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Author Topic: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.  (Read 1660 times)

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Offline GoatBaSS

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What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« on: August 19, 2009, 06:18:02 AM »
Wisdom or bull sessions seem to suggest a small cc bike, which makes sense as the 750 herd here is BIG! I am  in the 190s in weight and 5.9/5.10 depending on which side of the iron maiden I get up on. I have not had a track day but with the growth and resources that are happening roun' here I can think of no other way to head off the "40's are the new 30's mid life blahs" with out being infidelis onus buttus. Less up keep, and the wife dont mind the other other girl with the huge round wheels down stairs.
All ideas granted full consideration as this will clearly not happen tomorrow... but the next day who knows.... :)
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Offline HondanutRider

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2009, 06:29:54 AM »
I would suggest starting with a CB350/360 (twin) as there are lots of them on and off the track, and starting smaller is better.  Then you could move up to a CB450/500 and then/or a CB750.  All of those models seem plentiful and popular in the Vintage Racing circuits.  If you want to go earlier than 1970 there is the CB160 to consider, but its not as popular and is getting pretty small.  The CB77 would also be nice (from the 1960's), but is rarer these days and more expensive to obtain and set up for the track.
« Last Edit: August 19, 2009, 06:32:19 AM by HondanutRider »
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Offline mlinder

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2009, 07:29:25 AM »
Running cb350 twins as racebikes here next season.
Lots of go-fast parts available.
Also, they fit into nearly every lightweight vintage class across the country. Hell, all over the world.
cb450's are making their dent in the circuits too, and most vintage race clubs have expanded to accept these in the same class as the cb350's.
There is a lot of untapped potential in both these bikes.
The cb350f's and 400f's also have a lot of untapped potential, also in the vintage lightweight classes, but cost a fair bit of money to make fast.
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Offline CBGBs

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2009, 10:42:42 AM »
From what I've seen, I'd go the CB350 twin as well. These are popular race bikes for good reason, and you'll be able to get lots advice from other 350 racers. I've seen guys who were 160-190 lbs on old CB160's but the 350 is easier to obtain.
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2009, 12:27:00 PM »
I would think a CB175 would be a pretty good choice as well, they can be tuned up to nearly 30hp and are darn light too.
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Offline gene03079

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2009, 06:07:42 PM »
I run a 175 on the track. You can get them moving well with some work.

The Honda 350's are a nice bike as well. Cheap to pick up and loads of knowledgeable guys running them.

Next year I hope to run the 175 and a 350
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2009, 06:26:53 AM »
There's the man, how's it going Gene?
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Offline Green550F

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2009, 08:06:55 AM »
The 350 would be my choice as well.
Since there is limited racing opertunities for me, I made a cafe for around town. I had it checked on a dyno... 20bhp with no go-fast parts and limited tuning. Not bad for a 20CID engine!
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Offline 754

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2009, 09:52:09 PM »
  Rick Hockings Rocky Cycle sponsored..
 Champion framed CB 750 flat tracker... ;D

 .. actually.. I would be very happy to even find a pic of it.. :o

. it did exist, a buddy saw it in the flesh.. way back...
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Offline lordmoonpie

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2009, 05:34:32 AM »
I went back to classic racing on a CB350 K4 twin and I'm 6'3" and 210 lbs. It's a great way in, easy to work on, great fun etc but eventually my size was hindering progress so I went to a 450 bomber. I'm still on that now - very competitive and great fun and it has to be said, super reliable!
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Offline GroovieGhoulie

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2009, 08:17:50 PM »
I'd look HARD at the CR125 Elsinore.  Those little 125 buzz-bombs can be VERY fast, but maintenance is intensive since you're revving the engine to the moon, and shifting all the time to keep speed and momentum up.  But they ARE tough, and they redefined the small-bore MX game.  They can be THE ticket in 125 Sportsman, and with upgraded shocks and forks, handle "period" whoops, jumps and berms with aplomb.  Lightweight, good-handling, with a tough, user-friendly engine that has plenty of power in a wide, smooth powerband.

Everyone seems to want the 250 Elsinore, (a fine machine) but the demand has made the 250 more expensive.  The 125 is just a sweet little jewel.  Fairly cheap to buy and not bad to run.  There is a huge following for them as well.

You could get the 125, race it for a season or three, then get a 250 when you feel ready, so you can enter in multiple classes for MORE racing!

If I wasn't so stuck on the Hodies, I've have an Elsinore or three myself.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2009, 08:20:32 PM by GroovieGhoulie »
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Offline BlindJoe

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Re: What 70s Honda would you start with as a track bike? All opines wanted.
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2009, 08:31:22 PM »
check out this site http://www.batemanracing.com/ on 160/175 racers
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