CBR400RR (NC29) Model Info http://www.vsource.org/VFR-RVF_files/Bcbr400rr-mi.

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CBR400RRL-R (NC29) Model Info

[Sorry, this page is still under construction...Hell, it's always going to be under construction!]

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

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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:

Beg.
Carb ID
Year Code Colors Engine Beg. Frame #
#
#
Fighting Granite Passion Granite
NC23E-
1990-91 L red/Pearl blue/Light red/Heavy blue/Heavy NC29-1000001 VP01A-A
1300001
crystal white silver gray gray
Pearl crystal
NC23E-
1992-93 N white/Dionysus Pure black NC29-1050001 VP01A-B
1420001
blue
Ross Sparkle pearl
NC23E-
1994-on R white/Jockey black/Procyon NC29-1100001 VP01B-A
1500001
blue red

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
41mm Showa damper-rod forks with
Front suspension
adjustable pre-load2
Front wheel travel
Alloy "Gull-arm" swing arm with three-way
Rear suspension
linkage

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Rear wheel travel

Gas-filled damper with adjustable pre-load
Rear damper
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
Double floating disc; 2-piston Nissin sliding
Front brakes
calipers
Single solid disc; single-piston Nissin
Rear brake
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

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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)
Left foot operated return system:
Gearshift pattern
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
SCR Shorted/triple phase full wave
Regulator/rectifier type
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

490 kPa (5.0 kg/cm², 71 psi) @ 7,000 rpm
Oil pressure at oil pressure switch
(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
[None]
synchronization)
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.

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Cold tire pressure (driver only,

Wheels/Tires: 33 psi (2.25 bar)
front)
Cold tire pressure (driver only,
33 psi (2.25 bar)
rear)
Cold tire pressure (driver & pass.,
33 psi (2.25 bar)
front)
Cold tire pressure (driver & pass.,
36 psi (2.50 bar)
rear)

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 Reg/rec regulated
14.0-16.0v (0.5A) @ 3,000rpm
system: voltage/amperage
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
Main fuse 30A
/Switches:
Fuse 15A x 1; 10A x 3
Headlight (high/low beam) 12v 60/35w (H4)

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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:

1. To be updated upon receipt (and, er, translation) of the Japanese-language NC29 workshop manual.

2. R models have cartridge-type forks with adjustable pre-load and rebound damping
3. R model: 1.578 : 1 (30/19)
4. R model: 3.0 liters
5. R model: 3.2 liters
6. R model: # 105
7. R model: 295.5mm
8. R model: 120mm
9. R model: 408cc
10. R model: 173.5mm
11. R model: 12v 18/5w (front); 12v 15w (rear)

Copyright © VSource.org 1999-2007 [Sources: Haynes CBR400RR Service and Repair Manual;
Honda Parts Manuals and Microfiche]

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