I KNOW THAT MOTORCYCLE!

Dear CR To clear up the doubt of which model of Honda Bill Smith was riding when he won the 350cc class of the 1968 NW200, I have to say it was neither of the models that were listed in the star letter. It was a CR77 305cc four-stroke twin cylinder Honda. It was the larger capacity version of the CR72 twin cylinders fourstroke 250cc Honda. I got the chance to race a CR72 250 Honda in the 1965 NW200 250 race; I finished in second position behind the winner Tommy Robb. He beat me by one second but I had the fastest lap of the race. Many thanks for the article in CR November/december 2016 of my ride on Glen Henderson’s 250 CR Honda. Len Ireland Co Antrim

I KNOW THAT MOTORCYCLE! NO. 2

Dear CR In answer to Joe Edmunson’s query about the 350 class of the 1968 North West 200 I think he will win his bet. Colin Seeley, in his book ‘Racer and the Rest’ quotes the winning machine as a Honda 305cc and he should know, as he was there. The CR77 was not generally for sale and only released on occasions to works or semi-works approved racers, which Bill Smith was. Mick Walker, in his book ‘Classic Japanese Racing Motorcycles’ says that a race-kitted CYB350RC was first displayed at the Tokyo show in October 1968, so it is unlikely that Bill had one earlier in the year. Great magazine, look forward to each edition. Peter Tipper Email

I KNOW THAT MOTORCYCLE! NO. 3

Dear CR I’m pretty sure that the result in the 350 class at the 1968 North West 200 was Bill Smith from my childhood hero Brian Steenson and John Hartle in third! If my memory serves me correctly, Bill Smith was riding a production based 305 Honda. Unfortunately for me, I remember that day for different reasons. Prior to the roads closing, I was sitting on the grass bank at Juniper Hill, when I got hit on the side of my face by an exhaust of a motorcycle which had just knocked a pedestrian down. An ambulance was called, but I scarpered, as I wanted to see the racing. I got treatment from St John Ambulance and watched the racing with a tea towel wrapped around my face. I think Rod Gould won the 250 on the same day on his black Yamaco (Yamaha engine in Bultaco frame). I was only nine years of age, so I hope my memories of this race are correct. Keep up the wonderful work in this magazine; I could do with this being a fortnightly publication. Baylon Mccaughey Email