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Stafford 'Mechanics' show 2009

The Worlds largest Classic bike show dedicated to Japanese machinery was staged recently in the U.K.

 The ‘Mechanics’ show situated as usual at the County Show-ground at Stafford in the English Midlands drew record crowds to see the eclectic mix of superb classic Japanese machinery, auto-jumble and trade stands.

     Special guest for the weekend was ‘Fast Freddie’ Spencer ex works grand prix rider and 3 times World Champion on works Honda machinery.  

     The first Honda Grand Prix machine to be powered by a two stroke engine also won them their first 500cc World championship in 1983. The NS500 V3 two-stroke piloted by the very young and enormously talented ‘Fast Freddie’ who dominated that season and won the championship for Honda again in 1985 as well as taking the 250cc World championship in the same year, another record achievement.

    By pure coincidence one of the CMS collection of Hondas was on show at Stafford. This machine, an extremely rare 1984 RS750D had just completed a full ground up restoration at Phil Denton Engineering and just happened to be the very machine that was owned, developed and sponsored by Freddie Spencer and Supertrapp!

   This particular machine was one of 15 assembled by C&J the US flat track specialists at that time. This one being the only one with a horizontal rear shock. Flat track specialist Doug Chandler dominated the flat track-racing scene on this machine, winning for 3 consecutive seasons irritating Harley Davidson enough for them to demand a reduction in power from HRC engine! HRC obliged by inserting restriction rings in the inlet ports taking around 10% of the power reducing from 110BHP to just 100BHP………..And you guessed it, they still annihilated the opposition!”

   HRC built a total of 30 engines based on the XLV750, with heavily modified crankcases, extensive use of magnesium and unusually Mikuni flat-slide carburettors rather than the usual Keihin’s.

   Freddie Spencer on seeing his old machine bought back to ‘as new’ condition commented to a Phil Denton Engineering staff member "how much fun he and Doug had with this machine” and how "great it was to see it back in such fine shape”

  Freddie then went on to sign the fuel tank at the owners bequest, (image at the top of the page) which of course will now have a clear lacquer layer applied to preserve the signature for posterity and historical interest.

 

(posted 20/10/2009)