Honda 50 RC 110 1962

When the world championship in the 50-cc. class was set up in 1962, Honda, like Suzuki, entered a motorcycle in the competition.
The Honda company remained faithful to the four-stroke formula, building a powerful single-cylinder engine that tilted forward. It had double-shaft overhead geared distribution. The Honda 50 was unique in the field, having in its small combustion chamber four valves that were arranged in parallel pairs. Its engine generated 10 h.p. at 14,400 r.p.m., which was almost the same as the horsepower of the two-stroke engines made by Suzuki and Kreid-ler. The Honda was somewhat weaker in acceleration, though its speed was about the same.

Throughout the 1962 season Honda came in behind both of its two-stroke rivals. Tommy Robb and Luigi Taveri did an excellent job of racing the Honda 50, but they were handicapped by the fast layout of world tracks. Taveri managed to win one race—the Finnish Grand Prix—on a track that was better suited to go-carts than to motorcycles. Honda refused to accept the idea that the two-stroke engine was the sine qua non for winning in the 50-cc. class. The Honda men buckled down, and late in 1962 they were armed with the vehicle of their reconquest, a four-stroke, two-cylinder 50.

Motorcycle: Honda 50 RC 110 Manufacturer: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.,
Tokyo Type: Racing Year: 1962
Engine: Honda single-cylinder, four-stroke, with two-shaft overhead geared distribution and four valves per cylinder. Displacement 49 cc. (40 mm. x 39 mm.)
Cooling: Air
Transmission: Eight-speed block Power: 10 h.p. at 14,400 r.p.m. Maximum speed: 90 m.p.h. Chassis: Double cradle above, tubular,
engine suspended. Front and rear,
telescopic suspension Brakes: Front and rear, central drum