Honda C71 DREAM

photo | owners
During the mid 1950’s, company founder Sohichiro Honda embarked on a fact finding tour of Europe, examining closely other manufacturers motorcycles particularly from Great Britain, Italy and Germany.

The German NSU overhead camshaft designs, with a pressed steel chassis impressed his production engineering mind the most, and in 1957 Honda launched the first of many motorcycles following some design principles from NSU, but with many more of their own.

This then is the Honda C70, it’s single overhead camshaft engine with 54mm x 54mm square bore and stroke allowed this 250cc twin to develop 18bhp at a then unprecedented and safe 7400rpm. It was not so much the performance, but more the attention to detail that was so revolutionary, especially quality control methods, ensuring every machine left the factory in perfect condition, unlike much of the machinery in Europe following poor quality control procedures!

The mildly updated C71 followed in 1958, and in that same year, with the North American market commenting on a lack of power, the CS71 was launched, with power now up to 20bhp @ 8400rpm giving class leading performance, and by some margin!

This was the model that really took the USA market by storm, it’s stylish upswept exhaust really appealed to the North American market, but it’s main appeal was something hitherto unimagined on motorcycles of that time, a reliable electric start, starting at the press of a button, whatever next………well the Honda CR71 production race bike, but that is another story!


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Honda C71 DREAM photo

Honda C71 DREAM
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Honda C71 DREAM owners

Here is an overview of Honda C71 DREAM type vehicles from several owners.

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