1973 JAPAUTO 1000 Endurance 950 SS
1973 JAPAUTO 1000 Endurance - 950 SS
Star of the Bol d’Or
The biggest Honda retailer in Europe, Christian Vilaseca was a great sports type, when he mounted his attack on the Bol d’Or in 1970. Not content to enter a Honda, Vilaseca wanted to run a bike bearing his business’s name – Japauto. The famed 750 four had its displacement increased to 946cc, a second disc intake valve was added downstream of the first and the whole was clad in a full fairing.
Biggest Was Best
In 1971, the Japauto the biggest displacement bike entered for the Bol d’Or – finished no better than 20th, but Vilaseca achieved his goal in 1972, when the Japauto of Ruiz Debrock won the famous race.
New Fairing
In 1973, the Japauto sported a wedge-shaped fairing designed by Motorcycle Sport Design, as voluminous as it was original and very aerodynamic. The comfort it gave exceptional for an endurance bike was greatly appreciated by Debrock and Tchernine, who, despite bad weather, won a second victory in the 1973 Bol d’Or. In 1974, the Japauto adopted four-pad brake calipers and a frame built by PEM, following the Honda layout. Vileseca executed a more personally-designed frame for the 1975 version. Even before these successes in the Bol d’Or, Vilaseca placed a version of this bike on sale under the name “950 SS.” In fact, it consisted of a kit including four sleeves and four pistons (made in France), plus a complete cylinder block, a second front disc brake and an iodine headlamp. In 1971, fitting the 950 SS kit added over 30 percent to the cost of a new 750 Honda.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 946cc (70×63mm) air-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke; dry-sump lubrication
Power Rating: 100 hp @ 8000 rpm
Valves: overhead-camshaft, 8 valves
Fuel System: four 31.5mm Keihin carburetors
Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swing arm (rear)
Brakes: twin Brembo 11.8 inch discs (front); Lockheed 11.8 inch disc (rear)
Weight: 441 lb
Maximum Speed: 137 mph
Built to the old formula that “there’s no substitute for cubic inches,” the Japauto was a gentle giant, both in its street version (main photo) and in the Bol d’Or (inset, with Ruiz in 1973).
This and many other Atlas Editions Classic Motorcycle cards are available for purchase.
