LOT 443
Ridden by Tommy Robb and John McGuinness Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica Registration no. not registered Frame no. JML-PMR 002 Engine no. MC14E-1062676
Sold for £11,500 inc. premium
Lot 443
Ridden by Tommy Robb and John McGuinness,Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix ReplicaRegistration no. not registered Frame no. JML-PMR 002 Engine no. MC14E-1062676
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
Ridden by Tommy Robb and John McGuinness
Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. JML-PMR 002
Engine no. MC14E-1062676
Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. JML-PMR 002
Engine no. MC14E-1062676
• Built by John Locksley
• Modified by Phil Morris
• Honda CBR250RR engine
Introduced for the 1962 season, the four-cylinder 250cc RC163 was little changed from the preceding year's World Championship-winning RC162. It too would enjoy the ultimate success, Jim Redman taking the '250' World Championship that year together with the '350' crown, while Luigi Taveri bagged the '125' title to make it three out of four championships contested for Honda. Only in the 50cc category, won by Suzuki, did they fail.
The year 1962 also marked the recruitment of Tommy Robb into the Honda Grand Prix Team, and the diminutive Ulsterman duly rewarded their faith in him by winning the 250cc class at the Ulster GP, beating champion-elect Jim Redman. In fact, Tommy finished inside the top six in all four World Championship classes contested by Honda that year, a better performance than any of their other riders.
Genuine examples of Honda's fabulous Grand Prix-winning multi-cylinder racers of the 1960s have always been out of the financial reach of all but the most wealthy collectors and museums. Generally considered far too precious to parade, let alone race, they are seldom seen in action. The result of this situation has been the growth in recent years of a 'cottage industry' of replica-builders, many of whom use the four-cylinder engine of the modern CB250R sports roadster, a Japan-only model never officially imported into the UK. When first introduced in 1986 as the Type MC14, this little jewel had around 45bhp on tap at 14,500rpm. The series progressed via the CBR250R (MC17 and MC19) to the CBR250RR (MC22) and was last made in 1999, though the engine type (MC14E) remained the same throughout. Water-cooling aside, it is the closest in spirit to Honda's Grand Prix power units of the 1960s.
This CBR250RR-powered RC163 replica was built by John Locksley and bought directly from him by Phil Morris. Phil has since rebuilt the engine and modified the bike, swapping over the gearchange/rear brake to the 'British' arrangement and fitting new 'period' exhaust pipes. Ridden by former Honda works rider and Grand Prix winner Tommy Robb in numerous major events, this was one of two similar machines available to him. It was on this machine that Tommy had the accident that prompted him to retire from the track. The RC163 has also been ridden by TT star John McGuinness at the 'Festival of 1,000 Bikes'. Offered with history file.
• Modified by Phil Morris
• Honda CBR250RR engine
Introduced for the 1962 season, the four-cylinder 250cc RC163 was little changed from the preceding year's World Championship-winning RC162. It too would enjoy the ultimate success, Jim Redman taking the '250' World Championship that year together with the '350' crown, while Luigi Taveri bagged the '125' title to make it three out of four championships contested for Honda. Only in the 50cc category, won by Suzuki, did they fail.
The year 1962 also marked the recruitment of Tommy Robb into the Honda Grand Prix Team, and the diminutive Ulsterman duly rewarded their faith in him by winning the 250cc class at the Ulster GP, beating champion-elect Jim Redman. In fact, Tommy finished inside the top six in all four World Championship classes contested by Honda that year, a better performance than any of their other riders.
Genuine examples of Honda's fabulous Grand Prix-winning multi-cylinder racers of the 1960s have always been out of the financial reach of all but the most wealthy collectors and museums. Generally considered far too precious to parade, let alone race, they are seldom seen in action. The result of this situation has been the growth in recent years of a 'cottage industry' of replica-builders, many of whom use the four-cylinder engine of the modern CB250R sports roadster, a Japan-only model never officially imported into the UK. When first introduced in 1986 as the Type MC14, this little jewel had around 45bhp on tap at 14,500rpm. The series progressed via the CBR250R (MC17 and MC19) to the CBR250RR (MC22) and was last made in 1999, though the engine type (MC14E) remained the same throughout. Water-cooling aside, it is the closest in spirit to Honda's Grand Prix power units of the 1960s.
This CBR250RR-powered RC163 replica was built by John Locksley and bought directly from him by Phil Morris. Phil has since rebuilt the engine and modified the bike, swapping over the gearchange/rear brake to the 'British' arrangement and fitting new 'period' exhaust pipes. Ridden by former Honda works rider and Grand Prix winner Tommy Robb in numerous major events, this was one of two similar machines available to him. It was on this machine that Tommy had the accident that prompted him to retire from the track. The RC163 has also been ridden by TT star John McGuinness at the 'Festival of 1,000 Bikes'. Offered with history file.
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.
Additional information
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