LOT 417
c.1963 Honda 50cc CR110 Racing Motorcycle Frame no. 110-40130 Engine no. CR110E-20155
Estimate: £26,000 - £32,000
Lot 417
c.1963 Honda 50cc CR110 Racing Motorcycle Frame no. 110-40130 Engine no. CR110E-20155
The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|20 October 2019, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
c.1963 Honda 50cc CR110 Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 110-40130
Engine no. CR110E-20155
Frame no. 110-40130
Engine no. CR110E-20155
• Iconic privateer racing motorcycle
• Restored in the 1990s
• Present ownership since 2006
"Not only did they epitomise the virtues of a racing motorcycle, being small, light, fast and simple, but they handled wonderfully well, and if properly (and rather expensively) maintained they were remarkably reliable." – Brian Woolley on the Honda CRs, Directory of Classic Racing Motorcycles.
Little more than one year after its breakthrough first success at World Championship level in 1961, Honda made its state-of-the-art Grand Prix technology available to privateers in the form of the 50cc CR110 and 125cc CR93 over-the-counter racers. Like their works equivalents, the 50cc single and 125cc twin employed gear-driven double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, this combination of tiny cylinders and minuscule valves enabling them to rev safely well into five figures, the CR110's maximum power of 8.5bhp arriving at a then stratospheric 13,500rpm. Both models employed a tubular steel frame, devoid of lower rails, to which was attached a conventional set of cycle parts, and while the '50' boasted no fewer than eight gears in the gearbox, the more tractable '125' made do with five. First made available in 1963, the duo immediately achieved a dominance of their respective classes that would last for many years, and countless stars of the future, including Bill Ivy, Jim Curry, Rod Scivyer and sidecar champion Chris Vincent, gained their early experience aboard the diminutive CRs.
This CR110 was owned from new by Bill Barker, a motorcycle dealer based in Yorkshire, and is believed to have competed in the Isle of Man TT on several occasions (the 50cc race was included in the TT programme from 1962 to 1968 inclusive). Well known collector Tony O'Neill bought the machine directly from Bill Barker, who had already commenced its restoration, and completed the rebuild circa 1996.
The immediately preceding owner purchased the Honda from Tony O'Neill circa 21 years ago. Purchased by the current vendor at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in October 2006 (Lot 641), the machine will require re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent before further use. The high-level exhaust and rear disc brake are believed the only changes from original specification.
Only a relative handful of CR110s were imported into the UK. This restored example represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of these jewel-like masterpieces, which are highly sought after today by classic racers and collectors alike.
• Restored in the 1990s
• Present ownership since 2006
"Not only did they epitomise the virtues of a racing motorcycle, being small, light, fast and simple, but they handled wonderfully well, and if properly (and rather expensively) maintained they were remarkably reliable." – Brian Woolley on the Honda CRs, Directory of Classic Racing Motorcycles.
Little more than one year after its breakthrough first success at World Championship level in 1961, Honda made its state-of-the-art Grand Prix technology available to privateers in the form of the 50cc CR110 and 125cc CR93 over-the-counter racers. Like their works equivalents, the 50cc single and 125cc twin employed gear-driven double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, this combination of tiny cylinders and minuscule valves enabling them to rev safely well into five figures, the CR110's maximum power of 8.5bhp arriving at a then stratospheric 13,500rpm. Both models employed a tubular steel frame, devoid of lower rails, to which was attached a conventional set of cycle parts, and while the '50' boasted no fewer than eight gears in the gearbox, the more tractable '125' made do with five. First made available in 1963, the duo immediately achieved a dominance of their respective classes that would last for many years, and countless stars of the future, including Bill Ivy, Jim Curry, Rod Scivyer and sidecar champion Chris Vincent, gained their early experience aboard the diminutive CRs.
This CR110 was owned from new by Bill Barker, a motorcycle dealer based in Yorkshire, and is believed to have competed in the Isle of Man TT on several occasions (the 50cc race was included in the TT programme from 1962 to 1968 inclusive). Well known collector Tony O'Neill bought the machine directly from Bill Barker, who had already commenced its restoration, and completed the rebuild circa 1996.
The immediately preceding owner purchased the Honda from Tony O'Neill circa 21 years ago. Purchased by the current vendor at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in October 2006 (Lot 641), the machine will require re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent before further use. The high-level exhaust and rear disc brake are believed the only changes from original specification.
Only a relative handful of CR110s were imported into the UK. This restored example represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of these jewel-like masterpieces, which are highly sought after today by classic racers and collectors alike.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
The frame number is CR110-20130.
Additional information
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- 19 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
- 20 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
