Formerly the property of Denis Jenkinson
1973 Honda CB500F
Registration no. RPF 131L
Frame no. CB500 2045799
Engine no. CB500E 2133791

On 15th November 1974, the famous motoring journalist and author Denis 'Jenks' Jenkinson bought 'RPF 131L' from his friend David Dixon of Dixon Racing and used the bike locally and all over Europe. In his later years Jenks enjoyed sprints and hill climbs and built several sprinters; he also had a vision to create a sprint bike in the style of the famous Gilera four-cylinder racers using the Honda as the basis. The project was abandoned when new noise regulations rendered the open megaphones unusable. Following Jenks' death, a friend and well respected local engineer, Brian Kettle, who knew what he had had in mind, purchased the Honda and completed the job some years later. The original front disc brake was replaced with a Norton TLS drum brake, the engine rebuilt, the frame painted, an alloy fuel tank found and a racing seat made in glassfibre. The result is a perfect Jenks bike: offensively loud and distinctly red. He would surely be pleased with how the project turned out. Documents on file include an old-style V5 in Jenks' name, a new V5C, restorer's notes, the original Dixon Racing Ltd invoice, MoT to June 2014, a quantity of expired MoTs and sundry vehicle licence applications in Jenks' name. A rare and valuable copy of the 1997 book 'Jenks, A Passion for Motor Sport' is included in the sale.