this was my 2nd Daytona 200, my first In '69 when Dick Mann won on the BSA - I remember riding my Honda CL175 up from West Palm Beach and camping out on the west side campgrounds, watching the race from various parts of the infield-
Memories. There were two AMA national events in my hometown in 1969 and I got to see Nixon, Mann, Markel, locals Castro, Romero, Aldana and the rest. 1970 was the first year the triples and fours could run Daytona under the new all 750 rule. Before that, ohv bikes were limited to 500cc, only the flathead Harleys ran as 750s.
I have been told the smoke produced by the Honda in the latter part of the race was due to oil getting by the valve seals. I think it took someone of Mann's experience to bring that bike home as it was not really developed for a race of this distance.
This was the First ever Formula 750 race. A popular series when the main interest in GP racing was to see who finished runner up to Agostini in the big classes or the interesting 250 and smaller classes
"You were smoking a lot on downshifts". "Yeah....that was on purpose" Bullshit. It was those early exhaust guides with no seals that gobbled oil. That engine was 10 minutes from self destructing specifically the cam chain tensioner. I can only imagine what the primary chains looked like.
They put massive amounts of money, R&D and the top experts in the world into developing those exotic Honda 750s, then have some tipsy mechanic slop on paint for the numbers and literally paint racing numbers on the leathers! As a former sign painter all I have to say is....whaaaaaa???
From "the most important motorcycle race in the world" - which it was - to a more or less ho-hum club race, and from a race that gathered what had to be the deepest well of riding talent at any motorcycle race to one where there's NO international participation worth noting. There were Daytona 200's where there were a half-dozen or more World Champions AND as many AMA National Champions. Then somebody had the bright idea of separating the dirt track and road race parts of the Championship and now we're where we are, which is nowhere. And that's both the dirt track AND the road race arenas. A shame. Oh, and by the way: it also stopped American participation in the World Championship MotoGP races. Nice going!
Not just about being fast, it's about being fast within the limits of your machine over 200 miles. The old master Mann knew how to get it done. That bike of Mann's was just about to dump the last bits of oil out onto the track and roll or grind to a stop. He barely brought it home. Mann allowing Romero to gain time was a strategy of Mann and crew chief Bob Hansen to hold the bike together. The smart/dumb Honda brass at the track were infuriated at this and terrified Romero would take the lead away. Hansen rightly told them to eat his shorts, or words to that effect--and was fired for making the right choice. Stupid Japanese culture at the time, submission to authority favored over doing the right thing. Hansen and Mann got them the win, though.
"4 cylinder overhead valve engine..."? The only known footage of the complete Honda team, including the "more experienced" Ralph Bryans (who had never raced a motorcycle larger than 500cc), Tommy Robb (same) and Honda dealership owner Bill Smith, a highly respected semi-pro Honda racer. Dick Mann had been a force-fit into the team, even though he had three 2nd places at Daytona...the full circuit of which none of the three "international" racers had run. Bugsy got a really good read on the flagman at the start, didn't he? By the way, I'm thinking the top end must've accumulated a bit of oil, viz the puff of smoke going into Turn One on lap one. But my real question is..who made this film? American Honda?
Great insight, thank you. Yes, Honda was responsible for making this film which explains all of the hype from the narrator. Don't think he hardly mentioned any other make or brand, for obvious reasons.
On the side lines, Bob was having a argument with Honda management. Bob knew cam chainsaw failure was immenent. He told Bugs to take it easy. Honda did not like it.
In 1970, all Honda did was prove they could spy on Kawasaki and, using their manufacturing prowess, be able to beat the Z1 to market. The CB750 still looked like every other Japanese motorcycle, an oversized scooter. The Z1 looked like a motorcycle should, it kicked everyone's asses and changed the motorcycling world forever.
The engineers who did so much innovation in the 1960s were transferred to the car division. Also, Soichiro retired in the 70s and the bike end lost direction. Failed ideas like the cbx6 and V4.
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I was so lucky to have attended this race.
this was my 2nd Daytona 200, my first In '69 when Dick Mann won on the BSA - I remember riding my Honda CL175 up from West Palm Beach and camping out on the west side campgrounds, watching the race from various parts of the infield-
I was 9. I love the soundtrack and the footage. Classic.
Open face helmets, knees tight to the tanks, no stickers and patches slathered all over the bikes and riders. Those were the days.
The next year Dick Man won the race on a BSA. He was one of those old school American racers that could win on dirt tracks or road courses.
Memories. There were two AMA national events in my hometown in 1969 and I got to see Nixon, Mann, Markel, locals Castro, Romero, Aldana and the rest. 1970 was the first year the triples and fours could run Daytona under the new all 750 rule. Before that, ohv bikes were limited to 500cc, only the flathead Harleys ran as 750s.
As I recollect, the Hondas in that event had problems with the cam chain stretching. Man was smart to take it easy on his bike.
I have been told the smoke produced by the Honda in the latter part of the race was due to oil getting by the valve seals. I think it took someone of Mann's experience to bring that bike home as it was not really developed for a race of this distance.
That 9500rpm redline sounds a bit suspect.
