Marty Smith Replica 1975 Honda RC125
Vintage Factory are building jaw dropping replicas of US Motocross legend Marty Smiths Honda RC 125.
The bike is dripping with retro bling and is a fitting tribute to the 3-time AMA Motocross Champion.
Marty Smith was the first ever AMA 125cc motocross champion in 1974 and claimed the title again in 1975 aboard the all conquering Honda RC125. Smith wrapped up his amazing 1975 season by winning the inaugural 125cc United States Grand Prix of Motocross. He repeated the feat in 1976.
In ‘76, Smith split his time between America and Europe. He raced in the 125cc World Motocross Championships, won a round, and finished a very respectable fourth in the championship despite missing several rounds. However Smith found that he didn’t enjoy his time in Europe.
“I got a cold reception over there to say the least,” Smith recalled. “I didn’t like anything about Europe, so that pretty much ended my desire to contest the world championship on a full-time basis.”
Smith won the AMA 500cc Motocross Championship in 1977 by defeating arch rival Bob Hannah in the final moto to take the title. During his career he has won 18 career nationals races in 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc.
Smith became known as one of the most stylish riders in motocross history. According to his mechanic Dave Arnold, there was never a bad photo of Smith. His riding style was textbook perfect.
He won all his championships with Honda and the company featured him in its advertising, using his long hair and youthful good looks to encourage kids to buy the Honda brand. Smith graced the covers of dozens of dirt bike magazines riding the legendary Honda Elsinores, wearing the famous red, white and blue racing colors and became the first teen idol in motocross with legions of young fans following his every move.
Read more about Marty here
Images: Vintage Factory
Tags: 1970s, Classic Racing Motorcycles, Motocross, Riders
[...] Honda RC125 replica This replica of a works Honda motocross bike is causing a ripple in vintage motocross circles. In the mid-70s, the poster boy for motocross was Marty Smith, and he rode an RC125 Elsinore. Although it looked similar to the Elsinore you could buy at your local dealer, it was actually a seriously tricked-out bike [PDF]. And now the Vintage Factory has created this replica, complete with a multitude of works parts. The company specializes in first class restorations, building Honda MR50, XR75, and CR125 and 250 Elsinores—including ‘themed’ bikes such as FMF, DG and Mugen racers from the 70s. If you’re a vintage motocross fan, you’ll find their site addictive. And while we’re on the subject, another vintage MX site worth visiting is Terry Good’s MX Works Bike, which has well-shot photo galleries of 60s and 70s machinery from the major Japanese makers, plus rare readers’ rides from the likes of Lito, Combi-Triumph, Monark, Mugen, Noguchi and Puch. Make sure you have an hour or two to spare before you start digging. [Via Motorsport Retro.] [...]