1963 Honda CB72 250cc Motorcycle

Description

Established in 1948, the Honda Motor Company quickly established itself as one of the dominant motorcycle manufacturers from Japan, building everything from commuter scooters right up to Grand Prix machines capable of challenging the world's best on the racetrack.  Arguably the definitive Honda motorcycle of the era, the CB72 boasted an inclined twin cylinder overhead camshaft engine mounted in a race-style spine frame.  The 180-degree parallel twin was almost over engineered, and of course because each cylinder fired separately, each required a carburetor and two sets of contact breaker points.  In typical Honda fashion the engine was a stressed member of the frame and the handling was well received at the time of launch on the domestic market in 1960.  By 1962 the CB72 produced 25 horsepower at 9200rpm, enough for a top speed in excess of 90 mph.  Other notable features included 200mm twin leading shoe brakes front and rear.  Many of these machines were tuned and put onto the race track, where many successes were notched up by club racers.  Honda CB72s are still raced and exhibited at just about every classic race meeting and still regarded by many as THE iconic classic Honda from the 1960s.