1983 Honda Alpha 240

Thanks to Patrick from Aspen Café*, today I'm glad to rescue this nice bike and history.
In 1983 French engineer Jacques Coll* developed this advanced frame based on a Honda XL125 engine.

Jacques Coll designed a very special frame, mixing alluminum parts and inox steel detachable rear sub frame.
He made a very clever and advanced solutions as the air filter at top (light position, between front forks) and gas tank under the seat. With this solution the bike has everytime clean and fresh air n the combustion and moving down the gravity center. This solution was also applied at same time in Sweeden by the hand of Maltry brothers to develop the also advanced Trans Ama bike.

Today some actual bikes as Sherco Trials are applying some of these solutions, but 27 years later!!!
This advanced engineer also put a monoshock as a rear suspension, achieving 199mm displacement, reducing weight and also moving down the Gravity Center.

* Jacques Coll was a clever and advanced French engineer. He was working at Militar Aviation service on the begining and leter became an outstanding engineer working in several projects as this nice ALPHA bike. He was the engineer who developed the first Sherco engines and also the first four-stroke Sherco engine. Unfortunatelly world of trials bikes lost one of their best engineers, Jacques Coll died in 2006.

* Aspen Cafe is a nice and long tradition five generation Cafe placed in French Alps, more info at: www.aspencafe.com

More info at Honda Trials History web page: Honda Trials History web page

1983 Honda TLM 50

For the young beginners Honda made in 1983 this nice two stroke engine little machine, The TLM 50.
Design was fully based on the TLR's series. Red with white, blue stripes, red frame and black painted engine. This is not a "really" Honda machine, due to his two stroke engine, but I wanted to introduce here because may be some Honda four stroke Trials fans were lucky to start with this model.

On this picture (thanks to Andrew Hoddler) the Honda TLM 50 in action with a young rider.

More info at The Honda Trials History webpage

1983 Honda TL 125

Picture thanks Pat from Aspen Cafe

Based on the TLR200 (see 1982 Honda TLR200 and TLR250 Honda Trials History article) Honda developed the TL 125 model adapting same frame, similar gas tank, seat, plastic parts, and using the 125cc four stroke engine.

The model was offered in two plastic colors, Blue and red. Engine was silver Gray, Frame ever in Silver Gray.
Later in 1986 (1989 in Europe) TL 125 was Black engine painted frame in white, also gas tank and front forks. Seat pad was colored in blue.

Picture thanks Pat from Aspen Cafe

More info at Honda Trials History web page: www.onlytrial.com 

1982 Honda TLR250 and TLR200

THE TLR250

1982 was a great year for Honda, Eddy Lejeune won the first World Champinship riding the RTL360, The following two years 1983 and 1984 Eddy Lejeune continued giving joys to Honda, he also won two years more the World Championship.

Based on this successfull RTL360, Honda made at end of 1982 a really good and competitive series trial bikes, the new TLR's.

More info at The Honda Trials History webpage

Piers Dillon onboard his TLR 250 at the VMMC trial Billown, Isle of Man, 2010 

TLR250 equipped with special Petrol tank-seat kit. Picture thanks to Mike Pearce

TLR250 equipped with special Petrol tank-seat kit blue Red-Bull painted. Picture thanks to Mike Pearce

Thanks to Dean Swann. Nice Honda TLR 250 with RTL 250 cc engine fitted.

These TLR bikes were a essential milestone on the Honda trials history.

The bike was offered in two different engines and practically same frame, TLR250 and TLR200. The first one had a HRC based (but not developed) 249 cc displacement, 4 stroke and two valves engine. Second one, the TLR200 had 194 cc 4 stroke engine.

From Australia Steven Hervie sent me this well performed Honda TLR 250

From Spain, the nice Josep Feliu's TLR 250 performed by Limit Motos. It is standing by the UPY stand bike.

More info at The Honda Trials History webpage

THE TLR200

The TLR is used today as a good option at Classic Trial competitions (twinshock).

This picture from Mike, UK is a good example of a TLR250 nice tuning.

Thanks Mike!

Another TLR 200 from Aspen Cafe, thanks to Pat.

TLR 200 Vopour blasted and polished engine, thanks to Torbjorn from UK

Wayne Dunn sent me these nice pictures from his TLR 200 elctrical Starter engine fitted!! 


More info at The Hondsa Trials History webpage

1981 Honda RTL 360

At only 18 years old, Honda gave the powerfull RTL 360 to Eddy Lejeune.
Kiyoteru Hattori was another rider from Honda Trials Team that also rode the RTL 360.

First Honda 360 prototypes were made early 1979, Rob Shepherd was one of the first to ride on this big machine. The new machine was the most powerfull trials bike never made. After several problems at first time, the bike was revised by Honda due to a overheating problems.
After a lot of engine improvements and long time, at end 1979, the 360 runs as a new engine, so different comparing the old one.

