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• Auction House:
  Donington Auctions
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Motorcycles & Cars (New South Wales)
• Sale Date:
  12 Dec 2021 ~ 12noon (AEDT)
• Lot #:
  23
• Lot Description:
  1998 Moriwaki MH80R
  Following a racing career for renowned Japanese motorcycle tuner Hideo "Pops" Yoshimura, in 1973 Mamoru Moriwaki established Moriwaki Engineering in Suzuka City, Japan. Initially concentrating on supplying frames and modified engines for Kawasaki Z1s Moriwaki was instrumental in establishing the careers of several important riders; notably New Zealander Graeme Crosby, and Australians Peter Goddard and Wayne Gardner. During the late 1970s and early 1980s Moriwaki Kawasakis often out qualified official factory teams in the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hour race. In the 1980s Moriwaki formed an association with HRC (Honda Racing Corporation), and the MH80R was one result of this collaboration. Moriwaki initially designed the MH80R in 1988 and intended it to be a reasonably priced racing motorcycle suitable for riders to improve their skills and develop future racing starts. It was immediately popular in Japan and soon spread to Europe, America and Australia. Moriwaki intentionally chose a standard street bike Honda NS-1 frame and Honda CR80 80cc Motocross engine so it could be produced economically and intentionally avoided special racing components. The rules for MH80 races in Japan allowed for no modifications and resulted in extremely competitive events. As it was already an off-road racing engine with larger operating clearances the CR80 engine was ideal for this configuration. The single cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled reed valve engine had a bore and stroke of 47.5x45mm, a 9.7:1 compression ratio and a 20mm Keihin carburettor. The power was 25 horsepower at 12,000rpm and the engine was installed in a specially modified NS-1 chassis, this featuring revised engine mounts to minimise engine vibration. Moriwaki also built the aluminium petrol tank, handle bars, expansion chamber exhaust and provided a specially tuned carburettor, tachometer and temperature gauge. The brakes were from the CR80 motocrosser and these proved adequate for 80kg MH80R. Designed for up and coming 14-16-year-old riders, Motorcycling NSW launched their GP80 Australian Junior Road Racing Association series in July 1998. Ex-Moriwaki rider Tony Hatton coordinated and supplied the machines, these selling for $6,800 ready to race. A total of 60 bikes were imported. The series also used go-kart and training tracks not usually suited to road racing. The series was so successful it helped establish the careers of Anthony West, Joshua Brookes, Chris Vermeulen, Broc Parkes, Josh Waters, Shannon Ethridge, Blake Leigh-Smith and Jason O'Halloran. All went on to becoming professional racers and competing in MotoGP, World Superbikes, the World Endurance Championship and the British Superbike Championship. Eventually the series came to an end in the mid-2000s following Honda's decision to discontinue the production of two-stroke engines. The example offered here is in as raced condition. It is missing the tank pad but comes with a paddock stand. This motorcycle is being sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$4,000 - 6,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.