Honda RC116
The Honda RC116 was a race motorcycle built by Honda Japan for the 50 cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the 1966 season. The motorcycle was a development of the previous RC115 version.
 RC116 with cable-actuated front caliper rim brakes having shoes/blocks directly acting on the aluminium-alloy wheel rim-sides - the airflow smoothing discs seen on the rear are absent from the front wheel in this image | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | RC115 |
| Class | racing (50cc class) |
| Engine | 49.77 cc 4T, 4 valve, air cooled, four stroke, DOHC parallel-twin "Tweecylinder" |
| Bore / stroke | 35.5 mm × 25.14 mm (1.398 in × 0.990 in) |
| Top speed | 109 mph (175 km/h) (118mph allegedly recorded) |
| Power | 14–16 hp (10–12 kW) @ 22,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed |
| Weight | 110.2lbs (dry) |
The RC116 won three races from six during that season. Ralph Bryans finished second in the world championship, Luigi Taveri third and Honda won the constructors title.[1]
For their Ultra-Lightweight class (50 cc) Grand Prix race bikes during the 1964, 1965 and 1966 race seasons, Honda re-introduced the 1920s format of cable-actuated caliper rim brakes with shoes/blocks directly acting on the aluminium rim-sides (alloy wheel rim), creating almost a 'consumable' item from the wheels, but dispensing with heavy conventional brake components, and allowing for experimentation with lightweight airflow-smoothing discs covering the wheel-hubs and centre-part of the spokes.[2]
References
- "MOTO-GP-classements 66-050".
- Motor Cycle, 15 September 1966. pp.374-375. Accessed 2015-12-01