1981 Honda CR450R Elsinore

Description

• A very rare matching numbers machine
• Built for one year only 
• Much sought after 
• Two Stroke Single Open Class MX Racer 
• Fully restored 
• Superb condition and ready to enjoy 

In 1981, Honda finally gave customers the bike they had been begging for. The all-new CR450R Elsinore. It certainly looked the part and underneath that sexy exterior beat the heart of a monster.   

Few bikes in motorcycling history had been more excitedly anticipated than the 1981 Honda CR450R Elsinore. In the 70’s Honda raced motocross factory bikes, for some reason they held back producing a 500cc class machine. Riders like Pierre Karsmakers, Jim Pomeroy, Marty Smith and Brad Lackey took the fire-breathing Factory Honda bikes to victory. While ordinary mortals enjoying Motocross just looked on and dreamed of a big bore Honda. 

It was left up to the aftermarket to fill the void Honda left. Kits like the 360cc upgrade from Mugen offered Open Class performance for riders looking to ride in the 500 class. The upgrades were very good but didn’t really cut it. 

By 1980, the yearning for a factory built Honda 500 was near fever pitch. Team Honda were smashing it in 500 World Motocross Championships. Customers were desperate to swing their leg across a genuine RC500 replica. Honda began to release spy photo’s revealing a bike that looked remarkably like the Factory machines.  

Once released, there could be no doubt the new Elsinore looked the part. The package looked right from tip to toe. Little details like a side-pull throttle, dual-leading shoe brakes and excellent switchgear throughout pointed at Honda’s typical attention to detail and quality. 

Honda had taken technology from the factory works winning machines and trickled it down for public consumption. The new CR450R Elsinore adopted the Pro-Link single-shock system used by the factory team and combined it to a set of huge 41mm Kayaba forks up front. The 430cc engine retained an air-cooled stonking two stroke configuration. Driving the new 450 was a new four-speed trans. You could have the all new CR450R Elsinore in any colour you liked as long as it was Tahitian Red. A legend emerged. 

Our vendor of this marvellous machine is well known, respected and knowledgeable in Motocross circles. Having previously raced bikes he is now part of the Yorkshire Enduro Club and with his colleagues they set out and organise the Ryedale Rally which is now part of ACU British Rally Championship. 

The Elsinore has been lovingly and meticulously rebuilt by him. 

The restoration of any bike can take many forms. As you can see from the images, this is full strip down and restore in its purest form. 

First the Honda was methodically and carefully taken apart.  

Starting with a bare naked frame everything was then assessed and rebuilt or renewed. The emphasis however was on keeping the bike as original as possible. Our vendor tells us the ‘bike is 90% original’. That takes some doing. 

A new piston complete with rings were sourced and fitted. Then all new bearings were fitted. The rest of the engine was thoroughly evaluated during the process. 

The drive train was fitted with new sprockets and chain. New tyres were added along with footpegs. A new silencer was the final edition. During the rebuild, nuts, buts, split pins were all checked and if needed replaced. You can see from the detailed pictures from items such as the swing arm, the attention to detail that has gone in to this build is amazing. 

Finally it was time to source some graphics and fit those. In an attempt to re-create that originality our vendor went to the trouble of fitting graphics to the underside of the rear mudguard. A great touch in our view. 

The Elsinore now starts and runs as it should and as it did back in day.  

Our view 

Two strokes from this era are tremendously popular especially those that are so much fun like this Elsinore with a short powerband, frenzied delivery and explosive power. 

Having been built in small numbers for just a single year, this is a rare survivor. It has been precisely rebuilt by a very well experienced vendor who knows what he’s doing. 

Scarcity, condition and originality all drive price. This Honda has them all. We’d envisage the bidding to be busy and ending in the region of £7,000- £10,000. 

 

Bike Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor

Have a question about this bike? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

We base our business on trust and know that the vendor’s description for this bike has been done to the best of their knowledge. However, before you bid, please ensure you have made all the necessary checks to satisfy yourself.

Please see our full Terms and Conditions here and our FAQS can be found here 

Looking for a quote to transport the bike to it’s new home? Contact Keith at: The Bike Mover