Sportbike power figures continue to soar ever upward, with top-spec modern literbikes well past the 200hp mark. Sophisticated electronics make that power manageable for mere mortals, but there are very few riders capable of truly exploiting the available performance. At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find find today’s Moriwaki MH80, possibly the perfect tool for learning how to extract every ounce of speed from a platform with limited power.
The seller of this particular machine helpfully includes a bit of history about Moriwaki in general and the MH80 specifically:
Info about Moriwaki MH80:
20 years ago, an ambitious plan was hatched by the Moriwaki company in Japan to launch a class to promote future road racing stars. The class was immediately popular in Japan and quickly spread to Europe and America. Of course Moriwaki was already famous for their involvement in the careers of several riders who went on to world fame, including Wayne Gardner, Peter Goddard and Graeme Crosby. Under the stewardship of Tony Hatton, another former rider with a Moriwaki background, Motorcycling NSW launched the concept in Australia under the name of GP80, catering for 14 to 16 year old riders. The bikes were able to make use of tracks not normally used for road racing, such as go kart circuits and training tracks.
The MH 80 used a modified Honda CR80 engine, producing 25hp at 12,000 rpm, in a specially modified NS-1 chassis, adapted by Moriwaki with revised engine mounts and special attention to reducing vibration to a minimum. Moriwaki also built the aluminum petrol tank, handlebars, expansion chamber exhaust and provided a specially tuned carburetor for the reed valve engine, and provided the tachometer and water temperature gauge. Brakes came straight from the CR80 motocrosser and proved to be entirely adequate for road racing. The complete machine tipped the scales at just 80kg and sold for $6,800 ready to race. The MH80R took some strong cues from motorcycles such as the NS-1, the Moriwaki was good for around 7-8 horsepower, offering similar numbers for torque at peak RPM’s.
Info about Moriwaki:
With a pedigree in racing dating back to the early 70’s, Moriwaki Engineering was a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer and tuner company that started from a gentleman with the same namesake: Mamoru Moriwaki. The Japanese company specialized in race-oriented engines, motorcycles, and parts, making waves in the industry with their close ties to the Motorcycle Grand Prix. Made as an entry into the world of road-racing and track days, the MH80R was largely based off of Honda’s success in the small-displacement market at the time.
For those of you in the US, that 80kg dry weight equates to just 176lbs. No ramps needed to load this bike up at the end of a track day: just grab a buddy and toss it into the bed of your pickup. Or lean it over and slide it into the back of a station wagon…
From the original eBay listing: 1992 Moriwaki MH80 for Sale
This is a Moriwaki MH80 with a hot rod big bore (now a 105cc) with a fat head. Sale includes the certificate of origin from Japan, needed to obtain a title. Being this is not a street legal motorcycle, the process was never done. New owner can get a title with the import documents if they like with a bill of sale from California.
Imported from Japan in 2015, unsure of millage on the bike due to no odometer, I have owned it for 6 months, I bought it off my friend who imported the bike in 2015. I have had it at two trackdays up at Willow Springs, CA with no issues.
Bike is perfect for any go-cart track to learn about racing motorcycles and practicing riding. This has full size 17″ wheels front and back. Picture of me on the bike (I am 5′ 9″ and 175lbs), bike rips with anyone on it. Bike weighs 175lbs and can do 100mph! Battery pack on fuel cell is for the tachometer, batteries are bad and tach is not currently work due to that.
I can assist you in shipping the bike at your cost if needed.
Extras that come with the bike:
Complete extra 80cc motor and fat head, full extra set of fairings and wind screen, many extra new brake pads front and rear, petcocks, set of tire warmers, original front race stand, rear stand, one way drill socket to start the bike and many more extras.
Work just completed:
Custom installed fork sliders, muffler can slider, rear spool/ sliders, fairing slider, bar end sliders, new rear master cylinder, ZX10 woodcraft Rearsets. Racetech did a custom rear reservoir shock and redid the front forks with Racetech valves and internals and bike has been fully safety wired!
This sale also includes the original manual with paperwork regarding the location this motorcycle was raced at.
There are a couple days left on the auction and bidding is up to just $2,800. Interestingly, it appears that the bike is being sold by Lossa Engineering, a company in Southern California that specializes in custom and cafe racer accessories. Apparently, they’ve also got a taste for pint-sized racing machines… This particular bike is a little rough around the edges, but it looks like all the important parts are there to make for a fun time at your local go-kart track, or as a learning tool for a budding teenage MotoGP star.
-tad
