Editing Honda CB400A

{{Motorcycle
|name             = Honda CB400A matic
|photo            = Honda-CB400A--3.jpg
|aka              = Hondamatic
|manufacturer     = [[Honda]]
|parent_company   =
|production       = 1978 - 1981
|model_year       =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =[[Standard]]
|engine           = Air cooled, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 3 [[valve]] per cylinder
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      = 9.3:1
|top_speed        =
|power            =
|torque           =
|fuel_system      =
|ignition         = CDI /
|spark_plug       ={{sparkplug|NGK D8EA}}
|battery          ={{battery|YUASA YB12A-A}}
|transmission     = 
|final_drive={{chain|530x100}}
|front_sprocket=16T
|rear_sprocket=37T
|frame            =
|suspension       =Front: Telescopic forks <br>
Rear: Dual EVO dampers with 5-way spring preload adjustment.
|brakes           =Front: Single 282mm disc <br>Rear: 153mm Drum
|front_tire       = {{tire|3.60 S19}} 
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|4.10 S18}} 
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        =
|length           =
|width            =
|height           =
|seat_height      =
|dry_weight       =
|wet_weight       =
|fuel_capacity    = 13 Liters
|oil_capacity     =
|oil_filter       = {{oilfilter|K&N KN-111}}<ref name="kl_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog|publisher=[https://www.klsupply.com/ K&L Supply Co]|date=2019}}</ref>
|recommended_oil=Honda GN4 10W-40
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius   =
|related          = [[Honda CB400F]]<br />[[Honda CB750A]]
|competition      =
}}
After the failure of its [[Honda CB750A|750 automatic]], [[Honda]] drew some lessons from the experience. There was nothing basically wrong with the idea, but the basic bike was overweight and too expensive, Potential customers were scared off by the excessive size of the machine and by the initial outlay, users who were former motorists were rut off by an appeal to their emotions. Out of this analysis came, in 1978, a new "semi-automatic" bike.

[[Image:1978-Honda-CB400A-Blue-0.jpg|right|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A Hondamatic]]
==Clutchless Gear Selector==
The 400A was closely related to the [[Honda CB400T|CB400T]] launched in 1978. But, the engine was detuned by some 10 [[horsepower]] so that it was better suited to a more relaxed mode of riding. The transmission worked on the same principal as that of the 750: A hydraulic converter allowed clutchless selection of a low speed -good for around 55 mph and giving good pickup, or a less responsive high speed. Naturally, a parking brake was provided, and it was impossible to start the engine with a gear engaged or the stand lowered.
==Worldwide Sales== 
The CB400A was not overly expensive and proved popular with the public. Several variants were marketed worldwide up to the early 1980s, in 400 and subsequently 450cc forms. Even fifteen years after the first CB automatic made its debut, there was no automatic two-wheeler (with the possible exception of the Spazio 250 [[scooter]]) that offers equivalent performance.

==1978 CB400A==
[[Image:1978_honda_Cb400a.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A]]
[[Image:1978-Honda-CB400A-Blue-1.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A Hondamatic]]
[[Image:1978-Honda-CB400A-Blue-2.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A Hondamatic]]
[[Image:1978-Honda-CB400A-Blue1-0.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A Hawk Hondamatic in Candy Sapphire Blue]]
[[Image:1978-Honda-CB400A-Blue1-1.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A Hawk Hondamatic in Candy Sapphire Blue]]
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The Honda Hawk Hondamatic designated CB400A'78 was sold in 1978. Two colors were available: Tahitian Red and Candy Sapphire Blue. The fuel tank and side cover stripes were black and orange. The "HONDAMATIC" decal was on the side cover. The left lever was not the clutch lever (because it was an automatic transmission) but a parking brake lever. There was no tachometer -- instead there were gear indicator lamps. The engine was a 395cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with two CV carburetors. The transmission was a 2-speed automatic with torque convertor. The serial number began CB400A-2000025.

