Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show preview

The Stafford Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is fast approaching and I realised I hadn't given an MBX update!

As previously posted this year my MBX80 will form part of the Retro Mopeds Club stand and my time and energy has been split between the Retro stand and also completing my Aprilia build which will be on display in the Retro Hall. 

There is not much to report on MBX updates for the show, apart from it will be clean and shiny and I am immensely proud of it ;-)

Firstly the Retro Mopeds stand. This Facebook group has been going for a few years now and is for all makes and models between 50 and 99cc, my friend and fellow enthusiast Andrew Longley got full control of this last year and asked me to come on board as an admin to help steer it. I still run the facebook groups Honda Classic 2 Strokes and Honda MBX80 as well as the new page Aprilia AF1 and Andrew runs a few additional pages as well, I like to think it's our Classic Facebook multi verse and maybe we can find away of connecting the pages under an umbrella club, but maybe that's for another day and a few beers...

Starting a facebook group is one thing but making a club stand is a whole another ball game, we have a blank space and zero assets, apart from motorbikes to fill it.

My first port of call was a backdrop, I didn't want to look through bikes to see blank wall or worse still a couple of small banners looking lost, the second problem is how to hold it up. Fortunately I have some expo stuff I could borrow from work, this is a pop up wall which I can add spot lights to the top. For the pop up wall I created a collage of bikes with a big stand out logo and clear call to action to join the FB club. It should look like this....

 Next I wanted a table which needed a branded table cloth, Temu had that covered. Andrew also made some op up elements which he used with great effect at the Oh so Retro show.

Lastly I will make a small stage area to give a bike a little height on the booth to give it some additional depth. 

This is year one, it may work it may not but you don't know until you try. Please come and visit the stand, we do have stickers and goodies but more so to chat and see if you want to get involved in the future, whatever form that may look like!

Here is where to find the Retro Mopeds booth and also my Aprilia

My MBX sneaks in to the magazine's preview!

Tamiya MBX80 model kit

 If Tamiya made a MBX80 model kit... just for fun, image made via ChatGTP. If you want to have a go and make a model of your own bike use the prompt

"A Realistic photo of a detailed 1/7 scale model kit of the photo i upload placed on a wooden desk. Behind it is the model kit box showing the same car image with the brand "TAMIYA" and "YOUR BIKE MODEL NAME" Printed on it. A computer monitor in the background displays a 3D wireframe model of the motorcycle being designed in CAD software with schematic diagram, The desk also has a keyboard and mouse, creating a workspace setup for both digital design and physical modeling with modeling paint containers."

Have fun

Honda MBX80 Buyers Guide in Classic Motorcycle Mechanics magazine

In the August 2025 edition of the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics magazine they features a MBX80 Buyers guide spread over four pages. The bike featured was the excellent restoration by Steve Mawson that was displayed on the VJMC stand at the 2024 Stafford show  

You can buy a copy of this magazine here. or pick one up at your local news agents.

A big thank you to the writer who gave this website and facebook page a shout out! 👍

When Honda finally got over the massive climbdown they'd made by accepting that two-strokes were a necessary evil they gave it their all.

From mopeds through to championship-winning GP bikes, Honda's stink wheels were up there with the best. In amongst all the various models was the M series that encompassed everything from air-cooled 50cc singles through to liquid-cooled 250cc triples. Within the M series were a raft of 80cc machines that Honda pitched at almost every possible market: road, trail, enduro, faux custom and even a baby NSR.

This month we're homing in on one of the most successful from that group – the MBX80. 80cc motorcycles might not seem like a good idea, but the FIM had replaced the 50cc GP bikes with 80s in 1982, partially in recognition of just how popular the larger capacity bikes were in certain markets... what wins on Sunday sells on Monday, etc.

It can hardly be coincidence that Honda's first MBX80 appeared in 1983, taking the earlier MB80 to a whole new level. Liquid-cooling immediately distinguished the new bike from the older air-cooled model together with a more conventional chassis layout: half fairing, 'big bike styling', Comstar wheels, twin front discs in some markets, and an engine balancer. Whereas the MB80 had a distinct moped look to it, the new 80 from Honda was built very much as a proper motorcycle in the eyes of potential buyers.

And this was important because the MBX80 was up against three ferociously competent rivals – Kawasaki's divine AR80 along with Yamaha's hugely successful RD80LC and RD80MX. You might wonder why the youth of the day bothered with 80s when there were 125s to be had. However, with learners restricted to just 12bhp, the 80s had a lot going for them. Just one pony down on a 125 and some 10 per cent lighter, the smaller bikes punched above their weight.

