25th May 2025 | 3 minute read Honda UK’s original CB400F – 50 years on
Chris Rushton shares his journey of acquiring the historic 1974 Honda UK press bike (JGC 606N) from the estate of friend and fellow collector Dave Ayesthorpe, finishing the restoration of this one-of-a-kind Honda CB400 Four.
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Honda’s 400/4 has been a constant in my motorcycling life, having owned and used them continuously since first acquiring an S registration F2 model back in 1978.
Presently, several examples are owned, two of which have each been ridden more than 100,000 miles now, in part a consequence of more than thirty-five years of the daily (winter and summer) commute to work.
The bike in question, registered JGC 606N, was the original Honda UK press bike which was featured in a number of publications back in 1975
Late in 2017 I was able to acquire another part restored Honda 400/4 from the estate of the late Dave Ayesthorpe. Dave was one of the very first members of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (UK membership number 0004 I seem to recall) and “served” as a Honda marque specialist. He was also a member of the Honda Owners Club since its very earliest days in the 1960s.
Dave had started collecting Hondas during the 1960s, possibly being one of the first people to do so, and amassed quite a number of bikes from the 1980s and earlier with particular emphasis on early examples, road test machines etc.
I was fortunate to have met Dave on the Isle of Man back in 1987 and to have been able to consider him to be a friend for the ensuing thirty years.
The bike in question, registered JGC 606N, was the original Honda UK press bike which was featured in a number of publications back in 1975, including the weekly paper “Motor Cycle” dated 22nd March 1975 in which it was road tested by John Nutting.
It is actually a 1974 built US market bike (according to the 10/74 build date on the headstock VIN plate) which would have been all that was available to Honda UK given that production of UK market bikes had not yet commenced. Dave had recalled first spotting JGC 606N on the Isle of Man in the early 1980’s, and having recognised the bike as the original Honda UK press bike via its registration number, he left a note on it, subsequent to which the owner made contact and Dave then purchased the bike.
As can be seen, the bike was in a state! Just seven years old and had obviously led a hard life – seven previous owners (Honda UK followed by TT Leathers, then five more), side stand bracket broken off, a 250 G5 rear frame loop welded on to accommodate a 250 G5 rear mudguard. And those handlebars and seat! Did people really do things like that back then and not regret it once the effects of the alochol / drugs had worn off?
Had Dave not recognised the bike for what it was, you have to suspect that it would (should?) have ended up in a breakers yard as just another old worthless 400/4.
Dave then stored the bike as shown in the pictures for close to twenty years before commencing its restoration. Unfortunately, Dave never got to complete JGC’s restoration though he had done most of the hard work required to return the bike to its correct original factory specification.
Once in my possession, the restoration was continued and ultimately completed a couple of years ago. In truth, all I had to do was bolt on the remaining NOS parts that came with the bike, and to have the paintwork done.
So far, I have resisted the temptation to start and ride it, being content to own an early example of a Honda 400/4 which probably should not exist, and which provides a tangible link to a good friend who is no longer with us.
Given that last year was the 400/4’s 50th anniversary year, I do now intend in the coming weeks to finally start and ride JGC 606N, which according to the DVLA was last taxed for road use in 1983.
Author
Chris Rushton
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC)
The VJMC is the UK’s leading club for enthusiasts of Japanese bikes aged 15 years and older. Founded in 1982 by a group of passionate volunteers, the club celebrates the style, innovation, and reliability of classic Japanese motorcycles. Open to all, it’s core mission is simple: to promote the enjoyment of Japanese motorcycles.