50 cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing: Difference between revisions

| publisher = world.Honda.com

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prior to this all Honda’s bikes were two-strokes. The change and long-term commitment to the more sophisticated four-stroke technology came either directly from founder Soichiro Honda<ref name="Honda Worldwide, History 200" /> or indirectly due to pressure from managing director Takeo Fujisawa, who was said to be appalled by the noise and smoke that two-stroke engines produced and the additional hassle that Honda customers faced by having to mix oil with their fuel.<ref> Oxley, Matt (2001): ''The Challenge & Dream of Honda 500 Grand Prix Motor Cycle Wins''. Hazleton Publishing Ltd. p.38</ref>

Honda began their first 50 cc GP season with the [[Honda RC110|RC110]], announced at the Japanese Motor Show in 1961. Powered by a single cylinder, four-valve engine, and with gear driven double overhead cams, giving about {{convert|9|hp|abbr=on}} at 14,000 rpm. It was introduced with a five-speed gearbox, but by the time of the opening GP in Spain, the bikes were upgraded to six gears. Even so they were badly outperformed. Rider [[Tommy Robb]] suggested that more gears might be the answer and was amazed to find a week later at the French GP that the gearbox had been expanded to eight speeds. This still wasn’t enough to compensate for the machines relative lack of power and three weeks later at the [[1962 Isle of Man TT|Isle of Man TT]], nine gears were fitted and the rev limit increased to 17,000 rpm with output now up to around 10&nbsp;hp.<ref> Oxley, Matt (2001): ''The Challenge & Dream of Honda 500 Grand Prix Motor Cycle Wins''. Hazleton Publishing Ltd. p.39</ref> In that season, the machines designation was changed to [[Honda RC110|RC111]], but Honda’s records are unclear as to what precise change in the development this signified or when it was used.<ref> Oxley, Matt (2001): ''The Challenge & Dream of Honda 500 Grand Prix Motor Cycle Wins''. Hazleton Publishing Ltd. p.146</ref>