыл бұрын

Honda are facing prosecution in Australia right now for yanking two car dealerships' franchises before their five-year contract expiry for no legal reason and then using those dealers' databases to send emails to customers to tell them that Honda wouldn't honour their warranties if they returned to the dealer that they'd bought their car from to have them serviced. Admire their vehicles, but their contemporary admin and executive management is prima facie just standard corporate criminal A-holes.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mike-jv4rz great! you can use the spare change to pay for their ridiculously over-priced parts

I bought a new 350 Four when they were first introduced, having sold a 350 twin. I was a bit disappointed in the performance at first, but then realized that all the power was hiding at the higher end of the RPM range. It made for a great canyon carver - loved it for many years (until I got a 750F). I'm also a bit surprised you didn't mention what the 350 Four became - the wonderful CB400F.

I had a CL350 and my riding buddy showed me up with his CB360 .. we ventured everywhere. I've been on a GL1800 since 2008.. riding buddy long gone. Thanks for this 🤜💥🤛

I bought a brand new 1975 Honda 550 Four off the showroom floor. My Army buddy had a 350 Four and we would ride together. She kept up well. Honda did not exactly kill the 350 Four. They evolved it into the 400 Super Sport which was wildly popular. It was less expensive for Honda to manufacturer with simple trim and a four into one exhaust.

@wes326

2 жыл бұрын

Always loved the 550F. Great mid sized bike.

Maybe a little off topic: By the time I entered riding scene the 350F was long gone and not missed but its follow-up, the 400F was a fan favorite and missed my many when the Hawk came out for the 78 model year, twin though it was its tested BHP of 35.8 besting the 400F 32.3 even still the 400F was a great performer and I wouldn't mind having one today. To the point on which you video opened Honda of 70-80s was an incredible company I remember when in 82 for example they had 3 different street 500 engines (CX 80' V-twin, Ascot 52' V-twin and XL500 single) can't imagine that ever happening today.

@danielkeel9265

2 жыл бұрын

Loved that little 400Four. 2nd bike I ever rode, think it was '74. Never seen a 350 before so thanks for the interesting content!

@jeromebreeding3302

2 жыл бұрын

Saw the CB350 for the first time in 1974 in Philly. The guy that owned it never got it tagged, but brought it out occasionally the blast up and down the street, reving it to the moon. He no doubt realised it would be a collectable classic one day.

@thelakeman5207

2 жыл бұрын

I had a CB550 Four. It was so smooth, you could hardly tell it was running- until you hit the throttle!

@vcv6560

2 жыл бұрын

@@thelakeman5207 I remember the CB550 and it's rebirth as the CB650 in 1979. Never had a chance to ride either but I'm sure it would have been interesting.

There were two super loud bikes in my home Town a Norton Commando and my brother's friend with his CB 350 with Kerker headers with the baffles removed...I can still hear that bike in my memory

Bought a new in in 1972 while stationed at Carswell AFB in Ft Worth TX. Just to go back and forth to work. Was good for that. Also has a 1960 BMW R60.

I started out on a red 1969 Honda SL90 for my High School ride, then bought a new red 1973 Honda CB350 Junior year followed by a new blue 1977 Honda CB400F. Not many like the style, so got it for about $100 more than what I paid for the CB350.

@MrTruckerf

2 жыл бұрын

Similar story here. I had a '70 Honda Hundred, then in '73 bought a new blue/white CL350 for $750 + tax. Put 20K miles on that bike. Next was a new '75 CB500-T, which was not one of Honda's better efforts. There were others but the last bike was a 1985 VT700 with shaft-drive and water cooled. Have not been on a bike since 1990.

@Twolife

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrTruckerf Almost bought a new 1982 Yamaha 550 V-Twin shaft drive but bought an 82 Capri RS 5.0 instead. We have a 1974 Honda ST90, big brother of the CT70's. Oh and still own the RS!

i had both the 350s in two and four cylinders. they were great bikes also a kawasaki 400 . i wouldnt want to trip on them but for scooting around town they were great you could always find a parking spot and when the gas shortages happen and you could only buy a few gallons at a time meant you could still go anywere all week.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

i think most of us know that bikes have a huge fuel economy advantage- but there numerous trade-offs.

@davidfellows6250

2 жыл бұрын

@@tommurphy4307 not my harley.. at least the way i ride. ive seen Buicks get better economy. but i would own a car if it was for free.

I was 14 in 1974 when I paid $1385.00 cash for a brand new black and gold CB350 FOUR off the showroom floor of Bill's Honda Shop in Vivian, Louisiana. My CT70, SL100, and XR75 could finally get some rest...🥃😎👌 Thanks for the memories Mr Honda and Harley Davidson. I'm a high mileage unit.

My mate has a similar small capacity Honda that has a following, and was just a crazy bike, the classic CB400/4. The sound of that thing as the red and chrome passes me as we 'hooned' about in country lanes back when I was younger was ace! 👍😊 😎🇬🇧

I had a Honda 400F (4 cylinder 400cc). Nice bike, built like a watch (up to then I'd ridden English bikes, built like a mangle). But for some reason I never felt safe on that bike. Perhaps some different tyres would have helped.

