CBR400RR (NC29) Model Info

CBR400RRL-R (NC29) Model Info

History

The NC29 was built and/or sold as new by Honda dealers in Japan from 1990 to sometime in 1999 (possibly later). "NC29" is not the official name for the bike Honda designated the "CBR400RR", but this is how they are commonly known. As far as we are aware, Honda built only domestic ("J-spec") models of the CBR400RR. NC29s were so popular in Japan that they eventually overflowed and found their way (as "grey imports") into the UK and, in much smaller numbers, into other markets—including the United States. The NC29 stayed basically the same throughout its model run, except for color and suspension changes. The RRR models received updated suspension components including pre-load and rebound adjustable cartridge-type forks and an upgraded rear shock. Below are illustrations of the NC29 color schemes available throughout its production:

Although not factory options, many NC29s have been painted to resemble various factory-sponsored Grand Prix and Superbike race bikes. Some of these paint schemes are shown below:

Repsol white '99

Smokin' Joe's '98

Models

NC-29 model letters can be found on a small white sticker located under the passenger seat (and also on the bar code sticker originally located behind the license plate). Because NC29s were not imported through "official" channels, their registration documents are notoriously unreliable as a means of determining their years of manufacture. This is because registration documents on 'grey' imports are often intended to reflect the year a bike was first sold, which is not necessarily the year the bike was manufactured. Many NC29s appear to have been sold by dealers as new in Japan years after being manufactured, so the years that ended up on the registration documents may not correspond to the bike's actual year of manufacture. Consequently, the most accurate way of referring to NC29s (and other 'grey' imports) is by model letter.

Model letters used by Honda appear to correspond with the VIN model letters used in the United States since the early 1980s. (Here is a bit more about VINs.) As a result, bikes manufactured in 1990 carry the model letter "L", 1992 bikes are "N" models, etc. (with the letters "I", "O", "Q", "U" and "Z" being skipped). Some Honda models, however, have additional sub-designations (possibly relating only to color scheme) using roman numerals, and the NC29 is one of these.

All CBR400RR NC29s were manufactured for the Japanese domestic market, though, as with other 400cc Honda motorcycles of the era, many were later exported to other markets (especially the U.K.) as "grey imports". The L and N models share most of their specifications and parts, with only minor differences being the norm; but the R model was significantly revised with respect to its suspension and electrical systems. [A Web page detailing all of these differences can be found here...just as soon as it is written!] The following table details the colors and the beginning serial and engine numbers for the NC29 production run:

No.	Type	Model Year	Model Name	Year Code	Model Code	Color Code	Color(s)	Beg. Engine #	Beg. Frame #	Carb ID #
1	1	1990	CBR400RR	L	NC29	R134	Fighting red/Pearl crystal white	NC23E-1300001	NC29-1000001	VP01A-A
2	2	1990	CBR400RR	L	NC29	PB184E	Granite blue/Light silver	NC23E-1300001	NC29-1000001	VP01A-A
3	3	1990	CBR400RR	L	NC29	R109D	Passion red/Heavy gray	NC23E-1300001	NC29-1000001	VP01A-A
4	4	1990	CBR400RR	L	NC29	PB184D	Granite blue/Heavy gray	NC23E-1300001	NC29-1000001	VP01A-A
5	5	1992	CBR400RR	N	NC29	NH193H	Pearl crystal white/Dionysus blue	NC23E-1420001	NC29-1050001	VP01A-B
6	6	1992	CBR400RR	N	NC29	NH237	Pure black	NC23E-1420001	NC29-1050001	VP01A-B
7	7	1994	CBR400RR	R	NC29	NH196H	Ross white/Jockey blue	NC23E-1500001	NC29-1100001	VP01B-A
8	8	1994	CBR400RR-II	R	NC29	NH343K	Sparkle pearl black/Procyon red	NC23E-1500001	NC29-1100001	VP01B-A

