FOLLOW US

Honda Six – Recreating a Masterpiece

April 4, 2023

One of the greatest engineering journeys in motorcycle grand prix history is told in George Beale’s much-awaited coffee table book, Honda Six – Recreating a Masterpiece.

The book documents the fascinating 25-year project by the classic motorcycle expert to build 10 replicas of what some call the greatest racing machine ever created, the 297 RC174 Honda Six. This luxurious 236-page book, containing almost 300 photographs, tells the story of how the Honda Motor Company authorised George to recreate the iconic six-cylinder marvel using an original machine from Japan to draw and re-cast the complex power unit and chassis, culminating in the most elite classic motorcycle owners' list in the world.

The book charts the evolution of Honda racing machines over their sensational nine-year journey from novices to all-conquering world champions in the 1960s before their withdrawal from the sport. Launched in April, the book costs £70 and can be bought from: www.charterhouse-bikes.com/book

About the Author

Bertie Simmonds

As a child Bertie (well, Robert back then… blame his sister for the nickname) was exposed to motorcycles thanks to his uncles. They would show up at his house with a lovely lady as pillion throughout the 1970s and 1980s. After a naughty time on field bikes (it’s what we did back then) Bertie passed his test in the early 1990s and became a reporter for MCN in 1995, moving to the sports desk and covering World Superbikes in 1996. With a change to Bike Magazine in 1997, he stayed until 2000 as news, features and road test editor. Moving into PR with Cosworth, Bert was bored with cars and returned to bikes in 2001 with Two Wheels Only, becoming editor in 2002 and leaving to be freelance at the end of 2004. With almost a decade freelancing, Bertie joined Mortons in 2013 and became editor of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, a post he’s desperately clung to, to this day. And no, he’s never had a pretty girl on the back of his bike. BSimmonds@mortons.co.uk

Share this article