Manufacturer Honda Successor H3 | Production 1976–1979 | |
Class 2-speed transverse automatic transmission | ||
The Hondamatic (also called the H2) was Honda's first automatic transmission. It was produced from 1973 through 1979. The Hondamatic name is used on all automatic transmissions from Honda.
Contents
The original Hondamatic, like all following Honda automatics, featured sliding gears on parallel axes rather than planetary gears like most other automatic transmissions. The design preserved engine braking by eliminating a sprag between the first and second gears. It also featured a unique shifting action controlled by stator torque rather than traditional hydraulics. The Honda torque converter had a lockup, leading the company to sell the original Hondamatic (which had just two forward gear ratios) as a three-speed. The true three-speed H3 was launched in 1979.
Applications:
Motorcycle
The Hondamatic was later used in Honda's 400, 450 and 750 cc motorcycles. In this application, it was not a true automatic transmission, as the driver had to manually select one of the two gears, though Honda's torque converter meant that no clutch was needed.
Applications:
Scooter, ATV, and power equipment
Honda also applies the Hondamatic name to a hydraulic piston-based continuously variable transmission used in motorscooters, all-terrain vehicles, and other types of power equipment.