Mugen Honda

Lastander
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2/10/2017 11:56am
Found this picture from the Motocross museum in sweden, saw this bike when i was there last year also, does anybody have any backround info on it or first hand experience of it? Looks wicked cool either way.


Was Mugen their race division before HRC came to life? Would love to have a Mugen edition 450 to come out! Yes i know that i could Google all of this
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AHRMA361
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2/10/2017 11:59am Edited Date/Time 2/10/2017 12:02pm
Mugen Motorsports (M-TEC Co., Ltd) (無限) is a Japanese company formed in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda, the son of Honda Motor Company founder Soichiro Honda, and Masao Kimura. Mugen, meaning "Without Limit", or "Unlimited", (hence the commonly placed word "Power" after, denoting "Unlimited Power") is an engine tuner and parts manufacturer that manufactures OEM parts such as body kits and sports exhausts for Honda Motor Company. Despite the family connections, however, Mugen is not, and has never been, owned by Honda Motor Company; Mugen owner Hirotoshi Honda has been the major shareholder in Honda since his father's death in 1991.

newmann can educate you on the MX stuff, Johnny O, etc.
Katoomey
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2/10/2017 12:11pm
Mugen was the brainchild of Honda's son, Hirotoshi. Mugen started out as a speed shop for formula cars in the early 70's. They've been involved in Formula and GT racing since their beginnings, including F1.

They got involved in motocross in the mid 70's. Mugen is and never was a Honda subsidiary or anything like that.

HRC was originally the RSC (racing service center) and has no corporate relation to Mugen.
Lastander
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2/10/2017 12:17pm
So on another note, is there a possibility that there will be a Mugen Honda MX bike coming out with HRC being so big in the two wheeled department?
I think i have seen a Mugen exhaust on a factory japanese Honda? I would also like to hear something about the bike i posted, was it a one-off in Japan? How did it perform in comparison to the other old bikes?
Katoomey
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2/10/2017 12:43pm
again, HRC and Mugen are not related.

Mugen makes parts. The Mugen bikes you see started out as Honda's. and yes, they we're very good. Mugen kitted bikes and mugen parts are some of the most sought after in the collectors world.

This bike is probably the most famous of them all.




CR125 engines are what they do best




The Shop

Gonzo0100
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2/10/2017 1:30pm
Semi on topic.....

All of my Pop's old school buddies, big time moto heads in the early 70s and 80s, always pronounced it "Moo-Gen". My basic 80s child brain thought to pronounce it "Mew-Jen".

Someone clear this up with a definitive answer?

Always loved these bikes. Still want to build a 96' CR125 (favorite bike I owned of all time) in some sort of Mugen fashion.
Skidaddle
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2/10/2017 1:34pm
Gonzo0100 wrote:
Semi on topic..... All of my Pop's old school buddies, big time moto heads in the early 70s and 80s, always pronounced it "Moo-Gen". My basic...
Semi on topic.....

All of my Pop's old school buddies, big time moto heads in the early 70s and 80s, always pronounced it "Moo-Gen". My basic 80s child brain thought to pronounce it "Mew-Jen".

Someone clear this up with a definitive answer?

Always loved these bikes. Still want to build a 96' CR125 (favorite bike I owned of all time) in some sort of Mugen fashion.
Everyone I know called it Mew-Gen with a hard G. hahaha
Skidaddle
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2/10/2017 1:37pm
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.
Lastander
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2/10/2017 1:38pm
Ive always said Muh-Gen with a hard G..
Katoomey
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2/10/2017 1:39pm Edited Date/Time 2/10/2017 1:40pm
its moo-gen, like a cow, hard "g" translation- "unlimited"
Wandell
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2/10/2017 1:43pm
I believe the red bike pictured is a 1981 Mugen modified CR125. First year of the Pro Link rear suspension. The white O'Mara Mugen CR125 is a 1980. could probably tell you all the details on the 81 bike.
Bigfoot
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2/10/2017 2:02pm


