HONDA REACHES 286 M.P.H.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32779, 2 December 1971, Page 13

HONDA REACHES 286 M.P.H.

A 1500 c.c. Honda projectile recently became the fastest motor-cycle in the world with a one-way run of 286 miles an hour over a measured mile at the Bonneville Salt Flats. However, the time will never find its way into the record books for the machine, with the American, J. McKlbbln, at the controls, failed to complete its return run through the photo-electric traps. The 9001 b machine flippy over on its side at 180 miles an hour when it lost power and a small fire started in the engine compartment After it had slid for 500yds, McKibben emerged unhurt. Damage was only superficial but could not be repaired within the one-hour

time limit for a return run. . A further record attempt was made the next day by the machine, sponsored by the American Honda Motor Company, but again it failed. This time the machine toppled over at about 90 miles an hour after breaking contact with the tow vehicle. After some rapid repairs, McKlbbln clocked 254 miles an hour one way but on the return run a strut dug into the salt and the “Honda Hawk” went down on its side again. The standing record of 265.492 miles an hour was set last year by the American, C. Raybom, in a machine powered by a 1480 c.c. Harley Davidson veetwln engine.

The Honda machine Is powered by two Japanese 750 c.c four-cylinder Honda engines mounted in tandem and fitted with exhaust turbocharging systems to combat the carburetion problems of Bonneville’s altitude of 4200 ft above sea level. The makers are hoping for 280 brake horsepower from the two units and believe they

will be able to exceed 350 miles an hour. More than 21ft long, the streamlined shell was built by the Milwaukee firm of Reaction Dynamics Inc. and Chicago’s Institute of Technology, both of which helped design Blue Flame, the 630 miles an hour Jet-powered holder of the outright land speed record.