Honda RC143

Last updated
Honda RC143
Honda RC143.jpg
ManufacturerHonda
Production1960
PredecessorHonda RC142
SuccessorHonda 2RC143
Class Grand Prix motorcycle racing 125cc class
Engine 124.6 cc (7.60 cu in) Four stroke, inline 2 cylinders, double over head camshafts
Bore / stroke 44 mm × 41 mm (1.7 in × 1.6 in)
Transmission 6-speed manual
Weight93 kg (205 lb) (dry)

The Honda RC143 was the Honda racing team's 125cc Grand Prix motorcycle racer for the 1960 season, the first time the Honda team competed in an entire season's racing. The bike was a major step forward from the previous year's machines, and though still outpaced by its more experienced European rivals, it revealed to seasoned competitors like Luigi Taveri that Honda was a force to be reckoned with. [1]

Contents

Background and development

Following the team's international début at the 1959 Isle of Man TT, Honda had returned to Japan recognising that they still had a long way to go if they were to succeed in their ambition of winning one of the TT races. Honda had managed to salvage some honour by securing the team prize, but even their fastest rider Naomi Taniguchi had finished nearly four minutes behind the rider in front and almost eight minutes down on the race winner, Tarquinio Provini. For 1960, alongside a team of Japanese riders, Honda decided to recruit experienced privateer Tom Phillis to help them with technical feedback. [1]

Design

In contrast to the RC142, the air-cooled, four-stroke, twin-cylinder engine of the RC143 was canted forward by 35° to improve cooling and increase air flow to the newly designed Keihin carburettors. [2] The engine featured double overhead camshafts, driven by a vertical shaft through bevel gears. The engine was said to produce 22 hp (16 kW) at 14,000 rpm. [3] [4] [5] The leading link front forks, which had proved successful on Japanese dirt tracks had been identified as a particular weakness on tarmac and were replaced by more conventional telescopic forks for the Isle of Man. This change to the forks, along with the change to the engine design, helped move the bikes centre of gravity much further forward. The open-cradle frame was also considerably strengthened. [1]

World Championship

During the 1960 world championship Tom Phillis qualified second fastest for the Isle of Man 125cc race, but a crash in the 250cc event at Assen saw him replaced by his friend Jim Redman who stunned everyone by lapping two seconds faster than Phillis had managed. The RC143 finished in the points five times, the best results were two fourth places. Honda was third in the constructor championship behind the MV Agusta and MZ.

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap) [6]

YearChassisRider12345PointsRank
IOM NED BEL ULS NAT
1960 Honda RC143 Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-1963).svg Jim Redman
4

9

4
67th
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Giichi Suzuki
7

6

12
111th
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Naomi Taniguchi
6
112th
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Kunimitsu Takahashi
6
113th
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Sadao Shimazaki
8

8
-
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Moto Kitano
19

7
-
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Teisuke Tanaka
9
-
Honda RC143 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tom Phillis
10
-
Honda RC143 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan Huberts
9
-
Honda RC143 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Brown
10
-
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Yukio Sato
8

7
-
Honda RC143 Flag of Japan.svg Sadao Fukada
7
-
Honda RC143 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg G. Carter
9
-
Honda RC143 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N. Orr
10
-
Honda 2RC143
Honda 2RC143 1961.jpg
ManufacturerHonda
Production1960
PredecessorHonda RC143
SuccessorHonda RC145
Class Grand Prix motorcycle racing 125cc class
Engine Four stroke, inline 2 cylinders, double over head camshafts
Transmission 6-speed manual
Weight97 kg (214 lb) (dry)

2RC143

For the 1961 season an improved version of the bike designed as 2RC143 was developed. It proved very successful, winning 8 out of the 11 races contested that season. Australian Tom Phillis won the world championship and Honda won the constructor championship as well. Other riders winning races on the Honda 2RC143 that year were: Luigi Taveri, Jim Redman, Kunimitsu Takahashi and Mike Hailwood.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Oxley, Mat (2001). The Challenge & Dream of Honda: 500 Grand Prix Motor Cycle Wins (1 ed.). Richmond, Surrey: Hazleton. pp. 26–27. ISBN   1-903135-03-6.
  2. Falloon, Ian (2005). The Honda Story (1 ed.). Sparkford, Yeovil: Haynes Publishing. p. 37. ISBN   1-85960-966-X.
  3. "HONDA RC143". Honda collection Hall - Collection Search. Honda Worldwide. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  4. "Honda RC143: History, specs, pictures - CycleChaos".
  5. "HONDA RC 143 specs - 1961, 1962".
  6. Oxley, Mat (2001). The Challenge & Dream of Honda: 500 Grand Prix Motor Cycle Wins (1 ed.). Richmond, Surrey: Hazleton Publishing Ltd. pp. 149–150. ISBN   1-903135-03-6.