The honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994 performance exhaust from Max Torque Cans is purpose-built for riders who demand quality, reliability, and a genuine upgrade over their ageing stock silencer. Whether you’re restoring a classic CBR400 to its former glory or simply looking to breathe new life into your machine, this is the exhaust you’ve been searching for. Crafted with precision and designed to slot straight onto your existing OEM downpipes, this is a no-nonsense, high-quality replacement that delivers on every front.
Why Choose This Exhaust for Your Honda CBR400 Tri-Arm NC23 1986-1994?
The honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994 is a legendary machine in the classic motorcycle world. First introduced in 1986, the NC23 generation brought with it the iconic Tri-Arm swingarm design that made the CBR400 instantly recognisable on both road and track. Owning one today is a statement — and keeping it running at its best means investing in quality components that honour the bike’s heritage.
That’s exactly what this performance exhaust does. Manufactured from durable stainless steel, it’s built to withstand the heat cycles, vibration, and general punishment that come with everyday riding. Unlike cheap aftermarket alternatives that can corrode, crack, or rattle loose within a season, this silencer is designed to last, giving you confidence mile after mile. The clean, classic styling also complements the original lines of the CBR400, so you’re not sacrificing aesthetics for performance.
What’s Included with the Honda CBR400 Tri-Arm NC23 1986-1994 Exhaust?
Every exhaust we supply for the honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994 comes complete with everything you need for a straightforward installation. There’s no hunting around for additional parts or last-minute trips to the hardware shop. Here’s what’s in the box:
- 1 x Performance Exhaust Can — stainless steel construction with a 3-bolt fitting
- 1 x Stainless Exhaust Strap — robust and corrosion-resistant for a secure, long-lasting mount
- 1 x Exhaust Strap Rubber — cushions the silencer against vibration and protects your bodywork
With all three components included, you’ve got a complete package ready to fit straight out of the box. The 3-bolt fitting ensures a tight, rattle-free connection to your downpipes, while the rubber strap mount absorbs road vibration and prevents any unwanted movement or wear during riding.
Fitment and Installation Notes for the Honda CBR400 Tri-Arm NC23 1986-1994
One of the biggest selling points of this exhaust is just how straightforward the fitment process is. The silencer is machined and shaped to match the original OEM specification of the honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994, meaning it connects directly to your standard downpipes without any modification, fabrication, or custom brackets. If you’ve got a genuine NC23 in the 1986 to 1994 build window, this exhaust will fit.
The installation process is well within the capabilities of a competent home mechanic. You’ll need basic hand tools — a socket set, a couple of spanners, and possibly some exhaust paste or copper grease on the joints to ensure a gas-tight seal. We always recommend allowing the engine to cool fully before attempting any exhaust work, and it’s worth checking the new strap and rubber mount for correct positioning before fully tightening everything down.
Once fitted, allow the exhaust to go through a couple of heat cycles before performing any final checks on the bolt torque. Stainless steel can expand and contract slightly as it warms up for the first few times, so a quick re-check after your first couple of rides is always good practice. Beyond that, sit back and enjoy the improved performance and fresh sound from your rejuvenated CBR400.
Performance and Sound — Getting the Most from Your Honda CBR400 Tri-Arm NC23 1986-1994 Exhaust
Replacing a tired, baffled-out stock silencer on the honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994 can make a noticeable difference to how the bike feels on the road. Over the years, original cans deteriorate internally — baffles collapse, packing degrades, and the free flow of gases becomes restricted. A fresh replacement restores that original factory performance and can give the engine a crisper, more responsive throttle character that reminds you why the CBR400 was so well regarded in its day.
The sound profile of this exhaust strikes the right balance — purposeful and sporty without being anti-social. It’s the kind of note that sounds brilliant on a back-road blast but won’t get you waved over at every traffic light. For a classic inline-four in the 400cc class, that’s exactly the tone you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this exhaust fit all Honda CBR400 Tri-Arm NC23 1986-1994 models?
Yes. This silencer is designed to fit all honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994 variants produced between 1986 and 1994. It is compatible with the standard OEM downpipes found on all NC23 build variants during this period. If you are unsure about your specific model year, feel free to get in touch with our team before ordering.
Do I need to re-jet my carburettors after fitting this exhaust?