@hurricane1951

2 жыл бұрын

I had one, too, and loved it. I owned it for about 15 years and the only disappointment was that my friend's 400F was always faster!

@dave8204

2 жыл бұрын

I had one and found it very bland,probably because I'd previously had an RD400 and several other larger bikes. It was really nice,mine looked great with a black and gold paint job and Rickman sports fairing but it was no "Supersport" as Honda insisted,more a cosmetic exercise on the CB350/4. I kept it for 2 years,until it was stolen, nice but the styling made it look a lot sportier than it was.

@G58

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, Bridgestone tyres were like plastic back then. A friend of an old school friend was killed on a CB250G5 because of how badly the Bridgestone tyres handled on wet corners. I had a particular interest in the situation because I had the same bike with the same factory fitted tyres, despite the fact that I bought it from the first owner with quite a few miles on it. The answer was to fit Avon Roadrunners and Girling rear shocks. Beautiful bike. Sadly got written off by a side impact at 60mph! Nearly did for me too.

@domste

2 жыл бұрын

Well the brakes suck too 😂 the front disk is undersized while the rear likes to lock, at least on mine

I've never ridden one of the 350 fours. They're cool looking little bikes. The two motorcycles I currently own are a 1975 Honda CB750 and a 1964 Triumph TR6. They're very different bikes but I love them both. I'd like to pick up a CB500 or 550 at some point. The 400F is pretty sweet too, with those side sweeping header pipes.

@glenmoss02

2 жыл бұрын

My first bike was a '77 CB400Four and it really did have nice lines with the swept pipes. Miss that bike...

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

you sure about that? a triumph tr-6 is a car- try another number. or. . . maybe a trident??

@daveco1270

2 жыл бұрын

@@tommurphy4307 If I was making stuff up I would have gone with a 59 Bonneville...one of my all time favorite Triumphs. Yes, there was a Triumph TR6 car but there's also a Triumph TR6 motorcycle.

My favorite 70s era Hondas were the SL series. There is something about a bike that can go on or off road. The 350 was my favorite. I had an SL 70 when I was 12. I rode that bike until I was in high school. It wasn't my only bike in the later years though. I had a CB450 for my first street bike. Of the CB models, the CB900 four was awesome. It had a dual range transmission. I had an 81 GL500 Silver Wing (mini Goldwing not the scooter! with the full Vetter Fairing and removable hard Vetter Bags. It also had a touring truck that could be removed to put a passenger seat in it's place. A lot of people didn't like the cylinders sticking out over the foot pegs but in cold weather they sure did a dandy job keeping my legs and feet warm. The shaft drive was smooth and silent. I've never been able to tolerate a chain since then.

Great memories. I loved that 350-4 from the first time I rode it. The only change was putting on a sissy bar for my wife. It was smooth but sounded wicked. My longest ride was when I was dispatched from MD to GA on a job (military). I strapped my stuffed duffel bag behind me and rode 700 miles in a single day. The only spooky part was driving over the bridge gates around DC. Granted, being behind a Greyhound that was spraying fuel, as well as the swamp lands of SC, weren't comfortable, but I can't think of making that trip on any other bike its size. It wasn't until 2006 and my 250 Ninja that I had another that matched that sound, nor my 650 Honda that matched the comfort. It was a pleasant bike to ride and heavy enough to be stable on old tech tires.

thank you bart, i really enjoyed this.soichiro honda is one of my hero's.he aimed higher than henry ford & lived long enough to see his mechanical dreams become a worldwide reality.& still wasnt afraid to get his hands dirty.i cant say the same for henry ford.& im a ford guy.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

henry ford was an innovator- they usually don't like to get their hands dirty.

I don't know but I bought a '75 Honda CB400-4 and it was exactly what I wanted as a newer rider. I constantly gave 750 and Triumphs fits after I upgraded the front, rear suspension, rearsets, clipons, free flow exhaust and dyno tune. It was a great "first real" bike and I miss it but I also miss weight 185lbs.

@tad5920

2 жыл бұрын

I also had a bright red '75 cb400f. What a beautiful machine, and it screamed at 10,000 rpm (although I didn't go there too often). It was a little gem!

Thank you so much for this video! So, a friend of mine had one of these. At the time, in 1978, he was one hell of a rider. You know the kind of guy who would pull a wheelie and ride it to 100+... back then!!! That was Mike! Balls of steel! I'll never forget the ride on the back of a 78(?) CBX, 6 cylinder, and he rode a fricken wheelie for a city block with me one the back! 😱😱😱 Anyway, I bought his 350four, from him so he could go get the new KZ650 Kawasaki. He through a cafe style kit/seat and tail on it. Tossed on some Michelin PZ2'S, a Kerker pipe and K & N air cleaners. Everyone that ever road that bike couldn't believe how fast it would get to triple digits! It was my first ever bike and I had a blast on it. There were times that we would hit it from a light and he had to really stay on it to pass me with his 650! A truly amazing little machine I'll never forget from the 70's, and rode to High School every day that I could, in Colorado. Thanks again for the nostalgic video!!! Jimmer

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

on snowy days you put a ski on the front wheel

I had the SL 350. Loved it !Also the 500 four and the 550 four ! Never had the 350 four! Thanks for the video😊 ! probably would’ve loved it too!

