Honda CB250N/CB400N

Honda CB250N (CB400N)

Honda CB400N in the Honda Collection Hall
Manufacturer	Honda Motor Company
Also called	Super Dream
Production	1978–1986
Predecessor	Honda CB250T/CB400T Dream
Successor	Honda CB450DX-K
Class	Standard
Engine	Air-cooled four-stroke, parallel-twin, three valves per cylinder, sohc
Bore / stroke	62.6 mm × 41.4 mm (2.46 in × 1.63 in) (250N) 70.5 mm × 50.6 mm (2.78 in × 1.99 in) (400N)[1]
Compression ratio	9.4:1 (250N) 9.3:1 (400N)[1]
Top speed	83 mph (134 km/h) [2] (CB250N) 103.44 mph (166.47 km/h)[3] (CB400N)
Power	27 bhp (20 kW)[2] @ 10,000rpm (250N) 43 bhp (32 kW) @ 9,500rpm (400N)[3]
Torque	14.7 lb·ft (19.9 N·m)[2] @ 8,500rpm (250N) 24.5 lb·ft (33.2 N·m)[3] @ 8,000rpm (400N)
Ignition type	Capacitor discharge electronic ignition, electric start, kick start (N variant only)
Transmission	6 speed, chain drive manual
Suspension	Front: Telescopic forks; Rear: Swingarm with twin shock absorbers (adjustable for pre-load)
Brakes	Single front disc, single piston caliper; drum rear (250N) Twin discs front; drum rear (400N)
Tyres	3.60S19-4PR front, 4.10S18-4PR rear[4]
Wheelbase	1.395 m (4 ft 6.9 in) 1.390 m (4 ft 6.7 in) (400N)
Dimensions	L: 2.115 m (6 ft 11.3 in) W: .730 m (2 ft 4.7 in) H: 1.105 m (3 ft 7.5 in)
Seat height	0.795 m (2 ft 7.3 in)
Weight	167 kg (368 lb) 171 kg (377 lb) (400N)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity	14 L (3.1 imp gal; 3.7 US gal)
Related	Honda CB250T Honda CB400T Honda CM400 Honda CB450T Honda CB450SC Honda CB450DX-K

The Honda CB250N and CB400N Super Dream are motorcycles manufactured by the Honda Motor Company from 1978–1986. The successor to the short lived Dream model, it had a series of revisions including a six speed transmission and what Honda termed as European styling ^[5] which resembled the CB750F and CB900F. It was a popular model for Honda with 70,000 bikes sold in the UK alone.^[6]

Engine

The Super Dream was fitted with a four stroke, air-cooled, twin cylinder engine. It had three valves per cylinder, two inlet and one exhaust, operated by a chain driven over head camshaft. Ignition was provided by capacitor discharge ignition (CDI).^[7] It utilized a 360° crank layout similar to many traditional British parallel twins albeit with tandem balance-shafts in the front left side of the engine to reduce unwanted vibrations. It used a six-speed transmission with a chain final drive.^[7] Fuelling was provided by twin Keihin carburettors.^[8]

CB250N

The CB250N Super Dream was a 249cc motorbike. It was a popular model in the United Kingdom due to the licensing laws at the time allowing learners to ride any motorbike with a capacity under 250cc.^[9][10] The CB250N was the most popular selling bike in the UK with over 17000 bikes sold in 1980 alone.^[9] Its popularity in the United Kingdom waned along with many in the 250cc class when in 1983 the maximum size of learner machines was reduced to 125cc.

During its production run it had several variations from 1978 to 1986. The various designations were, CB250N (1978-1979), CB250NA (1980), CB250NB/NDB Deluxe (1981) and CB250NDC (1982-1985)^[11] and CB250NDD (1983-1986).

CB400N

The CB400N Super Dream was very similar to the 250N variant. However, it differed from the 250N with its larger engine capacity, twin front brake discs and a halogen front head light.^[5] The front instrument had different markings for the rev counter and speed to reflect the lower maximum engine speed and higher top speed of the 400N.^[11]

The CB400N had several revisions during its production run. The launch model CB400N (1979-1980), CB400NA (1980-1981), CB400NB (1981-1983), CB400NC (1982-1985)^[11] and CB400ND (1983-1986).

References

1. Honda CB250:CB400 Owners Manual. Honda Motor Company. p. 100.
2. "Bike magazine". Bauer. June 1980: 39.
3. "Bike magazine". Bauer. May 1979: 71.
4. Honda CB250:CB400 Owners Manual. Honda Motor Company. p. 94.
5. Haynes CB250N & CB400N Owners Workshop Manual. Haynes Publishing Group. 1990. p. 5.
6. "Motorcycle International magazine". August 1988: 66.
7. Haynes CB250N & CB400N Owners Workshop Manual. Haynes Publishing Group. 1990. p. 18.
8. Haynes CB250N & CB400N Owners Workshop Manual. Haynes Publishing Group. 1990. p. 63.
9. "What Bike magazine". February 1981: 66.
10. "Motorcycle International magazine". August 1988: 67.
11. "Classic Motorcycle Mechanics". Mortons Media Group. June 2013: 54.

External links