Actual White Mugens

[Tahitian_Red]

I've seen several white (Frame, Tank and Plastics) on the net.  The early Japanese ones seem to all be white and Johnny O's 79 and 80 ME125's were white, but the only other one I can think of was the one hanging from the ceiling in Al Baker's shop (I think Marty Smith raced it in 1979 and it may be owned by Rick Horvat now).

The ME250RZ's were red as were the ME125RA's.  Were the white bikes ever sold to the public?

[JohnnyO]

As you say the only white ones I've seen were the 70's Jap bikes and Johnny O'mara's 79 and 80 models and the 80 model 125 of Terry Goods which he bought new so they must've sold some white bikes. All the other magazine tests and pics have been red bikes. No white ones came to Australia that I know of.
The Mugen engined bike Marty Smith rode in the 79 nationals was red, never seen any pics of Marty on a white Honda.

[Tahitian_Red]

Johnny,

I have not seen pics of Marty Smith on an ME350, but the one that was hanging in All Baker's shop had a number 9 on it, so I assumed it was Marty's bike.  Baker seemed to be in control of the Mugen stuff in the US at that time.

I was going to make my '83 CR480 all white when I install my ME480 kit, but I think it would be better as a red bike, since there were only engine kits by that time and I have found no photos of original white ME480's.

[JohnnyO]

I agree red is more suitable for any post 1980 mugens. From memory there is a pic in a MXA mag of Martys 78 big bore stating he used a mugen for some races.

[Tahitian_Red]

Which MXA issue?

[JohnnyO]

Which MXA issue?

They're packed away in storage now, would take me a while to find it.

[Tahitian_Red]

At your leisure sir, I'm not in any hurry. 

[crabman]

I've seen several white (Frame, Tank and Plastics) on the net. 

The ME250RZ's were red as were the ME125RA's.  Were the white bikes ever sold to the public?

I am currently building a white 78 CR 125 and 250 - here in South Africa I knew of a white 78 CR 125 and if memory serves me correctly I also remember seeing pictures of a white 250 . Almost  ready to assemble

[09.0]

I'm also going the white theme with my cr480 rd.
It will have a 79 250 tank. I have all the parts, just need to weld the late model footpeg mounts on, paint the frame and tank , then assemble.

[Rossvickicampbell]

slightly off topic - but still Mugen related - does you know of anyone that has a 1980 ME 250 motor?  Even if only for some measurements?

thanks

[Snowy 76]

Good Question, Did the Mugen 250 , Come as a kit Cylinder , Head, Pipe?? Like the water cooled kits, never seen one advertised.

[JohnnyO]

Good Question, Did the Mugen 250 , Come as a kit Cylinder , Head, Pipe?? Like the water cooled kits, never seen one advertised.

Yes they came as a top end kit and pipe and were popular. Motocross Action tested and advertised them '77,'78,'79,'80

[smed]

A 1979 CR250R was US $1748,the ME360 complete bike was US $3700,more than double the price,but what a ride,next best thing to a RC factory bike ,To retro fit the engine kit to your bike would have been $650 plus machine work & assembly $200.All up inc bike puchase $2598,By the time you add in the suspension components I guess that makes the Mugen a bargain

[JohnnyO]

T Red this is the pic i was talking about in Motocross Action.. Thanks Smed! saved me looking.

[crs-and-rms]

had a 360  mugen head in my hands today  not mine  but  starting to want some of my own