HIGHLIGHTS
- Fantastic recreation of Honda’s classic championship winner
- Built to a high standard at a cost of over £20,000
- CBRR MC14 four-cylinder engine
- Incredible authentic sound
- Ride or display
THE APPEAL
Honda’s small-capacity lightweight machines dominated Grand Prix racing in the 1960’s ‘Golden Age’. Built and run by the works team, these hand-built competition bikes represented the pinnacle of motorcycle engineering and enjoyed World Championship successes in the hands of top works riders such as Jim Redman and Mike Hailwood.
This amazing Grand Prix replica cost in excess of £20,000 to create and has been personally inspected and approved by Jim Redman who kindly signed the fairing. The bike is also a homage to the lesser known privateer Derek Minter who achieved an impressive win in the 250 class in 1962, beating all the Honda works riders.
Based on a modified Honda CB72 frame and CBRR MC14 engine (imported from Japan), this machine has been built to exacting standards by the previous owner and has appeared at shows and meetings where the bike has been admired not only for it’s appearance and authenticity but the incredible sound emitted from the quad exhausts as the 45 bhp engine revs to 19,000 rpm!.
Presented in great condition, this little jewel is well worth a closer look…
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
The bike doesn’t come with any detailed history or associated paperwork, and being a race bike, has not been road registered. Despite being hard to read, the frame number is in-situ and the engine number clearly visible.
THE CONDITION
- Great overall condition
- Excellent looking CB72 frame and forks customised to RC163 spec’
- Tachometer and water temperature gauges
- Decent fibreglass fairing and clear screen
- Race handlebars with good grips and levers
- Steering shock absorber
- Correct narrow competition tank with excellent paintwork
- Clean mechanical components
- Excellent suede covered race saddle
- Akront Morad aluminium rims
THE MECHANICS
- MC14 Inline four-cylinder, 16-valve twin overhead cam
- Producing around 45 bhp (just 1 bhp less than factory originals)
- Four Dellorto carbs’
- Water-cooled
- Six-speed gearbox
- Electric start and runs via battery total loss system
- Charging units removed for lightness and energy-sapping reduction
- Four into four works pattern megaphone exhaust system
- Excellent looking suspension components
- 230mm diameter replica 4LS front brake and 2LS rear
- Dunlop front tyre and Avon rear with signs of use
SUMMARY
With genuine examples of Honda’s Grand Prix winning racers of the ’60’s financially out of reach for most, this classic homage is a brilliant and desirable alternative.
Clearly built to exacting standards, this masterpiece in metal is an incredible looking, sounding and performing competition bike and sure to be a winner in your eyes.
