Rocinante: Honda CB400N Expedition Special

“You can go fast, I can go anywhere…”  

Rocinante is the famed horse of Don Quixote, the Spanish knight-errant known for tilting at windmills and generally trying to single-handedly revive chivalry in the famous Miguel Cervantes novel that bears his name. Unlike other well-known literary steeds, Rocinante is clumsy, old, and not quite cut out for the quest on which he finds himself, though his master sees him as a mighty warhorse. Over the course of the book, however, Rocinante becomes something of a hero himself, a simple and endearing animal with a good heart — not unlike Quixote himself.

When it comes to iron horses, there’s something to be said for a stout, rugged, reliable workhorse of a machine — a two-wheeled Rocinante, if you will — and the Honda Super Dreams (CB250N and CB400N) fit that mold. These air-cooled four-stroke twin-cylinder all-rounders offered more than met the eye:

“The bike looked stodgy, but it proved to be fast punchy, stable, and smooth, with good suspension, excellent roadholding, and powerful brakes. It could be thrown around with gay abandon and ridden right to the limit without any problems.” –Motorcycle Illustrated, 1978

More than 70,000 Super Dreams were sold in the UK alone. Recently we heard from our old friend Matěj of Prague’s Gas & Oil Bespoke Motorcycles, who just completed a CB400N “expedition special” aptly-named after Quixote’s horse. The backstory is quite special, given the stature of the owner…and the size of his heart:

“This guy might not be the tallest man in the world but his great adventurous heart is to be measured so the height doesn’t matter… So it was really a expedition special that can go anywhere with a reasonable seat height and a bit of a punk look.”

Firstly the donor’s engine, an ’82 model, was refurbished and serviced to ensure maximum reliability and longevity. Then the Prague-based team tackled the customizations. The subframe was redesigned and rebuilt with modified shock mounts and a comfortable handmade leather seat. The side panels are bespoke items, fabricated to protect the original airbox (no pod filters here), and the bike was rewired with a mind toward simplicity.

The bike now sports a pair of custom luggage racks, and we love the big round dual headlights mounted up front. The exhaust headers were handmade from stainless steel, and the entire bike was repainted silver and black with lightning flashes.

Much like Quixote’s horse, this twin-cylinder “Rocinante” will be an able companion for its rider, and it shows that you don’t need a sky-high BMW GS or dual-sport bike to go adventuring on two wheels:

“When you ride this motorcycle you are not the quickest, not the most hardcore and you might not be the greatest man ever to walk the earth, but you just own the world and therefore you feel home anywhere, really.”

Isn’t that what it’s all about? Below is our full interview Matěj, and credit for the photography goes to Petr Klempa (@petrklempa).

CB400 Custom: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

It’s a 1982 Honda CB400N.

• Why was this bike built?

Customer project.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

Instructions were really interesting as was the one who gave it to us. This guy might not be the tallest man in the world but his great adventurous heart is to be measured so the height doesn’t matter anymore. So it was really a expedition special that can go anywhere with reasonable seat height with the glance of punk look.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The motorcycle underwent a complete refurbishing process including a general engine check and maintenance.

The gas tank was replaced by a substitute off a related model including new housing. Subframe was completely rebuilt including shock upper housing, handmade leather seat and side panels protecting the original airbox, and part of the new wiring system.

A practical note is played here by a pair of custom luggage racks.

The front end belongs is original, carrying two classic headlights attached to the front forks.

Handmade stainless exhaust manifolds take care of proper breathing.

Paintjob: black frame with accessories and fenders, silver painted tank crossed by black lightning, freshly painted rims, also in black.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

It’s named after the classic figure Rocinante.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

It’s really all in the mood of “you can go fast, I can go anywhere.” And I’m not saying it’s slow. It just doesn’t force you to go unreasonably fast as some bikes might do. When you ride this motorcycle you are not the quickest, not the most hardcore and you might not be the greatest man ever to walk the earth, but you just own the world and therefore you feel like home anywhere, really.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Oh, we love the front headlights and we’re glad the owner agreed to them, and also the exhaust manifold was pleasure to do.

More Photos

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Web: www.gasandoilmotorcycles.com
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Facebook: @gasandoilmotorcycles
Photos by Petr Klempa: @petrklempa

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