Beschreibung:

The John Kidson, 1977 Isle of Man Formula 3 TT-winning 1976 Honda CB400F Formula 3 Racing Motorcycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. to be advised Engine no. 1050588 • Offered for sale by John Kidson • Ridden on the TT Laps of Honour • In running condition The Isle of Man TT-winning Honda CB400F offered here was modified and race-prepared by Gordon Wadley, proprietor of Honda main dealer Nettleton Motorcycles in Gloucester and by its owner, John Kidson, also a Honda main dealer, for John to ride in the inaugural 1977 Formula 3 TT. To reduce weight, all unnecessary components were removed, and an alloy fuel tank fitted, while the engine was fitted with a special crankshaft from the factory to reduce capacity from 408 to 398cc to meet the class limit of 400cc. Electronic ignition and an after-market race camshaft from Futura in Italy were fitted also and the gearbox modified internally to facilitate the use of a right-side foot change. The Honda completed a few short circuit races early in 1977 in preparation for the TT. The year 1977 is of particular significance in Isle of Man TT history, as it was the first year of the TT Formula races, which had been instigated by the ACU to keep the TT in the forefront of international motorcycle racing after the British round of the World Championship had been shifted to Silverstone. The Formula 3 category was for two-stoke machines up to 250cc and four-strokes up to 400cc. After a battle with John Stephens, also Honda-mounted, John Kidson won the first-ever Formula 3 race at an average speed of 93.28mph and set the fastest lap at 94.81mph. As the Isle of Man was the sole round that year, John was also the first Formula 3 TT World Champion! John and the CB400F are pictured on page 60 of 'Honda – the TT Winning Years' by Peter Neale and Bill Snelling. This TT-winning Honda went to fellow racer Mal Kirwan in the 1980s and was reacquired by John Kidson a few years later. Since then the engine has been rebuilt and John has ridden the Honda in a few TT Laps of Honour. The machine is up and running and ready to ride apart from needing a new battery (probably) and new tyres (the ones fitted are legal but several years old). John describes the Honda as in good, tidy, as-raced condition. John's 1977 helmet is included in the sale. Fußnoten As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.