Lightweight Power with a Café Racer Spirit: HONDA CB400SS Custom

Webike's Opinion

Here is a "HONDA CB400SS" custom by Webike community user "D-suke". What the owner loves most about his bike is its balance of character and refinement. It has the unmistakable pulse of a single-cylinder engine, but thanks to its internal balancer, it doesn't vibrate as aggressively as an SR, making for a more comfortable ride. Despite its single-cylinder layout, the engine features a four-valve design, adding to its performance potential. The bike’s lightweight build further enhances its agility, and after changing to an FCR carburetor, it now delivers a thrilling surge of acceleration. At first glance, the carburetor appears stock, but it’s actually a WM FCR unit with a BORE-ACE Air-Assist Funnel. The owner also replaced the battery with a lightweight ANTIGRAVITY model, bringing the bike’s weight down to just 142kg—a remarkable figure for a 400cc machine. This weight advantage allows it to keep pace with larger bikes, especially on twisty downhill roads, where agility matters most.

To enhance both aesthetics and riding position, the owner embraced a café racer transformation, equipping the bike with WM Clip-Ons, WM Rearsets, and a single-seat conversion. However, with the CB400SS stock tank shape, knee grip became nearly impossible with this setup. To fix this, he installed a WM Wellington Special Aluminum Tank II, an expensive investment, but one that significantly improved control, with its flowing curves integrating beautifully with the café racer silhouette.

One of the owner’s favorite modifications is the instrument panel, where he custom-fitted a one-off aluminum meter panel housing a STACK Tachometer and an ACTIVE Digital Speedometer. He finds the STACK Tachometer’s stepper motor especially satisfying—its movement enhances the joy of ownership in a way that’s hard to put into words.

Committed to a riding philosophy of “no accidents, no violations,” the owner takes pride in a safe yet enjoyable riding experience. As he glides through the spring air, he savors the thrill of a machine that feels truly his own.

Gallery

Specifications