Topic: Honda RC181 - 500cc GP replica

[Zunspec]

Hi all,

A friend of mine will hopefully have the opportunity to ride this example of Honda engineering at a circuit close to me in July.  A full replica, including the engine.  The original was raced by Mike Hailwood of course.  I'll do my best to get more close up photos in the pits if all goes to plan.



Cheers  Geoff

[MRieck]

Pretty cool. Your friend is a lucky guy.

[Stev-o]

Nice!  What circuit is close to you, Silverstone? [Towcester NN12 8TN, UK]

[bwaller]

Thanks for posting and keep us up to date.

Very interesting and what an opportunity. Who is your friend?

[PeWe]

I think I've had read about that replica ( or something similar) the engine is a technical masterpiece. Is it this one they did the cases in France? Maybe connected with Japauto?

[simon#42]

is it the engine jpx made ?  while not a fan of replicas at all this is at least a good one , they normally have some old road bike engine in them
that is absolutely nothing like the original

[Zunspec]

Thanks guys,

I will endeavour to get all the details when this escapade is formally announced in about a weeks time and I will keep you posted.  It is a true replica of which there were 12(?) made apparently.  Goodness knows what they cost (and are worth now).  I should have the opportunity to get close up and dirty so will certainly shoot some video of it running (and also a genuine Honda 6 ).

Cheers  Geoff

[Sam Green Racing]

is it the engine jpx made ?  while not a fan of replicas at all this is at least a good one , they normally have some old road bike engine in them
that is absolutely nothing like the original

Simon, the motor looks like the one that Sammy Miller rode a few years back but I could be wrong.
I don't think the motor was made in France but again, I could be wrong.

[Sam Green Racing]

Hi all,

A friend of mine will hopefully have the opportunity to ride this example of Honda engineering at a circuit close to me in July.  A full replica, including the engine.  The original was raced by Mike Hailwood of course.  I'll do my best to get more close up photos in the pits if all goes to plan.



Cheers  Geoff

Looks a lot like this one.

[Zunspec]

Here is a snippet of info regarding the replica's origin.

"The bike is one of a dozen €65,000 replicas built from original Honda drawings by Hungarian engineer Ronald Agoston "

Cheers  Geoff

[Stev-o]

Here is a snippet of info regarding the replica's origin.

"The bike is one of a dozen €65,000 replicas built from original Honda drawings by Hungarian engineer Ronald Agoston "

Cheers  Geoff

Interesting article here...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2009/03/article/memorable-motorcycles-honda-rc181/


Geoff - thanks for sharing, looking forward to more posts.

[Sam Green Racing]

Thanks for beating me to it Stev-o, haha. That article was written by my friend of 57 years Frank Melling and I have seen the bike in person a few times, in fact, I'm not even sure if I have raced against it.
When a few of the guys said it was built in France, I knew it wasn't but couldn't remember where but knew it was what we call Eastern block European.
As you can see in the article Geoff, there were 15 built.

[Zunspec]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for that link to the article.  I was of the thought that the engine was a faithful replica of the original Honda and not one who's underlying mechanics were CBX based.  Looking at the photos in the link the bike there has different rear sets to the photo I posted so I wonder if they are the same thing.  I will find out in due course and post the storey of this particular bikes history.

Cheers  Geoff

[Tintop]

subscribed

[Zunspec]

Hi all,

The circuit near to me is Castle Combe located in the west of England about 100 miles west of London.  The circuit has just released a web page with some details.  There is a special Mike Hailwood parade which apart from featuring my chum on the RC181 replica also has this bloke called Guy Martin riding the RC167 6 cyl bike.  There will be a bunch of other machines associated with Mike Hailwood circulating as well.  My chum will also be riding my Seeley T500 replica in the regular parade sessions (He has a free entry so cheap testing time  )

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/news/honda-brings-the-honda-six-to-castle-combe-circuit-with-guy-martin/

More to follow when I can.

Cheers  Geoff

[Stev-o]

We may have heard of that bloke Guy Martin?!   Great movie, Closer to the Edge...

[Tim2005]

Hi Geoff, Lovely bike, is it one of John Chapman's? He did have a pair of those iirc.

Disappointing that they have scheduled this event for the same weekend as the Mallory Bike Bonanza, you'd think they'd work out that there is only one main audience out there.

[Zunspec]

Hello Tim,

The meeting forms a part of the regular North Glos Road Racing Club (NGRRC) club races.  Castle Combe has VERY noise sensitive neighbour's and the circuit is only allowed one bike meeting a year.  I guess they did not have much choice wrt the date.  If anyone has heard the 6-cyl Honda in action you will know it is one of noisiest (or musical  ) bikes ever made and the circuit has a 1 off permission to run it.  I have seen std. road bikes having to fit additional silencers to be allowed out on a track day. 

I have read that John Chapman has in fact 4 of these RC181 replicas, along with an Aladdin's cave of other ex-works GP machines (several MV 500s for instance).  It should be a good weekend (and is so close to me I can sleep in my own bed rather than camping etc.).  I am hoping to get my Seeley Honda 750 there and as I will have a pit pass will be badgering a few stars (Guy, John McGuiness etc.) to be photograph on it (hope they don't all tell me to buzz off lol )

Will keep you all posted.

Cheers  Geoff

[simon#42]

ah this does have an old road bike engine in it , why on earth is it so expensive then ?

[Zunspec]

Hello Simon,

I think there more to this one than "just an old road engine".  I have seen the criticism passed on more mundane replicas such as the 250cc type with a bog standard CB250RR engine ect.  I will endeavour to get the inside info on this RC181 and let you know.

Cheers  Geoff

[simon#42]

thanks geoff that would be interesting

[Sam Green Racing]

ah this does have an old road bike engine in it , why on earth is it so expensive then ?

I know what you mean Simon but as Geoff says, it has had a lot done to it but YES, it's still just a look alike and not a real replica. I'm not sure why people say they are replicas when they are just a look alike and I'm not calling Geoff when I say this but the guy who built them.
The 6 cylinder bike that Geoff says Guy Martin is down to ride is more than likely one of the 6 that George Beal had built and is as true a replica that could be built and look at the difference in price on that one.
The guy who built the sixes is a member of this forum under the name of Hondarc164 and is a friend of mine on Facebook, I'll give him a shout and ask him to look in on Geoff's post, he might know more on these bikes.

[Zunspec]

Well, the weekend of the Mike Hailwood Tribute parade at Castle Combe is upon us.  I will endeavour to get the info on the RC181 Rep and a few photos/videos of the bike in action.  I'll post the results on Monday.

Cheers  Geoff

[Sam Green Racing]

Enjoy the weekend Geoff, the forecast for the area is good with only the slightest chance of rain.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Looking forward to the photos.