Update 5.6.2023: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc
Update 4.7.2023: Relisted on eBay with price reduced to $7,800. Good luck to buyers and seller! -dc
Starting with an interesting bike that has been subject of quite a few RSFBS posts, reader Rassie has combined expert fabrication with surprising ingenuity. Prepare to be amazed by the vision and build quality !
1989 Honda CB-1 / CBR400RR Tribute for sale asking $7,800
Even for its all-around segment, the CB-1 was a bit of a sleeper – better at everything than it appeared at first glance. Weight was under control without fairings, power was on spec at 55 hp, and the gear-driven cams played well to the rider, right up to the 13,500 rpm redline. A relatively modern package, with heads tuned down a notch from the race replica, and Honda quality – all in all a winning choice for a tribute build.
Rassie provided a detailed discussion of the 2020 build in the eBay auction, so we’ll let him tell it –
I purchased this particular bike with 2,750 miles on the clock. The replacement odometer was at 12,250 kilometers at the time of fitment and continues to show in kilometers. With 1,347 km (approximately 808 miles) added after restoration was completed it currently shows 13,597 km. Actual miles are 3,558.
The bike was taken apart down to the frame, cleaned and individual parts inspected. Parts that required replacement were replaced, restored or modernized. Modernization included the addition of 2001 Yamaha R1 forks, triple clamps and fender that were mated to the stock front wheel and brake caliper. Wheel spacers and adapters were machined from billet or round stock aluminum. The caliper is mounted via a custom machined adapter and retains the stock rotor. The brake lines are aftermarket stainless steel items. The front brake master cylinder is from a 2018 Honda CBR500. Steering controls are by way of a set of 50mm Renthal Clip-ons.
The front fairing stay mimics the OEM stay from a CBR400RR and was outfitted with OEM European spec CBR400RR odometer, instruments and dashboard. A lower tray was custom fabricated to house the wiring behind the headlights. The speedometer was fitted with a miles per hour overlay to indicate actual speed in mph while driving. The headlights are original OEM Japanese spec CBR400RR headlights that feature a blueish tint. The front fairing is a modified version of the VFR400RR unit that features a longer top fairing and a removed belly pan, in order to highlight the engine and exhaust. The front fairing is additionally aesthetically modified with two intake ducts under the headlights. The fairings were finished in candy apple red (called Randy Apple Red), candy apple blue and pearl white. The paint design is aimed at mimicking the paint scheme favored by earlier RC Hondas like the CB1100RC but still reflecting the 80’s style Honda CBR paintwork design.
The bodywork modifications feature an OEM European spec VFR400R rear subframe and seat unit. The seat is covered in leather/suede with red stitching that has been waterproofed. A race style seat pad was added against the inside of the rear fiberglass fairing hump. The rear fiberglass replica VFR400R fairing was modified by making it shorter and narrower in the rear and lengthening in front to mate seamlessly with the stock CB1 gas tank and frame. A lip was added above the taillight to the rear of the fairing to mimic CBR400RR styling and is fitted with an aftermarket integrated tail light with built in turn signals. It is outfitted with a custom made 80’s period high rise Yoshimura style slip on muffler and foot guard, mated to the original header pipes.
Beside the smashing design and execution, Rassie did a lot of mechanical refurbishment which will pay the next owner back over time. Here’s his list of a work done and notes –
- The engine was inspected and found to be in excellent condition assumed due to the low miles and proper maintenance. The valve clearances were checked and the factory finished paint was touched up in a few spots. The water pump was replaced in 2023 with an aftermarket item.
- The carburetors were stripped, cleaned and inspected. They were then rebuilt with new seals, jets and O-rings. The current jetting has been adjusted to suit the exhaust style and the bike revs freely through to the redline with no observable dips in power curve.
- The frame, brackets, stays and swingarm were powder coated in dark gray metallic or black. All bearings, bushings and seals were replaced. The wheels were powder coated in pearl white and all the bearings and seals replaced. The exhaust was ceramic coated in black. The steering head bearings were replaced with new tapered bearings and seals from AllBalls-Racing.
- The ignition switch was deleted, replaced with a Motogadget M-Lock RFID ignition switch with sensor located under the rear tail section underneath the pearl white strip going over the top of the fairing.
- It features a right-side engine cover machined from billet aluminum block.
- Oil was last changed in August of 2022.
- The water pump was replaced with an aftermarket unit in February 2023. Radiator fluid was replaced with OEM Honda H2 fluid. The OEM rebuildable water pump will convey with the sale.
- New high friction brake pads were installed in October 2022.
- The far-right carburetor was found to have a crack in it due to some sort of visible impact about ½ inch in diameter. This was repaired using epoxy and has been operating perfectly since. The bike is offered with a spare set of carburetors that have been cleaned but not rebuilt.
- Tires are Bridgestone Battlax S22’s (Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 140/70-17) showing very little wear.
- Chain and sprockets show minimal wear.
- Paintwork defects are noted on some edges of the fairing as overspray and one touched up chip on the far-left rear lower corner of the tail fairing under the headlight.
- Discoloration of the clearcoat is visible on the left of the lower frame due to a prior gas leak. An aftermarket replacement petcock was installed in 2020 after the gasoline leak.
Rassie asks $8,600 $7,800 for his CB-1 and can be reached via the Contact Seller button
The CB-1 harkened back to the CB400F, and even used that model name in some markets. Rassie has brought a whole other animal though, with a supersport half fairing, up-to-date front suspension, and metallic HRC livery. If a low-mile, comprehensively rebuilt tribute sounds as good to you as it did to RSBFS, check out the eBay auction, or contact Rassie directly by email (rassie@gmail.com) or phone: (717)315-8754.
-donn
