1978 Honda CB400A Hondamatic *Sold £3,000*

Description

• Fully restored
• Wonderful condition
• Showing less than 7000 miles
• A rare collectors bike
• Semi-automatic
• 400cc Twin
• Part of a private collection

When it comes to innovation, Honda have often led the field. The mighty CBX 1000 Six, the astonishing CBR Fireblade and right back to the Super Cub.

Honda launched the “Hondamatic” transmission on their popular CB750 in 1978. The plan was to bring in new riders to the brand. However, Honda quickly figured out that newbies may not want to start on the big 750 and as a result, just two years later the Hondamatic transmission found its way to the CB400 Twin.

The name implies that it is a conventional automatic. This isn’t strictly accurate. This bike is more of a semi-auto. It doesn’t have a clutch, instead the CB400A has a two-speed fluid drive. Two changes take the Honda from low to high. Power flows from the crankshaft to the transmission through a vane-type hydraulic torque converter.

A rotary vane pump connected to the crank drives the oil through a stator setting the bike moving. The engine in the CB400A was upped from the 356cc parallel twins to 395cc – but called the ‘400’.

You may have seen that we have another of these listed in the Buy it Now section of our website, both are from the same collection with this one originally going to be retained as it presents a little better and has been a labour of love to get it in the condition it is currently in.  Unfortunately, our vendor now needs the room so it has to go to a new owner.

Originally purchased dismantled, our vendor spent a great deal of time sourcing, refurbishing and restoring parts that were not, in his opinion “Up to Scratch”.  Clearly this time and effort has paid off as we now have what is likely to be the nicest Hondamatic on the market.

Spend some time in the image gallery and you will be very hard pushed to find any negatives other than some slight pitting on the front forks and yokes.

The list of positives is endless but we will list the main things that our vendor has had done or done himself:

Restoration

• Frame and Swingarm – Powdercoated
• Rear suspension – Renewed
• Front Brake Master Cylinder – Renewed
• Front Mudguard – Renewed
• Rear Mudguard – Re-chromed
• Carbs – Ultrasonically cleaned and fitted with new kits
• New Battery
• Bodywork and Tank – Repainted
• All chrome work – re finished
• All alloy engine casing – professionally polished
• Parts replaced including throttle grip and all cables

As you will see it really is a stunning example, the only real negative we can mention is the lack of paperwork.

Tech Specs

• Air cooled SOHC parallel twin, 3 valves per cylinder, counterbalanced
• Two 28 mm Keihin constant velocity carbs
• 2 speed, clutch-less hydraulic torque converter
• Chain final drive
• Steel tubing backbone frame
• Telescopic front forks
• Twin rear shock with swing arm
• Single 10.8” front stopper, single leading shoe rear drum
• Hand-lever activated parking brake
• Front tyre: 3.50 S 18 tubeless, rear tyre: 4.60 S 16 tubeless Comstar wheels
• Seat height: 29.9” approx.
• Weight 392 lb

Riding a Honda CB400A is said to be about as easy as any motorcycle could ever get. After a short warm-up, push in the choke, click the foot shifter up from neutral one spot and you’re in ‘low’.

Twist the throttle and it accelerates amiably away. At about 45 mph, click the foot shifter up one more time and you’re in ‘high’ gear, which is good for motorway speeds. Where the rev counter is usually located is a helpful gear position light.

Summary

By 1983, the Hondamatics were no longer being produced. That low production run makes this CB400A rare.  Contemporary interest in automatic or clutchless shifting transmissions has re-emerged in recent years. So-called DCT transmissions and of course up and down quickshifters are more commonplace. The Hondamatics were ahead of their time. Maybe too far. Either way, it looks like their time has come. This rare classic bike is a great choice for any classic bike enthusiast or collector/investor.