This was the First ever Formula 750 race. A popular series when the main interest in GP racing was to see who finished runner up to Agostini in the big classes or the interesting 250 and smaller classes
Back when the racing was why bike week existed.
"You were smoking a lot on downshifts".
"Yeah....that was on purpose"
Bullshit. It was those early exhaust guides with no seals that gobbled oil. That engine was 10 minutes from self destructing specifically the cam chain tensioner. I can only imagine what the primary chains looked like.
They put massive amounts of money, R&D and the top experts in the world into developing those exotic Honda 750s, then have some tipsy mechanic slop on paint for the numbers and literally paint racing numbers on the leathers! As a former sign painter all I have to say is....whaaaaaa???
I attended and recall afterward that Cycle magazine featured Honda/Mann on its cover---90 HP screamed the headline. Innocent days were they.
Ce serait bien de trouver quelqu'un pour refaire, au moins, les couleurs de ce film... Merci d'y penser !
flash to the 2017 race , its become a 600 club race with no one in the stands .. that's how far it fallen thanks to the ama .. shame
From "the most important motorcycle race in the world" - which it was - to a more or less ho-hum club race, and from a race that gathered what had to be the deepest well of riding talent at any motorcycle race to one where there's NO international participation worth noting. There were Daytona 200's where there were a half-dozen or more World Champions AND as many AMA National Champions. Then somebody had the bright idea of separating the dirt track and road race parts of the Championship and now we're where we are, which is nowhere. And that's both the dirt track AND the road race arenas. A shame. Oh, and by the way: it also stopped American participation in the World Championship MotoGP races. Nice going!
The usa is not the world
no but it was one good race along with all the others ..now its crap .thanks a.m.a.
The riders then where doing it for the love of the sport. Now not so much---no fans!..
Short lived glory for Honda, the TZs and OWs were lurking as Yamaha would dominate the next decade plus
The Glory Days Of Motorcycle Racing For Sure. Was That Keith Jackson That Interviewed Dick Mann On Victory Lane? Thank You.
I WAS THERE!
Me too.
Bella.
loved this... thanks!
Not just about being fast, it's about being fast within the limits of your machine over 200 miles. The old master Mann knew how to get it done. That bike of Mann's was just about to dump the last bits of oil out onto the track and roll or grind to a stop. He barely brought it home. Mann allowing Romero to gain time was a strategy of Mann and crew chief Bob Hansen to hold the bike together. The smart/dumb Honda brass at the track were infuriated at this and terrified Romero would take the lead away. Hansen rightly told them to eat his shorts, or words to that effect--and was fired for making the right choice. Stupid Japanese culture at the time, submission to authority favored over doing the right thing. Hansen and Mann got them the win, though.
is it possible for you to create the complete the DAYTONA 200 Playlist?
"4 cylinder overhead valve engine..."? The only known footage of the complete Honda team, including the "more experienced" Ralph Bryans (who had never raced a motorcycle larger than 500cc), Tommy Robb (same) and Honda dealership owner Bill Smith, a highly respected semi-pro Honda racer. Dick Mann had been a force-fit into the team, even though he had three 2nd places at Daytona...the full circuit of which none of the three "international" racers had run. Bugsy got a really good read on the flagman at the start, didn't he? By the way, I'm thinking the top end must've accumulated a bit of oil, viz
the puff of smoke going into Turn One on lap one. But my real question is..who made this film? American Honda?
Great insight, thank you.
Yes, Honda was responsible for making this film which explains all of the hype from the narrator. Don't think he hardly mentioned any other make or brand, for obvious reasons.
I remember a few years later when an 810 Honda looked slow.
great music --- who is it by ?
Dick-Mann kept it rock steady for Honda all day.
On the side lines, Bob was having a argument with Honda management. Bob knew cam chainsaw failure was immenent. He told Bugs to take it easy. Honda did not like it.
There is much more to this than the narrator mentioned, the real hero is Walt Hansen who managed Mann's bike and entry.
Bob Hanson.
Hansen
Bob Hansen 😉
the greatest road race in the world is the isle of man T T races .
Awesome
i was born in '70!!!
cool
What was Hailwood riding??
Factory BSA Triple
I always like the fairings on those Daytona BSA's
Hansen at 1:34....
Motorcycle Apaches!!!
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🏁🏁🏁it's a real pleasure to watch🏎️🏎️🏎️
0:55 🔥💜
👇👇👇👇💛
In 1970, all Honda did was prove they could spy on Kawasaki and, using their manufacturing prowess, be able to beat the Z1 to market. The CB750 still looked like every other Japanese motorcycle, an oversized scooter. The Z1 looked like a motorcycle should, it kicked everyone's asses and changed the motorcycling world forever.
I'm an old Honda guy and regret to admit you are right on, Z-1 was THE bike.
It was all a Japanese conspiracy to conquer the motorcycle world. They were all friends who divided the market amongst themselves.
The engineers who did so much innovation in the 1960s were transferred to the car division. Also, Soichiro retired in the 70s and the bike end lost direction. Failed ideas like the cbx6 and V4.