Honda Juno

The Honda Juno is a scooter. Two versions were produced, the K-series of 1954 (K, KA, KB), and the M-series of 1962 (M80, M85).

Juno K

Infobox Motorcycle
name = Honda Juno K


aka =
manufacturer = Honda Motor Company
parent_company =
production = 1954
predecessor =
successor =
class =
engine = one-cylinder OHV 4-stroke 189 cc [K] , 220 cc [KA & KB]
top_speed = 70 km/h
power = 7.5 hp @ 4,800rpm [K] , 9.0 hp @ 5,500rpm [KA & KB]
torque =
transmission = 3-speed
suspension =
brakes =
tires =
rake_trail =
wheelbase =
length = 2.070 m
width = 0.800 m
height = 1.025 m [K & KA] , 1.000 m [KB]
seat_height =
dry_weight = 170 kg [K] , 195 kg [KA] , 160 kg [KB]
wet_weight =
fuel_capacity =
oil_capacity =
fuel_consumption =
turning_radius =
climbing_ability =
related =
similar = Fuji Rabbit, Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon

The Juno K was a deliberately elaborate bike in 1954. It was Honda's first scooter and would be competing with the well established Fuji Rabbit and Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon. It featured the first electric start, a full windscreen with a tilt-back sun-shade, and built-in signal lamps. It also introduced Fibre-Reinforced Plastic body construction to Japan. [cite web|url=http://world.honda.com/history/limitlessdreams/manttraces/text/01.html|title=Innovations|publisher=Honda|accessdate=2008-02-22]

Only 5,980 were produced in a year and a half. Kihachiro Kawashima, who retired as executive vice-president in 1979, remembered the bike as a "splendid failure": it was too expensive, the engine overheated, the FRP body was heavier than expected and made the bike underpowered and clumsy, the new cantilevered suspension was problematic, and customers did not like the motorcycle-style clutch operation. [cite web|url=http://world.honda.com/history/limitlessdreams/friendship/text/03.html|title=Production|publisher=Honda|accessdate=2008-02-22] [cite web|url=http://world.honda.com/history/limitlessdreams/friendship/text/01.html|title=Failure|publisher=Honda|accessdate=2008-02-22]

The final Juno KB model can be distinguished by enlarged rear vents and new vents added to the windscreen.

Technology developed for the Juno K would be applied to later bikes. The electric start was re-introduced with the C71 Dream in 1957, and the new Plastics department under Shozo Tsuchida developed polyethylene components that would distinguish the Super Cub. [cite web|url=http://world.honda.com/history/limitlessdreams/originality/text/02.html|title=Electric Start|publisher=Honda|accessdate=2008-02-22] [cite web|url=http://world.honda.com/history/limitlessdreams/qualityproducts/text/03.html|title=Plastics|publisher=Honda|accessdate=2008-02-22]

Juno M80/M85

Infobox Motorcycle
name = Honda Juno M85


aka =
manufacturer = Honda Motor Company
parent_company =
production = 1962
predecessor =
successor =
class =
engine = opposed 2-cylinder OHV 4-stroke 169cc [M80 124cc]
top_speed = 100 km/h
power = 12 hp @ 7,600 rpm [M80 11 hp @ 9,000 rpm]
torque =
transmission = HRD hydraulic-mechanical
suspension =
brakes =
tires =
rake_trail =
wheelbase =
length = 1.820 m [M80 1.810 m]
width = 0.675 m [M80 0.665 m]
height = 1.030 m
seat_height =
dry_weight = 157 kg [M80 146 kg]
wet_weight =
fuel_capacity =
oil_capacity =
fuel_consumption =
turning_radius =
climbing_ability =
related =
similar = Fuji Rabbit, Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon

The Juno M80/M85 was a different approach introduced in November 1961. Unlike the K-series, there is no upper windscreen, the engine is an exposed horizontal-twin rather than an enclosed fan-cooled unit, and the body construction is conventional monocoque steel rather than FRP panels over tube. The M80/M85 also introduced a clutchless Patalini-type hydraulic-mechanical transmission which would provide the basis for the later Hondamatic motorcycle transmissions. [cite web|url=http://world.honda.com/history/challenge/1968hondamatic/text/02.html|title=Transmission|publisher=Honda|accessdate=2008-02-22]

The M80 and M85 are essentially the same vehicle, with the M85 designation indicating a mid-year engine enlargement. The Juno was discontinued by year-end with only 5,880 produced. [cite web|url=http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/005.html|title=Production|publisher=Honda|accessdate=2008-02-22]

References

* Juno K-series specifications from these Honda pages on 2008-02-22:
** [http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/005.html http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/005.html]
** [http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/008.html http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/008.html]
** [http://world.honda.com/collection-hall/2r/junok_1954.html http://world.honda.com/collection-hall/2r/junok_1954.html]
* Juno M-series specifications from these Honda pages on 2008-02-22:
** [http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/005.html http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/005.html]
** [http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/008.html http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/SCOOTER/19810707/008.html]
** [http://world.honda.com/collection-hall/2r/junom85_1962.html http://world.honda.com/collection-hall/2r/junom85_1962.html]

External links

* [http://hm85.fc2web.com/meny/list1.html Gallery detailing the restoration of a Juno M85]