If the Honda CB750 was the first superbike, youre looking at the original super-superbike – the Bimota HB1. !! In the 1970s and 1980s, the fact that Japans motorcycle frame design lagged behind that of its engines meant that anyone wishing to exploit a motors full potential had little option but to opt for a bespoke chassis. A number of specialists sprang up to satisfy this demand, at the very pinnacle of which was the Italian firm of Bimota, formed by Valerio BIanchi, Giuseppe MOrri, and Massimo TAmburini. Bimotas first complete motorcycle was a racer, built to house a 750cc Honda four, which was first tested in the summer of 1972. The resulting publicity encouraged them to go into production to meet the unexpected demand for replicas. At this early stage, Bimota werent interested in supplying complete machines, and apart from the prototype racer all HB1s (Honda Bimota 1) were supplied as frame kits for completion by the customer. The HB1 kit consisted of a tubular steel frame; box-section swinging arm; Ceriani front fork; Marzocchi rear suspension units; alloy wheels; triple disc brakes; oil cooler; glassfibre fuel tank, seat and mudguards; clip-on handlebars; and rear-set footrests. Even if the customer left the CB750 engine standard, the result was a motorcycle vastly superior to the Honda original. Nine complete kits were produced, which together with original racer made a total of only ten HB1s. --Bonhams hope to sell this one for £44,000-£58,000 in Paris on 5 February--
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 18:18:12 +0000
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