The Honda CB400T is a range of motorcycles built by Honda. In the United Kingdom it was known as the Dream, whereas in the United States it was known as the Hawk. A Honda CB250T version was also available for UK licensing reasons.
Background
The model was the successor to the ageing twin cylinderCB360 and the highly regarded, but expensive for the 400 cc class, four-cylinderCB400F. The CB400T has two fewer cylinders than its CB400F predecessor and although the press was initially skeptical of it, reviews stated that it was a worthwhile successor and more than capable of competing with contemporary rivals. Its overhead camshaftair-cooledparallel-twin had been completely redesigned, with a chain drive that operated three valves per cylinder, two for inlet and one for exhaust. It differs from rival manufacturers 400 cc twin-cylinder models because it has a 360° crank layout similar to many traditional British parallel twins instead of the more common 180° crank layout. Counter-rotating balance-shafts help to reduce unwanted vibrations caused by the 360° crank layout. Honda fitted these models with capacitor discharge ignition instead of the points system found on its predecessors, that required frequent maintenance. It uses a five-speed transmission with a chain final drive. Fuelling is provided by twin Keihincarburettors. A steel diamond cradle type frame uses the engine as a stressed member to reduce mass and increaseground clearance.
British market
The CB400T Dream was introduced in 1977. It has alloy and steel compound Comstar wheels. Fuelling is provided by 32 mm Keihin carburettors. Braking is provided by a single hydraulic front disc and an expanding rear drum. The Dream was also available in a CB250T version to comply with the UK learner regulations at the time. Period reviews stated the bike was a mid-range tourer with rider comfort being considered one of its best attributes. The Dream was only on sale for a six-month period before it was succeeded by the Euro-styled CB250N and CB400N Super Dream in 1978.
American market
In the United States, the CB400T was known as the "Hawk". They were advertised under the slogan "Fly the Hawk – motorcycling will never be the same". The CB400T was marketed alongside the mechanically similar, more cruiser-inspired Honda CM400. It was launched in 1978 in three different variants, the CB400TI Hawk I, CB400TII Hawk II and CB400A Hawk Hondamatic.
Although the Dream was only on sale in the UK for six months, its successor, the Super Dream, was on sale for eight years. The engine and chassis underpinned various other models until the early 1990s, culminating with the CB450DX. The Hawk and CM range continued as the CB450 Hawk, later CB450SC Nighthawk and CM450 models.
