Mugen Honda

C-Rock wrote:

Never ever saw this V-twin before!

Any info?

Bigfoot wrote:

http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2011/09/honda-mugen-mrv1000.html Hirotoshi, son of Soichiro Honda (the godfather of Honda) started the performance engine tuning and parts manufacturer Mugen in 1973. The MRV1000 was to be...

http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2011/09/honda-mugen-mrv1000.html

Hirotoshi, son of Soichiro Honda (the godfather of Honda) started the performance engine tuning and parts manufacturer Mugen in 1973. The MRV1000 was to be Mugen's attempt to leverage the popularity of British motorcycles. Sadly however, due to the high ticket price, producing the MRV1000 for public sale was not viable.


mugen-mrv-1000-rear-wheel
Looking at the MRV1000 there's no doubt that Hirotoshi was a fan of British bikes and Cafe Racer styling. Mugen roughly translated means "without limit", which in this case may explain the lack of hesitation to mimic the designs of the British motorcycle manufacturers. The MRV1000's 51.2bhp engine is without a doubt a Vincent "copy". But who could really blame them? The Vincent engine is a work of art and if imitation is in fact the greatest form of flattery the MRV1000 is one hell of a compliment.

mugen-mrv-1000-2


As you look over the rest of the Mugen MRV1000 there are many other design features that are typically British. The muffler and seat resemble those found on a Triumph Bonneville and the frame even has lines similar to that of the Norton featherbed, but this isn't the only bike to have ever been designed in the image of another. Alloy components give away that the bike isn't from the same era but they add to it's appeal. In true Cafe Racer style the additions add to the bikes performance and it's sportier classic looks.

mugen-mrv-1000-engine-2































Some may argue that it's sacrilegious and may be glad the MRV1000 never made it in to production but personally I think it's a work of art and a damn shame I can't own one.

Skidaddle wrote:

Back then, advancements in dirt bike tech was amazing. Every year during the 80s there was something new, and MUCH better. Longer travel, linkage, water cooling...

Back then, advancements in dirt bike tech was amazing. Every year during the 80s there was something new, and MUCH better.

Longer travel, linkage, water cooling, disc brakes, etc. Today, not so much.

a22 wrote:

[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/11/175383/s1200_IMG_2040.jpg[/img] Think there were only about 4 or 5 of the white full on Mugens made, like the famous Johhny o' one as above. As mentioned...

Think there were only about 4 or 5 of the white full on Mugens made, like the famous Johhny o' one as above. As mentioned many bikes were 'just' kitted CR's- where as certain Mugens may have been 'more Mugen'/ special than others. Not quite sure what happened to the 4 or 5 genuine ones made but remember the DG Importer to the UK back in the 70's/80's had a genuine one, same as the Johnny O one. Think it cost about £4000-£5000 odd, alot of money back then, when an ordinary CR/RM/YZ etc was about £900- £1000 at the time. Would have been about 1980 I think, his son raced it- was a beautiful bike and so rare.

a22 wrote:

[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/11/175383/s1200_IMG_2040.jpg[/img] Think there were only about 4 or 5 of the white full on Mugens made, like the famous Johhny o' one as above. As mentioned...

Think there were only about 4 or 5 of the white full on Mugens made, like the famous Johhny o' one as above. As mentioned many bikes were 'just' kitted CR's- where as certain Mugens may have been 'more Mugen'/ special than others. Not quite sure what happened to the 4 or 5 genuine ones made but remember the DG Importer to the UK back in the 70's/80's had a genuine one, same as the Johnny O one. Think it cost about £4000-£5000 odd, alot of money back then, when an ordinary CR/RM/YZ etc was about £900- £1000 at the time. Would have been about 1980 I think, his son raced it- was a beautiful bike and so rare.

UpTiTe wrote:

The ME 125 weren't kitted CRs, it only had a Honda case and hubs.

a22 wrote:

That is what I said in my original post!- some Mugen's were just 'Mugen kitted' CR's. ME125 Hand built, full on... not a kit. Only a...

That is what I said in my original post!- some Mugen's were just 'Mugen kitted' CR's.
ME125 Hand built, full on... not a kit. Only a few ever made.

a22 wrote:

That is what I said in my original post!- some Mugen's were just 'Mugen kitted' CR's. ME125 Hand built, full on... not a kit. Only a...

That is what I said in my original post!- some Mugen's were just 'Mugen kitted' CR's.
ME125 Hand built, full on... not a kit. Only a few ever made.

UpTiTe wrote:

Sorry about that I miss read your comment.

There were 5 sold in the US plus the bikes that Holley and Omara rode.

newmann wrote:

Only a few ever made? 200?

a22 wrote:

That is what I said in my original post!- some Mugen's were just 'Mugen kitted' CR's. ME125 Hand built, full on... not a kit. Only a...

That is what I said in my original post!- some Mugen's were just 'Mugen kitted' CR's.
ME125 Hand built, full on... not a kit. Only a few ever made.

UpTiTe wrote:

Sorry about that I miss read your comment.

There were 5 sold in the US plus the bikes that Holley and Omara rode.

a22 wrote:

No worries UpTiTe- did not know Holley rode one also. I would love to know what happened to the 5 or so, are they all accounted...

No worries UpTiTe- did not know Holley rode one also.
I would love to know what happened to the 5 or so, are they all accounted for?- I know the DG Importers one came to UK in 1980 odd, not sure what happened to it though or if it even survives. Think the Importers son maybe raced it for 1-2 years back then.

a22 wrote:

Think the one that came to UK may have counted as 1 of the 5 sold in US, as think the DG Importer may have originally...

Think the one that came to UK may have counted as 1 of the 5 sold in US, as think the DG Importer may have originally bought it in U.S - not totally sure though... most of the US ones accounted for then it seems.
I better keep thumbing through Craigslist to find the last one or two unaccounted for... (then find some of those Hens teeth and a needle in a haystack).

newmann wrote:

Only a few ever made? 200?

a22 wrote:

200? ...What 'original' white 'Johnny O' ones? or copies? Thought there was only a handful made? Maybe you know more though- having one yourself!? edit.... Maybe...

200? ...What 'original' white 'Johnny O' ones? or copies? Thought there was only a handful made?
Maybe you know more though- having one yourself!?

edit.... Maybe I am thinking of only 5 or so ever sold in US and thought there may have only been 5 ever made in total!
If more made though, where are the other 195 of them? Japan??

Its not like you ever see any of them- as said only one I ever encountered in UK was the one I speak of, nearly 40 years ago.

newmann wrote:

My three 1980 ME125's were all put together out of leftovers from the Johhny O and Al days at Al Bakers shop after he passed away...

My three 1980 ME125's were all put together out of leftovers from the Johhny O and Al days at Al Bakers shop after he passed away. There were shipping containers full of Mugen bikes, parts, pieces, spares, NOS parts by the pallet loads. There was a lot of Johnny and Al's personal stuff in with it all. Not all of it was red, white and blue, but then again that was just paint and a seat cover. My red one is built from a bunch of NOS parts. All the ones in Europe and Japan were red, similar to the production bikes and there have been many of them shipped over here to the US over the years. Stock 1980 CR125 was about $1300.00 while the ME125's were $3995.00. Needless to say they didn't sell a bunch of them in comparison.