Honda RC181 Replica Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. none visible
Engine no. PC008/1006078

• Replica of Mike Hailwood's RC181
• Built in 2010
• The only one made

Having won all of the smaller capacity classes at World Championship level since its arrival on the international scene in 1959, Honda turned to the premier 500cc category in 1966. Their first offering in the class - the RC181 - followed the pattern set by Honda's previous four-cylinder racers, being an across-the-frame air-cooled design boasting four valves per cylinder.

To give its new project the best chance of success, Honda resigned Mike Hailwood, a past World Champion for them in the '250' class, who had just won his 4th consecutive '500' title for MV Agusta. MV Agusta were the dominant force in the '500' class - the Italian manufacturer had won every rider's championship since 1959 - but although the new RC181 was more powerful than the three-cylinder MV, producing 85bhp to the MV's 80, its handling was not in the same class. In spite of the RC181's 'evil' handling Mike was able to make it win, but the big Honda was also bedevilled by gearbox problems, and this lack of reliability ultimately cost him the Championship in 1966 and '67, overall victory going to MV's Giacomo Agostini on both occasions. Mike did at least have the consolation of taking the '250' and '350' World Championships in both those years. At the end of 1967 he decided to retire from motorcycle racing, and so did Honda, whose multi-cylinder four-strokes were due to be outlawed by the FIM.

The only one of its kind made, this RC181 replica was built in 2010 by John Loxley using a bespoke frame and a Honda CBX550 engine, the latter chosen because of its superficial similarity to the original RC181 racing unit. The CBX engine incorporates a lightened and fully balanced crankshaft; new big-end and main bearings; new seals; new cam chain; Newman camshafts; honed cylinders; new piston rings; modified cam covers; and a dry clutch conversion. The frame's main rails are of T45 tubing, while other noteworthy features include replicated RC181 brakes; cut down CB72 forks; modified CB72 rear hub; and a fuel tank and aluminium fairing by Peter Kyte. Since completion this unique motorcycle has been ridden by Rex Butcher and Mike Hailwood's son, David.