I knew a guy that chopped one out in the early 70's while I was chopping out a 63 Harley Sportster. At the time the Honda 750's were surpassing the Harley as the choice bike to chop out. They really styled well into choppers and donor bikes were plentiful and affordable. The guy chopping the 4 cylinder 350 Honda ran a motorcycle salvage yard in addition to being a long time John Deere factory worker so it made no sense to me why he picked that odd duck for his chopper build. Granted it was a unique build in the chopper world but in the end it offered nothing the Honda 4 cylinder 750 didn't have in style. I'd argue the first super bike was the Kawasaki 900. The Honda's never had the performance those first generation Kawasaki 900's had.

@kimmer6

2 жыл бұрын

The first CB 750 that I ever saw belonged to a guy's dad when I was in high school in the San Fernando Valley. They were not even in Honda shops and the guy chopped it. It had extended forks and loud baloney cut pipes. I got to ride it and one pipe burnt my ankle terribly bad when I got off it. Later I got a 1970 Honda SL 350 and rode the wheels off it. It still sits somewhere in my brother's garage near LA.

The SS 400 with a 6-speed transmission was the best motorcycle ever built

@terrygorman5810

2 жыл бұрын

That drivetrain had a very distinct sound. Ah the memories.

@tommurphy4307

2 жыл бұрын

...and you've ridden them all?

Bought a green cb500 (like at 4:06), the first one that came into town. put over 70,000 miles on it. I miss that bike. I vacationed on it every year, got married and continued that tradition, although the bike was under powered for 2 people with faring and camping gear.

I had the successor to this model, the CB400F. I have very fond memories of the six years I owned it and to this day, I'd say it is my favourite bike.

Hondas are great. Sure their motorcycles today have that clinical vague feeling. But you cant deny the reliability their motorcycles have. And the innovations they made for the motorcycle industry is undeniable

@geraldscott4302

2 жыл бұрын

"Sure their motorcycles today have that clinical vague feeling" Yes they do. And that makes everything else about them, including reliability, meaningless. Who wants to ride a smooth, quiet, sanitized, homogenized, devoid of all character, drop dead boring computer on wheels forever? Certainly not me. But then I am not a millennial who grew up with a cell phone surgically attached. I'm a gearhead who loves noise, vibration, and getting covered in grease and oil. I was born a long time ago, with gasoline in my blood and a wrench in my hand.

@anxiousappliance

2 жыл бұрын

The Hondas I've ridden today do not have that clinical vague feeling - fun lively machines. The BMW p800 twin I rode - man, how do you suck the life out of a motorcycle

I had the 1977 model CB 750 Four. Full faring, highways bars, and back rest. Put a lot of miles on that bike with just general maintenance. Rode it while others with Harleys and Kal's were repairing theirs. Very dependable ride.

@ToddSails

2 жыл бұрын

I probably put about 100K miles on my 'ol 750f back in the day.

Thank you for this wonderful video. My friends had one in silver and red, mine was green. I bought it in 1974 and held it until 1979 driving more than 64.000 kilometers. Immediately I changed the headlight to a halogen-lamp and the rear springs and shock-absorbers to tougher ones... After about 40.000 kilometers the motor lost a lot of power. We measured only 27 hp left so I "renovated" it. Means we opened the bore and installed the pistons of the newly released cb400f. That gave me 400 cc and more than 42 hp. THEN it was fun because I suddenly could catch up with the guys with the CB500F. (Cost me a lot of tyres and chains....and an oil-cooler of course) With the kilometers the plastic bearing of the swingarm needed to be reaplced. We manufactured ones from bronze. When the seat was weak and a few more small problems made more repairs neccessary I unfortunately sold it for a Suzuki 400 f with which I never was happy. With this my beloved 350f I was in Yugoslavia, of course in Austria (only 30 km away), in Italy, in Denmark, in Sweden, in Finland... Never had any problem with it. In fact, it was a dream to ride this small bike with an engine like a turbine. Not seldom we pushed it over the red scale on the rev-meter. Then the needle pointed to "Nippon Seiki" ;-) I am absolutely sure I would never have sold it if I wouldn't have needed the money in the time when I still was Student. Here is a small video wchich shows uur friends: mediathek.muehldorf-tv.de/Shop/Produkte/Werbespots/MT_Demospot10.html - And by the way: Driving a small motorcycle fast makes indeed much more fun than driving a big one slow! 🙂

In 1977 a friend had a CB750 supersport. We frequently traded vehicles for weekends. Not long after I had acquired a CB750H. While riding this CB I had taken my brother-in-law's CB350 for a ride. The power difference was quite noticable. Now I own a 1990s VF750C Magna.