Just like the learner's 200/250 dilemma of the previous two decades, the smaller bike also came with an insurance premium advantage. If there was a downside to the Honda it was the fact that it was a much more expensive bike at £699 compared to the AR80 at £529, RD80LC at £646 and RD80MX at £557. Honda had certainly pitched their bike above the competition but still significantly cheaper than many 125s.

What was the appeal over the obviously cheaper opposition? Quality – even two decades on from seriously breaking into the British bike market Honda was still selling itself as a manufacturer of high(er) quality kit. Hype or reality? Well, the gearbox, for example, runs seven bearings whereas the Kawasaki's AR80 only has a basic four. And the Honda's electrics were 12-volt as compared to the 6-volt system of some marketplace rivals. Even the twin discs – as fitted to the UK Hondas – smacked of genuinely getting more for your money. The MBX80 brochure proudly boasted: '...the highest specification yet on an 80cc machine'. In Germany and Japan and possibly other markets, the bike came with full fairing and was sold as the MBX80 Integra, which presumably increased bragging rights and the like even further.

Like many sub-125cc bikes of the period, the MBX80 soon found its way into the hands of tuners... some good, some bad. But to get an idea of what's possible check out honda80ccracing.weebly.com where power outputs in the high teens or low 20s get discussed. Alternatively, look at rrd-preparation.com who will happily sell you an Athena kit that take the motor up to 110cc, giving you eight transfer ports into the bargain.

Obviously not every fan of classic Japanese motorcycles is going to want an 80cc lightweight, but don't knock it until you've tried it, etc. Yes, the MBX80 carries a bit more mass than its rivals, but that translates into a more planted feel on the tarmac.

For sure the Yamaha and Kawasaki are the more obvious choices for reliving mid-1980s teenage hooliganism and, just possibly, have a little more kudos. And yet the Honda's subtly understated lines, its build quality and 'big bike' feel might just close the deal. Prices are sensible and if a lightweight is your thing then hooning around the back roads on a quality tiddler like this one could be a seriously fun move.

What to buy and how much to pay

As always, buy on condition not just indicated mileage and remember some examples may be European or Japanese market imports with subtle differences.

Even though most enthusiasts remember the half-faired version with a belly-pan as per our shots, there was also a naked version along with a fully-faired one. Twin front discs seems to be very much a UK thing and there's a raft of colour schemes including a Rothman's tribute very like the NS400R. Avoid domestic examples missing discs, fork lowers, caliper and master cylinder as replacement parts are almost impossible to source.

At the October CMM show last year a very tidy example sold for £3220 in the auction. Privately you should be able to find a really good, all original, example for as little as £2000-2500 if you look hard enough. Examples missing a few key parts but in approximate running order turn up for as little as £750 with dog-rough parts donors significantly less. We'd seriously recommend getting in contact with the people behind www.mbx80.co.uk if an MBX80 floats your boat; a fantastic resource and knowledge base.

It's my bike – Steve Mawson

After being away from biking, I fancied something small to restore.

My choice was an MB5, being my first bike. I found one, but the wheels were rusted. Another search revealed a MBX80 in bits but with two sets of wheels; this was bought and the MB5 completed.

Research showed MBXs were rare, especially the 80cc water-cooled one. Luckily there were two bikes' worth of spares to go with what I bought. It won an award at the Uttoxeter show!

The bike was brilliant to ride. After a few years I moved the bike on to a chap on the island of Guernsey. Ten years on and I restored another black model that got another top award at the Stafford show.

Still hooked, I had another frame so during lockdown I did yet another; this one in Rothmans colours with a 110cc bore kit and NOS Micron exhaust. This was a special as I didn't have a lot of the original parts but turned out really nice; this one I won't sell. The MBX is my go-to bike when I just want to go out for a bit of fun.

Here is another look at Steve's bike

Stafford 2025

We are excited to announce that the facebook group page Retro Mopeds 70's-90's will have a stand at this years Stafford Classic motorcycle Mechanics Show on the 11th and 12th October. 

This will be the first major show for the Retro Moped club and myself and my Honda MBX80 will be part of it along with another private entry... 

It would be fantastic to put some faces to names and have a chat, so we hope to see you there!

