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Difference between revisions of "Honda CB400A"
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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. | |||
==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 convertor 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. Some fifteen years after the first CB automatic made its debut , there is no automatic two-wheeler (with the possible exception of the Spazio 250 scooter) that offers equivalent performance. | |||
==1978 CB400A== | ==1978 CB400A== | ||
[[Image:1978_honda_Cb400a.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A]][[Image:1978-Honda-CB400A-Blue-0.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A Hondamatic]][[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]] | [[Image:1978_honda_Cb400a.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A]][[Image:1978-Honda-CB400A-Blue-0.jpg|left|thumb|1978 Honda CB400A Hondamatic]][[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]] | ||