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CB400 speedo faces - Single or Dual scale

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Bloggs:
A question for the experts.....

There seems to be two options for the speedo faces on CB400s, Single MPH scale or dual MPH/ KPH scale.
Is there a definative change between the two types i.e. F1  / F2 changeover or were they randomly used depending on which shippment a bike was in?

My original Yellow one back in 1977 had dual markings, the current 'Red' F2 only has MPH markings. Was it a unit off another model when the accident damge was repair at some time in its life?

Michael

exvalvesetdabbler:
Two S reg F2 bikes that I have, one my daily ride that was original when I acquired it in 1980 and a scrapper I bought in 86 both had dual scales.

I believe it was UK and Canadian models that had them.  Probably depends on the import route. I do remember there being quite a few kph Speedos available in the early 80s as NOS stock so there may have been a bit of swapping going on  by dealers if  a few crates were imported from EUrope as production ended.

Regards
Dave

Laverda Dave:
This very topic was the subject of a discussion on here a couple of years ago. There was no definitive answer as to when the speedo faces changed to show mph & kph. Ken (Oddjob) raised a good point though being a dual reading face would be handy if touring abroad taking the guesswork out of converting MPH to KPH. I found the dual reading especially useful when going past 120 mph on my yellow 400/4 :o

https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,30014.0.html

exvalvesetdabbler:

--- Quote from: Laverda Dave on July 28, 2025, 06:48:20 PM ---.I found the dual reading especially useful when going past 120 mph on my yellow 400/4 :o

https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,30014.0.html

--- End quote ---

I have a Speedo like that which I'm about to refurb, regularly got it up to over 110 with the soon to be wife on the back at the time. It currently reads 38 for a GPS 30.😄

Regards
Dave

exvalvesetdabbler:
Regarding the two different faces, I checked the two types and for a given needle deflection the mph value agreed.  This was one that had 130 mph as the highest number printed on the scale compared to the dual scale that had a lower max number printed. So if you're rebuilding you could take your pick.

Also noticed that the dual scale ones have the lamp shields spot welded/glued whereas the single scale mph ones have the lamp shields riveted on or maybe nippon reserved the right to improve the product at sometime (= we found a way to make it cheaper)

I think there are some from cb360 or similar that have a lower max reading and may be slightly different for mph/needle deflection.

Regards
Dave

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