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Honda CB 400 discussion forum:RE: Should I? |
| RE: Should I? |
| Steinbock said 2005-08-25 20:33 |
| What you call an emergency brake is actually a park brake and should not be used for emergency stops. It requires the use of both hands to operate, and is linked with the rear drum brake. Misusing the park brake as an emergency brake will lock up the rear wheel; not something you want to happen at high speed. The park brake has a safety button (hence the use of both hands). You must push the button before you can operate the lever to engage or disengage the park brake. Technically, the HondaMatic is a semi-auto transmission. There is no clutch, but there are no hydraulic pumps to shift itself like a car. You must shift with your toe as with any other motorcycle transmission; only there is no clutch to deal with. However, just like an automatic car, you don´t have to pull a clutch or shift into neutral to stop. I think the HondaMatic was marketed to people who wanted to ride but were hung up on the clutch. I purchased mine as a first bike to learn how to ride, and have kept it for in-town use (traffic lights aren´t synchronized, have to stop every-other light, left hand gets tired). The CB400-A power-train is kin to the CB400-M and CB400-T, but the engine and transmission are all in one case. You will not be able to swap the transmission guts, however you can swap the entire power-train with no changes to the frame. The only other changes to make with a power-train swap is to change the instrument cluster, and modify the wiring harness between the transmission and the gear indicator in the cluster. Depending on your experience and adaptability, the worst I forsee happening is that you panic when you can´t pull in your "clutch", or that you forget the toe-shift pattern (but a two-speed gearbox shouldn´t be too difficult). Similar things can happen when switching from one car to another, so I don´t think the risk is that great for the average person. But of course, consideration of the risks and the decision to purchase and ride this bike are ultimately your responsibility. |
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