[[Media:1978-Honda-Hawk-Brochure.pdf|1978 Honda Hawk Brochure]]

==1979==
[[Image:1979_honda_Cm400a.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CM400A]]
[[Image:1979-Honda-CM400A-Maroon-4892-0.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Honda CM400A in Maroon]]
[[Image:1979-Honda-CM400A-Maroon-4892-1.jpg|left|thumb|1979 Honda CM400A in Maroon]]
<br style="clear: left"/>

The Honda CM400A'79 Hondamatic 400 was sold in 1979. Two colors were available: Candy Presto Red and Candy Holly Green. The pinstripes were orange and red. The speedometer had a 100 mph (160 kph) limit. The "CM400A" side cover decal was white and red. The engine was a 395cc 4-stroke OHC 3-valve parallel twin with two carburetors. The transmission was an automatic 2-speed with torque converter. The serial number began NC02-2000009.

==1980==
[[Image:1980_honda_Cm400a.jpg|left|thumb|1980 Honda CM400A]]
<br style="clear: left"/>

The Honda CM400A'80 Hondamatic 400 was sold in 1980. Two colors were available: Candy Presto Red and Candy Holly Green. The pinstripes on the red bike were bright red while on the green bike they were both dark green and light green. The speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit. The "CM400A" side cover decal was white and red. The engine was a 395cc 4-stroke OHC 3-valve parallel twin with two carburetors. The transmission was an automatic 2-speed with torque converter. The serial number began NC02-2100016.

==1981==
[[Image:1981_honda_Cm400a.jpg|left|thumb|1981 Honda CM400A]]
[[Image:1981-Honda-CM400A-Blue-0.jpg|left|thumb|1981 Honda CM400A in Blue]]
[[Image:1981-Honda-CM400A-Blue-1.jpg|left|thumb|1981 Honda CM400A in Blue]]
[[Image:1981-Honda-CM400A-Blue-2.jpg|left|thumb|1981 Honda CM400A in Blue]]
[[Image:1981-Honda-CM400A-Blue-3.jpg|left|thumb|1981 Honda CM400A in Blue]]
[[Image:1981-Honda-CM400A-Blue-4.jpg|left|thumb|1981 Honda CM400A in Blue]]
[[Image:1981-Honda-CM400A-Blue-5.jpg|left|thumb|1981 Honda CM400A in Blue]]
<br style="clear: left"/>

The Honda CM400A'81 Hondamatic 400 was sold in 1981. Two colors were available: Candy Bourgogne Red with Red Brown Metallic and Candy Sword Blue with Blue Gray Metallic. The pinstripes were gold. The speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit. The "CM400A" and "HONDA" emblems were gold. The engine was a 395cc 4-stroke OHC 3-valve parallel twin with two carburetors. The transmission was an automatic 2-speed with torque converter. The serial number began JH2NC02*7BM2000001.





== Photos ==
[[File:Honda-CB400A--3.jpg|600px|Honda CB400A matic]]
[[File:Honda-CB400A--2.jpg|600px|Honda CB400A matic]]
[[File:Honda-CB400A.jpg|600px|Honda CB400A matic]]

{|  class="wikitable"
|- 
!Make Model
|Honda CB 400A Hondamatic
|- 
!Year
|1978
|- 
!Engine Type
|Air cooled, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 3 valve per cylinder
|- 
!Displacement
|395
|- 
!Bore X Stroke
|70.5 x 50.6mm
|- 
!Compression
|9.3:1
|- 
!Induction
|2x 32mm Keihin carbs
|- 
!Ignition
|CDI /
|- 
!Max Power
|26,8 HP @ 8000 rpm
|- 
!Max Torque
|21,39 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
|- 
!Transmission / Drive
|2 Speed automatic
|- 
!Front Suspension
|Telescopic forks
|- 
!Rear Suspension
|Dual EVO dampers with 5-way spring preload adjustment.
|- 
!Front Brakes
|Single 282mm disc
|- 
!Rear Brakes
|153mm Drum
|- 
!Front Tire
|3.60 S19
|- 
!Rear Tire
|4.10 S18
|- 
!Wet-weight
|177 kg
|- 
!Fuel Capacity
|13 Liters

|}


==See Also==
*[[Honda CM450A]]
*[[Honda CB750A]]
==References==
{{reflist}}

{{motorcycle-stub}}
{{Honda CB}}

[[Category:Honda motorcycles|CB400A]]
[[Category:1970s motorcycles|CB400A]]
[[Category:1980s motorcycles|CB400A]]
[[Category:Automatic transmission motorcycles]]
[[Category:Honda CB series]]