To find out more about the show and book tickets please visit https://www.classicbikeshows.com/

My original MBX80 - B784 BFE

Back in the mists of time — 1988, to be exact — my first proper bike was a black Honda MBX50. To a sixteen-year-old me, it was pure magic. That little 50cc two-stroke meant freedom, independence, and a ticket to explore the world beyond the end of my street. Sure, it was a restricted moped, and its performance was more “spirited enthusiasm” than outright speed, but at that age, it felt like a rocket.

When I turned seventeen at the tail end of ’88, the world opened up again. I could now legally ride a 125cc bike with up to 12 horsepower — a huge leap from the MBX50. Funds were tight, as they always are when you’re a teenager, so I started looking for something affordable but exciting. That’s when I discovered the Honda MBX80.

On paper, it shouldn’t have been a contender — just 80cc — but the spec sheet told a different story: liquid cooling, a bikini fairing, a belly pan, and twin front discs. And with a healthy 11 horsepower, it wasn’t far behind the 125s of the day. In my eyes, it was the perfect blend of style, performance, and practicality — all without the wallet-wilting cost of an NS125F.

The hunt began the old-fashioned way, scouring the pages of Auto Trader, Free Ads, and the local paper’s classifieds. Weeks later, I spotted a listing for one near Ringwood. My dad borrowed a flatbed truck, and we set off with excitement and a pocket full of optimism.

The “dealership” turned out to be more of a scrapyard than a showroom — a muddy track leading to a jumble of tired machines and oily parts. But there, among the chaos, stood B784 BFE — gleaming white with red graphics, compact, purposeful, and perfect. I didn’t care where we were or who was selling it — I knew she was mine.

Back home, the MBX looked every bit the miniature superbike I’d imagined. And compared to the 50cc it replaced, it was nothing short of astonishing. Suddenly I had real acceleration, real speed, and that intoxicating freedom that only a motorcycle can give.

A few weeks later, I decided to put it to the test. Our family holiday in Devon was coming up, and I had the bright idea of riding there solo. No motorways for me — I wasn’t licensed for them yet — and I wanted to avoid fast roads like the A38 past Exeter Racecourse, so I carefully plotted a slower, scenic route. Armed with a paper map and a sense of adventure, I set off.

The ride was brilliant — for the most part. Somewhere along the way, the MBX began to lose its edge. It didn’t feel quite right, but it made the 150 + mile journey to Dartmoor without any complaints.

When my dad joined me a few days later at the caravan, we booked it in at the Honda Centre in Newton Abbot for a check-over. The mechanics quickly found the culprit: a clogged exhaust. A quick de-coke later, and the bike was transformed.

When I fired it up and pulled away from the shop, it was like a different machine. The engine sang through the revs, crisp and eager, and before I knew it, I was redlining in every gear, hitting an indicated 70 mph. It felt unstoppable — this was what two-stroke heaven sounded like.

I found this image of B784BFE lurking in the background at the campsite

That little Honda became the centre of my world. Before long, my mates were all upgrading to 125s — including one with a nearly new Yamaha TZR125. I’ll admit, I was envious at first. But on the road, the MBX80 held its own. Up to around 50 or 55 mph, it could keep pace with the TZR easily. What really surprised everyone was how quick and lively it was off the line — it revved like crazy and launched itself forward with the energy of a much bigger bike. More than a few people with far pricier machines were left red-faced at the lights.

Eventually, as my wallet grew a little fatter and my ambitions a little bigger, I traded up. A blue TZR125 with a full fairing caught my eye at Rob Willsher Motorcycles in Bursledon, and the MBX went in as a part exchange. I can still picture it sitting there as I rode away — the end of an era.

Decades later, curiosity got the better of me. I looked up B784 BFE on the government’s database, and my heart sank — the tax ran out in July 1993. Chances are, she’s long gone, probably broken for parts or left to rust away somewhere.

But if, by some miracle, that little white-and-red MBX80 still exists — tucked away in the corner of a shed or buried under dust in a garage — I’d buy it back in a heartbeat. No matter the condition, I’d love to bring her home. So if you happen to have B784 BFE, please get in touch. Some first loves are worth finding again.

80cc spec sheet comparisons

 A post for the stat lovers, I compared the MBX to its main competition of time including the performance data. Everybody has anecdotal memory's of how fast they were, but I have included the only measured data from a period magazine that tested them at the same time. If anybody has any road tests of the bikes together, I'd love to dee them.