Mugen MRV1000






C-Rock
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2/10/2017 3:06pm
Never ever saw this V-twin before!
Woohoo
Any info?
Bigfoot
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2/10/2017 3:36pm
C-Rock wrote:
Never ever saw this V-twin before!
Woohoo
Any info?
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.
Katoomey
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2/10/2017 5:40pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175306/s1200_00M0M_juWoC84x40N_600x450.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175307/s1200_01414_9KC44ldeNvW_600x450_1.jpg[/img]





am I supposed to be getting dizzy or something?
Lefty Right
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2/10/2017 5:44pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175306/s1200_00M0M_juWoC84x40N_600x450.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175307/s1200_01414_9KC44ldeNvW_600x450_1.jpg[/img]





Katoomey wrote:
am I supposed to be getting dizzy or something?
typical little bitch running your mouth.
Stoneface
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2/10/2017 5:54pm
Isn't the OP bike the one Henk Seppenwoolde raced in the 1981 125 World Championship series? Don't know much about him, but I think he was the top Honda entry on a Mugen. The 1981 production CR125s weren't as competitive as the RMs and YZs.




2/10/2017 6:11pm
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.
Yes I remember mid 80's when Honda OEM's had the front disc brake....Guys were litterally going over the bars on the start straits, Boyeson reeds, the KIPS valves, Honda linkage, bigger carbs, steel braided brake lines, boring out/bigger carbs, ect.... fun times
Wandell
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2/10/2017 7:08pm
Stoneface wrote:
Isn't the OP bike the one Henk Seppenwoolde raced in the 1981 125 World Championship series? Don't know much about him, but I think he was...
Isn't the OP bike the one Henk Seppenwoolde raced in the 1981 125 World Championship series? Don't know much about him, but I think he was the top Honda entry on a Mugen. The 1981 production CR125s weren't as competitive as the RMs and YZs.




2/10/2017 7:21pm
mugen crf 450 2010











mugen crf 450 2013 exhaust





jock
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2/10/2017 7:40pm Edited Date/Time 2/10/2017 7:41pm
Would love get a spare set of shroud graphics, but Throttle Jockey don't sell them anymore. It now has black rims fitted.

 photo 194.jpg
wsc96
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2/10/2017 10:13pm
ssraccent wrote:
mugen crf 450 2010 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175328/s1200_2c6a.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175329/s1200_253b.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175330/s1200_2075.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175331/s1200_7014.jpg[/img] mugen crf 450 2013 exhaust [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175332/s1200_IMG_7011_600x400.jpg[/img]
mugen crf 450 2010











mugen crf 450 2013 exhaust





Very trick. Got any more info? Spotted the Honda 2 stroke in the background there which in itself is interesting given the year.
ML512
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2/10/2017 10:16pm
ssraccent wrote:
mugen crf 450 2010 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175328/s1200_2c6a.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175329/s1200_253b.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175330/s1200_2075.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175331/s1200_7014.jpg[/img] mugen crf 450 2013 exhaust [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/02/10/175332/s1200_IMG_7011_600x400.jpg[/img]
mugen crf 450 2010











mugen crf 450 2013 exhaust





wsc96 wrote:
Very trick. Got any more info? Spotted the Honda 2 stroke in the background there which in itself is interesting given the year.
The first few photos were taken in 2010 by Donn Maeda from Transworld, during his yearly visit to the All Japan Nationals.
wsc96
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2/10/2017 10:29pm
ML512 wrote:
The first few photos were taken in 2010 by Donn Maeda from Transworld, during his yearly visit to the All Japan Nationals.
Thanks ML, I'll see what I can dig up.
jeffro503
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2/10/2017 11:11pm
Wow! I had no idea that Mugen was still involved in making any off road bike stuff. Thought that died a long time ago. That is very , very cool to see!

2/10/2017 11:35pm Edited Date/Time 2/10/2017 11:36pm
When I think of Mugen, I think of this pic from the 1980 USGP at Mid-Ohio:

smezmx
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2/11/2017 1:22am
I Have a few mugen related pics.







































































































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