HONDA CB750A Hondamatic (1977-1978) Specs, Performance & Photos

At the beginning of 1977, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer was producing two motorcycles that featured an automatic transmission, such as the CB400A, known as the Hawk in the US market, and the CB750A, which was a reworking of the CB750F model available at the time.

The CB750A was designed more as a way for beginner riders to learn how to ride a bike without the fear of stalling, which allowed for the novice to practice with an upright seating position, braking, and riding in traffic, all without having to focus on changing gears constantly.

Although the transmission included a torque convertor, which was typical of an automatic transmission, the gearbox did not change the gears automatically for the rider, but the rider had to engage by foot a hydraulic valve selector, similar to a manual transmission motorcycle.

As for the power figures, the 1978 Honda CB750A Hondamatic took its thrust from a 736cc four-stroke four-cylinder air-cooled engine with four Keihin carburetors and delivered an output power of 67 hp with a peak at 8,000 rpm and 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) of torque available at 7,000 rpm.

For suspension, the bike packed a telehydraulic fork on the front and a swingarm with dual shock absorbers on the rear, while the braking performance was handled by a 296 mm disc operated by a hydraulic caliper on the front wheel and a 179 mm drum unit on the rear wheel.

In addition, the bike came with standard features, such as a dual chromed exhaust system, wire-spoked wheels with aluminum rims, a round headlight with black housing, an analog instrument panel, a black-finished steel frame, a dual seat with a passenger grab rail, and a center stand.