Antique Motorcycles hosts 2012 HBBB media launch

As campaigned by multiple AMA motocross and supercross champion, Ricky Johnson, the RC 250 on display was a 1986 model - the year when Honda dominated the AMA motocross competition, despite the implementation of a "production rule" designed to curb big-dollar bespoke racers and the dominance of Honda's works machines.

Based on a stock CR MXer, the RC 250M was one of Honda's great factory machines from the 'Golden Era' of motocross. Features included a mechanically-adjustable power valve system, which offered more power over a stock 250 motor, but was more rider friendly on the works racers than the electronic system it replaced. Showa 43mm front forks were standard fitment on these bikes, and regarded as the best fitted to any motocrosser of the era. An HRC exhaust delivered bags of top end power, and was one of several HRC tweaks and modifications made to the bikes that helped deliver the 1986 AMA Motocross title to Johnson, who had signed with Honda that year.

As this year's HBBB will feature a special celebration of that era, it was fitting the RC was the feature display bike at the media launch. It'll be joined by many more at the Easter event, stretching from the first Elsinores of 1973, through to the last of the air-cooled models from 1984 and beyond. Making its debut at this year's HBBB, the special celebration of the 'Golden Era of Motocross' is scheduled for the evening of Good Friday. In addition to the display bikes, riders like Jeff Leisk and Ray Owen will be interviewed about their racing memories. Additionally, a book of images, clippings and adverts of 1970s mx and scrambling, compiled by Roger Harvey, will be officially released and available for purchase on the night.

Organisers and participants in the Friday evening event would also like attendees to bring along their photos and clippings of the Golden Era, with a view to scanning and preserving them for future posterity. The celebration of the Golden Era of Motocross is scheduled to take place at the Speedway Shed at the State Motorcycle Sports Complex, Broadford, on Good Friday evening, April 6.

Speakers at the HBBB launch included Motorcycling Australia's Peter Drakeford, Honda MPE CEO Tony Hinton, Rosco Holden and Antique Motorcycles proprietor John Graduszus. With the 2012 HBBB also celebrating 111 years of Indian, it presented attendees with the opportunity to see John's impressive collection of Indian motorcycles, including a recently acquired example he plans to campaign in the Indian vs Harley 'Great Race' at Jindabyne this March 9 - 11.

The 2012 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza, a celebration of classic, pre-1985 motorcycling, will take place this Easter, April 7 & 8. For more details on the Bonanza, go to the dedicated event website - www.ma.org.au/hbbb