Honda’s announcement that it was returning to 500cc grand prix racing in 1979, after an absence of 12 years, caused less of a sensation than the news that their GP contender was a four-stroke, at a time when two-strokes seemed to rule GP races.

Moreover, it quickly became apparent that this engine was really an eight-cylinder whose pistons had been “welded” in pairs to meet, the rule prohibiting more than four cylinders in the 500cc class. In fact, the pistons and bores had a cross section like a rectangle with semicircular ends. This ploy allowed the engine to run at over 20,000 rpm, producing a power output equivalent to that of a two-stroke.

And that wasn’t the only original feature of the machine: its 16 inch wheels were something new at the time, as was its front radiators with external springs and its lateral radiators- which even as late as 1992 had not been adopted by others makers. Nothing like its streamlined light-alloy monocoque exoskeletal frame has been seen since. Despite all Honda’s efforts, the career of the NR was a fiasco, which led the company to create the NS, a two-stroke three cylinder that Spencer rode to the world title in 983. Nicknamed “Never Ready,” the NR continued as a test vehicle long after its racing days were over.

Edmonton Alberta Used Truck Dealers
Auto Dealers Surrey BC
Autowest Winnipeg Auto Service Shop
Lower shop rate prices wpg Manitoba
www.winnipegusedautos.com