Again in its infancy, earlier than Honda grew to become the technical superpower it’s at this time, manufacturing began on a humble step-through commuter that may carry mobility to the plenty. The 12 months was 1958, and the mannequin was the Super Cub. Low cost to purchase, easy to take care of and virtually impossibly sturdy, it grew to become the most-produced motorcar in historical past, surpassing 100 million models in 2017. Its pressed-steel monocoque chassis carried the engine beneath a central backbone, creating the now-iconic step-through format. That development additionally made it notoriously tough to switch in any significant means.
That problem is exactly why the Cub has grow to be such fertile floor for customized builders. What started in Japan unfold quickly by way of Southeast Asia, the place components provide and fabrication tradition turned the Cub right into a canvas. The very best ones respect the silhouette whereas basically transforming the engineering beneath.
This 1975 Honda C70 began life as an ordinary commuter earlier than Brian Ricketts determined to push it effectively previous its temporary. After constructing a number of present bikes, he envisioned a Cub taken to extremes. Except for the forks, headstock, mudguard and gas tank, every thing else was discarded. All the foremost components for the construct could be sourced direct from Malaysia.
Brian constructed a body jig and constructed a brand new chassis from cold-drawn seamless tube, totally TIG-welded in his shed. The brand new high tube stretches 60 mm longer than inventory with added rake within the neck. The tubes interconnect beneath the unique pressed-steel physique, terminating in a hardtail rear. Each bend was fashioned on a home made air-over-hydraulic tube bender.
After all, it’s laborious to disregard that one thing a bit extra full of life has taken the place of the unique 72 cc, air-cooled four-stroke. Brian sourced a 1975 Yamaha DT250MX two-stroke single, good for round 24 hp, delivered by way of a five-speed gearbox. For those who’re avoiding psychological math, that’s a stable 18 hp enhance over the unique tools.
The physique needed to be reshaped to just accept the bigger engine, which Brian rebuilt and detailed himself. He notes, with the form of dry understatement solely a house fabricator can, that the engine “comes out to the correct however will solely go in from the left.” Primarily based on the tight match and shiny paint, we are able to assume that’s a nerve-racking expertise.
Ignition has been transformed to 12 volts utilizing parts equipped by Rex’s Velocity Store, supported by a customized loom. The Yamaha single breaths by way of a round-slide with a 90-degree inlet, and exhaust gases exit by way of a one-off stainless system incorporating an growth chamber and a entrance exit.
The chassis particulars reinforce that this isn’t simply an engine swap. Up entrance, the unique forks have been widened by 60 mm with a little bit of preload added to the springs, clamped by modified yokes. A 3.5-inch Racing Boy rim is laced to a modified Y125Z (a moped not provided right here within the states) hub, stopped by a 300 mm RCB disc and twin-pot RCB caliper. Brian added a customized counter lever to the caliper mount, designed to scale back entrance raise underneath braking.
Out again, a 4.5-inch Racing Boy rim mates to an identical Y125Z hub and a 260 mm RCB disc with a single-pot caliper. The torque arm is rose-jointed for simple adjustment, and the chain-and-sprocket setup is bespoke. A Racing Boy grasp cylinder feeds the system by way of Goodridge strains. Renthal Moto X bars and minimal switchgear maintain the cockpit lean and purposeful.
The unique rear mudguard has been critically stretched, and the entrance guard has been deleted totally. The inventory tank and facet panels stay, anchoring the silhouette, whereas the seat was retrimmed in leather-based by Sam Trigg. Del Whitaker at DW Automotive laid down Root Beer sweet with ghosted flames, whereas plating was dealt with by S&T Chrome and sprucing accomplished by Brian himself. On the curb, the end walks a cautious line between present construct and road menace.
All mentioned and achieved, Brian’s C70 has retained simply sufficient of its silhouette to learn as a Cub, whereas taking the form to a complete new degree. Its low-slung stance and chunky fitment seize the boy racer spirit, whereas incorporating go-fast goodies and craftsmanship to make it greater than a novelty. The Tremendous Cub was constructed to mobilize tens of millions, however this one was constructed to check its limits.
Images by Del Hickey
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