CB 750A Hondamatic

1977 Honda CB750A Hondamatic A Rare & Innovative Classic

Welcome to Street Dreams Texas, proudly celebrating over 27 years of “Putting Dreams in Driveways.” Throughout our decades in the classic and specialty vehicle market, we've learned to recognize machines that truly stand apart—and this 1977 Honda CB750A Hondamatic is exactly that.
In the mid-1970s, Honda set out to solve one of motorcycling's greatest learning challenges: clutch control at takeoff. Their answer was the groundbreaking CB750A Hondamatic, introduced in 1976 and unlike anything else on the road. While it may resemble the CB750F at a glance, this model received a comprehensive mechanical redesign centered around its torque-converter-driven, two-speed transmission, eliminating the clutch entirely.
Power comes from Honda's legendary 736cc inline-four, extensively reworked to suit the Hondamatic drivetrain. Lower compression combustion chambers, smaller carburetors, camshaft revisions, and a four-into-one exhaust reshaped the power delivery for strong low-end torque. An accelerator pump—feeding all four cylinders—was added to smooth off-idle response, further enhancing rideability.
Internally, Honda engineered a Hy-Vo chain-driven jackshaft to power the torque converter's oil pump and the two-speed transmission. The lubrication system was converted from dry sump to wet sump to properly bathe the torque converter and transmission—an impressive level of engineering for a limited-production model.
While the torque converter replaced the clutch, Honda intentionally retained manual foot-pedal shifting between Low and Drive. Their reasoning was simple: sudden automatic shifts mid-corner could unsettle a rider. In practice, the CB750A will comfortably pull away from a standstill in Drive, with Low providing quicker acceleration when desired.
Today, the CB750A Hondamatic stands as one of the most fascinating and collectible motorcycles of Honda's golden era—a bold experiment from a company unafraid to innovate. Its historical significance, unique drivetrain, and unmistakable CB750 styling make it a standout addition to any serious vintage motorcycle collection.