Video round up from the Stafford Classic Bike Show

Here are some of the Youtube video reviews form the Stafford Classic Bike Show, look out for my MBX80 and also Andrews MT50... Next show we will make something a little more like these.

used parts for sale

 I have a couple of parts for sale and currently on ebay, 

Rear shock - SOLD

Saddle: SOLD

Two stroke oil tank: Link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226420249833?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=jlRtwxJCT4u&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=jlRtwxJCT4u&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Rear rack: SOLD

Owners bikes, UK spec MBX80 now in Ireland

Words and images by Alan Clarke

"Was just reading the website on the mbx 80 register section. I own an MBX 80 which I purchased to restore. I have it 2 years now and slowly getting around to it. It was originally a UK bike but has ended up here in Ireland since 1993. I have no idea of the original UK registration as its not on paperwork."

If you have any info on the back story of this bike please contact me and Ill pass it on to Alan.

If you have a bike and story you would like shared please email me!

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2024 report, part 2

 Part 2 of the Classic Bike show report is a video run through of the two days. 

See part one here 

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2024 report, part 1

Saturday 12^th October

Our show started relatively early as we needed to get the bike on the stand before the show opened, the hall opens to exhibitors at 7:30 so we were there ready to go. After collecting our pack and security done I set about cleaning bike as it was raining a little outside, I came prepared with clean cloths for the bodywork and a dirty one to wipe the tyres and it didn’t take to long to get the MBX looking great.

Like last year the standard of machines and restorations are exceptional, in fact there are some many fantastic bikes you cant help but feel like you have imposters syndrome. This year there was some direct competition from Steve Mawson’s lovely black MBX80, Andrew Longley’s original MT50 and a super nice AR80 from the AROG.

strapped down and ready to go

its wet outside!

inside the hall looking for our spot

cleaning

flash....

all set up and show ready

Steve Mawson's MBX80 on the VJMC stand

Andrew Longley's MT5 - private entry

Minty fresh AR80 on the AR Owners Group stand

the place to be

Sunday 13^th October

We got to the show at around 8:30 to check out all the rosette winners but the judges were only just putting them out, it didn’t look like we were in for a shout so we decided to go off and check out the bikes that did win. After launch we got caught up in the GP paddock listening to Carl Fogerty and Frankie Chili talk and Foggy’s Ducati start up. We popped back to see the MBX and catch up with some people and there was a ‘Highly Commended’ rosette on the fuel tank. Initially I thought we were being pranked by Mr Longley, but thankfully it was the real deal and the bike had won an award two years in a row, feeling very proud and humbled.

At the end of the show we were just removing the bike from the stand and two judges came over and shook my hand and said, ‘well done, we had to give it an award as it’s such a lovely bike and you just don’t see them anymore’. That was the icing on cake and to be praised like that truly made my day.

winner!

Me, William (my son) and Andrew Longley

the MBX with its info board

GT550 - Best in Show

William celebrates!

Next year?

Will be back? Absolutely, we have lots of ideas but in whatever way that might look like we will be there. It is the best show with the best bikes with some great people, the classic bike scene is where I want to be. My goal next year is to be there with my Aprilia but if there is room for my Honda either as a private entry or on a club stand it will be there as I have a few more improvements lined up to make it even more original… 😊

The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show 2024 - show prep 2

The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is almost here and will be at the Stafford Showground on the 12-13th October 2024. 

I am really please to say my MBX80 will be in a prime location next to the main stage opposite the VJMC main stand, here is how to find me:

This year as well as small detailed improvements in the bike and prep I have mostly been working on the bikes presentation. 

To display the bike at a better lean angle I have been working on a side stand 'puck', this holds the bike at a more vertical angle which looks a lot better visually. Bellow is version 1 as proof of concept, currently I am refining it to look a bit prettier! 

Secondly I have invested in a A3 display board which many other machines had, here I can better detail a little about the bike, about me and about the restoration.

I also have some 'Stafford 2024' edition MBX decals to give away to adorn your tool boxes, I dont have many but they are very high quality!

Lastly to make me (and my son) easier to spot if you want to have a chat (and get a sticker) you will see us in some new MBX80 merch...

I hope to see you there!

Links

To get tickets visit here https://tickets.mortonsevents.co.uk/event/11 

Show prep 1, view here https://www.mbx80.co.uk/2024/08/the-classic-motorcycle-mechanics-show.html

Stafford 2023 show report, view here https://www.mbx80.co.uk/2023/10/show-report-classic-motorcycle.html