1979 Honda CX500 Quasar replica
Replica of the rare British Quasar feet-forward motorcycle
Frame number; 2201536
Engine number; 2201548
The semi-enclosed feet-forward two-wheel Quaser was designed Ken Leaman and Malcolm Newell in England during the early 1970s. The first was built in 1976 and the Quasar offered weather protection plus the ability to sustain 160 km/h indefinitely at comfortable rpm. Alternatively, it could provide fuel economy of 3 litres per 100 km at a steady 80 km/h. An 18-litre fuel tank provided the Quaser a range of nearly 600km between petrol stops. The Quasar was designed so that routine maintenance could be done with the engine in the frame. It featured a side stand on each side while the external panelling was intended to be sleek and easy to clean, without any cracks or ridges to accumulate dirt. A huge (66-litre) luggage compartment was incorporated into the tail unit.
The initial Quasar was powered by an 850cc four-cylinder water-cooled overhead valve engine from the Reliant Robin three-wheeler. This inline engine produced 41 horsepower; the power transmitted to the rear wheel by a shaft drive with two universal joints. The rider selected one of four gears with a foot-operated pedal. The motor was housed in a frame made of Reynolds 531 tubing, with pivoted fork suspension at both ends using air shocks. The 18-inch alloy wheels were fitted with twin disc brakes at the front and a single disc at the rear, these operated by hand and foot levers as on a standard motorcycle of the time. The throttle and clutch were similarly conventional. Although only a few were manufactured, the Quaser received significant publicity and three Quasers were featured in 1988 BBC Top Gear program. Multiple world champion Phil Read collected his MBE from Buckingham Palace after riding a Quasar wearing a top hat and tails.
This Quasar replica was built by Colin McDowell in Wanganui, New Zealand. This was based on a 1979 Honda CX500, the V-twin with shaft-drive proving ideal for the feet-forward layout. The liquid-cooled 80° transverse V-twin was automotive-like, the crankcase cast with integral cylinders, with a single high camshaft driven by a Hy-Vo chain. Short pushrods operated the four valves per cylinder, and the cylinder heads were skewed to provide room for the rider’s legs. The bore and stroke were 78x52mm, and primary drive was by straight-cut gears primary drive to the multi-plate clutch (acting as engine balancer) and five-speed gearbox. Carburetion was by a pair of 35mm Keihin CV carburettors, and the power was 50 horsepower at 9,000rpm. The Comstar wheels allowed for tubeless tyres and twin disc brakes were fitted to the front. The CX500 earned a reputation for extraordinary long life and became a favourite with London despatch riders. Colin McDowell’s “Quonda” makes use of most of the standard Honda CX500, including the engine, transmission, suspension wheels, brakes, instruments, electrics and controls. Unlike the original Quaser that featured a lower roofline that made riding with a full-face helmet problematic, the Quonda has a higher roof. This machine was featured in the British magazine Motorcycle Sport in 1988. In 2007 it was sold to Allen Smith in Queensland where it was displayed in the Australian Motorcycle Museum for many years.
This Quasar replica “Quonda” is offered in fully functional condition and comes with a large number of spares and specific instructions for use. The mileage is approximately 60,000km. The condition is used. Paint is missing under the headlight and half a visor is missing. Comes with one key and import paperwork.
To view high resolution images of the motorcycles, please follow the below Dropbox link;
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/n5bcjb2nuoc16t4y3k5hs/h?dl=0&rlkey=exyqlbxilyvv4n3ue8jmppkbx
This motorcycle is sold unregistered.
