1981 Honda CR

JH2PE0201BC004063

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1981 Honda CR450R Elsinore For much of the 1970s, the dirt biking public had been demanding a real big-bore racer from Honda. Every other manufacturer had one, so why not Big Red? So, in 1981, they brought out, with great fanfare, the CR450R Elsinore, their first production “open-class” Moto-Cross machine. It was available in any colour you like, so long as it was Tahitian Red, with black and white stripe in the tank. A few magazines wrote wonderful things about it: “cat-quick and grizzly-tough” and “the best Open class MXer ever built”, that kind of stuff. A little rushed to the market, the bike was quite a handful with quirky handling and ‘interesting’ power delivery, but another game-changer, from the Honda factory. The one-year only model was produced in the Saitama factory in Japan, and a production run of only 4600 bikes, makes this quite a rare bike. The bike offered is number 4063 in that sequence. In superbly original condition, this light and powerful 2 stroke has obviously seen very little use. Reportedly purchased new in Southern California by an enthusiast with limited abilities, the bike was ridden a few times before going in to the garage for long-term storage, while a more docile machine was used. And there it stayed. Not in perfect condition, but very good, there is some paint loss on the frame that under close scrutiny looks more like bad preparation when new. The bike is completely un-restored and original. The bike has just undergone a minor re-commissioning and service and runs well with strong power from the 431cc two-stroke engine. The 4-speed transmission shifts well with a good clutch, and all cycle parts work well. The tires aren’t cracked and hold air perfectly. This is a perfect opportunity to buy an amazingly original example of one of Hondas truly game-changing and rare off-road machines. Clean, clear title in hand. AHRMA anyone?