LOT 418
1963 Honda 125cc CR93 Racing Motorcycle Frame no. CR93 3100087 Engine no. CR93E-3100139
Sold for £21,440.68 inc. premium
Lot 418
1963 Honda 125cc CR93 Racing Motorcycle Frame no. CR93 3100087 Engine no. CR93E-3100139
The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|20 October 2019, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
1963 Honda 125cc CR93 Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. CR93 3100087
Engine no. CR93E-3100139
Frame no. CR93 3100087
Engine no. CR93E-3100139
• Iconic privateer racing motorcycle
• Restored by Roger Titchmarsh
• Ridden by Tommy Robb and Ralph Bryans
• Present ownership since 2005
"It was robustly reliable, steered and handled to perfection, was, if anything, over-braked, and would exceed 100mph. At a stroke it made all other 125cc machinery in Britain obsolete. The CR93 was not cheap but it was, quite simply, built to exactly the same high standard as Honda's own racing machinery." - Brian Woolley, Classic Racer magazine.
Just 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 CR93's ceiling being a then stratospheric 13,000rpm with maximum power of 16.5bhp arriving at 11,500 revs. 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 'box, the more tractable '125' made do with five.
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. Just 40-or-so CR93s were imported into the UK and today they are highly sought after by classic racers and collectors alike.
The previous owner purchased this machine from a private collection in 1997 and had it rebuilt by recognised specialist Roger Titchmarsh. On disassembly, the engine was found to be in very good condition, merely requiring new piston rings, valves, valve caps, and collets. The valve pushers were re-faced and ground, new ignition points fitted, new carburettor floats used, and the rev counter cable replaced. The chassis was checked over and cleaned before re-installing the engine, with no further work being required as it was in such good condition. Following the rebuild's completion, the machine was ridden by ex-Honda Grand Prix works stars Tommy Robb and Ralph Bryans.
The current vendor purchased the CR93 at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in April 2005 (Lot 541). Roger Titchmarsh rebuilt the engine again before the Honda was ridden by Alex Sinclair at the Donington Park Classic Festival in 2008. The machine will require re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the racetrack.
• Restored by Roger Titchmarsh
• Ridden by Tommy Robb and Ralph Bryans
• Present ownership since 2005
"It was robustly reliable, steered and handled to perfection, was, if anything, over-braked, and would exceed 100mph. At a stroke it made all other 125cc machinery in Britain obsolete. The CR93 was not cheap but it was, quite simply, built to exactly the same high standard as Honda's own racing machinery." - Brian Woolley, Classic Racer magazine.
Just 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 CR93's ceiling being a then stratospheric 13,000rpm with maximum power of 16.5bhp arriving at 11,500 revs. 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 'box, the more tractable '125' made do with five.
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. Just 40-or-so CR93s were imported into the UK and today they are highly sought after by classic racers and collectors alike.
The previous owner purchased this machine from a private collection in 1997 and had it rebuilt by recognised specialist Roger Titchmarsh. On disassembly, the engine was found to be in very good condition, merely requiring new piston rings, valves, valve caps, and collets. The valve pushers were re-faced and ground, new ignition points fitted, new carburettor floats used, and the rev counter cable replaced. The chassis was checked over and cleaned before re-installing the engine, with no further work being required as it was in such good condition. Following the rebuild's completion, the machine was ridden by ex-Honda Grand Prix works stars Tommy Robb and Ralph Bryans.
The current vendor purchased the CR93 at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in April 2005 (Lot 541). Roger Titchmarsh rebuilt the engine again before the Honda was ridden by Alex Sinclair at the Donington Park Classic Festival in 2008. The machine will require re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the racetrack.
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 CR93-3100987. The machine is offered with a CRMC Certificate.
Additional information
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- 19 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
- 20 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
