Author Topic: Air filter for cb400 f  (Read 2563 times)

Offline Ken4004

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Air filter for cb400 f
« on: May 09, 2026, 02:25:07 PM »
HI everyone

Just thinking about the future as I have fitted a new standard air filter on my cb400 F , has anyone fitted a K and N reusable filter to their bike and if so have there been any issues ?

I used one on my 1977 Z1000 and it seemed OK just wondered what people views were !

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Air filter for cb400 f
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2026, 03:21:58 PM »
I've used K&N air filters previously on several cars, they claimed better performance.

Not sure if the K&N filter on a bike would affect the fuel  mixture adversly, especially on a smaller engine.
Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Air filter for cb400 f
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2026, 11:08:26 PM »
There have been several adverse reports on the US forum

Offline Ken4004

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Re: Air filter for cb400 f
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2026, 06:06:47 AM »
Hi Bryan

Yes I did see those , showing dirt getting past the filter and on some cases even evidence of the pistons and bore of some bikes getting scored so probably worth avoiding and stick to what you know !

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Air filter for cb400 f
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2026, 02:04:06 PM »
I assume the installer of the K&N filters used the filter oil and didn't install them dry?
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
1990 Honda VFR400R NC30

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Air filter for cb400 f
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2026, 03:16:08 PM »
Aparently oiling them makes the mixture control go bad

Offline Athame57

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Re: Air filter for cb400 f
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2026, 07:24:54 AM »
There is actually a youtube video on this matter.
https://youtu.be/PSMxWjxE1bw?si=zYX7NTobfcj7tOre
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1978 CB400F2 named Elen.

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Air filter for cb400 f
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2026, 08:59:54 AM »
Back in the day when I used to race a bit of speedway my least favourite job was cleaning and re-oiling the K&N filter after every meeting. Back in the 80’s the filter used to poke out in the open on the right hand side of the bike. The filter used to get filthy with dust and shale and especially after a tumble! Thankfully they are centrally located now and protected by the bike covers. If you ran the filter dry it was a very quick way to scrap a motor🫩
K&N filter oil was expensive back then and probably still is!
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
1990 Honda VFR400R NC30