Before the CB400F, Honda introduced the four-cylinder CB750 motorcycle in 1969 and followed with a range of smaller-capacity bikes, such as the CB500 Four in 1971 and the CB350 Four in 1972. Also, the CB350F was available for only two years until Honda announced the CB400F model.
The Honda CB400F was a slightly modified version of the CB350 model limited only to mechanical changes because Honda devoted much of its resources towards automobile models such as the Honda Civic.
For the transition from the CB350F to the CB400F, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer increased the bore, modified the cylinder head for more compression, and, as a first for Honda, a sixth ratio was added to the gearbox.
In the power department, the 1975 Honda CB400F had its soul brought to life by a 408cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine fed by four Mikuni carburetors that helped deliver an output power of 37 hp at 8,500 rpm and 33 Nm (24 lb-ft) of torque available at 7,500 rpm.
For suspension, the bike packed a telescopic fork on the front and dual shock absorbers with preload adjustability on the rear, while the braking performance was handled by a 267 mm disc with a hydraulic caliper on the front wheel and a drum unit on the rear wheel.