Road-going Castrol rep CBR and Blade to go on sale

The Castrol Honda race squad is adding a 2002 British superbike-spec road-going FireBlade to its previously announced CBR600 supersport racer rep, and is planning to put it on sale in road legal trim.

The addition of the road legal Castrol Honda Blade follows John McGuinness’ success at the 2001 Macau GP.

Like the CBR600– the initial Blades will go to race teams and trackday addicts, but UK-based Castrol Honda is also working on road legal versions of both.

The bikes will be based on 2002 Blades complete with the new 954cc capacity and will be built to British Superbike specification. That means around 165bhp at the rear wheel and a weight of just 164kg (360lb).

” We have already taken 29 orders for the CBR600s, ” said a spokesman, ” so it seemed logical to offer the FireBlade as well. ”

The new BSB rules don’t allow much tuning to the engine, the work on the motor is limited to blue printing and gas flowing. However, this is enough to raise the power by 15bhp from the stock 149bhp.

The frame has to remain virtually stock, but will be strengthened around the headstock to reduce any flex, while Ohlins 43mm forks replace the road units.

The Blade is likely to cost the best part of £25,000, the CBR costs close to £17,000.

Details: 01507 605843