Tokyo classic motorcycle collector Terry Murayama was key to the Honda Six replica project for he loaned long-time friend George Beale the ex-Mike Hailwood RC174, unbeatable in the final year of Honda’s glorious 1960s world championship chapter.

Without the machine George would have been unable to produce the batch of 10 immaculate replicas now in the hands of international collectors throughout the world.

Terry was never really interested in racing, more focused on building things, but when Soichiro Honda linked racing with manufacturing Terry became a fan.

“Mr Honda was the first person to realise that racing would help the sales of his motorbikes and he made bikes to win. It was very important to understand how to win through development,” said Terry.

Terry became very interested in Honda racing machines and eventually heard of a privately owned Honda Six and subsequently the opportunity to buy it, from a local motorcycle dealer who had strong connections with the factory racing department.

“The dealer obtained the bike and engine from Honda R&D ..I think it was in the mid-70s. The chassis and engine were complete and just sitting on the floor in a very miserable state.”

He and a colleague collected the chassis and engine separately because the only transport they had was a tiny Honda S600. The bike was then assembled in his workshop.

Terry explained that Honda’s company philosophy probably led to the neglected state in which this piece of racing history was found. “They were always look forward and were not interested in the past. The Honda Six was now not important!”

However, this almost priceless legacy of Honda’s golden racing era cost Terry his entire collection of classic bikes plus a hefty cash payment.