Honda CBR400RR

The Honda CBR400RR, or 'BabyBlade', is the older brother of the Fireblade or CBR900RR series. The CBR400RR preceded the 900 cc (55 cu in) Fireblade by several years, going through one major rework and a year or so of production in its new form before acquiring the Fireblade name. The original CBR400RR was the NC-23. Early bikes were known as the 'Aero' but more commonly as the 'Tri-arm' after its racing inspired braced swingarm. The CBR400RR-J (1988) and CBR400RR-K (1989) are referred to as NC-23 bikes.[1] The NC-23 has a standard extruded beam frame, the rear of the seat unit slopes forwards, and the seat unit subframe is totally separate from the main chassis of the bike.

HONDA CBR400RR NC23

The later machine, the NC-29 (only type 7 & 8 models of this bike carry the Fireblade name) had several modifications to the frame. The main rails were of a 'cranked' design, the seat support structure had a larger rail that was welded to the frame, the rear of the tail section now had a slight recurve to it and the swingarm was given a gull-wing shape on one side to give ground clearance for the exhaust link pipe. The bodywork was reshaped to comply with changing aesthetic tastes. That reshaped swingarm earned the bike the sub title 'Gullarm'. The CBR400RR-L (1990 & 1991), -N (1992 & 1993) and -R (1994 onwards) are designated NC-29 bikes