In most cases, a direct OEM-spec replacement exhaust on the honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994 will not require any carburettor re-jetting, as the dimensions and flow characteristics are designed to closely replicate the original. However, if your bike has already been modified with aftermarket carbs, pods, or air filters, we’d recommend checking with a professional tuner to ensure the fuelling remains optimal.
What tools do I need to fit this exhaust?
Basic hand tools are all that’s required — a socket set, combination spanners, and ideally some copper grease or exhaust sealant paste. No specialist equipment is needed, making this a practical weekend job for any competent home mechanic with a genuine honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994.
Is this exhaust road legal?
This exhaust is supplied as a replacement silencer designed to match OEM specifications. As always, it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure their motorcycle complies with current UK road traffic legislation and noise regulations. If in doubt, consult your local MOT station or a qualified motorcycle technician.
At Max Torque Cans, we’re passionate about keeping classic bikes like the honda cbr400 tri-arm nc23 1986-1994 on the road and performing at their best. We stock a wide range of exhausts for Honda motorcycles across many eras and engine sizes. If you ride other Honda models, you might also be interested in the Honda XRV750 Africa Twin 90′ – 03′ exhaust we carry — another brilliant option for classic Honda enthusiasts. Whatever you ride, Max Torque Cans has the right exhaust for you.
| Material | White, Polished Stainless Steel, Satin Stainless Steel, Titanium, Carbon, Black, Blue |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round GP, Oval, Round, Tri Oval |
| Outlet | Evo Outlet, GP Pro Outlet, Single Outlet, Twin Outlet, Carbon Outlet |
| Type | Race, Road Legal |
Outlet
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Single Outlet – single 54mm diameter rolled outlet. Best performing outlet in a road-legal /race. Simple and effective. |
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Twin Outlet – twin 40mm diameter rolled outlets. This has the ‘best of both worlds’, quieter than the single outlet with baffles inserted, and Louder than the single outlet with the baffles removed. (Both outlets working in the road-legal form). |
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Carbon Outlet -Our superior outlet range with a choice of a smooth, sleek Oval, ultra-modern Tri-oval, and now our all-new for 2020 Round outlet. These outlets give your exhaust the distinctive, expensive finish without the expensive price tag. |
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GP Pro Outlet – Comes with a large 63mm diameter slash-cut finish, and can come with and without road-legal baffles. |
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The Evo Outlet – Is a new, modern 2020 design. The sleek, tapered lines compliment any road – track or race bike |
Materials
Our Exhausts are internally constructed in stainless steel and the outer sleeve can be made in stainless steel, titanium or carbon fiber. MTC ONLY uses the best grade materials.
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Polished Stainless Steel – Grade T304 + T409 (a single slip-on exhaust normally weighs 1.9 kilos). |
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Satin Stainless Steel – Grade T304 + T409 (a single slip-on exhaust normally weighs 1.9 kilos). |
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Titanium – Grade 2 + 3 mill finish (a single slip-on exhaust normally weighs 1.7 kilos). |
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Carbon Fibre – 4 x 4 twill prepreg autoclave cured, foiled lined (a single slip-on exhaust normally weighs 1.2 kilos). |
Our coloured exhausts have stainless steel sleeves that are painted prior to assembly. The item is electrostatically coated with high-grade polyester powder and cured at 200º-220º deg C giving a durable, smooth and U.V. resistant finish with excellent colour retention. Colours available are matt black, gloss white and gloss blue.
Shape
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Round GP – Ø98mm Our smaller round exhaust shape and is usually 250mm Long (this exhaust shape is perfect for the customer who wants a louder sound on a standard sized bike). |
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Round – Ø110mm Our Normal-sized exhaust shape and can come in sizes from 250mm to 450mm Long. (This is our standard sized exhaust and performs excellently on most bikes). |
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Oval – working from 110mm Ø is sized 98mm wide and 122mm High and can come in sizes from 250mm to 450mm Long. (This is our slimmest design, for inverted under-seat exhausts, or for customers/Racers who need the slimmest streamlined spacers to ride through). |
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Tri Oval – working from 110mm Ø is sized 98mm wide and 122mm High and can come in sizes from 250mm to 450mm Long. (This is our Premium shaped design. (Designed back in 2002′ our company was the first in the UK to produce this exclusive shape, have a look around and see how many UK companies have copied us!!). |
Extra Info
Our Exhausts are manufactured to give maximum power without the need to alter the fueling but, if you have an aftermarket air filter and/or a de-cat, then having the bikes fueling looked at will always compliment the engine’s performance and efficiency.
