I had one of these when I was in the Navy, back in the early eighties. CM400E. People told me it was too small for the highway. I road it from Chicago to Orlando to Atlanta to Norfolk to Saratoga Springs to Montpelier back to Atlanta to Birmingham and many more miles after that. It ran perfectly for years - the only thing I ever did was replace the chain and rear sprocket. I'd buy one again in a second if I were in a position to.
i just got one of these as my first bike, it may not be the fastest bike in the world, but a joy to ride for sure, if you rev it above 6k, it gets going pretty well.
That was lovely and brought back so many memories. My first street bike! On to 14 now & ride a 960 pound HD, but my two tone red CM always carries a special place. Pics of me & baby kids riding & jumping speed bumps. Thanks for posting this & fat thumb up.
I had one of these back in August 1981 and was in a kind of Burgundy Metallic with Bronze inserts on the tank sides and side panels. It was the 250 version, but was the same bike, with sleeved down bores for our 250 "Learner Bike Limit" But looked "Ace" and ran like a Brand New Honda should have done. Great little bike.
@@retros1299 No, actually they were exactly the same, only difference was a sleeved down engine, and twin discs up front on the 400. There was no 250T available in the UK for the Hondamatic.
@@retros1299 The 250 version had "Sleeved Down Bores" for the UK "Learner Market" Otherwise they were "Identical" apart from twin disc brakes up front. You could literally swap the side panels from 250 to 400 and no one would be any the wiser, until it came for its 3 year MOT Inspection. Incidentally, there was no 250 version of the Hondamatic.
Don't use the red knob to stop the engine. It is for emergency use only and will not withstand daily use. Over time it can get loose and start to glitch. Instead use the key to stop. (From experience and also according to Honda owners manual.) Btw; I once accidentally turned it without noticing at a gas station and the starter will still crank but no spark. So i sucked the exhaust system full of fuel vapor and when i reset the knob and tried again there was the loudest bang😂. Poor lady in the car next to me nearly fainted.
Great memories from the 80's. The 400T was so cool back in the day, reliable and nimble and is still cool today. My GF at the time loved riding pillion and held on tight, worked for me too! I often wonder what is the modern equivalent. The Rebel 500 is the closest, but somehow doesn't have the character.
@@steveh7823 As I understand, Honda doesn't make any standard motorcycles any longer. The last one was cb1100. Only Royal Enfield still does. The rebel is put closer to a Shadow.
I have an '81. Great and easy bike to run in town with. It runs hot. Not sure if I should switch to the current "motorcycle" oils that many people recommend...?
I had,a 78 which was the CM400 Hawk basically the same as the one in the video, I bought it after I sold my 73 CB500, I was surprised how fast it was for a 400cc bike , I trailered every time the wife and i, went on vacation, it was a fun little bike.
@REDonVFR 2nd gear to redline should rip on this bike. Also the acceleration in top gear from 60-80 should be pretty respectable. It will touch recline in 5th gear as well. I always wonder if putting a smaller sprocket on the rear would help with cruise on the freeway and not hamper acceleration
I bought a 1980 400E a couple weeks ago and just love it although it needs alot of work paint and seat wise but I'm just going to bob it. I;m already going to strip the bike, I might as well go all the way with it.
@@REDonVFR I think I'm going to use tractor paint when I paint it, mainly because I already have a have a little over a quart in I gallon of International White Tractor paint that I bought for another project and have that left over. I've never used Tractor paint on a motorcycle but I don't see what could go wrong.
This engine will START to produce it`s power from 6000rpms. 2:44 "small wheelbase.." I have a CBR600 outside, next to my CM400T.. It has ca the same wheelbase 10:00 man you`re not too smart..
I had one of these when I was in the Navy, back in the early eighties. CM400E. People told me it was too small for the highway. I road it from Chicago to Orlando to Atlanta to Norfolk to Saratoga Springs to Montpelier back to Atlanta to Birmingham and many more miles after that. It ran perfectly for years - the only thing I ever did was replace the chain and rear sprocket. I'd buy one again in a second if I were in a position to.
I can vouch for that. 2 cylinder bike with 43hp is plenty for a highway. It held very well going 70 mph and did it with confidence.
I had one in college, road it all over the southeast, best bike I've ever owned
I rode my 1980 CM400 from New York to Virginia and back to New York. Great road bike - reliable and versatile.
i just got one of these as my first bike, it may not be the fastest bike in the world, but a joy to ride for sure, if you rev it above 6k, it gets going pretty well.