Thanks to Pat for this nice picture from Honda meeting at ASPEN Cafe. in front we can see a nice RTL360.
In accordance to Tommy Sandham's journalist expert the RTL 360 was the best bike he never rode, on the same way also he reported that in opinion of the top British riders have ridden the bike, it was the best trials bike of the moment.

As telling the 1983 American Motorcycles magazin, Schreiber said "Eddie's an excellent rider, but the bike is also excellent in muddy and wet conditions.















There is small quantity RTL 360 survivors today. This pictured one owns at Italian collector. Maybe one of the most expensive Honda trial bikes and of course difficult to see.

This picture taken by Antonio Maugeri in 1982 shows the first Lejeune's RTL 360.
Painted all Red color, Silevr grey engine, Silver aluminum wheels, Today, the bike is still alive in France, belongs to a French collector.
Thanks for the picture Antonio!!

This original one 360 from 1982 owns to my Honda Trials History friend Carlo from Italy.
Grazie again Carlo!!




The Engine
Type: Four stroke single OHC 2-Valve, air cooled
Displacement: 359,09 cc
Power: Over 20 hp at 6.000 rpm

The Frame
Type: Diamond tube
Caster angle: 26ºWeight: 88 Kg
Wheelbase: 1300 mm

1981 Honda RS250T

Same as RS200T models RS250T was made following same philosophy. The bike was designed and manufactured for competition use only.
The bike did not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standards and operation on public streets, roads or highways is ilegal.

It appears that RS250T production was lower than TL and RS 200. In fact first development was made late on 1981 and the production was done by the renamed RSC, the new HRC Honda Racing Corporation.

The RS250T was the excellence of the RS's range. Very nice and competitive bike, based on the same RS200T chassis but modifying a little bit some parts to introduce the powerful 15Hp 249,8cc HRC engine. Like the RS200T rear wheel axle was perforated on all his extension, RS250T had also the front wheel one perforated.


The bike has no lights and any electrical installation. The front upper forks were covered by a nice aluminum plate.



Front forks were improved from the RS200T adding a connection link between both fork tubes in order to balance the inner air pressure.


To reduce the fuel tank width and allow to assemble the high performance Keihin 22, the RS250T had a really special shape fuel tank.



Original RS250T fuel tank color was Honda Red Accent painted. This nice unit (from Spain) was metallic silver/Honda Red Accent mixed painted on a personal choice of color.


The final appearance of the bike is really a professional prototype!!



The RS250T silencer, HRC logo engraved and two exhaust outlet.


The RS205T silencer had two exhaust outlets and the de new HRC engraved logo. The TL200RII and RS200T models had only one and the RSC engraved logo.

The RSC engraved logo, one exhaust outlet form RS200T

A very nice aluminum silencer replica for RS200T, RS220T, Honda SEELEY and TL200RII.

An other difference between RS200T and RS250T is the color of the wheels, the RS250T had yellow anodized finish, the engine had also different color painting, the RS250T was black color instead Metallic Silver.

In some RS250T units we can see special air expansion chamber on exhaust. Not all the units had this feature and not all the expansion chambers were made on the same way or shape, this is something that was hand made specially for every unit.

The ENGINE

Gasoline air cooled 4-stroke

Displacement: 249,8 cc

Valve train: Overhead camshaft chain drive

Maximum Horspower: 15hp at 6.000rpm

Maximum Torque: 2 Kg/m at 4.000rpm

Compression ratio: 8.3

Ignition: CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition)

The TRANSMISSION

6- Speed transmission constant mesh

Clutch: Wet multi-plate type

The FRAME

Diamond Type, aluminum swing arm

Front suspension: 33mm, 70mm travel

Rear suspension: alumini¡um swing arm 40mm travel

Fuel capacity: 3 lit

Caster angle: 26º

The DIMENSIONS

Weight: 87 Kg

Wheel base: 1314mm

Seat heigh: 720mm

1979 Honda RS200T & RS220T

The very nice RS200T was built from RSC, Racing Service Corporation mounting a Gasoline engine, air cooled 4-stroke cycle, single cylinder inclined at 15º with 197,74cc displacement.

The RS200T had alloy red painted fuel tank and fiber support seat with oval windows on sides.

The swing arm were on these units light alloy made, had other details as the perforated rear aluminum axes. Later RS250T had also the front one perforated.

Replacing the TL200R small front forks the RS200T was 33mm diameter forks.

First RS200T bikes had plastic engine plate protector, and later RS220T and RS250T were equiped witha strongest aluminum plate. Also shape of the plate was increased a little bit on the side wings.

The RS220T was exactelly same construction but increasing engine desplacement from 197.7 cc to 222.4 cc.

All these bikes were produced in a really small series.

There is several informations saying that around 400 units were made. I don't know exactly the figures, but in my opinion the production was bigger.

This nice unit on the pictures (today restored in Spain) has the 3201 serial number. Knowing that RS200 serial numbers began on 2510 number, at least 690 units were made.

Spanish woman rider Alba Villegas riding the Joan's  RS200T in a Catalonia Championship Classic Trials.