Specifications¹

Item		Specifications
Dimensions:	Overall length	1,990mm
	Overall width	670mm
	Overall height	1,080mm
	Wheelbase	1,365mm
	Ground clearance	125mm (4.9 in.)
	Dry weight	180kg
	Curb weight
	Maximum weight capacity
Frame:	Frame type	Twin-spar, box-section aluminum
	Front suspension	41mm Showa damper-rod forks with adjustable pre-load²
	Front wheel travel
	Rear suspension	Alloy "Gull-arm" swing arm with three-way linkage
	Rear wheel travel
	Rear damper	Gas-filled damper with adjustable pre-load and rebound damping
	Front wheel size	[17x3.5 in.]
	Rear wheel size	[17x4.5 in.]
	Front tire size	120/60-R17 55H
	Rear tire size	150/60-R17 66H
	Front brakes	Double floating disc; 2-piston Nissin sliding calipers
	Rear brake	Single solid disc; single-piston Nissin sliding caliper
	Caster angle
	Trail
	Fuel tank capacity	15.0 liters (4.0 U.S. gal., 3.5 Imp gal.)
	Fuel tank reserve capacity
Engine:	Type	Four-stroke, in-line four cylinder
	Bore and stroke	55.0 mm x 42.0 mm
	Displacement	399 cm³ (24.3 cu in.)
	Compression ratio	11.3 : 1
	Valve train	Gear driven DOHC; 4 valves per cylinder
	Intake valve opens @ 1mm lift
	Intake valve closes @ 1mm lift
	Exhaust valve opens @ 1mm lift
	Exhaust valve closes @ 1mm lift
	Lubrication system	Forced pressure and wet sump
	Oil pump type	[Trockoid]
	Cooling system	Liquid cooled; radiator with cooling fan
	Air filtration	Paper filter
	Crankshaft type
	Firing order
	Cylinder arrangement	4 cylinders; in-line
	Cylinder numbering	1-2-3-4 (left to right of bike)
Carburetor:	Carburetor type	Constant velocity Keihin; 4 carburetors
	Throttle bore
Drive train:	Clutch system	Multi-plate, wet
	Clutch operation	Cable operated
	Transmission	6-speeds
	Primary reduction	2.117 : 1 (72/34)
	Final reduction (sprockets)	2.600 : 1 (39/15)
	Drive chain slack	15-25mm (5/8-1 in.)
	Drive chain size/links	525/102
	Gear ratio, 1st	3.307 : 1 (43/13)
	Gear ratio, 2nd	2.352 : 1 (40/17)
	Gear ratio, 3rd	1.875 (30/16)
	Gear ratio, 4th	1.591 (35/22)³
	Gear ratio, 5th	1.435 (33/23)
	Gear ratio, 6th	1.318 (29/22)
	Gearshift pattern	Left foot operated return system: 1—N—2—3—4—5—6
Electrical:	Ignition system	Digitalized full transistor ignition
	Starting system	Electric starter motor
	Charging system	Triple phase output alternator
	Regulator/rectifier type	SCR Shorted/triple phase full wave rectification
	Lighting system	Battery [(YTX7A-BS)]
Lubrication:	Engine oil capacity at draining	3.2 liters⁴
	Engine oil capacity at disassembly	3.8 liters
	Engine oil capacity at oil filter change	3.4 liters⁵
	Recommended engine oil viscosity	SAE 10W-40
	Oil pressure at oil pressure switch	490 kPa (5.0 kg/cm², 71 psi) @ 7,000 rpm (80 deg.C, 176 deg.F)
Fuel system:	Main jets	# 108⁶
	Slow (idle) jets	# 35
	Pilot screw setting	2 1/4 turns out
	Float level	13.7mm
	Carburetor vacuum difference	Within 30 mmHg
	Base carburetor (for carburetor synchronization)	[None]
	Idle speed	1,300 +/- 100 rpm
	Throttle grip free play	2-6mm (0.08-0.24 in.)
Clutch system:	Clutch lever free play	10-20mm (0.4-0.8 in.)
	Clutch disc thickness	2.92-3.08mm (0.115-0.121 in.)
	Clutch disc service limit	2.6mm
	Clutch plate (steel) warpage limit	0.30mm (0.012 in.)
Cooling system:	Coolant capacity (radiator & engine)	2.0 liters
	Coolant capacity (reserve tank)	0.3 liters
	Radiator cap relief pressure	0.93-1.22 bar (13.5-17.7 psi)
	Thermostat begins to open	80-84 deg.C (176-183 deg.F)
	Thermostat fully open	95 deg.C (203 deg.F)
	Thermostat valve lift	8.0mm (0.23 in.) min.
Wheels/Tires:	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)
Front suspension:	Fork spring free length	319.7mm⁷
	Fork spring direction	Tighter coils on bottom
	Fork oil weight	10W
	Fork oil level	105mm⁸
	Fork oil capacity	453cc⁹
	Steering bearing pre-load	22 Nm [1.0-1.5kg (2.2-3.3 lbs.)]
Rear suspension:	Shock spring free length	154.9mm¹⁰
	Shock spring installed length
	Nitrogen gas pressure	[98 kPa (142 psi)]
Brakes:	Brake fluid type	DOT 4
	Front brake disc thickness	4mm (0.16 in.)
	Front brake master cylinder I.D.	12.700mm (0.500 in.) (1/2")
	Front brake caliper cylinder I.D.	25.4mm (1.0 in.)
	Rear brake disc thickness	5mm
	Rear brake master cylinder I.D.	14.000mm (0.5512 in.) (9/16")
	Rear brake caliper cylinder I.D.	38.18mm
Battery/Charging system:	Reg/rec regulated voltage/amperage	14.0-16.0v (0.5A) @ 3,000rpm
	Battery capacity	12v (6AH) [YTX7A-BS]
	Battery charging rate (normal)	0.7A/5-10 hr.
	Battery charging rate (quick)	3.0A/1 hr.
	Battery voltage	12.8-13.0v
Ignition system:	Spark plug (standard)	NGK CR8EH-9 or ND U24FER-9
	Spark plug (racing)	NGK CR9EH-9 or ND U27FER-9
	Spark plug gap	0.8-0.9mm
	Ignition timing "F" mark	18-deg. BTDC @ 1,300rpm
	Advance starts
	Advance stops
	Full advance	32-deg. BTDC [+/-2-deg. @ 12,000rpm]
Lights/Meters/Switches:	Main fuse	30A
	Fuse	15A x 1; 10A x 3
	Headlight (high/low beam)	12v 60/35w (H4)
	Tail/brake light	12v 18/5w
	Position light	12v 1.7w
	Turn signal light	12v 15w¹¹
	Instrument lights	12v 1.7w [x 5]
	Oil pressure warning indicator	12v [1.7w]
	Oil temperature indicator	12v [1.7w]
	High beam indicator	12v [1.7w]
	Turn signal indicator	12v [1.7w]
	Neutral indicator	12v [1.7w]
Starting system:	Starter motor brush length	12-13mm (0.47-0.51 in.)

Notes:

To be updated upon receipt (and, er, translation) of the Japanese-language NC29 workshop manual.
R models have cartridge-type forks with adjustable pre-load and rebound damping
R model: 1.578 : 1 (30/19)
R model: 3.0 liters
R model: 3.2 liters
R model: # 105
R model: 295.5mm
R model: 120mm
R model: 408cc
R model: 173.5mm
R model: 12v 18/5w (front); 12v 15w (rear)