A Savior For the Six?
A SAVIOR FOR THE SIX?
AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO replicate Honda’s 18,000-rpm six-cylinder grand prix roadracer is underway in England. Classic-bike specialist George Beale, who has produced Matchless G50 knock-offs and recently sold a trio of Benelli Four clones (at $150,000 a pop!), now has his sights set on the 1967 RC174.
Helped by Honda, which will make available remaining blueprints of the bike, Beale aims to make at least three examples, priced at $275,000 each. Japanese collector Teruhisa Murayama will provide an original RC that will be used as a pattern.
Beale faces a daunting task, as everything from magnesium engine cases to titanium handlebars and fairing molds must be made from scratch. “I hope to source it all in the U.K.,” he says. George Beale Motorcycles (phone O11-44-1530-223611) will offer clients replicas of the 150-mph RC174 that Mike Hailwood rode to the 1967 350cc world championship, or they can opt for the smaller-bore 250cc RC166.
Standard specifications will be used throughout, except for the crankshaft (to give longer maintenance intervals) and an electronic ignition concealed within the original generator body. NGK has been approached to supply the special 8mm sparkplugs.
Beale envisions his replicas in action at special events. “We won’t build them to be hidden away and not used,” he promises.
Mick Duckworth
