Beschreibung:

With specifications that would have been the exclusive preserve of exotic racing machinery only a few years before, the sports roadsters that began to be introduced by the Japanese manufacturers in the early 1960s seemed tailor-made for production racing. One of the first Oriental models to make its mark in this increasingly popular and important branch of motorcycle sport was the Honda CB72, an overhead-camshaft 250cc twin. The machine offered here is one of the first CB72s to be imported into the UK and was brought to this country by one of the first official Honda dealerships – Bill Smith Motors, of Hoole, Chester. A most accomplished racer, Bill Smith enjoyed a distinguished career on the track spanning six decades, winning countless races including four Isle of Man TTs, on each occasion in a production-machine event. The vendor purchased this machine from his brother-in-law, its second private owner, 20-plus years ago. Not used on the road since 1969/70 and kept in storage since then, the Honda came with Bill Jakeman-style race fairing and ‘ace’ handlebars fitted. Seeing that Bill Smith Motors was the first owner recorded in the original logbook, the vendor contacted Bill Smith himself to enquire if the machine had any racing history and was surprised to be informed by Bill that it was the bike that he and the late John Hartle had ridden to victory in the Thruxton 500-Mile Endurance Race’s 250cc class in 1961. Coincidentally, that was the year of Honda’s breakthrough in the Isle of Man TT races, when Mike Hailwood scored a momentous 125cc/250cc double victory. The Thruxton 500-Mile race was held a few weeks later on Saturday 8th July and this CB72’s achievement, although not in quite the same league, nevertheless means that it is almost certainly the first Japanese production motorcycle to win a race in the UK. The Honda was not registered for the road until 1st March 1963, having - presumably - been retained by Bill Smith exclusively for racing. Unused while in the current ownership, it is unrestored with the exception of some minor paintwork and fairing refurbishment, while we are advised that the engine was last started and run approximately two years ago. The machine is offered with the aforementioned original logbook, expired MoT certificate, owner’s manual, tool kit and Swansea V5 document. It represents a unique opportunity to acquire one of the very earliest successful Japanese production-racing motorcycles and as such is an important landmark in the history of UK motorcycle sport.