The eighties: the first big trip on the CB 400

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Português

In my opinion this is the best motorcycle I had so far - apart my Honda C-100 Dream with which I fell in love completely - regarding comfort when driving it, as well as considering performance and reliability. My Honda CB 400 was ridden for nine and a half years, and I sold it in a pristine state despite having clocked 65.000 km at the odometer. This bike was by then one of the better equipped motorcycles for long distance trips (a complete Krauser set specially devised for this model, an Elefant fuel tank bag, a custom built front fender for trips during the raining season, and other details that made it one of a kind. I pioneered in Brazil this sort of equipment for CB 400.

Returning from a trip to the south of Brazil in January of 1984. Floresta fuel station, BR 153 entrance for Piracanjuba - GO. My Honda CB 400 - 1980 - fully loaded.

Three big trips on this bike deserve a special highlight:

the first of them at the very end of 1980 and January of 1981. At that occasion we completed 8.400 km in approximately 30 days. The intrepid trio was: myself, my friend Mauro Vieria with Honda Turuna 125, and my friend Ronaldo Santos - from Brasilia - DF (the owner of the first CB 400 in Brasília) with CB 400.

Stop for resting after lunch at the reservoir of Tres Marias - MG (hydroelectric plant). First leg of our "Brazil's heart" big trip.

Arriving at the state border of Espirito Santo. Leaving behind us the State of Minas Gerais.

We left Brasilia - DF heading towards Belo Horizonte - MG, Vitoria - ES, Salvador - BA and after that all the capitals in the Northeast region of Brazil up to Teresina - PI. From there we went to Belem - PA and took the famous Belem - Brasilia road towards Goiania - GO, my hometown.

Resting stop at the interior of Bahia after driving in the rain, look our rain equipment and luggage protection.

My friend Mauro changed the gear relation of his Turuna in order to keep a driving speed compatible with our CB 400 (mine and Ronaldo's). The Turuna, as well as the CB 400, performed superbly and we didn't have any problem at all during that trip.

At left Jose Raimundo (Dedé) - the owner of Honda dealer Moto Pop, our host in Aracaju - SE. He offered us a lunch at the Iate Clube de Aracaju (Aracaju Yatch Club).

Dede's business card.

In Aracaju - SE we had the best host possible: after arriving at a Honda dealer (Moto Pop) for a routine service in our bikes, we met its owner (Dede). He was so impressed with our big trip that he offered us a formal lunch at the prestigious Aracaju Yatch Club. The warm reception we had along all route in the Northeast of Brazil made us sure of how friendly the 'nordestinos' are.

Entering Alagoas. Maceio at 295 km ahead of us.

Every stop we made we became the object of general curiosity, from bikers and non-bikers as well. This was mainly because of our bike's number plates, from Goiania and Brasilia, and due to the fact that among us someone was riding a small Honda Turuna 125 cc. This was too bold to be true.

During this trip we achieved a special goal: we were able to cover more than 1.000 km in one day, travelling from Teresina - PI to Belem - PA.

Enjoying the shadow of the coconut palm trees in Maceio - AL.

Entering the State of Paraiba. Joao Pessoa at a short distance...