That was lovely and brought back so many memories. My first street bike! On to 14 now & ride a 960 pound HD, but my two tone red CM always carries a special place. Pics of me & baby kids riding & jumping speed bumps. Thanks for posting this & fat thumb up.
Awesome video! Don't see many reviews of my bike on here
I couldn't find much before I bought it. Had to put my own 2 cents riding and reviewing it. What a fun bike!
I had one of these back in August 1981 and was in a kind of Burgundy Metallic with
Bronze inserts on the tank sides and side panels. It was the 250 version, but was the
same bike, with sleeved down bores for our 250 "Learner Bike Limit" But looked "Ace"
and ran like a Brand New Honda should have done. Great little bike.
But the 400 version is probably bigger than the 250?
@@retros1299 No, actually they were exactly the same, only difference was
a sleeved down engine, and twin discs
up front on the 400. There was no 250T
available in the UK for the Hondamatic.
@@retros1299 The 250 version had "Sleeved Down Bores" for the UK "Learner
Market" Otherwise they were "Identical" apart from twin disc brakes up front.
You could literally swap the side panels from 250 to 400 and no one would be
any the wiser, until it came for its 3 year MOT Inspection. Incidentally, there was
no 250 version of the Hondamatic.
E model . no kick start , wire wheels , drum brakes . i love these model Hondas .
Don't use the red knob to stop the engine. It is for emergency use only and will not withstand daily use. Over time it can get loose and start to glitch. Instead use the key to stop.
(From experience and also according to Honda owners manual.)
Btw; I once accidentally turned it without noticing at a gas station and the starter will still crank but no spark. So i sucked the exhaust system full of fuel vapor and when i reset the knob and tried again there was the loudest bang😂.
Poor lady in the car next to me nearly fainted.
Great memories from the 80's. The 400T was so cool back in the day, reliable and nimble and is still cool today. My GF at the time loved riding pillion and held on tight, worked for me too! I often wonder what is the modern equivalent. The Rebel 500 is the closest, but somehow doesn't have the character.
@@steveh7823 As I understand, Honda doesn't make any standard motorcycles any longer. The last one was cb1100. Only Royal Enfield still does. The rebel is put closer to a Shadow.
Identical to my first bike, except for the colour and panniers. A fun bike I wish I hadn't sold.
Small displacement bikes are more fun since they can be pushed to the limit and they don't mind :)
I have an '81. Great and easy bike to run in town with. It runs hot. Not sure if I should switch to the current "motorcycle" oils that many people recommend...?
Try it. I had no issues using Honda motorcycle oil.
I had,a 78 which was the CM400 Hawk basically the same as the one in the video, I bought it after I sold my 73 CB500, I was surprised how fast it was for a 400cc bike , I trailered every time the wife and i, went on vacation, it was a fun little bike.
so when you say it was starving for fuel what did you do to fix it bigger jets?
I thoroughly cleaned the carbs and now it runs flawlessly. No more sputtering or bogging down.
@REDonVFR 2nd gear to redline should rip on this bike. Also the acceleration in top gear from 60-80 should be pretty respectable. It will touch recline in 5th gear as well. I always wonder if putting a smaller sprocket on the rear would help with cruise on the freeway and not hamper acceleration
What constant speed can be achieved over a long distance without overloading the engine?
I rode it on a highway for 50 minutes 70-75 mph. I'm sure it is capable of prolonged highway miles.
@@REDonVFR OK thanks.
Fun BIkes
The weight makes them super cool and easy to ride. At times it felt like I rode a bicycle.
I bought a 1980 400E a couple weeks ago and just love it although it needs alot of work paint and seat wise but I'm just going to bob it. I;m already going to strip the bike, I might as well go all the way with it.
Nice! Those things are small but robust!
@@REDonVFRyep, it runs great but the paint and seat are trashed
@@TheREALOC1972 I resprayed mine and it ended up excellent. Try metallic rattle can paint. Easy to apply and easy not to create runs.
@@REDonVFR I think I'm going to use tractor paint when I paint it, mainly because I already have a have a little over a quart in I gallon of International White Tractor paint that I bought for another project and have that left over. I've never used Tractor paint on a motorcycle but I don't see what could go wrong.
This engine will START to produce it`s power from 6000rpms. 2:44 "small wheelbase.." I have a CBR600 outside, next to my CM400T.. It has ca the same wheelbase 10:00 man you`re not too smart..
#first