Honda CR93 racing motorcycle
Date made: 1962
Description: When Honda wanted to break into Europe in 1959, they knew they had to win in the hardest race of all, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT). Within a few years they dominated motorcycle racing. This CR93 was developed for privateers – Honda did not care who won so long as their name was on the machine – and was used at the TT firstly by Bill Ivy and later Gary Dickinson.
It is believed that only 150 to 200 of these machines were ever manufactured, and it is one of fewer than 40 imported into the UK by Honda for the use of privateers. Honda were noted for the fact that equipment supplied to privateers was every bit as good as factory team machinery.
This machine belonged originally to motorcycle dealer Bill Beevors. When he sold his business it went to Bill Hannah, for whom it was ridden initially by Bill Ivy. Latterly it was used by Gary Dickinson (whose best result on this machine in the TT races was a third place in the 1969 Ultra Lightweight TT). Later it went to John Griffiths' private museum at Stamford Hall. In the 1970s it was sold by Griffiths' son to Rupert Murden. Rupert Murden kept it as a static display in his living room at the Halfway House (formerly the Wagon & Horses pub) on Peel Road, Crosby. Around 2015 it was sold to the vendor, who recommissioned it for track use.
It was loaned to Manx National Heritage as part of the exhibition 'Staying the Course' in 2007, and again for 'Honda: the Golden Age' in 2009 and is now in the MNH collection.
Also in this photograph:
2007-0190/1 Gary Dickinson motorcycle leathers
2007-0190/2 Gary Dickinson motorcycle racing helmet
Photographed in-situ in the TT Gallery at the Manx Museum.
Materials: metal: iron, steel, plated, other, paint, plastic: other, polyester, GRP, fibreglass, rubber
Object name: motorcycle
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2020-0064
Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT