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LOT 667 N

1962 Honda CR93 125cc Racing Motorcycle Frame no. obscured Engine no. CR93E-3100112

Sold for £26,450 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 667N

1962 Honda CR93 125cc Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. obscured Engine no. CR93E-3100112

1962 Honda CR93 125cc Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. obscured
Engine no. CR93E-3100112

• Iconic privateer racing motorcycle
• Restored in Italy
• Genuine Honda saddle cover

"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 gearbox, the more tractable 125 made do with six.

First made available in 1962, 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. Only 40-or-so CR93s were imported into the UK and today they are highly sought after by classic racers and collectors alike.

We are advised that Giancarlo Morbidelli was able to buy a genuine saddle cover from Honda for this highly original CR93. Restored in Italy, it represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of these jewel-like masterpieces, which are highly sought after today by classic racers and collectors alike. The machine is offered with a photocopied parts list (in English).

Footnotes

Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 667: click here
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

Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 667: click here

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  • 12 August 2020, 13:00 - 17:00 BST

Lot symbols

NNOVA declaration
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

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