MBX80 - model code data

I have been trying to collect the model data for all variants of the MBX80, I have decided not to include the 75 in this as that had its own post. This is very much work in progress, if you can help with better images of the bikes or have the codes for the 3rd gen models please drop me a mail so we can complete the picture.

First generation; colours white, red or black

SWD: Single front disc, head light cowl

SWDD: Single front disc, bikini fairing

SW2D: Single front disc, full fairing

FWDD: Twin front disc's, bikini fairing

Second generation; colours white, red or black, often called the 'rainbow' colours.

SWDF: Single front disc, bikini fairing

SW2F: Single front disc, full fairing

FWDF: Twin front disc's, bikini fairing


Third generation; colours 'Rothmans' blue or red

Codes TBC

Honda MBX75 Hurricane

The Honda MBX75 Hurricane was a Spanish domestic model built at 75cc opposed to 80cc for their licensing laws. This was done by reducing the bore to 48mm opposed to the 49.5mm of 80. The 75 was also assembled in the Montessa Honda factory in Spain, which I assume for import duty reasons.

The first bike wore the same colour schemes as the rest of the world, red, black and white. Second generation bikes had the large MBX logo on the tank with the rainbow graphics, the wheels also changed from Comstars to forged Grimeca wheels.

The last generation had the cool Rothmans paint scheme in both blue and red.

To give an idea of how important the 75cc Spanish market was Honda roped in none other the Freddie Spencer who featured on the brochure and in advertising material!

The MBX75 was replaced with the NSR75, which was in effect a re-dressed MBX and shared many parts.

For more info on the MBX75 take a look at www.hondambx.com the website is in Spanish, but google chrome will translate it.

Yamaha RD80LC and LC2 brochures

Yamaha RD80LC

Yamaha RD80LC 2

Honda's MB/MT/MV/X series motorcycles

In 1979, Honda introduced a very successful series of light motorcycles in the US and in Europe. Honda's productionlines of these models were in Spain, Belgium and Sweden.

Both the Honda MB road-model and the Honda MT offroad-model motorcycles were released in Europe. The MB was made 1979 to 1981 in Europe and in the U.S. in 1982 only. In Europe however the mt50 production would last until 1997.

Both models were in 2 versions; 80 and 50 cc, two-stroke. Honda left its four-stroke program temporarily because it aimed at the European moped market for 16-year-olds, the legal age at which someone can drive a 50 cc motorcycle in most European countries.

The MB model was sporty and complete. It was standard equipped with a speedometer, rpm counter, front disc brake and Honda Comstar wheels. Because of its success Honda released the MT series, a naked off-road version, on the European market.

The result of this move was that sales in Europe greatly increased. The MT series earned its popularity because of the large numbers of original and imitation parts that were available. By means of these parts the owner was able to create a unique state of the art model. Another very important issue was that with a reasonable amount of money it was very easy to gain extra engine power. The result was a tuned up MB or MT easily exceeding the legal engine power.
In parallel with the MB and MT series, Honda released aircooled MBX and MTX 50 & 80 cc models. 

Unlike the MT50 which had a 5 speed gearbox, the MTX50 had a six speed 'box plus a HERP chamber on the exhaust. In 1983, Honda released a watercooled successor to both the MB/MT and aircooled MBX/MTX series, the MTX50/80RFD and the MBX50/80.

In 1985, the MTX50/80RFD was revised cosmetically into the MTX50/80RFF. This, in turn became the MTX50/80RII, a motorcycle based around the existing MTX125/200R motorcycles. Honda's MBX looked like Honda MTX SH(adow).

Because of important law and insurance changes the sales in these types of light motorcycles decreased enormously. As a result production in Spain and Belgium came to a standstill in 1992. MBX production lasted another year and stopped in 1993. Only in Scandinavia a limited production for the local market lasted until 1997. After that Honda's M productions came to an end.

There were 50, 80, 125 variants of both the MBX and MTX as well as a 200c version of the MTX. The MTX125/200R started life in 1983 as RFD models and were ungraded in 1985 into the RFF. Changes includes dropping the drum brake at the front and replacing with a disc, bigger forks, revised graphics, a revised rear shock, revised CDI and, in the case of the 200, a new swingarm. The 125 cc motorcycle come in both restricted and de-restricted form. The de-restricted version and the 200 cc version had ATAC chambers operated by a piston valve attached to a mechanical governor.

The stock MB8 uses a two-ring 45mm piston and 50.8mm stroke – compared to the 41mm stroke of the MB5

To complete the 'M' range we have to include the MVX250, with the engine being a V3 two stroke like the NS/RS500 racers of the early 80's. This model was very short lived and suffered engine reliability problems, but is a very good looking motorcycle.

**Source text Wikipedia

My bike: Video, running my bike for the first time this year

I got a Nilox Action Camera via work so I thought I would have a play. Here is a short video of the bike warming up for the first time this year plus some great stills with a 'fish eye' effect.

https://vimeo.com/58844342

Road test: Motorcycle Weekly

just picked up this copy of Motorcycle Weekly dated 19th March 1983 with a road test of the Honda MBX80 in it. The feature is called "Movin' into the '80s!" and the test is by some chap called Paul Carroll.... enjoy!

Press Release: Honda MB-8

The daddy of the MBX, here is the original Japanese press release for the 1980 Honda MB-8. The text has gone through google translate so reads a little funny...

February 15, 1980 Honda motorbikes type sports MB-8 (eight) to launch two models simultaneously released with some improvements

Honda Motor (Japan) is a new design of high-performance two-cycle engine, bodywork and fresh unique design technology to load 80 cc sports car, "Honda MB-8" from February 22 release. The 8 MB-Honda, nimble handling and transit point to the primary axis BARANSA, central cooling cylinder head combustion chamber, the combustion chamber bell technologies such as high-power engine (9.5 horsepower), a simple

Items / models	MB-8 MB-8
Standard cash price  In the district of Sapporo price	152,000円 152,000 yen (155,000円) (155,000 yen)
Sales Plan (Years, domestic only)	3,000台 3,000 units

Items / models		MB-8(HC01) 8-MB (type HC01)
(m) Wingspan × × Length (m) Height		1.880×0.655×0.980 1.880 × 0.655 × 0.980
(m) Wheelbase (m)		1.220 1.220
(kg) Vehicle Weight (kg)		91.82 Maintenance: 91, dried: 82
(L) Fuel tank capacity (L)		9.0 9.0
(km/L) Fuel consumption (km / L)		60(50km/h 60 (50km / h proving ground test values)
Engine type		Air-cooled two-stroke single-cylinder
(cm 3 ) Exhaust volume (cm 3)		78 78
(mm) Lumen diameter (mm) × stroke		45.0×49.5 45.0 × 49.5
PS/rpm) Maximum output (PS / rpm)		9.5/8,000 9.5 / 8,000
(kg-m/rpm) Maximum torque (kg-m/rpm)		0.89/7,500 0.89 / 7,500
Gearbox		5-speed return
Frame format		Backbone -
Tire size	(前) (Previous)	2.50-18-4PR 2.50-18-4PR
	(後) (Post)	2.50-18-6PR 2.50-18-6PR
Brake format	(前) (Previous)	Hydraulic disc
	(後) (Post)	Mechanical leading trading ring