Evidently a new arrival from overseas, today’s NC23 looks nicely tended, appearing to have just one slip-and-fall in its past.
1988 Honda CBR400RR / NC23 for sale on eBay
The 399cc inline four has gear-driven cams and an early valve timing system, making the 59 hp sleepy below 9,000 rpm and a tiger the rest of the way to the 12,500 redline. The other trademark printed on the fairing refers to the heavily triangulated swingarm, pre-dating the single-sided variety on the NC29. The budget didn’t allow for multi-adjustable suspension, but it did review well, like the dual 275mm brakes. Even though tire availability is better these days, the 17-inch front and 18-inch rear rubber might take some shopping.
With its dash indicating just about 13K miles, this CBR looks very good with bright finishes and just isolated corrosion. Rather new muffler. Seems like the right hand scrapes could be corrected by a good painter, and if it runs well as claimed then maybe the four 26mm carbs won’t need cleaning. “Best livery” and “never imported until now” are the only eyebrow raisers in the the eBay auction comments, the last item about documents indicating that the new owner will be shepherding it through customs and DMV –
Super low miles (odometer in KM)
Just imported JDM original in really nice shape.Runs & rides beautifully. Looks incredible.
This is a very unique model and never imported to the USA until now.Needs – touch up on right upper, mirror, and front fender. Prior owner did not properly repair scratches. Nothing else needed.
All import and clearance documents are provided.
Bill of Sale provided.
Since it brings riders to the brand, Honda’s 400cc home market is intensely competitive, and engineers jammed as much tech into this young person’s ride as the bottom line would allow. The model had a nice run but was only ever a gray import here, few and far between. Quite a few more hp are in the engine, just waiting for a competent shop to let them out. Whether straight to the racetrack or a visit to RSBFS friends at Deftone Cycles for some restoration, this one looks like a great starting point whichever way it goes.
-donn
You know what’s really neat? It has a hide-away pinion footsteps!
My high school classmates older brother bought one when it came out. He was an amateur racer, and was doing a lot of SP class racing. CBR was his street (racing) bike, but he got used slick from his racing buddies, and despite a protest from the shop, he made them put them on. He promptly crashed it on his touge run, and spent a couple of months in a hospital. The shop picked up the wreck, and it was a proper wreck.
My mom’s friend’s brother worked at Honda R&D, and he was involved with the development of the NC23. He rode either one of the very early production version or a very late pre-production (I just can’t remember which) that he painted health and safety yellow and purple, and to my high school eyes, it looked amazing.
Love those bikes!
My guess is someone found out the hard way about cali 17 digit vin laws. Legal to import a jdm bike. But not street registered allowed.
Guess they’ve really cracked down on it past few years.
I’m the owner of this cbr. I have imported three jdm bikes within the last year and have registered them all in California without any problem. Most recently my 1996 RVF400RR
As a 25+ year old bike, have all import documents and web info to support the year, make and model of the bike. Take those to local CHP and you get the bike signed off. I take them immediately to the DMV and register the bike the same day.
I forgot about noting the tuck away passenger pegs. It’s a great feature and should be done for every bike!
As a note…. I bought this as I always liked the CBR400 (IMO…t is the best livery). Several people I know have both. Already having the RVF400, I wanted to ride and compare the two…deciding which to keep.
I’ve an avid jdm 400 guy, having owned a few fzr400s and a gsxr400. The cbr is the smoothest of them all and rides incredibly well. I’m 5’9″ and have a bit shorter arms, and the rvf fits me perfectly. So that’s the one I’m keeping.
JB, sorry to ask, I’m in California and could use registration advice or a service I could pay for?
there are registration services that will help. I believe one is called Title Bros, but I’ve always done it myself.
I’d be glad to give advice and help. Let me know where you are in CA.
You can send me more questions through the contact seller link.
Sold for $8,200. Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc