Henry's Honda. An SP1 restoration. Part 1 of the Honda Homologation Special VTR RC51 refurbishment

Dave's friend Henry has an SP1 (RC51), he loves it as it's a lovely bike, but in a former life it didn't get as much respect as it should and is in need of some attention. So Obsession Engineering to the rescue to recover the glory of this HRC special .
Over the next few episodes we'll join Dave as he strips the bike down, refurbishes the parts and puts it all back together again.
Hopefully Henry will fall in love with his bike all over again!

[@danielstafford7255]

Think this is my 3rd time watching this series, as well as the 748 and tuono, love them 👍

[@obsession_engineering]

Thanks for watching. There will be more project stuff when the racing calms down

[@silvsiri3478]

I’m gonna look forward to this resto.

[@matthewkirkpatrick5545]

More.......More!!! Bikes please. Love it

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video will be a nice bike when done stay safe looking forward to next one 🇬🇧👍🏻

[@Dave326121]

Love the SP...... one bike I've always wanted to own but sadly never have. I'll be watching this with interest

[@Pstaines439]

Nice work! I remember hearing that the shape of the screen focused sunlight onto the dash and can melt it! I also remember someone saying the naff fake carbon cover stops this from happening. Oh the humanity!!!!!

[@troywee4774]

this should be fun - for the viewer ..... looking forward to this 'series'. cheers.

[@stevesanelli90]

Another classic bike to weave your magic 💪💪🚀

[@Mr93616]

Love my SP 1, 27000 from new, I am the only owner ,it still looks like brand new, I have done most race tracks in uk some in Spain. I was constantly being pulled over by the Guard civil solely to admire the bike when I lived there. It is a fantastic bike nothing bets it on country lanes, gt engine braking breath taking power, seat of pants stuff . Looking forward to the rest of your restoration. By the way my bike is completely standard ,bike does not need all the fancy bits.

[@MrPADDYOT]

Oh happy days!! This will keep me sane over the Christmas. I've just bought a J1 ZXR750 and I'm hoping to do something similar to it. Love this channel.

[@obsession_engineering]

Oh I like a zxr, I've 2 in race trim (K and J), had a couple on the road too. Great bikes

[@shaunfarrar3081]

I have an Sp1-y and had it since it was 6 months old 🤔, loved the Ducati series but really looking forward to this one ☝️

[@jrandall5995]

A Honda without a cam-chain is always a bonus, not bad for a twenty year old bike

[@privatepilot9233]

Awesome 👍. I've loved these since I saw nicky hayden win the ama champ back in 02'. I own an 03', I'll be tuned in for the series for sure 🤘

[@dannymacarthur13]

Hi Dave, Seeing this new bike restoration is the best news I have heard in a long time. I love the SP1 and they are now becoming more and more sought after. Looking forward to the next episode!

[@MOUNTKENNEDY]

Check the top bracket on the left rad as it is a weak spot on these. Check see if it’s starting to pull rad apart

[@obsession_engineering]

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out

[@duckbuell]

I love how you are preserving the bike and staying as original as possible! Bonus for me is your pronunciation of “grotty” and “fettling”!

[@turbomike71]

Dave, I enjoyed watching the Ducati series so much, I sold my SP1 and bought a lovely yellow Super sport. How ironic

[@obsession_engineering]

Both great bikes though!

[@turbomike71]

@@obsession_engineering Yes, but the Italian bike has quite a bit of character, in comparison

[@kevinorcena8758]

Nice, I'm also going through a RC51 restoration project. Cheers!

[@eric62backstrom]

Same here. Just did the seat, windscreen, oem mirrors, have the farings coming and much more!

[@lewiscollins1045]

Best bike i ever owned, i've had 2 and an SP2.

[@MrYamaDuc]

Great! Keep 'em coming Dave

[@kevinfletcher7471]

I'm looking forward to this restoration...and yes they do sound nice , but I'm a fan of the twin cylinder engine in whatever form.

[@KevsShed]

This looks like my kind of series! Subscribed! 👍

[@obsession_engineering]

Welcome aboard!

[@paulrandall7724]

Great choice!! I'm looking forward to this.

[@gregrsvr3947]

me too

[@Skid2933]

Nice one Wavey, when you've worked your magic I can feel another rideout comparison coming on with my SP2 !!

[@derekagnew6510]

always fancied one of these ! lookin forward to this

[@CDKZFZ]

Love watching you man, cheers from Canada! I got a zx7 j1

[@obsession_engineering]

J model zxr's are great!!

[@manuelmartinez6520]

Hello Dave, this is great news Man. Cheers from Canada, I will be working on my RC-SP1 this winter over the snowy days and will be looking forward for some new and helpful videos from your series coming up. Happy New Years Mate. Just SUBSCRIBED.

[@knopv]

Oh that is so luvley

[@adampug206gti]

Great video I look forward to the rest of the restoration.... I've got a Honda SP2 myself and RC45...👍🏻👍🏻 And you're correct that definitely better than those rattly unreliable Ducatis....😂😂

[@obsession_engineering]

Oh I still love a Ducati... Just nice to know the Honda will start every time, lol

[@adampug206gti]

@@obsession_engineering lol... Very ture.... We went to Scotland once I was on the back of my dad's 1992 fireblade are friend was on his Ducati he had an electrical failure and his stand fell off...😂😂😂

[@Steyreon]

Yay, a new series! 😃

[@wiffer22222]

The carbon around the dash was to stop the plastic melting from the sun magnified through the windscreen

[@DJ10ROCS]

Great first video, looking forward to watching more! I acquired my SP1 in April but due to lockdown/dvla mix up couldn't ride it until October so only 80 miles done! It's in reasonably good condition but eager to see how yours turns out!

[@rubthebear5982]

Hi. Love your channel. Really great content and plenty of tips and info. Just one suggestion, as I have been following the series of each build...maybe organise these into individual playlists. Would make finding and watching a whole series that much easier.

[@obsession_engineering]

Thanks for the tip!

[@zxrcol]

If I only had more room in my garage.

[@obsession_engineering]

Me too!!

[@turbod150]

I am waiting to see how you repair the crash bung holes in the fairing

[@lazmandjik9368]

Love this series ! I'm working on my RC51 also. I bought it new in may of 2000 and now have over 95000 kms on it. I'm changing out all the cooling hoses with Samco Sports red hoses. What kind of degreaser are you using ?

[@obsession_engineering]

Kudos and the mileage. I currently have Gunk in the degrease tank, but most normal degreasers from a good tool shop will work pretty well

[@sidewaysaction9983]

SP 1&2 like putting a 8' scaffolding pole on a wheel brace eat back tyres chains and sprockets like there's no tomorrow but the SP2 is my favourite bike period. Are you going to sort the lumpy fueling out or has it been sorted whilst on the Dyno. Hope you're going to dial the suspension in so I can copy, I couldn't live with or understand the dissimilar end cans . Keep up the top work Dave best workshop channel by a lap.

[@obsession_engineering]

This one actually rides well, the fuelling is pretty good but I may be making a couple of improvements along the way ;)

[@marknightingale1351]

Aye 800 mile on a back tyre if you need to replace shock use a sp2 one seem better..best thing i did to mine air box flap mod foam filters fuĺl akroprovic dropped a couple of teeth on back..wouldnt part with it..

[@motorcycle_workshop]

Needs more 'Showa' stickers!

[@obsession_engineering]

I'm not sure there's any space left, lol

[@M1K3R0LPH]

I strongly disagree, surely fitting fake carbon stickers exemplifies 'add lightness'! Seriously though, great project and looking forward to the results.

[@michaelnielsen7538]

following this nice project intensly :-) seriously thinking of bying an SP-1 for 2021and it has 22500 on the clock..-what do you think? :-)

[@obsession_engineering]

The build quality is generally very good, the engines are very reliable so it really comes down to condition. If it's been looked after and maintained nicely you should have no issues. Original rear undertrays ,uncut fairings and original silencers all add value!

[@kevinoliver2254]

Hi Dave I’ve picked up an SP1 in good nick . I’ve had it serviced, but it’s got a little rust in the tank . My plan is to empty and remove the tank . Now I’m going to try to clean the inside of the tank ! Any advice .

[@obsession_engineering]

You'll need to strip it then seal it or it'll rust again, fast! I've used tank cure before, which worked well, or PRO15 tank sealant, after washing it out with vinegar. It's not a fast process, but essential if you have rust already

[@kevinoliver2254]

Thanks I’ll give it a go 👍

[@grachoderunwiderstehlichen]

Honda 🤔 , do you or others have had the same experience : "i drove full throttle and read 125km/h , but with a top case, rider's should close the gas-cable " ? SH125i , fuel consume behind the s1000rr at 100km four E5 liter and lower speed , ~6.5 E5 liter for the four pistion bavaria love (110km/h) only few times 200+mph sure the scooter is limited but for a japan powertrain not bad - have anybody drive honda or yamaha against AMG A45 powertrain ?

[@davidvitan3590]

Shorty levers on an RC51 should be a punishable offence

[@cwgillan702]

RC51 owner here... mine has 30k miles and is slightly less good looking than this one, watching with interest... 😂😂👍🏻