The ENGINE

Gasoline air cooled 4-stroke

Displacement 197,74cc

Valve train: Overhead camshaft chain drive

Maximum Horspower:

RS200T 12.1 at 6.000rpm

RS220T 13 at 6.000rpm

Maximum Torque:

RS200T 1.59 at 4.000rpm

RS220T 1.62 at 4.000rpm

Compression ratio:

RS200T 8.2

RS220T 8.3

Ignition, CDI

The TRANSMISSION

6- Speed transmission constant mesh

Clutch: Wet multi-plate type

The FRAME

Diamond Type, aluminum swing arm

Front suspension 33mm, 70mm travel

Rear suspension alumini¡um swing arm 40mm travel

Fuel capacity 3 lit

Caster angle 26º

The DIMENSIONS

Weight

RS200T 85.8Kg

RS220T 86Kg

Wheel base 1314mm

Seat heigh 720mm

1979 Honda TL200RII

The nice TL250RII was biult by RSC, Racing Service Corporation. As the contemporary RS200T and RS220T where produced in a small quantities.

The TL200RII had a white painted fiver petrol tank, with a vertical transparent strip to see petrol level. Second productions were painted in red.

Engine was 197,74cc displacement with 1.59 Kg/m maximum torque at 4.000rpm

The frame was diamond steel, with also steel swing arm.

TL200RII had a tubular diamond steel swing arm that later was replaced for the right-angled aluminium one on the RS200T.

Front forks were 31mm diameter that also were replaced on the RS's that mounted strongest ones, 33mm diameter.

Thanks to Patrick for help with his comments!

If you have additional information please send at honda@onlytial.com or simply adding a comment clicking on "comments"

1978 Honda TL 250 and HT250 David Fraser

This one located in Spain and still under restoration could be one of the few David Fraser HT250 survivors today.

THE DAVID FRASER TL250

Based on the TL 250, David Fraser, who built a several trials machines, made this nice Honda trials edition. The engine was increased to 312cc. and made also a special frame finished chrome plated.

The frame has a plastic (polypropylene) sump shield, mixing square section tubes to rounded sections tubes.

The bike was on sale in UK but I'm not sure about the batch. (most probably a few units)

Some time later, David Fraser Products announced details of a new and revolutionary bike:

THE DAVID FRASER HT250

The bike was designed using the XL250S (1978) twin exhaust motor.

This very competitive package mounted for first time on one trials bike history a unusual intermediate chain.

(later in 1985, JJCobas from Spain applyed same solution on his revolutionary bike)

This is the later JJ cobas double chain system. Picture by La Mola Restoration Trial Bikes from Barcelona for a Spanish collector.

Here you can appreciate the clever intermediate chain System, from J.F., Spain, still under restoration.


This second chain comes from gearbox sprocket to countershaft mounted on the swinging arm pivot. The large chain comes from this swinging arm pivot to the rear wheel.

The innovative system allows to maintain a constant chain tension without any tensioner help.

George Silk engineer from UK also make some studies talking about same chain concept.
See following Youtube interesting video.

This is s short clip looking at trials riding and features some very early hill climbing and Mick Andrews on his Ossa at the annual Scott trial in Yorkshire. It then goes into featuring George Silk who had a new concept for a trials gearbox and swinging arm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PydVlLGxkx4

This rare bike was made in a really small series. Less than twenty were built.

More info about Fraser HT250 at: http://www.onlytrial.com/from_1974_35.html

1979 Honda SEELEY 200

A very nice restoration (made by La Mola Restoration bikes).

Based on the XL 185 trail bike, and increased to 195cc from Honda Racing Service, the frame builder Colin Seeley made for Honda Uk this little machine and iniitially planned to build 400 units.

First prototypes of this bike were made in 1977 and rode by Rob Shepherd as official pilot achieving the 4th position on his first championship and 10th position at same time by the US rider Marland Wahley.
Also Eddy Lejeune rode his first SSDT in 1980 with the 200 SEELEY, he was 12 position and the Best Newcomer.
Officially dating from 1979, finally I'm not sure about the final production. But, be carefully because there is some "replicas" on the market.

Let me note that this unit (picture on the top) has a wrong exhaust mufler due to the difficult on the finding spares from these rare bikes. The right one was the same as the contemporary RS's mounted (RS200, RS 220 and TL200) wit only one outlet exhaust tube and the RSC engraved logo.

The ENGINE

Honda Racing Service engine for trials use

Two valves, chain-driven overhead camshaft

Displacement 197,7cc

Compression Ratio 8.3: 1

Power 12.1 hp at 6.000 rpm

Torque 1,98 kg/m at 4.500 rpm

6,77 Kg/Cv

The TRANSMISSION

6 speed, constant mesh

The FRAME

Diamond frame tubing

Wheelbase 1285 mm

Footrest height 400mm

Weight 82,6 Kg

Front suspension: Marzocchi trial 170mm