To Make sure that you are shopping for the correct Model exhaust here is some information about this model.
The Honda CBR400 is a Japanese domestic market small-capacity sport motorcycle, part of the CBR series introduced by Honda in 1983. It is the first Honda motorcycle to wear a CBR badge.
The CBR400R (NC17 ) naked bike was launched in December 1983. The 4-valves per cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, inline-four engine had a rotational-speed valve stop mechanism “REV” (a prototype of Honda’s VTEC system) that changed from two valves into four valves at 9,500 rpm. The following two years, it came as a semi- and fully-faired version as the F3 Endurance. The CBR400R and early CBR400RR models both carry the model number NC23, which makes up the first part of these bikes’ frame numbers.[citation needed] In 1986 the CBR400R was also known as Aero, Jellymould, as it shares its major design features with the rest of the early CBR600F and CBR1000F Hurricane family of motorcycles, which included significantly rounded body shapes. whereas the later 1988 model was designated CBR400RR and was also known as the Tri-Arm, after its racing-inspired braced swingarm.
The original CBR400F as a naked bike.
The CBR400RR in 1992 was referred to as the ‘Baby Blade’ replica, then in 1994 it was styled to closely look like the CBR900RR or Fireblade motorcycle. though over the years, in performance and handling it was more closely compared to the CBR600. The CBR400RR preceded the 900 cc (55 cu in) Fireblade by four model years, going through one major rework (signified by a new “gull-arm” swing arm design.
The CBR400RR models are the NC23 and NC29 CBR400RR-J (1988), CBR400RR-K (1989), CBR400RR-L (1990–1991), CBR400RR-N (1992–1993) and CBR400RR-R (1994). The name “Tri-Arm” is shown on the CBR400RR-J’s bodywork, along with Hurricane, but the CBR400RR-K dropped the latter designation.
Honda CBR400RR-K in Repsol livery.
The NC23 CBR400RR features 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. The NC23 & NC29 (only the -R models of which 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
3D View
Please click on the exhaust below to see the 3D model
Gallery
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Fitting Guide
Road Legal / Race
All our Road Legal exhausts come with a Road Legal Baffle / Decibel Killer + BSAU ( British Road-Legal ) markings.
All our RACE exhausts do not come with a Road Legal Baffle / Decibel Killer + do not have any BSAU ( British Road-Legal ) markings. and are marked NOT FOR ROAD USE
2024 Road legal exhaust statement:
At Max Torque Cans we prioritise safety and compliance in the world of motorcycle exhausts. Our commitment to adhering to regulations is evident in our product design and labelling, and hence with new updates from ACEM, DVSA and DfT, we are ensuring our exhaust systems are compliant with new and upcoming legislation and regulations. Specifically, two changes detailed below:
Road Legal Exhausts: Our road legal exhausts will have the BSAU stamped markings and be crafted with non-removable baffles, aligning seamlessly with the standards set by ACEM (European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers). These baffles are an integral part of our design to ensure that your motorcycle exhaust complies with road regulations, providing you with a legal and enjoyable riding experience.
Race Exhausts and Silencers: For those seeking an exhilarating experience on the track, our race exhausts are engineered to deliver optimal performance. Clearly marked with type approval markings “Not for Road Use” etched into the side, these exhausts are specifically designed for racing applications. This distinction is in line with DVSA policy, ensuring that our race exhausts are suitable for track use, meeting the highest performance standards without compromising on safety.
































































































































































































