Ex-Peter Wilson, Nip-On Motorcycles, Chesterfield,, 1966 Honda CB450 Racing Motorcycle

Honda's landmark CB450, launched in the mid-1960s, was one of the most advanced production motorcycles of its day. Nicknamed the 'Black Bomber', the model featured twin overhead camshafts, torsion-bar valve springs and performance that challenged many larger-capacity rivals. The machine offered here is a particularly appealing example, having enjoyed a lengthy and well-documented competition career in the hands of respected Chesterfield racer and motorcycle dealer Peter Wilson.
According to the accompanying records, the Honda was first registered in March 1966 by supplying dealers Salmon & Mellar of Buxton before being sold to Peter Wilson, proprietor of Nip-On Motorcycles, Chesterfield, believed to have been within the same year. Wilson subsequently modified the machine for racing and campaigned it extensively throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, later returning to the machine during the flourishing classic racing movement of the 1980s.
Peter Wilson enjoyed a long and distinguished racing career. In addition to this CB450, he competed aboard a Honda CR93 and participated in numerous events including the Manx Grand Prix, together with meetings at Skerries and Fore in Ireland. In later years he was a familiar figure with both the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC) and the International Historic Racing Organisation (IHRO), competing at circuits including Assen and Mettet, before retiring from racing in 1997.
Wilson's extensive racing diary records the Honda's final competition appearance at a VMCC meeting at Cadwell Park on 3rd April 1988, providing a rare and tangible link to the machine's active racing life. Remarkably, the motorcycle is believed still to be fitted with the Dunlop KR racing tyres used during its final outings on the circuit.

The accompanying history file is exceptional. Included are period race programmes, contemporary photographs, correspondence with Honda relating to tuning and performance development, Peter Wilson's period 'pudding basin' racing helmet bearing the emblem of the Chesterfield Sporting Riders Motorcycle Club, the original buff logbook and a 1969 MOT certificate issued by Bill Lomas Motorcycles.

In recent years the machine was sympathetically restored by renowned CB450 specialist Chris Saxby, with the objective of returning it to Peter Wilson's known racing specification while discreetly incorporating electric start for ease of use. The result is an attractive and highly evocative historic racer that retains its authentic period character and considerable provenance.

A rare opportunity to acquire a genuinely historic club-racing Honda with continuous and fascinating ownership history, extensive supporting documentation and direct links to a successful British privateer racer. The machine is offered with its aforementioned history file and memorabilia. Having been displayed and preserved as part of a collection, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road/track and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, originality, authenticity, mechanical condition, usage and completeness (or otherwise) prior to bidding.

It should be noted that last two digits ('23') of the frame number has been partially obscured by a period weld repair. Although the machine is offered with an old-style continuation log-book (issued in 1966), for VRN 'KRA 84D', this registration appears to have lapsed and does not appear on the HPI or DVLA vehicle check databases. Accordingly, prospective bidders must satisfy themselves as to the validity and status of the motorcycle's VRN and the successful purchaser is responsible for applying for a registration certificate and retrieving the VRN.