NEW V-SIX HONDAS

Press, 26 May 1977, Page 5

NEW V-SIX HONDAS

Those who believe that Japanese motor-cycle manufacturers have reached the bottom of the barrel as far as new developments for big bikes are concerned will shortly be given reason to change their opinions. The huge Honda organisation has been working for some time on a new V-six engine and this is expected to make its world debut in an equally advanced machine some time next year. Engines based on the “V” concept will eventually power a whole new range of roadsters, which are expected to make an even bigger impact on the market than the highly successful four-cylinder machines. Detailed drawings of several of the proposed new machines have been “leaked” from Japan and it is known that rival manufacturers are more than a little concerned about the new development.

Honda is apparently speeding up the programme for the new V-six machines because sales of its biggest bike, the GLIOOO Gold Wing, have dropped substantially since the introduction of the BMWIOORS. The company expects the new engine to put it right back at the top of the world sales charts for big machines. No indication of price has yet been given, but it is obvious that the complex new machines will be dearer than the overhead camshaft fours they will replace. The biggest of the new range of V-six machines will have a capacity of 1200 cu. cm, making it the largest motor-cycle to be produced commercially in Japan. It will be watercooled with two banks of three cylinders arranged in line with the wheels. There will be six constant velocity carburettors be-

tween the banks of cylinders. The transmission will be through a five-speed gearbox and a shaft drive similar to that used on the Gold Wing. There will be three hydraulically operated disc brakes (two at the front and one at the rear) and the wheels will be of the fashionable cast alloy variety with five spokes. A 1000 cu. cm machine powered by a V-six motor is planned and this will be similar in appearance and specification to the larger machine. Smaller machines planned for the “V” range are 600 and 750 cu. cm fours and a 400 cu. cm twin. All new machines in this range will be water-cooled —a refinement which will provide greater temperature control, lower exhaust emissions and less mechanical noise. In addition to the “V”

range, Honda is reported to be planning several new parallel twin models of 400 cu. cm. One of these will be a sports machine to replace the fourcylinder CB4OOF, which has not achieved the sales success on a world basis that was expected. Of a “cafe racer” design, it proved popular in Great Britain but made little real impact elsewhere and was far from a favoured model in the United States where Honda sells the majority of its machines. It might be a matter for regret but the CB4OOF appears likely to be the first —and last—machine from Japan to conform to the European idea of a sports machine. The other 400 cu. cm twin on the drawing board is a double overhead camshaft automatic twin. This, too, it would seem is aimed at the American market.