Honda C92, CB92, C95 Benly

1963 Honda C92 125cc Benly

The Honda C92 125cc Benly (the origins of the Benly name are unclear) was the smallest of the Honda twin-cylinder motorcycles exported to Europe and America from 1959 to 1965. Running concurrently were the CB92 Sports and the slightly larger C95 150cc (CA92/CA95 in America). These twins took their styling and design cues from their larger stablemates, the C72/C77 Dream.

Description

All Technical Specifications are taken from the Honda 125 150 Shop Manual and apply to the C92/C95. The frame was a pressed steel, fully welded design with the front end carrying the steering head and the rear end forming the deeply valanced mudguard . The front forks were pressed steel and carried the front mudguard. Front suspension was of the leading link type. Rear suspension was by fully enclosed telescopic dampers. Front and rear brakes were 6 inch single leading shoes in full-width hubs. Wheels were 16 inch.

The engine was a twin-cylinder, four-stroke with two valves per cylinder operated by a chain-driven overhead camshaft. Compression ratio for the C92 was 8.3:1 and 9.7:1 for the C95. Quoted HP/rpm output for the C92 and C95 was 11.5/9,500 and 16.5/10,000 respectively. Fuel was supplied from the 10.1 litre (2 imp gal) fuel tank via a single carburettor, 18mm (0.71 in) for the C92 and 20mm (0.79 in) for the C95. Primary drive was by helical-cut gears to a multi-plate clutch running in oil which lubricated both the engine and the four-speed gearbox. Final drive was by fully enclosed chain. The electrical system was 6 volts and an electric starter was a standard fitment on all models.

Variations

Cosmetically, the C92/C95 and the American market CA92/CA95 differed mainly in their handlebars. The European bikes had flat pressed steel bars whilst the American bikes had raised tubular bars but when the C95 was brought to Europe, it was equipped with the raised tubular bars. There was also a CS92 which had a high-level scrambler style exhaust system.

Honda CB92 125cc

The CB92 was the Super Sports model. Cosmetically, it had briefer mudguards and small chain-guard. The fuel tank was larger, holding 10.5 litres (2.3 imp gal). The rear suspension had exposed springs. Both brakes were 8 inch with the front being a twin-leading-shoe type. Both wheels were 18 inch. The engine had higher compression pistons of 10:1. Quoted HP/rpm was 15/10,500. The crankshaft of the CB92 was supported by three main bearings instead of two in the standard engine.