Like a lot of people I was looking for something cheap and reliable. This usually means ending up with a slow and boring motorcycle which sends you to sleep before it gets to 60mph. The aptly named Dream (as in 'Zzzzzzzz') always seemed to me a perfect example of this type. I'd ridden plenty of the 250s and wasn’t impressed, to say the least. The steering and handling were OK, but the performance was pathetic. So when I saw an early 400 advertised for what appeared to be a reasonable price I didn't exactly leap out of the bath screaming Eureka (real bikers don’t have baths anyway).
lt looked in good condition, with about 14000 miles on the clock. Its previous owner had been a member of the plod squad, no less. Naturally, l was immediately suspicious. He’d obviously been a keen Chips viewer and had kitted his own bike out as a small fry imitation of the genre - tinted screen, crash bar mounted lights, etc. Mechanically. it was standard... even the silencers and FVQ shocks were original! Apart from the embarrassment of being seen riding the thing, I couldn't think of a good reason for not buying it, so a smallish wad of notes changed hands there and then.
Once out on the open road I was pleasantly surprised. The engine pulled well at all revs up to the redline at 10000rpm; even a bit above, and the handling seemed fine. My last bikes had been a Ducati Darmah and a Bonnie, so my riding style needed a bit of adjustment at first, but the performance certainly couldn't have been described as flat. Indeed, after a few miles I was forced to come to the conclusion that it was as fast as the Triumph most of the time.
Even in top gear pulling power the Honda wouldn’t have been disgraced. l was amazed to discover that one particular hill where the Bonnie had needed fourth or even third, the Honda could climb easily without cogging down. Of course, part of the secret lies in lower overall gearing (110mph/1000rpm in top) but it was impressive, nevertheless. Maybe three valve heads and power chamber exhausts really do work.
Flat out it was good for the ton, but I always thought it had enough power to cope with slightly raised gearing, which might have gained a bit more speed. It certainly wouldn't have harmed the fuel consumption, which refused to go above 50mpg however slowly l rode. Compared with the Bonnie, the 400lb, 398cc Japanese twin used slightly more petrol than the heavier Brit with almost twice the displacement. Although when you consider that the average speed was similar it begins to make sense. Oil consumption, like all the Hondas I've owned, was practically zero between changes - why aren't Yamahas and Suzukis as good?
After a few thousand miles of faultless running, the rear tyre was getting a bit on the thin side, so one of the old style Roadrunners which had fallen off the back of something replaced it. The combination of a TT100 and Avon, which often made other bikes wobble into oblivion, suited the Dream perfectly. It wasn't exactly Ducati like in the way it held a line through bands but the steering managed to keep the right balance between sensitivity and twitchiness.
This orderly behaviour came to an abrupt halt soon after when one of the FVQs lived up to its unofficial name and faded very quickly. In a matter of days it spewed out its oil (good job they only hold about 0.3cc or it might've made a nasty mess on the swinging arm) and lost damping completely. A one shock Dream was bad enough in handling precision terms, but when its partner went the same way it turned into a nightmare. It bounced, weaved and rattled so badly over the bumps that I nearly started to believe that MOTs were a worthwhile idea. Sanity returned when I realised that all you had to do was ride slower. As it was impossible to ride fast in this state the conclusion has to be that a bike with worn suspension is actually safer. I rest my case... and my broken leg.
Servicing was simple. Screw and locknut tappets, set for life electronic ignition, easy camchain adjustment... what more could you want? Alright, I’ll tell you. A camchain that lasts longer than 18000 miles, that's what. Part of the problem was that the tensioner's spring couldn't summon up enough energy to push the blade out to the limit of its travel. A bit of manual assistance (Haynes and fingers) pushed things in the right direction to quell the clatter for a while, but the writing was definitely on the wall for my Hy-vo. Replacing the chain isn't a huge job. Just drop the engine out, split the crankcases. remove the camshaft and Sochiro’s your uncle... it's done in less time than it takes to start an MZ with a fouled spark plug.
It's interesting that when the CB400T replaced the 400 four, which had become a legend in its own launch time, most people were expecting it to be inferior in every way. Having done many thousands of miles on both, I'd say that the F was only better in its engine smoothness and exhaust note. The Dream had more power in all situations and its road performance was far superior. The four only went properly over 7000rpm and needed constant gear changing to keep on the boil.
Great fun for a while but very tiring on long journeys. Quite how the 400/4 gained its reputation for handling, I don't know. If you examine the bike closely both the frame and suspension are very similar to those of the old CB250K or G5 which were a yardstick in mediocrity. Only the weight distribution and riding position seemed any different on the four, so could it really be that much better? The twins, introduced in 1977, had a more rigid frame, forks, swinging arm and wheels, greater power and torque plus superior cornering clearance: no contest.
Probably, what put people off was the association with the L plate 250 version and dumpy styling. Luckily, you can’t see it when you're riding it, so the latter aspect can be avoided. To me, the worst thing about the Dream was the deafening whirring noise it made - the screen on my bike had reflected the racket back at me and added to the problem. Any surviving exhaust sound was completely drowned out and I was almost looking forward to the day when the balancer box rotted away....almost, because i knew that when it did I'd lose about 10hp. That thing really does work!
I had no other problems with the bike before I sold it to get something bigger again, but maybe l was lucky. Electronic ignition failure, along with the usual Honda top and troubles are common. The 400 Superdream with smoother styling and six speed box plus better brakes is a more sensible buy, I suppose, unless price is the only consideration.
Overall, then, a few months of Dreaming left me with the impression that these oft maligned bikes were actually a useful hack in 400cc form... l still hate the 250s though!
R A Ker