[LoopyLee]

Honda CBR400RR

History, Specifications And Technical Information

History

First manufactured in 1988 the Honda CBR400RR, or 'BabyBlade', is the smaller sibling of the Fireblade or CBR900RR series even though it preceded the 900cc Fireblade by several years. It was manufactured for the Japanese home market and from its release stormed straight to the top of the sales charts. The CBR400RR engine was a development from that of the CBR400 Aero, but had gear driven cams, an aluminium frame, a 17 inch front wheel and brand new styling complete with a twin headlamp fairing. It was referred to as either the ‘Tri-Arm’, a reference to its triangulated swingarm, or the NC23, its factory code. This domination of the Tri-Arm was continued in 1990 by the next generation of CBR400RR, the ‘L’ model, also known as the ‘Gull-arm’, or its factory designation the ‘NC29’. In spite of the superficial similarities between the Tri-Arm and the Gull-Arm, the Gull-Arm was in fact a completely new machine whose parts had much in common with the VFR400, including 17 inch wheels, front and rear. The name ‘Gull-Arm’ came from the bikes new swing arm design, derived from the, then, current race design a year after the swing arm was seen on the race track.
When the 900cc FireBlade hit the worlds markets and revolutionised the sports bike market in 1992 the Gull-Arm got the same paintwork and the FireBlade sticker on the fairing. Even though the 400 was the earlier design, it was christened the Baby Blade and went on to become probably the best selling ‘grey import’ in the UK.

Model Classifications, Dimensions And Weights

Model, Code and Production Year - CBR400RR-J (1988)
Frame Numbers - NC23-1020001 to 1036454
Engine Numbers - NC23E-1020001 to 1036510
Carburettor Number - VG04A
Wheelbase - 1370mm
Overall length - 2020mm
Overall width - 690mm
Overall height - 1110mm
Ground clearance - 120mm
Weight (dry) - 179kg

Model, Code and Production Year - CBR400RR-K (1989)
Frame Numbers - NC23-1090001 to 1098116
Engine Numbers - NC23E-1090001 to 1098123
Carburettor Number - VG04B
Wheelbase - 1380mm
Overall length - 2202mm
Overall width - 675mm
Overall height - 1110mm
Ground clearance - 120mm
Weight (dry) - 182kg

Model, Code and Production Year - CBR400RR-L (1990 and 1991)
Frame Numbers - NC29-1000001 to 1010598
Engine Numbers - NC23E-1300001 to 1310636
Carburettor Number - VP01A
Wheelbase - 1365mm
Overall length - 1990mm
Overall width - 670mm
Overall height - 1080mm
Ground clearance - 125mm
Weight (dry) - 180kg

Model, Code and Production Year - CBR400RR-N (1992 and 1993)
Frame numbers - NC29-1050001 on
Engine Numbers - NC23E-1420001 on
Carburettor Number - VP01A
Wheelbase - 1365mm
Overall length - 1990mm
Overall width - 670mm
Overall height - 1080mm
Ground clearance - 125mm
Weight (dry) - 180kg

Model, Code and Production Year - CBR400RR-R (1994 - on)
Frame Numbers - NC29-1100001 on
Engine Numbers - NC23E-1500001 on
Carburettor Number - VP01B
Wheelbase - 1365mm
Overall length - 1990mm
Overall width - 670mm
Overall height - 1080mm
Ground clearance 125mm
Weight (dry) - 180kg


Specifications CBR400RR-N

Type Four-stroke, dohc, in-line four cylinder
Capacity 399cc
Bore & Stroke 55.0mm x 42mm
Compression Ratio 11.3:1
Valve Train Gear Driven DOHC; 4 valves per cylinder
Cooling System - Liquid cooled, radiator with cooling fan
Clutch - Wet multi plate
Clutch operation - Cable operated
Transmission - 6-speed
Primary reduction - 2.117 : 1 (72/34)
Final reduction (sprockets) 2.600 : 1 (39/15)
Transmission - 6 speed constant mesh
Final drive chain - 102 links, split
Frame Twin spar, box-section aluminium
Front Suspension - Oil-damped telescopic forks
Rear Suspension - Single shock absorber with 3-way linkage
Front brakes - Double floating disc; 2-piston Nissin sliding callipers
Rear brake - Single solid disc; single-piston Nissin sliding calliper
Fuel tank capacity - 15.0 liters (4.0 U.S. gal., 3.5 Imp gal.)
Ignition system - Digitalized full transistor ignition
Starting system - Electric
Battery Type - YTX7L-BS
Charging system - Triple phase output alternator
Regulator/rectifier type - SCR Shorted/triple phase full wave rectification
Recommended engine oil -SAE 10W-40
Engine oil capacity at oil filter change - 3.4 litres
Idle speed - 1,300 +/- 100 rpm
Cold tire pressure (driver only, front) - 33 psi (2.25 bar)
Cold tire pressure (driver only, rear) - 33 psi (2.25 bar)
Cold tire pressure (driver & pass., front) - 33 psi (2.25 bar)
Cold tire pressure (driver & pass., rear) - 36 psi (2.50 bar)
Spark plug (standard) - NGK CR8EH-9 or equivalent
Spark plug (racing) - NGK CR9EH-9 or equivalent
Spark plug gap - 0.8-0.9mm

[.OrgOwner]

Awesome post Loopy - very well constructed, I've been forced to stick this thread and give you some rep points as well!

[LoopyLee]

Thank you

[sceaf3]

LoopyLee;
Thanks for the great information on the CBR400RR. I rode a VFR400R (NC30) for a long time on both street and track and really enjoyed the bike. A picture of the bike in in my gallery. I believe it was heavier than its inline counterpart. The VFR had an 18" rear, I believe until Honda came out with the RVR400R. Mine had a 17" Interceptor or RVR wheel. Do you know the hp comparisons between the two bikes?
Thanks,

[ceaclimaco]

Hi,

Its only up to 1994

how about this frame number?
nc29-1100738

where does it fit? like what year model?

[sceaf3]

Loopy,
Thaks again for your post on CBR400RR specs. I do have one question: if the NC29 replaced the NC23 in '90, why does the chart on "Model Classifications, etc." show serial numbers for the NC23 thru1994?

[davez]

Originally Posted by ceaclimaco

Hi,

Its only up to 1994

how about this frame number?
nc29-1100738

where does it fit? like what year model?

I would think this means from 94 onwards to when ever they stopped producing them would have this number (.1100***) typically the R and R2 model (Type 7 and 8) Thinking about it, does anyone know the difference between an "R" model and a "R2" model? Looking through the parts book its hard to spot, with it being in Japanese mostly.

Originally Posted by sceaf3

Loopy,
Thaks again for your post on CBR400RR specs. I do have one question: if the NC29 replaced the NC23 in '90, why does the chart on "Model Classifications, etc." show serial numbers for the NC23 thru1994?

Is this the engine numbers you are talking about which kept the NC23 prefix on all versions of CBR through this period?

dave

[tryer]

what about 400 aero nc23? is it most the same with RR?

[Surffrog]

Originally Posted by sceaf3

Loopy,
Thaks again for your post on CBR400RR specs. I do have one question: if the NC29 replaced the NC23 in '90, why does the chart on "Model Classifications, etc." show serial numbers for the NC23 thru1994?

Many NC29s engine numbers are NC23 prefixed. This did change on the later models when the engine was given revision changes.

Originally Posted by tryer

what about 400 aero nc23? is it most the same with RR?

The engine will be the same as some of the early NC29s, but not all. I believe there were three engine revisions if you include the first NC23s.

[hahuyphuong]

Thanks