what separates the different CB1 models?

[baard]

Being relatively new to the CB1, I've been reading all I can to figure out the possible upsides or downsides of my new bike. ...and of course to figure out what parts are generally available. It seems to me there are big differences even within one model year, so I thought I'd start a thread to find which parts are the same or not. For instance,- is the American soft steel exhaust more freeflowing than the "European" stainless steel one?

I run an '89 dark blue Japanese import (NC 27?) in original if not mint condition, complete with Japanese warning stickers.

From what I've read my bike differs from other CB1's at at least these points:

It has:
-one piece, well muted stainless steel exhaust
-metal foot pegs that fold all the way back (they do not fold only halfway as I've read about somewhere on this forum)
-less than 50 hp and no more than decent fuel economy at 45 mpg (my uneducated guess, from comparing with my more fuel economic(!!!) Ducati Monster 900S.i.e)
-130/80-17 original rear tyre
-centre stand
-Chrome rectangular mirrors
-replaced rectifier with cooling fins

It does not have:
-fuel pump
-any evident faults, mechanical or otherwise

In addition there are subjective differences which will be hard to quantify, however there seems to be some difference in the brakes as I've never run mine hot while others claim they fade quickly.

Other observed variations between models or within models are welcome.

Baard

[ptlcb1]

Hello Baard and welcome to the site!  I can only comment about the CB-1s that were sold here in the States.  They were only sold here in 1989 and 1990.  The differences between those two years are as follows:

1.  Center-stand.  Came standard on the '89, but not on the '90.
2.  '89 tank stickers were grey.  '90 tank stickers were red.

The only color that was available here was the smurf blue.  SOME will say that the '89 handled better, and SOME say that the '90 was faster!  lol

[Drewski]

By the looks of it, you might be confusing the CB-1 with the CB400 Superfour,(SF) - a common mistake. They're actualy two different bikes the main difference being the frame and engines but also the wheels, tank, seat..........in fact it would be easier to say what they do have in common which is very little.
                As above, there were two different models of CB-1 but very few differences, the main one is that the later model has the engine painted a fetching black.

[baard]

Drewski; Thanks for pointing out that possibility, however I am fully aware of the difference between the CB400 superfour and the CB-1. I will be posting pictures in the near future in case you're not convinced. I realize there are two model years sold in the US ('89 and '90) with minor differences, however comparing the US model to the japanese model reveals greater differences.

As explained, mine is a japanese import which, from what I can tell, is similar to the model sold in Europe, but with different details (like footpegs, exhaust, fuelpump and paint to mention a few) when compared to the US model. I live and ride in Norway where the CB-1 was never officially sold, and used parts are non-existent. The purpose of this thread is thus to get an overview of which parts are different. This could prove helpful (for me at least) when ordering spare parts from overseas.

[Drewski]

Drewski; Thanks for pointing out that possibility, however I am fully aware of the difference between the CB400 superfour and the CB-1. I will be posting pictures in the near future in case you're not convinced. I realize there are two model years sold in the US ('89 and '90) with minor differences, however comparing the US model to the japanese model reveals greater differences.

As explained, mine is a japanese import which, from what I can tell, is similar to the model sold in Europe, but with different details (like footpegs, exhaust, fuelpump and paint to mention a few) when compared to the US model. I live and ride in Norway where the CB-1 was never officially sold, and used parts are non-existent. The purpose of this thread is thus to get an overview of which parts are different. This could prove helpful (for me at least) when ordering spare parts from overseas.

That's why I said you might be confusing the two bikes - I've seen it sooo many times already. Appologies if I hurt your feelings. No need to try and convince me of anything, In usualy take someones word for something. It's difficult to know how much somebody knows about anything on the basis of a few lines. TBH, I forget about the cheaper exhaust model and have never even clapped my eyes on one in the flesh, the CB-1 wasn't officialy sold here either so they all tend to be Japanese models. I thought you might have been talking about the differernt Japanese models rather than the USA and Euro models. I've got the stainless exhaust on my Japanes model but wouldn't really call it "muted", it's one of the best sounding production pipes I've heard on a small bike. Maybe yours is a different one to meet some Scandanavian traffic laws??

[baard]

No feelings hurt

The "muted" comment may be due to my knowledge of the english language, or lack thereof. I completely agree; -it's one of the best sounding original exhausts I've heard, however it's not loud, especially compared to my Ducati Monster. The exhaust was actually a selling point when I considered the alternatives for my new "commuter".

[91cb-1]

I've got to agree on the silencer point one of the best sounding bike's with the origional exhaust on it though i gotta say the monster sounds alot better, when i got my 91 jap import it had a custom exhaust on it, when i say custom i mean it looks like it was made in someones kitchen, it was louder than the monsters. when putting on the new exhaust i was trying to get a centerstrand with it because the 91 model didn't come with a centerstand but did come with mounting bolts for it! the colour scheme's black and red. not 100% sure what you mean about the oil pump, i'm nearly certain mine has an oil pump on it, and as far as the earlier models are concerned they're all the same old cb400f racing engines are they not? thus i would assume that they all have oil pumps

[91cb-1]

oh and rear tyre is 140/70-17 which as far as i've heard is standard, but then again i don't know all the earlier models

[baard]

Yes, thanks.

I've done some research and it turns out someone didn't quite do their job when registering this bike in Norway. My registration paper reads: rear tire dimension 140/80-17, which is clearly wrong. Changing it to the correct size may be a pain though...

(BTW: according to the registration papers my Honda C70 passport has a luggage capacity of nearly 2000kg, so it's not the first time they get it wrong)

[theplumber]

well you'd be surprised how much abuse that passport can take. you could throw it off a building and it would still turnover. i've heard of guys swapping out fryer oil and it STILL runs...lol!