any info on these bikes?

[guernz]

They are Factory Honda dirt trackers from the 80's. They look like CX engines turned sideways and converted to chain drive. I would like to know more about them.

 

[haplo_84]

Oh hell thats awesome looking, but how do you shift it?

 

[HerrDeacon]

Honda NS750

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/classics/bike.asp?id=32

 

[teazer]

They were heavily modified CX motors turned sideways.

 

[gnarshread]

I have no idea but damn do they look awesome!

 

[notlob]

As Herrdeacon says the top one is the NS750 the bottom one looks like a different motor or its fitted 180 deg round from the NS. But how do they get the chain drive on the same side. Could it be an RS750

 

[haplo_84]

Okay so because this really bothers me i had to look for how it shift. So i took a look at the rightside foot control. Okay everything looks normal for a second then what the hell is that circled in yellow. It looks to flimsy to be a shifter peg, plus not to mention trying to shift and brake with the right foot would be.......... well rather awkward but not impossible?

 

[guernz]

Harley 750's also shift and brake on the right so the left foot can be used to corner while flat tracking.

 

[guernz]

Honda NS750

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/asp/classics/bike.asp?id=32

sounds like a cool clone build. maybe I'll start collecting parts.

 

[pacomotorstuff]

The right side shifter / brake combo isn't as bad as it seems - in most cases, you're only going up or down a gear or at most, 2, once you get rolling and on the big bikes, a lot of times not at all.
My Can-a-Bul circa early '80's (CanAm motor, Bultaco Astro chassis) and current Starracer RM Suzuki have this setup and it works far better than you might imagine or maybe I just got used to it. Don't know if I'd want to try it on a street bike though.
As far as the CX500-turned-dirttracker, a bar story goes that an expert dirt track racer and his sponsor contacted Honda North America regarding getting a motor, the AMA rules then were you had to have 25 copies of the motor "readily available" for sale or some such (it used to be complete motorcycles not too many years before).
In 1982 dollars, the motors were 25K apiece, so... not (m)any takers.
As one wag put it, you'd be buying a million yards of heliarc welding if you got one. Do a google search and look closely at the photos - you'll see what I mean.
If you decide on such a build, keep us all posted. For sure, you won't see a clone of your ride too often.
Regards,
Pat Cowan,
Vintage Motorcycle Fiberglass