How to properly use the hondamatic transmission?

78 Honda CB 400 A discussion forum:


How to properly use the hondamatic transmission?

How to properly use the hondamatic transmission? 
George said 2006-01-30 19:52 
 
Just bought a mint 1978 CB400A Hondamatic and, since it came with no owner´s manual, I have no idea of how to properly use the two different gears. I started by staying in 1 simply because I was going slowly as I was learning to get the feel of the bike, so I thought that´s what I should do and shift into 2 only at higher speeds when I eventually got more comfortable with it. But then, on my third ride, I eventually shifted into 2 at maybe 30mph, or so, just for the heck of it and noticed the bike surged forward a bit, felt smoother, and ´sounded´ better---and stayed that way even when I got back down to way slower speeds and all the way to a stop. I also didn´t know whether to rev the throttle up and ups shift, or let the throttle off completely before shifting... Was I overtaxing the low gear by staying in 1 and shifting completely wrong? (and needing to actually not ´shift´ at all?)

So, I guess my question is, does one start in 1 and then "shift" into 2 at a certain speed as with manual transmissions (and, if so, how), or should I simply start off and stay pretty much always in 2 without shifting up and down, much like an automatic transmission automobile, and select 1 only at limited times when more torque is required like for steep hills, difficult road conditions, etc., again much like a car? Seems like I was thinking in manual transmission terms with all this ´shifting´ and the warning sticker on the tank says that the hondamatic transmission requires special techniques to drive properly and one should first read the owner´s manual in order to avoid causing damage!

Any help will be greatly appreciated---I don´t want to trash the transmission on my new (old) bike---thanks for your time...

You can come back directly to my email, if you´d like.
George 
 
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